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First of all, I do agree that Oxford is an expensive area to live in. You do get less for your money here than you might in Northern or Welsh universities, for example. However, with regards to student accommodation, you get what you pay for. The two most expensive halls are newly built, ... Read review
Advantages: good Union, friendly people, lovely city, wide choice of courses Disadvantages: expensive, hell to drive in, WARNING-this review's pretty long, sorry!
...all, I do agree that Oxford is an expensive area to live in. You do get less for your money here than you might in Northern or Welsh universities, for example. However, with regards to student accommodation, you get what you pay for. The two most expensive halls are newly built, with decent sized rooms with internet connections and ensuite bathrooms, plus they're brilliantly located. Nightlife wise, the Student Union (SU)'s quite reasonable on club ... ...tutor.
Oxford is renowned for being a horrible town to drive in. There is very little parking in town centre, as visitors are encouraged to use the Park and Ride system, and town centre is pedestrianised (less chance of you being mown down while shopping!).Two of Brookes's campuses, Harcourt Hill and Wheatley, are quite a way out from the main campus (I think 5 miles in the case of Wheatley), so they can be difficult to get to. However, ... more
After coming on here and reading the other reviews written about Brookes, I feel obliged to write my own to defend my poor uni! Most of these reviews were written over 2 years ago, so I would like to give a more up-to-date perspective, as I have just finished my first year there.
First of all, I do agree that Oxford is an expensive area to live in. You do get less for your money here than you might in Northern or Welsh universities, for example. However, with regards to student accommodation, you get what you pay for. The two most expensive halls are newly built, with decent sized rooms with internet connections and ensuite bathrooms, plus they're brilliantly located. Nightlife wise, the Student Union (SU)'s quite reasonable on club nights. Oxford has many student nights at its bars, where entry is often free and drinks prices are reduced. Many museums, restaurants and other attractions offer a student discount, so you don't have to max out your overdraft just to have a little fun. Also, if you join one of the many clubs and societies Brookes offers, then they offer reasonably priced activities relevant to your interests, and also provide the chance to socialise with like-minded students.
It's also true that Brookes' SU does have a tendency to play a lot of cheesy music. I quite enjoy this so it doesn't faze me too much, but others may find it annoying. Every Friday, we do have a dance music night (Pleasuredome) and every other Thursday at Morals (another SU bar), live student bands play. The various music societies also have their own nights at the union; Drum and Bass night seems to be pretty popular, for example. This year at the SU, I've seen Franz Ferdinand, Ash and Snow Patrol. The Cowley Road offers venues that cater to most musical tastes, in my opinion.
I was very sorry to read about Caru's dreadful experiences at Brookes in her review, but friends of mine who have suffered bereavement and serious illness this year have told quite a different story. Staff have been very helpful to them, giving time off, extending deadlines, providing extra course advice and seemingly bending over backwards to make hard times easier for their students. I appreciate that this may not always be the case. I have had trouble trying to sort out my second year modules with my personal tutor. However after emailing and calling my heads of departments, my problems were solved. Sometimes it is easier to deal directly with the people at the top rather than with the 'middle man' of your personal tutor.
Oxford is renowned for being a horrible town to drive in. There is very little parking in town centre, as visitors are encouraged to use the Park and Ride system, and town centre is pedestrianised (less chance of you being mown down while shopping!).Two of Brookes's campuses, Harcourt Hill and Wheatley, are quite a way out from the main campus (I think 5 miles in the case of Wheatley), so they can be difficult to get to. However, Brookes run special buses that run about 3 times an hour out to their satellite campuses, and the bus system in general is pretty good, though fares are a bit steep.Oxford has a great cycle system as well, so riding a bike to lectures is a viable option. Having fewer cars in the city means that Oxford is a lot cleaner and less polluted than many other towns.
Oxford Brookes has somehow gained a stereotype of being a uni where public school educated students go to be near the prestige of Oxford University. These students at Brookes are often portrayed as snobbish people who hang around in cliques and look down their noses at everyone else. Yes, this may apply to some students, but doesn't every uni/college/school have people like this? I've never been near a public school, let alone been educated in one, but I have found the people who have been to be friendly, up for a laugh, kind, hard working and just like your average student (except with a seemingly unlimited amount of cash!). Brookes students, whether they be mature, from abroad, privately educated, or from any other background, all mix together and generally get along to make the university a fantastic place to do a degree.
The range of courses that can be taken at Brookes is very wide. This is mainly due to the modular system here, which means students can pick modules from different subject areas to make up their degree (Joint Honours courses at Brookes include Law & Nutrition and French & Sport Studies, I kid you not!) and grades to get on most courses are very reasonable, around a BCC is the average. You can pick your modules online using the university PIP (Personal Information Portal) pages. These can be accessed on any computer with the internet; you can also pick up your module results on your PIP. Not many unis seem to use this system, which surprises me, as it is really handy.
In conclusion, I would honestly say that Brookes is a brilliant uni that deserves its recent high rankings in university league tables. Courses are well taught here and facilities are good (plenty of computer rooms, and a fantastic gym!). The SU is a great place to go for a quiet drink, or for a night out and it's apparently the biggest venue in Oxford, so you'd be silly not to take advantage of it at least once. Oxford's a lovely town to live in with lots to do and see. I've been here a year, and still haven't done half of the things there are on offer. Admittedly, Oxford's major downfall is the money issue (and this is why I rated it a 4 not a 5). However, the situation is similar, if not worse, if you are a student in London. If you find you're that hard done by, the uni offers hardship funds, or get a part time job! There are plenty on offer in the area and the Brookes Job Shop will even help you find one. If you balance your workload carefully, your degree shouldn't suffer-mine hasn't and I have 2 jobs! I would recommend coming to Brookes to anyone and everyone, and that's a big compliment to the place coming from someone who a year ago had their heart set on going to Cardiff. Everyone should at least look at Brookes and give it a chance before dismissing it as 'just another ex-poly' when filling in UCAS forms!
Advantages: Good teaching and courses Disadvantages: Disorganisation between departments, unsupportive and uncaring staff, lack of student welfare
...good and bad points of Oxford Brookes University. Unfortunately, the bad has rather clouded my memory of the good, therefore my overall opinion is quite low.
Good points first, the teaching standards are very good and the lectures are well planned and enjoyable. There are a wide range of courses on offer and in general the student atmosphere is good.
Now for the bad…………
I started at Brookes Uni in September 1999 on a BA ... ...my partner Jon, who also started at Brookes that year doing a Computing course. At this time, Jon’s father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. In January, he was admitted to a hospice as his condition had worsened. We were both aware that he might be there for some time, so we informed the University that we would both have to miss some time as we were with Jon’s father most of the day and night. Our personal tutors were told and ...
Caru 16.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Oxford Brookes University
Advantages: rating improving every year, some departments rated excellent, Oxford Disadvantages: Wheatley campus 5 miles out, Not like a 'real' uni, Teaching can be lazy, People can be stuffy
...huge amounts of gigs around Oxford with many big names coming to town. I have seen Gomez, Feeder, Reef, Nada surf and British Sea power.
Back to the gloom. The uni has some very good departments but the orgainisation of my department (technology) was lucklustre to say the least. Often i was not told about important tests until perhaps a few days before and and often lecturers were very ill infomed about uni procedures.
So to my main concern about ... ...is that you may like Oxford Brookes if you fill one or more of the following criteria:
1. Very lucky person and end up with great people
2. Are educated privatly and already know people before you get here
3. An international student
4. Mature student (a lot of them around)
5. go to one of the top rated departments such as Law or town planning.
If you don't think you fill any of that criteria i wouldn't waste your time applying. ...
Klang180 26.05.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Oxford Brookes University
Advantages: Close to London, Usually a good mix of people go here. Disadvantages: Very expensive to live. Lack of late night entertainment
...what that comment meant. Oxford is amazingly expensive compared with other university towns. The price of a pint in a pub is the same as you would find in a central London bar. An answer to this was to drink in the Students Union with its great subsidised prices, unfortunately Brookes has a poor Union, thats not in monetary terms, the SU is loaded, they just don't spend it properly. In my first year the SU was brand new, they had to re-do the whole ... ...Lastly, considering Oxford has more students than any other demographic of society, from Brookes, Oxford and various colleges and sixth form colleges, the night life is pitiful. There is a distinct lack of any decent night clubs. There are loads of pubs, some good, others not so good. This lack of late night entertainment has recently been partially filled by restaurants and bars getting late lisences.
To conclude quickly; Brookes is an expensive ...
Phooey00 19.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Oxford Brookes University
Advantages: Good support, great city wonderful people Disadvantages: Cost of living (get that student loan application in!!)
Oxford Brookes university, has been voted the top new uni for 5 consecutive years, and it'e easy to see why. Good campus, great facillities and a supportive environment to learn in.
I've just finished a four year Honours degree in Adult Nursing and have had the time of my life, have met the best and most interesting people you could imagine. Tutors and support staff have been great, i've seen no prejudice it really does feel like you are accepted ... ...problem lies with living in Oxford itself, don't expect everywhere to give you a student rate!! esecially when finding accomodation (the university will not guarentee halls of residence), and renting is expensive at around £60 a week not including bills, water rates, or council tax (if applicable) but you do get a great learning oppourtunity, and a great life experience, theres no rules in life so give Brookes a trym you won't know what it'sliek ...
PaulGale 23.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Oxford Brookes University
Advantages: Modular study, good social aspects. Disadvantages: Oxford has the equivalent cost of living in London.
Oxford Brookes University is a great place to learn. The courses are modular, so within each course, the student chooses what subjects to take and what to avoid. All this can be done over the internet from any computer in the world, using the brilliant PIP pages on the university page. The modular nature means that instead of having three/four years of study and then huge exams, you have exams at the end of each term - much less stressful.
Socially, ...
adam.hopkinson 12.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Oxford Brookes University
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