Pooja was at the University of Leeds in 2005-06, studying for an MSc degree in Biosciences

What was your course of study at Leeds?

Msc Biosciences

What did you study before this?

BSc Chemistry with vocational Biotechnology

Did you have any work experience at the time of application?

Yes. 2+2months of on-job-training+relevant undergraduate research experience

Any particular reasons you chose your university?

Scholarship + good Biology School

What did you most enjoy about your course?

Research oriented coursework.

What did you like the least?

Working with difficult class mates for assessed coursework.

Were you a member of any societies at university?

Yes

Which university facilities did you really enjoy?

Library, Union pub, 24-hour computer facilities

Where did you stay?

University accomodation (St Marks) followed by private accomodation

Do you remember how much you paid for your accommodation?

University: £64/week. Private: £50/week+Electricity and gas.

Any complaints about your accommodation?

University: Unwanted additions to flatmates. Private: General untidiness.

How did you manage finances? Any tips for students on a budget?

Never wise to live beyond your means.

Approximately how much do you think students should budget for per month (excluding rent)?

~£150 (eating out+socialisation+entertainment+groceries+study materials etc)

What did you do about meals? Cooked/ Relied on restaurants/ take-away/ microwave ready-meals/had one of your flat-mates cook for you?!

All of the above.

What’s the food scene like for vegetarians?

Never had to go hungry! Except maybe at KFC :-S

Any restaurants/take-away joints in your university city/town you’d like to recommend?

Ego-Greek

Nandos-Portugese

La Cafetiere-Morrocan

Akbars-Indian

Gourmet Burgers-American

Jinos thai-Thai

Any other spots in your university city/town you’d like to recommend?

New gym at the University.

Did you work part-time? Tell us a little about it!

No.

Which calling card did you use to call home?

Home called me. (Use localphone.com now)

Who was your mobile service provider?

Vodafone.

Were you on a prepaid/contract phone?

Contract (T-mobile).

What did you do after university?

Went to home country and came right back to work at the University.

And what are you doing at the moment?

Working in the University.

And finally, would you recommend a UK education to other students?

No. Maybe for experiencing real independence, but that is all. Far too expensive without adding anything substantially different from a local degree at a similar level.