Alex
Mantle

Why did you choose to apply to NTU?

The course had a good ranking and I like the location, NTU was a close third place out of my five initial choices and I very nearly chose to accept an unconditional offer from them in January.

How have you settled into your course and NTU?

I love my course at NTU, it is exactly what I had hoped it would be and my life in Nottingham is equally as good. Despite applying late, I found group chats for my course and flat and quickly made friends meaning that when I arrived, settling in was easy.

What do you like most about the course, and do you think you’ve made the right decision?

My favourite part about the course is the lab facilities, as I want to go into an industry job, the lab experience on my course is crucial to me and this was a concern for me when applying through Clearing. I absolutely believe that coming to NTU was the correct decision for me.

What do you think about the course staff and how do they support your learning and University experience?

All of the lecturers are very knowledgeable in their subject areas and very helpful with any student problems. You are tutored by a lecturer for the duration of the course and this gives the opportunity for them to form genuine personal connections in order to help you. Technical staff in the labs are also very helpful with any problems you have with the practical’s.

What do you like about studying and living in Nottingham?

Studying and living in Nottingham is a great experience, NTU offers me the opportunities and facilities to have a great university life and do well in my degree, whilst Nottingham as a city provides opportunities for living an active social life, with many good nights out available every day of the week.

In a nutshell, why would you recommend your course / NTU to someone looking to study in that area?

NTU has a great atmosphere around it and everyone is extremely friendly. The Chemistry course is supported by amazing facilities and a fantastic group of staff.

What advice would you give someone thinking about going through Clearing?

Just be prepared, have phone numbers or at the very least websites of the universities you would like to apply to ready. Have several choices ready with various entry requirements just to be safe, have a clear favourite choice so that you don’t end up torn between offers or picking the first place you can get into and regretting it.

What are you most looking forward to in the two/three years at NTU?

I’m most looking forward to my industrial placement year in the third year of my degree, it will give me a chance to gain experience in the field I want to work in and NTU providing this opportunity is one of the main reasons I decided to come here.

Can you tell us what you experienced during the Clearing process?

I applied to five universities but missed my offer for my first choice and was offered a different course at my second, so I chose to go through Clearing instead.

I did my Clearing research two weeks in advance, I felt nervous that I would miss my offers and didn’t want to be left panicking on the day should I need to use it. I looked at the choices I had applied for in January as well as about four other options and wrote down their email addresses, websites and Clearing hotlines where one was available. On the day I collected my results and immediately went home and started calling the numbers. I called the NTU hotline where the staff were extremely helpful and the process of getting a place accepted through Clearing was quick and to what limited extent it could be, stress-free.

Our guide to Clearing will answer your questions about the Clearing process, how you’ll know if you are eligible, and how to choose the right university for you.