My name is Frances James and I’m 25 from Birmingham. I’m a Film & Television Production BA (Hons) student and I have just completed my third year.

I applied through Clearing primarily because I was coming from a career rather than from sixth form. I had already completed a foundation degree in Stage Management at a different university and had then worked for two years at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns I was made redundant but I decided to return to university study to expand my skillset to film and TV. Clearing was the easiest way to apply as I was looking in July/August of 2020.

Clearing proved really easy. I used the UCAS website to narrow down my options and managed to attend some virtual open days. I then waited for Clearing to open and called up my chosen course to apply. It was super simple and I immediately got offered the course I wanted.

While at university I have felt very supported by my tutors. This is primarily due to a small course size making it easier to meet tutors face-to-face or online, and receive individual feedback on assignments during the process. Even when there have been issues, I have felt listened to and that the tutors are attempting to find solutions that will both help me and people on the course in the future.

Because I was working prior to attending university I was able to save so that I had more than just the student maintenance loan to rely on. This has proven very helpful especially as I have paid for my third year out of pocket. Living in student accommodation has also been helpful as bills are included meaning I am not keeping track of multiple outgoings every month but three lump sums a year that go out just after student finance comes in. Keeping food shops down has proven easier by trying to share the essentials with flat mates meaning less wastage.

I was fortunate that someone from a society I joined was also my flat mate in second year. We and a third friend lived together through our second and third years which has definitely been the best outcome. I would suggest joining a society as a way to find friends. They are usually all at the Freshers’ Fairs in the first week of term.

It is a smaller university but there is still plenty going on and the campuses themselves are lovely places to be. There is a great benefit to the smaller course sizes too as you can get so much more direct input from your tutors. Also the facilities – especially within the media department – are excellent and there is a great focus in all the practical courses on assessing you in those practical skills. There is great support for mature students, especially those with families, and there are also loads of international students so you will get a wide range of experiences and meet a variety of different people.