National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUI)

I suppose i should start with the positives. Usually around the time  they have not got any money from students there is a period of planning and information and preaching about all the amazing things we will be able to access throughout our time here. My first year also had a module called Critical Skills which was very useful. Additionally, some of the lecturers they have been fantastic going beyond their days to help support us and offer extensions when possible. However, this is the one star and is where it ends.

Soon you will find out that this great place and course itinerary is nothing but a fake speech. The facilities (Except for the library) are no use  but we still find ourselves covering the cost of them regardless even when they are not being used. Additionally, when the whole campus is shut down the fees and price of college remains the same even without access to the facilities we will never use. If you are a mature student like myself or returning to education don't even think about it here. The lack of support whether that be mental, financial or technical is desperate. The responses to queries is almost non existent and you will even get ghosted when you ask a complicated but important question.                                         
                                                                                                                  There is so many awful things about this university that i would love to go into detail but i strongly recommend studying at another university and especially if you are studying arts or media studies. Last year for example my whole grade in one module was pressing an on and off button on a graphic to show up on screen. What did i pay for!? You will get all the instructions in the world  on all the equipment but then you will be told its not available or get ten minutes to use it and you're out the door. I could talk all day about how woeful it is.

The lack of transport options to maynooth had the largest impact on my overall experience. Despite this not necessarily being the fault of the university it is a common problem which really impacts the social capabilities of people from my town, which is a very large area with a high volume of students who attend the university. Public transport is non existent and for those that drive it is still very difficult to attend social events and moving to maynooth is an expense issue. Overall the university had a very beautiful campus, such a large selection of courses and I believe does what it can to support it's students.