Our collection of real, honest student reviews of unis and courses is the largest in the UK, and help you make well-informed decisions about your future. Student reviews also form the basis of our annual Whatuni Student Choice Awards(WUSCAs), which highlight great work carried out by institutions for their students.
2023 WUSCA winners
I really wanted to study Health and Social Care further to enable me to have in depth knowledge and be prepared to potentially study a nursing degree. One major problem I was facing was not wanting to leave home just yet UCNL providing me that very option. The staff within Uni are supportive and friendly and accommodating. They always try and push you to reach your full potential.
Thankfully, upon joining UCNL Covid19 wasn’t such a big issue and so teaching has been able to resume face-to-face. We have opportunities to ask questions during every lecture and outside of lectures we can drop an email or teams message regarding any issues and these are dealt with promptly. However, I feel lessons/lectures could be broken down to stop students feeling confused and overwhelmed. Rather than sitting and doing lectures for 1hr 30 straight block them into 30 minute bursts and have 5 minute breathers.
The tutors, the experience, the support, the knowledge were all worth it. I began my degree at 32 and have completed it at 35. I was welcomed with open arms and have made wonderful friends along the way. Everything that I have learned during my degree, I have in some way applied into my everyday life.
Excellent facilities and resources. Designated rooms that can be pre-booked for group tasks.
I had my fair share of challenges- some very personal. I never had to rely on the counselling service (which they have a designated team for) because the tutors were phenomenal. Despite having hectic schedules, they would make time to discuss our concerns. My own was so difficult to talk about, i couldn't even speak to family about it. It was the lead's reassurance that enabled me to pluck up the courage to continue with the course and I am so very glad that I did. Feedback is detailed, thorough and tailored to individual students. They specify where you can improve and guidance on how. This is both oral and in writing. What I particularly like is the detail of the feedback. For example, if they thought you were not clear about the point made, they will explain this alongside *why* it is important to include that missing detail. It enabled me to appreciate to ask the right questons during research...particularly 'why?' why is this theory questionable?' 'Why are ethics in business important?' 'Why were the outcomes different than expected?'
I have family and friends who have studies across various educational institutions in the U.K. Whenever I would speak of my tutors, they would be in awe. Without a doubt, the support I have received from the tutors at UCNL is exceptional. It's one thing to have tutors who are 'kind' or who push us to do better At UCNL, the tutors, these qualities are standard. They go above and beyond by educating and supporting in a manner that actually makes you 'think' better. They ask questions that make you analyse further. They reinforce and bring out the very best in you. Furthermore, you end up loving the subjects taught to such an extent that you speak about it outside the classroom and outside of work. You apply the skills developed in your everyday life.
8
Dedicated modules that are specifically to increase job prospects. One to ones with tutors are insightful. Tutors continuously support students to do their very best. My degree (in Business) was far more in depth and relevant in the real world than I expected. It enabled me to understand how to communicate effectively and develop critical thinking skills. Additionally, it involved an optional work placed project which was highly insightful and built my confidence.
I am pleased I was able to experience the new build for UCNL before the end of my degree. The move made the uni experience more real. I have enjoyed learning varied subjects that have helped with my current work and hopefully, this degree will create opportunities for my future. The university setting and environment is great and I have made some life long friends.
new building, student areas, study spaces
Easy to contact tutors. Feedback is comprehensive and in-depth and can be transferred across all subjects that require written or verbal assessment.
Knowledgable tutors are able to share their experiences which supports the theory being taught and makes it real life and easier to understand. All tutors are approachable and easy to talk to about any issues regarding university or even personal matters. Lecture and seminars taught straight after each other makes learning easier, rather than changing subjects every hour.
8
The program and its varying subjects has helped with decision-making and problem-solving abilities - this has been useful within work scenarios. Group work has enabled me to identify stregnths and weaknesses in both myself and my team members which is a good skill to transfer to work scenarios. Balancing full-time employment and a full-time programme has been easier with time-management skills.
So far I have enjoyed my learning journey, some parts have been difficult but with the support of the tutors and my peers I have pushed through. It has opened up my opportunities of employment
Wide range of books and online materials via online portal and libraries. Good variety of healthy meals and snacks.
I have dyslexia and find there are loads of support options for me if I choose to access them. Feedback from my tutors are very useful. There are lots of different personal supports options available
I like that each module is assessed in different ways so I’m not writing essays all the time.
8
Every year my uni has a exhibition on which it is mandatory to participate as it is part of the course, at the exhibition external businesses come in and speak to us, this allows businesses to see how well we work
I have throughly enjoyed my experience of UCNL so far, I have met some incredible awe inspiring people in the form of my tutors and support staff. I have made friends for life and I am learning skills I did not know I could achieve. UCNL has opened up a different world to me and has given me opportunities I never dreamed possible.
The facilities at our new UCNL campus are wonderful. We have a fantastic library and lecture chamber complete with working microphones to have your voice heard in any situation. The study bikes are an interesting concept and great for students who need to study but want to exercise at the same time and of course Starbucks!
We have a fantastic Academic support team, who support program staff with Academic skills sessions and one to one student meetings. The feedback we receive from tutors via Moodle is in depth and clear to ensure progress in future similar assignments, it is also noted on the main body of the assignment in the form of notes so they are specific to each part which is written, this is helpful in ensuring things are done differently in future assignments.
I love my course and tutors, they create interactive lectures and seminars which are both thought provoking and engaging. We are taught in many different ways and the assignments are written in a way which give scope for new skills to be gained. From podcasts and Posters to Presentations and Reports I feel my course captures all skills required to successfully enter the workforce.
20
UCNL has an engagement and employability award The SEE award which gives us the opportunity to volunteer in different areas of the campus to gain experience and this in turn gives us an extra certificate towards the CV. I myself volunteer and have found the process rewarding and has given me extra skills I did not expect to gain.
The tutors are amazing and offer support and are so knowledgeable in their field, the course has developed me personally as well as professionally and would recommend the college to anyone
Brilliant. Outstanding. Wonderful. Immensely enjoyable. Great tutors, great support staff, great location, fantastic learning curve. Looking forward to each academic day with gusto! Don’t want to leave:-)
Plenty of facilities to cope with my own personal needs. Nice cafe, very clean toilet facilities, very clean and airy classrooms. All round nice place to study.
100% fully supported in all aspects both educational and personal. Can not fault at all.
I really enjoy the whole university experience. I look forward to going and getting stuck into the lessons. The tutors are great and really do help with the structure of each class. Old head and I admit I do struggle with the amount of work sometimes, however this I knew would be part and parcel of going to university. The tutors really put the time and effort to explain the lesson and the outcomes. The course content is super interesting and I am surprised at how much I have learnt already. I can’t really say that there is anything I dislike.
8
Very proactive in work skills, guidance in uni /work prospects. Lecturers very helpful in explaining how the course can fit into areas of work once we have completed the course. Careers department available to us is very up to date and always being updated. Being a mature student I also have a history of working but now looking forward to using the degree for a much higher career choice.
Am surprisingly enjoying myself, the support from the tutors is great there only an email away, the librarian is really helpful and she’s always a delight and always happy to help.
Fantastic
The support is great, there tutors are always an email away
I like the friendship I have with the tutors and the others on my course, I like that most to assignment are on my subject interests.
3
They give me all the support I need to help me develop my professional development
I’ve attended UCNL / University centre for 5 years now and each year my experience gets better. Fantastic! I’ve learned some skills for life alongside theory, policy and much more. Group work and presentations allowed me the opportunity to gain confidence in situations out of my comfort zone and push me to achieve more.
Fantastic tutors who have great subject knowledge, good facilities such as library, IT resources etc.
Never used any counselling so cannot comment. Tutors, specifically Nisrin Altabba, Gillian Reid & Debbie Jensen, are highly qualified, knowledgable and inspiring to say the least!
Evening courses which fit well around my work schedule is a positive. The least liked aspect of the course is often the limited choice of books in the library or often enough there is only 3 copies of one book.
3
Definitely! I use everything I learn at university in my practice within early years. I believe this enhances the quality of my teaching therefore impacts upon better outcomes for children.
Great tutors, vibrant new University, exciting new possibilities. In a position to make real change to the future shape of the university. Looking forward to Future opportunities.