Planning (Urban, Rural and Regional), Year 2
(5)·By Izzy P·Urban Planning· Apr 2019 Of course daunting to begin with, but very quickly became a week I will never forget, making amazing life long friends, starting to learn about a subject I have a love for and probably too much drinking... 2 years on nothing has changed!
I didn’t get my first choice accommodation at Brookes, I would be living slightly off campus and not in the apparent ‘place to be’ so I was a bit gutted at first. But after a few days I was so glad I ended up where I did, my flat mates were so great and being a smaller halls everyone soon got to know everyone! We had modern kitchens and double beds (a luxury in uni halls!!) Brookes bus services were really good so being slightly off campus didn’t even become an issue, living at Slade Park was a win- win situation and I loved every second of it!
The facilities at brookes are great, being a relatively new campus everything is super modern and easy to use. Our library is a great work space that i will happily sit in all day (and night ignore I’ve left the deadline that last minute!!). We also have access to Oxford university library resources which is a bonus. The sport centre is on campus so really convenient and provides everything we need, Astroturf, sports halls, gyms, a climbing wall and of course a sports bar....
My course was brand new this year and is the first in the country to include all three components of urban design, planning and development. Coming into the degree with little knowledge and experience in the sector the lecturers have been extremely inspiring and supportive of all our needs. Our lectures are hands on and interactive, working on live projects within the city. Also recently has become RTPI and RICS accredited!
Oxford is such a fun city to live in as a student, with 2 universities there is always something going on! The historic typology of the centre is so interesting and beautiful, I will never get bored of it. Being so close to London is also ideal, it’s thriving, cultural and safe, I love it here!
I would definitely encourage people with a passion for urban development to study my course at Brookes, it provides such a broad vision of all sectors within planning and helps to guide you to your specialty. It’s all coursework, which for those who don’t get on with exams is perfect but be prepared to work hard! it’s not easy and being put into real life practice on live projects can be scary, but it’s all worth it!