My experience!! (University of Salford)

Member Name: rob_writer

Product:	University of Salford
Date:	15/12/00 (547 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good atmosphere

Disadvantages: Does'nt have the reputation

Although I'm not at University yet I have visited quite a few in my quest to finally choose one. In this vain I headed to Salford recently for a visit/interview of the Physics department.

Salford lies around the middle of most of the published league tables, although its physics department did receive 23 out of 24, a score rated as excellent. I'm not being big headed when I say I am predicted three A grades at A-level, so Salfords minimum requirement of 12 points was low for me. I selected it on my application form as a backup option, incase things suddenly took a turn for the worst in my A-levels. I was aked to the open day, and although I excepted I really didn't expect too much. I was pleasantly suprised!!

When I arrived I managed to find a sign post to the Physics building, although I did manage to enter via the back door and have a long search to find the correct room. The first thing I noticed was that the campus was massive, this was the Peele Park campus and I was told there were three others, each about half the size of Peel Park. The University has 18,000 students, meaning that although not the biggest it is quite a large university. On actually finding the correct room I was promptly given a personalised timetable for the day (with my name on!!) and an expenses claim form. Salford are one of the only universities to refund your travel expenses, you may think this doesn't count for much but if you've got to travel to six locations around the country the costs can add up. While we were all waiting for the first talk we were given free coffee and were entertained by a wondefully eccentric physics professor, the tour of his laser lab was certainly the highlight of the day.

First we were given a talk by the admissions tutor outlining the structure of the physics courses available, and all the different options that were available. This wasn't the impersonal massive lecture hall speech other universities give
, but an informal friendly talk around a table. After this we were given a guided tour of the campus, the guides being two incredibly friendly post graduates. One is actually conducting research for the Starchaser Foundation, better known as the British team who are trying to launch the first independant rocket in to space for a prize of £10 million. You may remember that they set half of Dartmoor on fire (I think it was Dartmoor - don't quote me on that). We were given a comprehensive tour of the campus, including a fully featured sports centre (swimming pool, climbing wall etc) and a look at a marvelously clean students room, although I'm sure it was a set up!!. The campus also has a large library and a great number of computers, which were all very impressive. Even though it is situated near Manchester city centre it is suprisingly green, there is a lot of open space and even a large park at the campus. After the tour we were then treated to lunch in the Universities restaurant, a 4 course christmas dinner; although I have a feeling the students won't always be fed as well and waited on hand and foot like we were.

After this we were given a tour of two labs, the laser lab and the space technology lab. The Laser lab is run by the eccentric professor I mentioned before, but in his case eccentric definetly means good. He has created over 100 new uses for lasers, including earthquake detectors, robots, a laser gyroscope and devices which test you eye sight. He even transmitted his voice across the lab using a laser beam. He put on a show which would amaze anyone, interested in physics or not. Then we were shown the Starchaser lab including their new rocket which is to the first manned rocket due to be tested next year, leading eventually to a manned space flight. We were also shown other research by other students doing the space degree, including a prototype ion drive.

Next came the dreaded part of the day, the interview! Actually it w
as not too bad, it was more like an informal chat than an interview and the interviewers are friendly. One of the good things about Salford is that it offers a lot of scholarships and bursaries, I was offered a £1000 scholarship if I got more than 20 points at A-level. This, and the fact I was given an unconditional offer will make me think more about attending Salford. Will I go there? To be honest I'll have to check out the other Universities, but I doubt many can better Salford for its atmosphere and friendly reception.

Before leaving we were given a book written by a lecturer at the University on the topic of asteroids and comets colliding with the Earth. Not just a cheap book either, a hard back book which must retail for at least £10.

Overall this University seems good, although it may not have the reputation that other have I feel that the physics department is as good as any other I have seen. Well worth some more thought!

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