Student profiles
Claire Burke:
I love being a student at Manchester University and chose to come
here first because of the exemplary physics degree programme which
covers all the topics that interest me, including modern physics such
as relativity and quantum mechanics. The University facilities are
excellent and the School of Physics and Astronomy has links with other
major research centres such as Jodrell Bank and CERN so the teaching is
always up to date. As a prospective student I found the friendly
academic staff very helpful and informative and I still find that the
students are well looked after by tutors and mentors.
Apart from the academic side, Manchester is a great city with the largest student population in the country meaning that student deals are everywhere. Manchester is a great place for a cheap night out, and the Student Union caters to just about any other activity that you may want to do with your spare time. Since Manchester is a city university, the halls of residence are only a short distance from the university and the centre of town so it is very easy to get around.
When I finish my degree I plan to stay and do further study and hopefully do research in astrophysics.
Lora Ioannou:
Everyone says that the best years of your life are those that you spend studying at university. Finishing the third year of my undergraduate degree at the University of Manchester, I can assure you that this is not a lie. Manchester provides everything one could ask for, a strong and recognisable degree and a once in a lifetime student life experience.
When choosing this university I mainly had in mind the excellent educational standards, as Manchester University has to display and the opportunity to achieve a degree of high opinion throughout the world. Studying for a physics degree here is definitely an advantage due to the excellent academics and of course the facilities of the School. In addition, th School’s collaboration with other institutions, such as Jodrell Bank, also provides research opportunities in related subjects, like astrophysics.
Living here you have the opportunity to experience both the vibrant Manchester city as well as the charms of a university campus. It would be unjust not to mention the variety of clubs, bars, pubs and restaurants that can be found here, ready to satisfy every taste, from a quiet meal to a big night out. What I personally appreciate most in Manchester is the multicultural nature of the city, which is ideal for every international student, such as myself, to feel like home.
After finishing my degree I hope to continue my education, by doing a Masters degree in medical physics and engineering.
Peter Millington:
Since arriving in Manchester to study physics, I haven't looked back. The University and, in particular, the School of Physics and Astronomy has fantastic reputations, for both teaching and research. The programme was an even mixture of theory and practical work and with resources such as Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire, it had to be top on my list. Most importantly, however, it was obvious that the staff in the School cared a great deal about their students – a first impression that couldn't have been more right.
Manchester had everything I could ask for: the city is big but it doesn't feel impersonal; there's music everywhere; and if you think you've done, seen and eaten everything, then you haven't looked hard enough. Manchester and this University have so much on offer, I am busy every second doing loads of different things from playing with liquid helium to directing a gospel choir ... and I wouldn't have it any other way!
Sophie Morton:
I chose to come to Manchester as I wanted to have the opportunity to study abroad and the Physics with Study in Europe programme has given me the chance to do that. My physics teacher at school had recommended it as one of the best universities for physics, and I had the choice of several continental universities at which to study in my third year. I also wanted to go to university in a big city with a good nightlife and lots of things to do outside of academic work, and from previous visits to Manchester I decided it was a great place to be a student. I love the social aspect of Manchester; with the numerous societies there is one to suit everybody. The nightlife is great and there are lots of good places to eat out, especially the Curry Mile and Chinatown.
After university I have been offered a graduate position with Airbus Industries in Bristol in Structures Engineering.Katharine Brock:
I chose to study physics at university as I had no idea what career I wanted, so I thought I would choose a subject that I enjoyed at A-Level. Although I thought of a couple of other subjects I knew that physics wouldn’t limit any career choice and would be a broad enough subject to keep me interested for 4 years. Once I’d decided on physics, Manchester was an obvious university to look at as it has a large and well regarded School of Physics and Astronomy. The School is very friendly and welcoming and offers a wide choice of courses. I am so glad I decided to come to Manchester as I have had an amazing 4 years here. The city is a fantastic city to be a student in and I am planning to live and work here after finishing university. Although I have enjoyed my time doing physics I am going to be joining KPMG in their corporate tax department next year to study accountancy. This shows that studying physics at university really doesn’t limit your career options.
Tim Bull:
Choosing to study physics at Manchester was one of the best decisions I ever made. Physics is as rewarding as it is challenging, and I honestly think that there's no better place to study it than here.
The School of Physics certainly lives up to its reputation. Many of the lecturers here are involved in front-line research, and they're more than happy to share the details of their work with you. I've found that their lectures, combined with weekly workshops and lab sessions, have delivered a wide range of interesting and fundamental physics knowledge. The University offers a wide range of scholarships and bursaries too, and I was lucky enough to receive the President's Award, worth £10,000 a year!
Since coming to Manchester, I've made lots of great friends, been to plenty of gigs, sampled my fair share of pubs, bars and restaurants, and I still feel that I've only seen a fraction of what this city has to offer. Even four years here won't be enough!