Alumni Comments 2015: University of Bristol
“Everything is going pretty well. The course is rather interesting; of course, some classes can be more
tedious than others but the level in math is definitely challenging which changes a lot from the ES math or
ES economics. I would really want to point out that people going into this course would need to
be very avid to study applied math and statistics because that’s essentially what this is.
Otherwise, Bristol is really a great city. We’ve got great clubs, great bars, great concerts. People are very
open, international. There’s the opportunity to do a lot of different things and I think that’s what makes it
really great. You can be very independent here (probably the same in London though!).
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Alexandre de la Tour, Economics
“I'm really enjoying neuroscience at Bristol, I definitely feel like I made the right choice and if anyone is
interested in it I would definitely recommend it (although they must have made their choice of study by now).
It is hard work because before being able to go into more depth on the nervous system all the fundamentals
have to be understood, and in neuroscience that basically means understanding the entirety of the human body
(and that of other mammals).
My units in the first term (which I am now in the midst of exams for) were Anatomy, Physiology and
Pharmacology (highly recommended optional unit). On top of my lectures there are practicals every week or
every two weeks for all of the units as well as work to do for them before and after so that takes up a lot of
hours of my week
They have been really helpful though in my understanding the big load of information because it really helps
visual and concretise the material. You see all sorts… especially in anatomy! Fixed organs, the outsides and
insides of eye balls etc.. Which I find really amazing but it freaks some of my course mates out, so I would say
maybe think twice about neuroscience if you're very squeamish.
Next term I will be continuing Physiology but have two new units: The CNS (Central Nervous System) and
Psychology. Both of which I'm looking forward to a lot, especially the CNS as it is more neuroscience specific.
I have made some really good friends since coming to uni! I would definitely say a big change is that people are
very open and much more willing to help each other out! Work-wise and otherwise. And there are so many
people, that you can really just choose who you want to spend time with and surround yourself with.
One of the things I love most about Bristol (and you can ask anyone here they will tell you the same thing) is
that it really is the perfect size for a student city. Not to big, not too small, it's a city but there's still a bit of green
here and there, it's vibrant (by day and by night!), there's everything you need at a walkable distance and if you
have to be a bit further out there are plenty of buses.
I would say a minus point is definitely the student union, they're not exactly the most active, fun or organised.
They're available just not as much as I wish they were. However there are a lot of societies you can join and
people are enthusiastic about those. I personally am very disappointed with the dance society but I joined
boxing/ boxercise and that's very good fun (and a hell of a workout!)
It's definitely a very busy life but overall I'm really happy about all of it. In the beginning especially, there were
moments when I got a little bit overwhelmed because it was quite a big change, having to do it all on your own,
a new study, a different way of working and meeting new people almost constantly but it quickly became
second nature :)
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Lara Smits van Waesberghe, Neuroscience