University of Birmingham — Attraction in Birmingham

Please note: I am only giving this place 3 stars because I got a 40 percent refund for my MSc course. Otherwise, I would give it 1 star. Read below:

This review concerns my unfortunate experience completing the MSc Psychology programme at this institution. Specifically, it concerns the lack of support I received from my supervisor that aided in the overall lack of research experience I was able to receive. It also touches on the multiple attempts I made on my end to allow staff to determine alternative solutions. However, their dismissals on all fronts and its resulting repercussions were enough to warrant a complaint. A complaint that, I should add, headed to the Senate Review Panel and resulted in me receiving 40 percent of my tuition fees back as well as an apology from the Head of School of Psychology. Overall, the expected level of practical research experience and support needed for me to flourish both within and beyond this institution unjustifiably lacked and in turn made Ph.D. placements and securing a job in my field futile.

To further explain this ordeal, I have provided some background information below:

The First Signs of Problems: With just a few months in, I almost immediately began to realize that my experience differed significantly from that of my classmates. Whilst others were having consistent meetings with their chosen supervisor; regularly gaining laboratory and practical research skills, and steadily progressing with their research project, I was not. Instead, meetings with my supervisor kept being postponed and ultimately canceled; important emails were not being responded to and as a result of these, progress on my independent research project kept delaying. As my supervisor wanted me to complete a follow-up study based on his previous research, I felt stuck because of the lack of information and contact time I was receiving from him. It was at this stage that I began to voice my concerns directly to him, only to be given timelines that were never followed.

My Supervisor Leaves the Institution and the UK: Then, with three months left in my program and hardly any contact with my supervisor, I received an email from him stating that he "forgot" to inform me that he would shortly be leaving the university and the country. He also forgot to assign an on-site supervisor for me. At the time, it felt like my future was crashing. I paid a significant amount to obtain a UK study permit, move countries, get housing, and complete my studies (as an international student), yet I was not receiving what the course website claimed I would. I did not receive the expected 40-60 hours of research experience; I did not receive 10 hours of supervision, and I did not have the opportunity to complete an independent research project.

Turning a Blind Eye: Throughout the year, I made several attempts to keep the Module Lead, the Programme Director for the MSc in Psychology, and the Head of the PGT Programme informed of my concerns. Yet, meeting after meeting after meeting I was consistently left disappointed because of the minimal to no efforts made on their end to help. Rather than look at the clear evidence of neglect, they each supported him over me – rejecting fairness for the sake of defending his actions and the university name.

Official Complaint: Given their lack of concern, my supervisor's lack of support, the 35,000+ pounds seemingly wasted, the negative impact this had on me gaining employment and Ph.D. opportunities, and the overall adverse impact the situation had on me emotionally and physically, I felt that it was necessary to file an official complaint– a complaint that I felt required to be reviewed by the highest body outside of the School of Psychology. Now, thanks to their unbiased examination, I received 40% of my tuition funds back.

Conclusion: I now hope that if any similar cases like mine ever arise again, they are handled more appropriately by the staff, especially now that a recommendation has been communicated with the Head of the School...

This morning at 7.50am I was picked up by taxie and taken to The Synexus Clinic adjoining The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Edgbaston Birmingham (UK) . My appointment was at 8.30am. Identification showing my old driving license. I was seen by a Dr. Who went through all the forms with me declaring any illnesses, medications , operations, It is, and needs to be very strict before you can be accepted on the Study. Temperature, blood pressure, pulse and heart rate tested also eyes. Then through to another Doctor who checks forms, demonstrates how I shall use the under tongue Temperature Guage and fill my diary in on this phone for a week. I walk a line,so gait is assessed and blood is taken. Then I go through to the doctor who administrate the Vaccine all done so far no reaction at all. This study is a trial of a new vaccine for RSV ( respiratory syncytial virus) A winter Virus similar to influentia, which is dangerous to the young and elderly, infecting the lungs and breathing passages. There has been no current treatments. The trial is for 25 months. This is my first of 8 visits, some can be done at home. This is to protect others in the future to build up an immunity to RSV. Thank you...

Awful student administration support. The amount of bureaucracy involved is just ridiculous and the staff is unhelpful at best. From my personal experience it seems like the university's hiring criteria are based on how well can everyone evade doing anything extra or being useful. The courses here are overcrowded with 300+ students per lecture, so good luck asking a question or seeing your lecturers. Most lecturers read out loud the slides anyway, so you might as well just read them for yourself. The newly build library is also lacking capacity and during peak times it is almost impossible to find a seating place. The only good thing about this university is the pretty campus. Oh and the new highly advertised sport centre costing university 70 millions is available to public even though yearly memberships for students are sold out within minutes and the whole facility is overcrowded. Furthermore, the main student area, Selly Oak, is dangerous especially during nights. Overall, the value for the 9000£ you pay every year is ''amazing''. Would highly recommend going to some other university such...