Course: English with Creative Writing
Current year: Second
Living: At home
Why did I choose BCU? Well, I already lived in Birmingham and I really love the city - there is so much to do here. You have the Bullring and a huge area surrounding it for shopping, plenty of pubs, clubs, cinemas, theatres, concert venues etc, and there is always something going on in the city, so you're not likely to get bored very easily. For studying, there is also the central library in Birmingham (with another currently being built), so if you can't find what you need in the university library, you can just hop on a train or a bus to central library.
The university itself is also a fantastic place to study. We not only have a fairly large library, but an e-library too with a fairly large collection of eBooks, that any number of people can access at the same time and at any time of the day. Also, as I've discovered, having been at the university for a year and a half now, the tutors are fantastic - they are always there to help the students, and they are enthusiastic about the modules they teach, which is always something that gives your own enthusiasm a boost.
When I was researching Creative Writing degree courses online, I came across the course at BCU and knew that this was the course for me. It has the perfect mixture of creative and academic study, and the modules on offer all sounded really interesting. I applied during my gap year, so had already received my A-level results months before, and my place was accepted with unconditional status. I spent the next few months impatiently waiting to start.
So far I've not been disappointed with the course at all, and although, at times, the stress levels may rise, I've never once had second thoughts about it.
There are so many extra opportunities at the University too - such as sports, societies, job opportunities (I work in the student activities centre in the union every Thursday), even affordable trips abroad (one trip to Amsterdam was at the end of last year, and a weekend trip to Paris is coming up later this year).
My main reason for loving BCU though, will always be the course - I love the subjects I study - the tutors who teach them are great, the lectures and seminar discussions are really interesting, and it has definitely indulged my passion for the written word.
Courses: BA in English and Creative Writing + MA in Writing
Current Year: Second year on both
Living: In a shared house far, far away from my Mum
It’s probably fair to say that I’m one of the few students who did in fact not choose BCU at all. When I first applied back in June 2009, it wasn’t to either of the courses I’m doing now and it wasn’t really to the University either, but to a Graduate Diploma in Writing with the National Academy of Writing, which I’d only come to find existed after a rejection letter from the Danish Academy of Writing and the ‘Academy of Writing England’ google search that soon followed.
Back then, the only real link between The NAW and BCU was that the former had rooms within the School of English and, in return, their Diploma course was an ‘in association with’ kind of deal. The Diploma itself, however, was a ‘for writers by writers’ course and we hardly (if ever) saw the shadow of an academic. Yes, the teachers were it, but not when they walked through the door to our classrooms. In there, it was all about the writing and that was the reason I packed my bag and my guitar, and bought a one-way plane ticket to Birmingham after a passed Qualifying Module, leaving the Mother Country behind.
That’s nearly three years ago now, and a lot has changed since then – I’ve gone from a Graduate Diploma to an MA and I’ve started a BA. What was originally supposed to be a two-year study abroad before returning home with a Graduate Diploma in Writing has now turned into four years, a BA and an MA, and the increasingly intriguing idea of doing a Ph.D in Writing after that (which, would you believe it, can also be done at BCU come September 2012), so, yeah, I reckon it’s fair to say that, at the end of the day, this has proved to be so much more than I ever thought it would or could be, both from a writerly and an academic point of view, and the help of the administration and the guidance of the teaching staff has been a big part of that –
And that’s the thing to think about, really – the teaching staff – and at BCU they’re f**king great! If for nothing else, choose BCU for them. They’re the main thing I’ve been grateful for, and this goes for my academic as well as my creative course: they truly know what they’re on about.
Gemma Wood
Course: English Literature
Current year: Second
Living: At home
Essentially the reason I chose BCU was the fact I could live at home, but of course there are many universities I could’ve chosen in the area. The reason I chose BCU was because of the amazing English course they have on offer. The thing about BCU English is the fact that no matter which route-way you choose you have to do a little bit of everything in your first year. Drama, language and literature always provided me with both fear and excitement at trying new things which I may not have tried before. A lot of people changed their route-way to choose a few language courses after that! BCU are very flexible in your first year and allow you to change your route-way now you know your own mind. They understand that when you start University it is scary and ultimately hard and therefore introducing you to everything related to English makes see what you can do.
Particularly in my experience the thought of creating a blog was silly and terrifying. After 10 weeks of blogging on my Criticism course I found I could actually blog. As you may be aware I now have my own blog Passion for Novels which I post to almost every day and is in fact an obsession in my life. Without BCU and a couple of friends I would have never found this particular passion.
The tutors are supportive and are always available by email or office hours to answer any of your questions. They aren’t as scary as I imagined! Overall I love my life at BCU I have met some of my very best friends as well as learning about some amazing topics and having some discussions I never imagined myself capable. In my second year I am throwing myself into my Creative Writing course, Gender, Sex and Culture as well as getting my best grades yet. Don’t worry if you don’t do as well in Year 1 because that was me and I used the amazing resources and the tutors and now I’m so much better and hopeful for a really good degree grade!
Daniel Wilkes
Course: English with Creative Writing
Current year: Second
Living: At home
Course: English with Creative Writing
Current year: Second
Living: At home
The Birmingham City School of English is run in a more contemporary fashion, tossing off the usual pretentious pretense of an English student. On the Guardian’s ‘University Guide 2012: English’ BCU is joint first with Leeds Trinity above Oxford, Cambridge and the UoB in terms of entering a career 6 months after graduation. As a department leading the way in employability in the current economic climate the School of English are doing something really special.
The members of staff are down to earth and extremely helpful, often extending their ‘open door’ hours to accommodate the needs of students. The student representatives work closely with the year tutors and Head of Department to ensure the students needs come first. There is an active community of students burning with determination which is highly infectious.
As a Creative Writing student the close links with the National Writers Guild pays dividends in your growth and ascension as a writer. If you are looking for a University which offers a great atmosphere and results head to an open day and check the department out!
University Guide 2012: English is available online: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2011/may/17/university-guide-english
Tom Clements
Course: English and Drama
Current year: Second
Living: Student accommodation
Initially thinking that I would enjoy living in Birmingham and liking the sound of the English course on offer; I applied for BCU. The open-day presentation given by Professor David Roberts was entertaining, informative, and assured us all why the course would be worthwhile. We are subjected to both new and familiar works, with many opportunities to engage in independent studies but with the safety net of resources provided by the university readily available.
Becky Blou
Course: English with Creative Writing
Current year: Second
Living: At home
Course: English with Creative Writing
Current year: Second
Living: At home
I chose to go to BCU mostly because I was scared of moving away from home when I was applying for university and, as I come from Birmingham, going to this uni meant I could stay at home. :)
Having said this, when it came to actually going to uni I did wish I had chosen to move away from home. I also chose BCU because a lot of people raved about how good the English course was there so I was easily swayed. The thing I enjoy most about being there is the people I have met. I should probably say how much I'm enjoying the course, which I am, but there's nothing I like more than going to the pub with my friends after seminars. :P
Leanne Hayes
Course: English Literature
Current year: Second
Living: At home
Course: English Literature
Current year: Second
Living: At home
The main thing that attracted me to BCU was all the positive comments I heard about how good their English course was. It covers a variety of material and the first year enables you to have a taste of all the different areas which helps you decide what you really enjoy about English and which route way is best for you. I am on the English Literature route way and have covered several historical periods and a variety of both familiar and unfamiliar texts. Besides my literature modules this year, I have studied Children’s Fiction and am now doing Creative Writing. I love how BCU offers such a broad range of subjects, ensuring that there is something for everyone. There is also plenty of resources available, both on paper and online and the tutors are always enthusiastic and willing to give advice. Last but not least, I have met lots of great new people. Everyone on the course is friendly and gets on well and it’s nice to be around people who share the same interest in literature as you do.
Are you a current BCU student? We're looking for more people to take part and contribute to this page. Email me at bcuenglishdelight@hotmail.co.uk :)
ReplyDelete