Primary Education Student Life

I've applied to study primary education at the University of Gloucestershire and have recently firmed my offer!

Just wondering what accommodations are the best ones to apply for and which ones are the most popular?

Also what is the social life like here? Do most people go into Cheltenham to socialise or is the SU quite popular too?

And lastly, does anyone know what the timetable is/has a sample one to show me what it is like for an primary education student in the first year? Would it be possibly to have a part-time job alongside my studies?

Thanks x

Reply 1

naomigibbard

Hi,

I studied at the University of Gloucestershire, but didn't stay in the university accommodation as I lived at home. But the social life is really great here! There are loads of clubs where everyone goes out to like moo moos, kukui, revs, but there's also some great pubs too if you prefer that kind of thing. The frog and fiddle is a great place, cheap drink and you are allowed to take in your own food, so we took dominoes in a lot!

The SU is a good place for cheap drinks before a night out :smile:

also there's some really good shops and a cinema if you just want a chilled night!

I'm not sure about the primary ed timetable but there's some great places to get a part time job, the Racecourse is a popular place as you don't have to work all year round just when they need you, but you get some really big tips on race week which you get to keep!

University of Gloucestershire

Cheltenham

Visit website

Reply 2

Hinch

Original post by catsarah04

Hi there,
I stayed at Park Campus Villa Halls as my course was based on that campus, so that worked perfectly for me. However I used to visit a lot of my friends in Regency halls which is in the middle of town so was a great location for those of us that liked to go shopping/ clubbing or head out for a classic sunday roast.

The social life is great here, and I would say it is a really safe area as well. My friends and I all love traditional clubbing so we would head to clubs like Fever, Moo Moos and Subtone. The Frog and Fiddle is very popular with students as well as its very cheap and have a great atmosphere. The FCH SU is supposed to be really good as well, but I only ever went there for the occasional social.

I had a part time job while I studied here and I got that through the University Jobshop. I ended up working at River Island for three years, which helped fund my social life. My other friends managed to get work with a temp agency called Regency Recruitment which was good as they didn't have to commit every weekend like I did.

Hope this helps

Reply 3

username1342947

It really depends on how much you want to spend on accommodation.
If you have 128 quid to spend a week on it, live at shaftsbury, but they are very popular so get in quick, as there is only about 120 rooms there, on a plus they are ensuite. the reason why they are so expensive is because they are the newest and also on site, so you can roll out of bed with 5 mins to get a lecture.

Hardwick is just a five min walk down the road at 118 ensuit but living with 9 people per flat, but depending on what floor you are on, you can get a very big room.

Then you have pittville at 114 (rent frozen for the next 3 years due to building work to make the site into a student village) but dont let that put you off, I am currently here and the atmosphere is great, you get to know a lot of people from other blocks. We have our own SU bar here and then there is the shuttle bus to take you down into town for a night. Most people say its really bad, yes it might not look the nicest of accommodation, but it has been said t be the best vibe out of all the accommodation. Plus, currently they have given us a free years bus pass, only the people at pittville or those who have been housed in Gloucester have been given this. There are others in the area but i dont know what they are like.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 4

aimeevhills

Original post by catsarah04

Hiya, Im Aimee - a 2nd year at University Of Gloucestershire.

In my first year I stay in Shaftesbury halls, which is based on Francis Close Hall campus, my course was also based there. Bare in mind, you dont have to stay on the campus in which you will be studying, you are fully flexible on that point.
There is accommodation in the town, St Mary's and St George, these are a mixture between doubles/singles, ensuites and shared bathrooms - what you get is luck of the draw.
I really enjoy the social life these, despite coming from a big city - There are still lots of things to do within the town. There are some great pubs, The Frog and Fiddle - really popular with the music and english students. 3 Pigs is good if you like live music and right in the middle of town. Each campus has an SU bar, which is really cheap and a great place to start off your night. They also play most big sports games, football, rugby, F1, etc.

Part time jobs are really easy to come across, the SU can help alot with that. Bar/ Pubs work seems to be the most popular, as most of the high street shuts at 6, so that doesnt leave much time after lecture to work. So most of the people i know, worked in bars etc. Its definitely do-able when at uni, you just need to be able to balance everything.

Hope this was helpful.

Feel free to message me if you have any questions :smile:

Aimee x

Reply 5

aimeevhills

Original post by catsarah04

Hiya, .
I am currently a 2nd year BEd student at UoG.

I stayed in Shaftesbury, which is the accommodation on FCH campus - you probably viewed it on a tour at one of the open days. Hardwick is another popular one, slightly cheaper, but on Hardwick campus just down the road. Larger kitchens, some rooms are bigger. I found Hardwick a more sociable accommodation, having friends that lived there.

Social life depends on what youre in to.
There are some great pubs, The Frog and Fiddle - really popular with the music and english students. 3 Pigs is good if you like live music and right in the middle of town.
There are a fair few clubs in the town, MooMoo's, Fever and Subtone tend to be the more poular ones. Each campus has an SU bar, which is really cheap and a great place to start off your night. They also play most big sports games, football, rugby, F1, etc. They get used frequently, and tend to be quite busy during student social nights out.
I think i have attached a copy of my first year timetable, hopefully it opens.It is quite a busy timetable, but that is to be expected on the course.If you have any questions, feel free to email me

Thanks

Aimee

(edited 8 years ago)

Student Timetable %28Calendar View%29 (3).xlsx18.0KB

Reply 6

princessboo

Original post by aimeevhills

Do you find it difficult to balance the course with having a good social life whilst living away from home? I'm worried about moving out and having distractions or finding it difficult to manage. Do you find that your flat mates are respectful that you have placements or are you living with other people on the course? Also, how do you manage with the money situation, do you work or just in your overdraft a lot? Thanks in advance!!

Reply 7

aimeevhills

Original post by princessboo

The balance between the course and a social life is difficult due to the nature of the course, but that will be the same regardless of the uni.
In my first year I lived in halls with 5 other girls, none of which did primary ed. So was hard, but I was lucky. They were nice girls and weer respectful when I was on placement. But i do know of others who did really struggle.
As a uni, they do try and group people of similar courses. I was just one of the few that werent grouped.
As long as you stay on top of the work load, and completd tasks and assignments when you need to- its definitely manageable.
The money situation is different per student.
I recieved the minimum loan and that just about covered my rent. I was lucky to have alot of savings so never needed the student overdraft. But that was just my personal situation.
You just need to be careful with what you slend your money on. And planning your spending - sounds boring. But it will help and refrain you from blowing it all in one night.
I started working for the uni and a student ambassador which was really handy. I am able to choose the own hours and its really good pay. I do also know of other primary students that got jobs in bars and retail and they have managed. Its really down to how you budget yourself and It all depends on how you manage your time and work. But its definitely possible. I wont lie to you and say its easy, because it isnt.
But UoG have loads of different support systems in place to help you.

If you need anything else, send me a message

Aimee xx

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 8

catsarah04

Are there any trips that are offered associated with this course? Also does the university provide other opportunities for trips abroad in the term breaks?

Thank you for all of your replies too! They have been so helpful!