Official University of Leicester Firmers Thread 2012

Course: Communications, Media and Society Bsc
Offer: ABB (Already got the Bs )
Which accommodation are you thinking of?: Beaumont Hall first then probably JoFo
Other Offers: Dmu, Brunel, Coventry
A-Levels: History, Media Studies, Geography

Bring on October!

oh sweet, i'm doing the same course as you. well I started in October but yeah...

if there's anything you want to know about it, feel free to ask :P

oh sweet, i'm doing the same course as you. well I started in October but yeah...

if there's anything you want to know about it, feel free to ask :P

Lol, get my hopes up why don't you!

How's the course going for you so far? Any highs and lows from what you've done so far? Also the last open day I went to there was something about moving to a new building that wasn't done yet? Apologies if there isn't a new building and i'm sounding insane

Thanks!

Lol, get my hopes up why don't you!

How's the course going for you so far? Any highs and lows from what you've done so far? Also the last open day I went to there was something about moving to a new building that wasn't done yet? Apologies if there isn't a new building and i'm sounding insane

Thanks!

What's the reading list like? and how was freshers....what events did they have and what can we expect? lol

I heard the same thing about the new building when I went in October (last year) the lady said they was just doing the final touches.

The course is great, I love it. the only thing is that the course is like 60% people from China, Hong Kong or another asian country, then 30% are internationals from other places in Europe, etc and then only 10% are British. I mean there's nothing wrong with it, and it doesn't mean the course is easy but the people from China and Hong Kong dont speak or contribute much and they stick to themselves. But the people who I met on the course are amazing, they're the best people ever.

Highs = Only having around 8-9 contact hours a week, the people on your course since everyone who does this course is great, first year doesn't count so you can get by with a pass, studying something that is fun yet credible and of course, coming to Uni of Leicester

Lows = Deadline dates for essays, since they're really close to each other so you feel like you're doing a lot of work at once. Also the library is rubbish for core textbooks that you'll need and other people are really fast at snapping them up. A lot of the course is reading, so prepare for that. Lastly, the people who work in the offices in the department sucks, so expect everything with them to be slow (e.g. we didn't find out the timetable until the first day of uni even though everyone found out weeks before, not finding out exam marks until 2 months later and everyone else gets them 2 weeks later, etc)

Yeah, the Communications and Media department got a new building but you'll hardly ever be in there unless you're handing in work or going to see your personal tutor. They told us about the building like we are going to have lectures in there but it's mainly for office work and such.



Freshers Week was great, they had something on every day and it lasted for two weeks. to be fair, other uni's offered comedy nights and acts playing during freshers week like Gym Class Heroes and stuff but we just had clubbing on every night. so it's great if you like clubbing, otherwise meh. I've only been clubbing once before I came to uni but uni clubbing is great.

Reading list is tricky, because so far i've found out that each module is different in what you need to read. My first semester I did a module on Cinema, Media in Britain and Sociology so I bought a textbook for each module but now it's a waste since i'm never going to do cinema again.

buuut if you had to get a textbook, get Sociology by Fulcher and Scott since that will last your the entire first year since we have to do two modules in sociology.

WOW 8 to 9 contact hours that's really good!!! (but I guess there's loads of self study time) how's that broken down (in terms of like lectures, seminars, ect....) weekly? I'm confused about "the first year doesn't count..." part tho?

I'm kind of getting used to deadlines coming all at once with my access course so I suppose that won't be too much of a adjustment! (well I say I'm used to them....I expect them to all come in a lump....still haven't massed staying afloat lol) The lack of preparation in terms of the timetables and marks is a little worrying but maybe (hopefully) they've mastered it for this year!! as I'm over organised and anal when it comes to planing.

so do they not give you an actually reading list then....or is it more "here's your subjects go find a relevant book" sort of thing? Freshers week sounds fun...wish there was a little more variety instead of just clubbing buy hey!!

Thanks for all you help and sorry for the continuous wave of questions I'm pretty excited and eager to hear as much as I can (if that was as clear as day haha)

Oh no that's absolutely fine. ask me as many questions as you want because I was stuck in the situation that you're in right now last year, I didn't have anyone to speak to doing this course so I was confused myself. I only wish I got paid for this :P

I'll give you examples of my first semester which I just completed. If you didn't know, there are two semesters in an academic year, and in each semester you'll be studying three modules. Think of a module as an A-Level subject, since you'll have to do two essays, a presentation and an exam for each module

So in my first semester, I had 7 hours of lectures and 3 hours of seminars. Each module had one hour of seminars involved.

The first year doesn't count which means that all you need to do is get over 40% (which is really easy since in first year, the markers are leniant) in your essay, presentation or exam. The marks that you get in the first year won't count towards your degree so just focus on passing.

It really does suck with the mediocrity of the Media and Comm office, but you and your friends will be in the same situation you won't feel as stressed out :P

They do give you a reading list actually, in each module that you study, they'll give you a handbook which contains a ton of books that you should read after each lecture. The only problem is that there's no one great textbook that will cover the readings for every week's lectures.

If you want some good books for the first semester, i'd recommend:
- Sociology by Fulcher and Scott
- Get Me a Murder a Day by Williams
- Film History: An Introduction by Thompson and Bordwell

Otherwise, use the library for other books that you'll need. Also, try and buy them second hand since it's cheaper and you'll probably end up selling them when it comes to the second semester.

I do like clubbing but I agree with you there should be more variety. It made me jealous that my friends had comedy nights and live bands playing haha.

But yeah, if there's anything you want to ask about or something you don't understand then just let me know

The course is great, I love it. the only thing is that the course is like 60% people from China, Hong Kong or another asian country, then 30% are internationals from other places in Europe, etc and then only 10% are British. I mean there's nothing wrong with it, and it doesn't mean the course is easy but the people from China and Hong Kong dont speak or contribute much and they stick to themselves. But the people who I met on the course are amazing, they're the best people ever.

Highs = Only having around 8-9 contact hours a week, the people on your course since everyone who does this course is great, first year doesn't count so you can get by with a pass, studying something that is fun yet credible and of course, coming to Uni of Leicester

Lows = Deadline dates for essays, since they're really close to each other so you feel like you're doing a lot of work at once. Also the library is rubbish for core textbooks that you'll need and other people are really fast at snapping them up. A lot of the course is reading, so prepare for that. Lastly, the people who work in the offices in the department sucks, so expect everything with them to be slow (e.g. we didn't find out the timetable until the first day of uni even though everyone found out weeks before, not finding out exam marks until 2 months later and everyone else gets them 2 weeks later, etc)

Yeah, the Communications and Media department got a new building but you'll hardly ever be in there unless you're handing in work or going to see your personal tutor. They told us about the building like we are going to have lectures in there but it's mainly for office work and such.



Freshers Week was great, they had something on every day and it lasted for two weeks. to be fair, other uni's offered comedy nights and acts playing during freshers week like Gym Class Heroes and stuff but we just had clubbing on every night. so it's great if you like clubbing, otherwise meh. I've only been clubbing once before I came to uni but uni clubbing is great.

Reading list is tricky, because so far i've found out that each module is different in what you need to read. My first semester I did a module on Cinema, Media in Britain and Sociology so I bought a textbook for each module but now it's a waste since i'm never going to do cinema again.

buuut if you had to get a textbook, get Sociology by Fulcher and Scott since that will last your the entire first year since we have to do two modules in sociology.

THANK YOU!!!! I love your detailed answers!! totally puts me at ease to know more of what I'm walking in to...I've never done A levels but what you described basically sounds like most if the modules on my Access course I will DEFIANTLY be checking out them books you suggested *second tab open... Amazon* lol

I'm gonna be a pain now and ask one (hopefully final) question haha..... Accommodation: what's really the best one I've spent the better half of this morning/afternoon reading all the threads about it and the more I read the more I'm like ARRRRH!!!!

For me self catered and an En suite are a MUST!!! I went to the open day in October last year and (I'm due for a visit day in march) Gilbert Murry (the refurbished block) really stood out for me and I fell in LOVE with the kitchen! John Fosters was nice too and so was the old RAF looking building. Though after reading all them threads I'm now totally confused haha!!

WOW 8 to 9 contact hours that's really good!!! (but I guess there's loads of self study time) how's that broken down (in terms of like lectures, seminars, ect....) weekly? I'm confused about "the first year doesn't count..." part tho?

I'm kind of getting used to deadlines coming all at once with my access course so I suppose that won't be too much of a adjustment! (well I say I'm used to them....I expect them to all come in a lump....still haven't massed staying afloat lol) The lack of preparation in terms of the timetables and marks is a little worrying but maybe (hopefully) they've mastered it for this year!! as I'm over organised and anal when it comes to planing.

so do they not give you an actually reading list then....or is it more "here's your subjects go find a relevant book" sort of thing? Freshers week sounds fun...wish there was a little more variety instead of just clubbing buy hey!!

Thanks for all you help and sorry for the continuous wave of questions I'm pretty excited and eager to hear as much as I can (if that was as clear as day haha)

Thanks for the reply! I read your reply early this morning and was about to reply but then my common sense kicked in and I decided to reply after I get back from the Applicant open day at the uni

The new building is really nice and literally just smells of new. You can tell just how new it is from that! My only concern is that they said they plan to have most lectures/seminars in that building and seeing as it's off the main campus site, it kinda feels like we're missing out?

Apart from that, the course sounded amazinggg and the current students who were in the department were really helpful! The lecturers are really nice and friendly too. Mainly the Irish guy (Accent omg omg omg) and the Natasha one? She was so friendly and easy to chat to








I really do wish you were at the applicant open day today in the department. All the other applicants were really quiet and shy. I was literally trying to create conversation with people. Hopefully in october people will be more lively then...

All your questions that you've asked were pretty much covered by the tutors and lecturers there Do you plan on going to one of the open days? I advise you do as they talk to you as if its a one to one session (But with people, if that makes sense!) Also the conversation about the course just makes you think of more questions to ask

THANK YOU!!!! I love your detailed answers!! totally puts me at ease to know more of what I'm walking in to...I've never done A levels but what you described basically sounds like most if the modules on my Access course I will DEFIANTLY be checking out them books you suggested *second tab open... Amazon* lol

I'm gonna be a pain now and ask one (hopefully final) question haha..... Accommodation: what's really the best one I've spent the better half of this morning/afternoon reading all the threads about it and the more I read the more I'm like ARRRRH!!!!

For me self catered and an En suite are a MUST!!! I went to the open day in October last year and (I'm due for a visit day in march) Gilbert Murry (the refurbished block) really stood out for me and I fell in LOVE with the kitchen! John Fosters was nice too and so was the old RAF looking building. Though after reading all them threads I'm now totally confused haha!!

Thanks for the reply! I read your reply early this morning and was about to reply but then my common sense kicked in and I decided to reply after I get back from the Applicant open day at the uni

The new building is really nice and literally just smells of new. You can tell just how new it is from that! My only concern is that they said they plan to have most lectures/seminars in that building and seeing as it's off the main campus site, it kinda feels like we're missing out?

Apart from that, the course sounded amazinggg and the current students who were in the department were really helpful! The lecturers are really nice and friendly too. Mainly the Irish guy (Accent omg omg omg) and the Natasha one? She was so friendly and easy to chat to