A View from Both Sides of the Fence (University of Central England in general)

Member Name: petehall

Product:	University of Central England in general
Date:	17/04/02 (386 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Huge student population, Close to city centre, some faculties have an enviable reputation

Disadvantages: Not a "traditional uni"

I've been a student and a lecturer at UCE and so have seen how it works from both sides. What's more I have had the benefit of inside knowledge. On student numbers UCE is actually one of the biggest universities in the country.

Normally associated with the Perry Barr campus, about 3 miles north of Birmingham, there are actually many other sites, some of them are not immediately identifiable as being part of UCE. Take, for example, the School of Music, the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, the School of Jewelry, the Faculty of Nursing and the Technology Innovation Centre - TIC - (recently re-located to Millennnium Point - Brum's newest building), all of these are located near the city centre, away from the main campus. I believe there are about ten sites altogether.

The fact that it is a former Polytechnic is actually a big advantage. Instead of being lectured at you will actually be taught - there's a significant difference. The staff care about the students and are always ready to assist.

Some faculties and some courses may not have the highest scores in the land, but the vast majority of courses are well designed and run, and will give students a valuable qualification if they work at it. The staff are working constantly to improve courses, facilities and support, and for many faculties the entry requirements are rising year by year. Engineering courses were accepting 10 or even occasionally 8 points a couple of years ago, but now you'll need around 16 points to get on one.

I did my Mechanical Engineering degree with them and I am in no doubt as to its value. When problems occurred within the course and I complained, I was listened to and they took action - on two occasions they removed a lecturer from the course after students complained. Nobody will ever be penalised for making a justifiable complaint, they are more likely to be thanked for bringing the matter to their attention.



Perry Barr has the majority of facilities as its the biggest campus, and I know that there is a serious lack of facilities at Millennium Point, but the building was only completed last October and they are still working on it. The TIC is very forward looking and by the end of the year will be a superb place for students. They are one of the biggest providers of Teaching Company Schemes in the country and this gives them unparallelled contact with industry on up-to-date technology transfer initiatives.

Sports facilities do exist, mainly at Perry Barr but I am not aware of how good they are. I do know that they have recently acquired further facilities and are continuing to develop them. Thanks to one of the people leaving comments, I can tell you that their sports pitches are at Moor Lane, with football and rugby pitches. The hockey teams share facilites with Aston Uni. But the great news in the pipe line is that Ansells, which is the area beside the two halls of residence and university, is to be redeveloped with improved sports pitches, astro tuff, basketball and badminton courts, a state of the art gym, improved changing facilites, bars and function halls. Moor Lane is also to be redeveloped with the uni spending around 3 million on the project. The blue prints are in the union building and everyone can see, so UCE will soon be the best for sports in the Midlands.


Student services are excellent and accommodation is outstanding. UCE have many newly built halls of residence and they are of a very high standard. Freshers are usually guaranteed a place in halls. Accommodation services also give lots of support with finding accommodation for second year students and onward.

Few students regret their time at UCE. Go to one of the open days, see the facilities and meet the staff, you may be impressed.

Summary: