"Get involved with as much as you can. Don't be afraid to ask students in the years above if you need any help."
Maria Ryan
Age: 19
Course: Music (second year)
“When I came to the open day, I got a really good feeling from the Department. I spoke to the staff and a few of the lecturers, who were friendly but not patronising, and obviously really engaged with their subjects. There was lots of enthusiasm in the Department, and I was attracted to the campus as well.
It’s a small course – about 50 people in each year – and there’s a really good atmosphere. I can't emphasise enough how well everyone in the Department gets on. In the first year, all the modules are compulsory so you get to know people as you are all studying together. When you go into the second and third year, you specialise in aspects of music you’re interested in, such as early music, performance or composition. It’s great doing modules with academics who are at the top of their fields.
Another good thing about the course is that you put things into practice. The music societies put on lunchtime concerts so there are plenty of options for performance. I’m on the committee for the Music Society and there is also Blowsoc, the wind instrument society. Between the two societies, there are 15 ensembles. I also help manage the University Choir.
The facilities here include the Djanogly Recital Hall, which is used by students and professionals, and a music library. There’s also an amazing new rehearsal hall, plenty of practice rooms, a computer suite, recording studio and a student common room.
My course has not only taught me about the different ways of approaching music, but it has given me transferable skills including performance and research skills and critical thinking."