University decisions for chemical engineering

Hi, so I am close to finishing my application, but I want to be sure about the universities I am choosing.
My top 2 are Nottingham and Loughborough, then i have Bath, Newcastle and Southampton
I am also considering Sheffield or Leeds in place of Southampton, and Manchester instead of Bath.
I haven't had the chance to visit any of these universities yet because I have booked for open days which are after my school's internal application deadline.
Please could I have some opinions on whether these universities are good, things like the quality of teaching, the support from staff, the student satisfaction, the look of the campus, and other things which stand out. Also, are there any cons to the unis i have chosen? Please help me, thank youu

Hi, so I am close to finishing my application, but I want to be sure about the universities I am choosing.
My top 2 are Nottingham and Loughborough, then i have Bath, Newcastle and Southampton
I am also considering Sheffield or Leeds in place of Southampton, and Manchester instead of Bath.
I haven't had the chance to visit any of these universities yet because I have booked for open days which are after my school's internal application deadline.
Please could I have some opinions on whether these universities are good, things like the quality of teaching, the support from staff, the student satisfaction, the look of the campus, and other things which stand out. Also, are there any cons to the unis i have chosen? Please help me, thank youu

Hi @elyonl0001,
It's great to hear you are considering the University of Sheffield!
I am currently in my final year of studying BSc Biomedical Science at the University of Sheffield, so I have a lot of experience to share with you. Firstly, the University of Sheffield is situated in a fantastic location, offering a great mix of city and nature, with the Peak District bordering it. It is an excellent hub with links to explore. The campus itself is also based in a great location, offering access to everything you could need, including shops, restaurants, coffee shops, libraries, public transportation, and much more. The campus and accommodation were actually what sold me on Sheffield when I visited on an open day.
There are many accommodation options available in Sheffield, including Endcliffe Village, City Accom, and studio options. I lived in Endcliffe village during my first year. This was a great way to make friends and experience uni life all within a short distance from your block. The Endcliffe village has an on-site shop, pub, restaurant, study area, and gym, making it extremely convenient. Saying this, there is no wrong choice when selecting accommodation, as there is truly an option for everyone.
The University of Sheffield's Students' Union is ranked NO.1 in the UK, showing how effectively students are represented and the high level of student satisfaction in Sheffield. The Students' Union also offers many opportunities and support systems, including mental wellbeing, careers, Disability and Dyslexia Support Services, volunteering, sports, and societies.
I understand that your internal deadlines for choosing a university are restricting you from visiting; however, I would highly recommend looking at the website to help you determine if Sheffield is the right university for you. I have added some links below! I hope this has given you a slight insight into student life at Sheffield. Are there any particular aspects you are looking for when deciding which university is the best for you?
Good Luck with your decision, I am sure you will have a fantastic time wherever you pick! 😀
Studying at Sheffield
Guide to Sheffield
Student's Union
Accommodation
Mia
Bsc Biomedical Science Student
University of Sheffield

Hi Elyonl0001 - It's lovely to hear you are considering Nottingham as one of your top choices!
Open Days are a super way to get a feel for a place, but you are right that they often fall after the internal deadlines have already passed. That does not mean you are out of options though!
At Nottingham, as well as our usual Open Days in the Summer, as well as September and October, we offer once a month Campus Tours and our brand new Find Your Nottingham Live programme which acts like an online open day.
And if you can't make the Campus Tours but still want a look around, our campus is open year round to the public to explore. You can check out a suggested route around University Park Campus right Here.
It would be well worth exploring all of your potential uni's websites to see what offerings they have as well - Open days may be a superb way to see and experience a place, but they are not the only way! 😁
Best of luck with your decision anyway, as well as with your studies.
All the best!
#UoN Staff Rep Dan

Hi, I am a recent graduate from Newcastle and I had the best time ever! They have recently invested £110mn into Engineering facilities, including the Stephenson Building which is world-class (look here:Stephenson Building Facilities Tour). You will have a personal tutor who will be your first port of call for support. The city is amazing - it's really cheap and there is loads to do. Newcastle has actually just been voted best student city in the UK for all the amazing things available for students. You'll also be 20 mins from the beach and lovely countryside if you need to get out! Good luck deciding

Hello, thank you so much for the advice! For me, I want a Uni that is in a city or that the campus feels like an internal city if that makes sense, as opposed to a town, just because I've grown up in the countryside my whole life. I am also looking for a place where the staff are very supportive and the quality of teaching is high. And also a uni with good connections and lots of societies, because I think that uni would be a good time to try new things I haven't done before. Is there a way to see the societies available at Sheffield?

Hey, 👋
I can definitely say the campus does feel like an internal city. Even though we are a city uni rather than a campus uni, you will find that most of the university buildings are mostly in the same place and there is a great community feeling in that area! I also grew up in the countryside, so I love that Sheffield is a city but still has a closeness amongst the campus, and I also love that we are right next door to the peak district!
My partner did his ChemEng degree at Sheff and loved it. The quality and support of teaching was so high and he had some amazing placement opportunities.
In terms of societies, you can view them all via the SU website here. There are over 300 student societies and over 50 sports clubs to choose from so there is definitely something for everyone. You can pick from interests you already have or try something new. And if for whatever reason you have an idea for a society that somehow doesn't yet exist you can apply to start your own society and get a small amount as a start-up fund! If you want more info on starting your own, you can see how the application process works here.
I hope this has helped and do let us know if you have any further questions!
All best wishes,
Phoebe 😃
Student Ambassador - PhD in English Literature

Hi, so I am close to finishing my application, but I want to be sure about the universities I am choosing.
My top 2 are Nottingham and Loughborough, then i have Bath, Newcastle and Southampton
I am also considering Sheffield or Leeds in place of Southampton, and Manchester instead of Bath.
I haven't had the chance to visit any of these universities yet because I have booked for open days which are after my school's internal application deadline.
Please could I have some opinions on whether these universities are good, things like the quality of teaching, the support from staff, the student satisfaction, the look of the campus, and other things which stand out. Also, are there any cons to the unis i have chosen? Please help me, thank youu

May I ask why you are not considering Bath for chemical engineering, as Complete Uni guide ranks Bath above Manchester.

Hello!
I’m a final year student at University of Bath. I’ll give you some useful information, hopefully you will feel more confident in your decision.
· From my experiences, the teaching is of high quality – the staff are approachable and they often offer you additional support alongside general lectures (such as drop in sessions, statistics workshops, and others). There’s a lot of support if you need it, like student services, peer mentoring, and the SU. Communicating with my lecturers has so far been easy as they have office hours when I can ask them questions or arrange any further meetings.
· One of the things I love about Bath is the vast amount of opportunities. There are loads of options like placement years, study abroad, internships, and the Careers Team is great if you want advice or help finding work. If getting a head-start on your career is important, this university is really strong in that area.
· Bath itself is beautiful to live in. It is a small city compared to other places you mentioned. There’s a lively student social scene, both on-campus and in the city — clubs, parties, societies. Some of my friends also like heading to Bristol for bigger events, and since it is only a 10min train ride away, it’s accessible. However, it is important to keep in mind that if you prefer living in a big and busy city, Bath may not be for you – it often feels like a community more than a big city. Especially on campus where you have everything you need in one place, it definitely feels like a little community on its own.
· It’s worth noting Bath can be costly. The university does a very good job of offering bursaries, scholarships, and there’s a lot of advice about budgeting. You can also pick up part-time jobs easily throughout the year (often casual, so you can choose when you’d work!)
· I can’t comment much about your course as I study a different one, but it is worth looking into these things: assessment type, contact hours, practical work, placement year opportunities, and modules studied (options too).

Overall, Bath is a really friendly, supportive place with great career prospects and a lovely city to live in. I suggest visiting to gain a better insight.
Hope this helps!
Final Year Student, University of Bath