Sarah Adams
Mathematics (MMath)
I had enjoyed studying Maths at school and decided quickly to continue this at degree level. I was also keen to make use of my physical science background and I found the Maths course at Loughborough to have a considerable applied maths content. I attended an overnight vacation visit and this left me with the lasting impression that the university provides a relaxed, friendly but constructive learning environment.
Studying maths at university is very different to the work you do at school. I found that the main difference is the independence of studying for a degree, you are responsible for how much work you do and when you do it. It is undoubtedly more challenging but I have also found it to be far more interesting and enjoyable. The first year is very flexible and gives you the chance to brush up on your weaker subjects while giving you plenty to do, no matter how much Maths you did at school. In subsequent years there is plenty of scope to specialise in the areas that interest you and you find that all that theory actually has some practical use. It's never a problem to get help if you need it so it's not as daunting as it seems at first. I chose to take a four-year course and the final year has given a more in depth study and a greater opportunity to do project work which is rewarding and important if you want a career in Maths.
Of course it isn't all work and the student facilities here are second to none. The campus is a really friendly place and spending your first year in hall is the perfect way to make lots of new friends. In fact it's practically impossible to miss out on the social life. All students (or at least those who want to!) can take a full part in the sporting scene whether you represent your country or get out of breath running round the block, you'll never feel unwelcome. Don't be put off by all the sport though, the clubs at the university cover pretty much any interest you could think of and then some, and even if they don't you can start one up yourself! On campus you can find anything you need, the first facilities you'll get used to are the pubs, but there's a lot more as well. I've also found that the East Midlands is a brilliant place to live: Nottingham, Leicester and the Peak District are all easily accessible and you'll really miss out if you don't make full use of them. There is also plenty of opportunity to get involved in student politics at all levels from the Departmental staff-student committees to the students union. I have been lucky enough to sit on the university appeals body which has been an excellent experience and these sorts of activities are very useful when it comes to applying for jobs.
The course and the university are well recognised in industry and as a result I managed to secure a highly competitive work placement, I'd recommend this to anyone. In addition to giving you confidence it gives you a taste of how Maths is put into practice and makes your degree seem much more relevant. The Department also helped me to secure a bursary to carry out an undergraduate research project prior to my final year and this was invaluable.
All in all I've found Loughborough to be a great place to live and work and if you' re willing to take advantage of the opportunities, there's no limit to what you can get out of your time here.
Stuart Gale
Mathematics and Management
I chose to study mathematics at degree level because I felt it would offer a wide career choice and also help place into context all mathematics I have previously done.
I chose Loughborough for several reasons, the Universities excellent academic reputation and its reputation amongst employers and also the fact that Loughborough is easy accessible from all over the UK.
The university has a large campus with the majority of halls of residence on one main site. The focus of the campus is the student's union building where inside there are shops and bars. At the weekend it turns into one big nightclub and attracts promoters such as Cream and DJ's like Danny Rampling. Because the campus is large there are also other shops and bars spread across the grounds.
If you want more choice in shopping then Loughborough town is only 15 minutes walk away and has many of the main high street shops.
The sporting facilities at Loughborough are world class, whether you're an Olympic runner or a casual sportsperson you'll find whatever you need.
Many students, when in their second year, live off campus and due to the relatively small size of the town everybody remains close to the campus and able to feel a part of university life.
If you're thinking of studying at Loughborough make sure you come and visit on an open day to get a feel for the great campus atmosphere.
Denise Barnes
Mathematics with Economics
Having transferred to Loughborough University from another University, I can only comment upon how pleased I am with the decision I made. The friendly and relaxed atmosphere created by the staff and students helped me to settle in quickly, and throughout my time here I have always been able to have any help needed.
The Mathematics with Economics course appealed to me because I enjoyed Mathematics very much at A Level, but wanted to take a second subject - one that I had not studied before - alongside it. The weighting of the subjects suited me also, two thirds of my time spent studying Mathematics with Economics taking up just a third of the course.
I have found the course very enjoyable so far, particularly some of the Mathematics modules which were completely new to me and very interesting. From being almost " scared " of computers, the Numerical Computing module transformed me into a confident programmer.
The prospectus states that previous knowledge in Economics is not necessarily a requirement, but obviously GCSE or A Level knowledge will put you in good stead for this course, and you may find that you have already studied some areas of the syllabus.
The Mathematics with Economics course offers an optional year in an industrial placement. If you apply and are fortunate enough to get a placement, the experience is a definite advantage in the hunt for jobs once you have graduated.
Out of lectures there are many varied activities to get involved in. Although Loughborough is well known for its sporting achievements, there are societies for everyone including music groups and societies, Flix - the Union cinema society, societies for environmentalists, not to mention RAG and Community Action, two of the largest organisations here. If you are interested in becoming a DJ, there is the opportunity to do so on the Loughborough Campus Radio. Also, if you would like to continue learning a language in your free time, there are lessons available at various levels in some languages.
Finding places to go out in the evening and at weekends should pose no problems at all. There is something going on in the Union almost every night of the academic year, and in the town centre there is an abundance of bars, clubs and restaurants, as well as the six-screen cinema. If your prefer live music, theatre or simply a night out in the city, both Nottingham and Leicester are close by, just fifteen minutes on the train.
If you do decide to come to Loughborough, you are almost guaranteed to have a place in the halls of residence, with 70% of undergraduates living on campus. If you are offered University accommodation for your first year, it is wise to accept. Meeting people is a lot easier when living in halls, and your hall committee will have organised many events for the first two weeks in particular.
Vineet Bhalla
Mathematics and Computing
I enjoyed Mathematics at school, and I was keen to pursue this interest at University. I encountered Computing during my A Levels and found the idea of combining the two subjects appealing. It also gave me the opportunity to broaden my horizons. The main attraction for me at Loughborough was the option of the industrial placement year, but when I attended the two-day visit for applicants I was particularly attracted by the highly student oriented atmosphere, and the facilities available in the two departments of Mathematics and Computer Science.
This course is a relatively small one in terms of the number of students. However, being on a joint honours course means that you are essentially a member of two departments and therefore come into daily contact with more students than those on single honours courses. You quickly make friends with students from both areas.
Don't worry if your computing skills are not very high because the course assumes no prior knowledge, but project work and practicals soon bring you up to scratch. The course is examined by both project work and examinations. Your performance is basically a reflection on the amount of effort you put into your work. Assistance is always there if required, but at the end of the day you've got to do the work.
I spent my year out at the Ministry of Defence in London. The work here turned out to be both interesting and confidence boosting. Being a student didn't affect the way I was treated by my colleagues. I worked on many important projects and was given several demanding responsibilities. I was fortunate that my degree had enhanced my skills of problem solving, and my ability to think logically and creatively. These skills were vital during my placement. I feel that both my placement and my degree have given me a strong foundation for the future, as well as enhancing my prospects of obtaining employment.
You will almost certainly end up in one of the halls of residence on campus. The campus is basically like a small community with most of the essential amenities, such as bars, banks, laundrettes, more bars, take-aways, book shops, hairdressers etc. The students union itself has a night-club among other things. The campus is quite lively, with social events organised regularly by the halls of residence. Loughborough is a relatively small town, but it offers its fair share of activities for those looking for a good time.
The biggest misconception about Loughborough is that its strongest points lie in the field of sport only. We're not all world class athletes here (some of us can barely run 100 metres) but for those who have interests in such areas, the opportunities are second to none. You will get the chance to join many societies when you start the year. These societies range from the sporting to the cultural. For those keen on a challenge, societies for events such as parachuting will be waiting for your signature.
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