Image
Study Performing Arts at the University of Winchester
This online session provides insight into studying Performing Arts at the University of Winchester. Watch this session to learn more about what the department has to offer.
The city itself is incredibly charming
My name is Inda, and I am 22 years old. This year, I started my first year of a bachelor's degree in Forensic Science in Winchester.
When I visited Winchester (before starting here), I met Marie, a fellow Norwegian student at the university. She showed me around and told me about student life here. I believe the warm welcome I received played a significant role in my decision to choose Winchester. Everything felt very personal, and I liked that the city is not too big. Additionally, both the campus and the city itself is incredibly charming—especially when they start decorating for Christmas! It's also worth mentioning that Winchester is one of the safest cities to live in here in England, and as a girl, this is, of course, an important factor.
The university is relatively small but intimate. Something special about studying in England, especially in Winchester, is that lecturers and students interact on a more personal level. We use first names when talking to teachers, and they remember who we are. There are also various support services available to help with anything you may need. As an international student, it's particularly reassuring to know they offer academic assistance for both the subjects themselves and academic English writing.
Winchester is an ancient city with many charming activities. You can visit the cathedral where, among others, Jane Austen is buried, and where you can find the Christmas market closer to December. There's also a shopping street and a very pleasant cinema set in an old church.
After being picked up from the airport in September, I was taken to my student accommodation in West Downs student village. Here, I share an apartment with 6 others, but it varies depending on where you live. The advantage of being a first-year student is that you are guaranteed accommodation and are placed with people you don't know. I think it's common for all student accommodations that it's easy to get to know others since you live so close to each other. There are also many other ways to meet people here, especially through various student societies. I play football for the student team, which is a great way to make new friends and meet people from other courses. There are also many other societies, and the likelihood of finding something you're interested in is very high. Perhaps the most social day for the societies is Wednesday, or sports day. Many sports teams have matches on this day, and all lectures finish at 12 o'clock. In the evening, the various societies often gather before heading to BOP, which is a party held by the student union.
I am extremely satisfied with the university and life here so far, and I look forward to spending more years here in the future.
- Inda
This is an incredible experience
My name is Clara. I am 23 years old and from Halmstad, southern Sweden. I will have completed my first semester at "The University Of Winchester" within two weeks, and I have really enjoyed it so far.
In addition to my interest in studying abroad, my boyfriend, from Southampton, also played a role in my choice to study in England rather than Sweden. Being a Swede, learning a foreign language is an excellent advantage in a career and thrilling experience.
For the past four years, during the winter months, my boyfriend and I worked as ski instructors in the Austrian Alps, and it was fantastic to live in the spectacular winter landscape. In addition to skiing and sports, I am passionate about marketing, and I believe that studying marketing at an English university will allow me to combine my interests.
From the beginning, I applied for the Marketing program at five other universities in the area around Southampton. Still, my instinct told me that "The University Of Winchester" would be the best fit. I've been to Winchester several times over the past years, and the city is charming, with nature and history, and it feels very similar to my hometown. I was looking for a university located in a town where I could go for walks in nature, spend time with friends at cafes and just feel safe. And Winchester ticked all the boxes for me. One of the primary reasons I chose the university was that I received a lot of informative e-mails from the international staff at "The University of Winchester" and from Norwegian students who currently were students at the university. I had all my questions answered (about my Visa, Brexit, insurance, financing, etcetera), responded by David Street and the team.
When you start studying at a university, and more so in another country, it is very stressful, and there are a lot of questions and uncertainties. During the spring and summer, before I started in September, I had to do an English test and sort out a couple of things with the Swedish government. It was stressful, and there was a lot to do, but when everything was done, I could really enjoy the experience, and I could already notice how much I'd learnt from this experience already.
Also, in England, university degrees have a strong reputation internationally, and there are teams at universities that assist new graduates in finding jobs. It was vital for me to know how easy it is to get a job after my degree. Winchester has sent me e-mails already about available positions, such as Marketing jobs in London, that I can apply for now and begin working for in a few months. Students' well-being and teachers' teaching rank highly at Winchester among other universities. As an international student, I found it essential to find a university that could provide all my studies because I come from different backgrounds and school systems.
Since I live with my boyfriend, I haven't experienced "student life on campus", but my friends say they enjoy the people they live with and have made lifelong friends. There are various events to attend during "Fresher's week" and during the semesters. There are many ways to find friends at Winchester University, and I've joined a group called "Snowsports", where several people interested in skiing are involved. Most of us get together once a week and have some events planned. As an international student, making friends through different groups is great for me, especially when I don't live on campus.
As the first weeks progressed, I felt increasingly confident in the course, the approach, and the new strategies. My teachers have been helpful, and I have received the support I needed if I did not understand something. We have had plenty of time during lessons to work on the last assignment, which is at the end of the course. It is a good structure for me, and I am happy with it.
If you consider studying in England, I can recommend The University Of Winchester because the school offers excellent support, and the city is charming. Furthermore, it is only an hour's train ride from London, so it is very easily accessible for friends and family to visit. My friends can't wait to come over here and see how my student life in Winchester is. Winchester is a quiet, safe city, with a lot of nature and culture, so my parents are also happy with my choice. Living in another country for over three years is a huge step and a big part of life. University is for everyone, it doesn't matter of age or background, this is an incredible experience and if you feel like it could be something you could benefit from – do it!
- Clara
Unique, life-changing experience
As an international student, I found it important to attend a university that was safe, social, and welcoming. I wanted to smoothly transition into student living abroad. I was particularly interested in studying in England, and the University of Winchester fit my criteria the best as it has a reputation for high student satisfaction, a practical film course, and a location in one of England’s prettiest cities close to London.
From the moment I arrived on campus, I immediately felt at home. The friendly staff and students helped make my transition as an international student as easy as possible. I personally felt very well taken care of. The university staff is accommodating and incredibly informative. At any given time, I was always able to find someone to answer a question, help me move into my student halls, or get study help and general advice about student life.
ACCOMMODATION
I lived in Queens Road Student Village for two years, and I loved it. It was clean and the layout was pleasant. The rooms are spacious, and I found the overall atmosphere very enjoyable. It was social and fun, but it was also quiet and peaceful.
SOCIAL LIFE
One of the things I love most about the University of Winchester is the diversity of the student body. While I was studying at Winchester, I met and befriended people from all over the world, including the United States, Norway, China, and France, as well as students from different parts of England.
The university hosts a lot of events and activities which makes it easy for students to meet and interact with one another. I had a great experience meeting British students in my accommodation, at my job in town, on my course, or around campus.
There is something for everyone here. There are plenty of fun student events and parties if that is your scene. For someone who enjoys a more relaxed night out, there are a variety of nice cafes and restaurants in town that are all within walking distance from the campus.
I had many wonderful experiences at Winchester. A couple of my favorite memories are attending my first Student Union event (BOP) with my flatmates, climbing Saint Catherine’s Hill, and of course, ultimately earning my degree after years of hard work.
MY COURSE
I studied Film Production (Single Honours). My tutors were enjoyable to listen to, very informative, and genuine. I always felt supported and encouraged by them. They were all very patient and willing to answer questions thoroughly and advise on individual projects. On many occasions, the tutor stayed behind after class, taking time to sit down with me to evaluate and improve my work.
I thoroughly enjoyed my course because it was a great balance of practical and theory that I was looking for to set me up for my film career.
I can genuinely say that my time in Winchester was exciting and very enjoyable. I learned a lot about my career, but I also learned a lot about myself and grew as an individual. Winchester gave me a place to call home, a place to study, and a place to make friends.
MY JOB
My time at Winchester was important to my career because it taught me the necessary skills to work in the film industry from challenging me to take creative risks in my assignments to gaining hands-on experience. The faculty and staff at Winchester were knowledgeable and supportive. By the end of my degree, I felt prepared to embark on the next chapter of my life.
I am currently a freelance Production Assistant in New York City. I work on various TV shows and movies.
When I first moved to New York City, I did not have connections in the film industry, so I had to work extra hard to break into the competitive field. I obtained my first film job by proactively approaching crew members I came across throughout the city and communicating my background and interest to them. Some of my first film jobs were as an additional Production Assistant on the film “The Greatest Showman”, as a Camera Assistant for “Humans of New York”, and as a Production Assistant for the CBS show Blue Bloods. From there, I had the opportunity to demonstrate my capabilities and network for new opportunities.
As a Production Assistant, I am responsible for supporting the Director or the Assistant Directors which consists of running errands for them, keeping pedestrians safe while filming on location, working directly with the actors, helping to maintain order on set, and anything else required to help the production run smoothly.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A WINCHESTER STUDENT WHO IS STUDYING FILM PRODUCTION?
I would give the same advice someone shared with me when I was a student: Watch lots of movies and take note of what kind of genres and styles you admire. You would be surprised how much you gain by turning a fun activity into a learning experience.
Also, take risks in your films and be proactive in building your film network.
- Najood
Image
Study Psychology at the University of Winchester (England)
This session provides insight into studying Psychology at the University of Winchester. The university has a very strong portfolio of Psychology courses and also has fascinating areas of research; for instance, they have a dedicated Volunteering Research Hub. They ultimately focus on all aspects of the human experience and behaviour, a very rich area of study, indeed! Learn more by watching this session.