Royal Holloway University: Welcoming Atmosphere and Degree Opportunities, Essays (high school) of Engineering Science and Technology

Download Royal Holloway University: Welcoming Atmosphere and Degree Opportunities and more Essays (high school) Engineering Science and Technology in PDF only on Docsity! The Guide 2023 HOLI NY eI Sa lato} The text of this guide can be made available in alternative formats upon request to the Disability and Dyslexia Services. Visit royalholloway.ac.uk/ prospectus-updates for any changes to this guide. This guide was produced by the Marketing and Communications team at Royal Holloway. It was published in February 2022 and the information given was correct at that time. It is intended primarily for those considering admission to Royal Holloway as undergraduate students in 2023. As described in our terms and conditions (found at royalholloway.ac.uk/terms-and-conditions), occasionally it may be necessary for the university to make changes to the information stated here including to vary the content and delivery of our courses, after this guide is published. The university endeavours to keep such changes and disruption to a minimum, but all applicants are advised to visit royalholloway.ac.uk/prospectus- updates for any changes before making an application. Updates Explore our courses, student stories and life on campus further with our online prospectus royalholloway.ac.uk/ug-prospectus (Guardian University Guide, 2022) UK university 25Top National awards for our student volunteering programme 3 (Guardian University Guide, 2022) in graduate level employment or further study 15 months after leaving Royal Holloway 79% Vibrant student-run clubs and societies from American Football to Tolkien Higher than sector average student satisfaction 110 + (THE, REF, Overall ranking of institutions, 2014) of UK universities for research 25% Top (National Student Survey, 2021) Royal Holloway: response to Covid-19 pandemic The health and safety of our entire community is our highest priority. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, we have taken measures to respond safely to the prevailing situation. This prospectus contains information about what we expect to offer in a typical year. If we need to alter our approach as a result of the changing nature of the external situation, we will make relevant information about studying at Royal Holloway during 2023/24 available on our website. Contents 4 Our history, your future 5 People with purpose 6 Location 7 Campus 8 Accommodation 10 Student life 12 Wellbeing and academic support 14 Careers 16 Funding your studies and scholarships 17 Your department 42 Your journey to Royal Holloway 44 Degree directory You are embarking on one of the most important journeys of your life. When you invest in your future by deciding to study at university, you make choices that could help influence who you are, the friends you have and the person you become. Royal Holloway is ranked highly in the UK for the quality of our research, and importantly, also that of our teaching – a powerful combination that directly benefits you. By choosing to study here, you become part of a close-knit and supportive community that’s all about inspiring you to succeed – academically, socially and culturally. We understand our purpose and are here to help you explore yours. Here, you can be the individual that you want to be, and advance on the path to finding your purpose. Students who come to Royal Holloway talk about a unique culture and a ‘feel’ that they love. Classes are taught by recognised, world-leading academics who will genuinely get to know you. During the pandemic, retaining the direct interaction with both staff and peers that we know matters most to our students has been one of our top priorities. However the global picture develops in the coming months, you can be confident to begin your studies with us. Ours is also an inclusive, diverse and global community. Royal Holloway has a rich history and we’re proud to be a part of it. Our founders were inspired by the idea that education should be available to all who could benefit, and we stand by that founding principle, reshaped for our modern times - from our passion for the value that comes from education and knowledge, to putting our students at the heart of all we do. I hope that you’ll want to join in the story too, and I look forward to welcoming you here. Professor Paul Layzell Principal Welcome to Royal Holloway, University of London 3 9 Accommodation Heading to university is an exciting time and finding the right place to live will get you off to a good start. Royal Holloway’s beautiful campus and the surrounding area offers lots of options and whether you’re looking to live in halls or in private accommodation, we’re here to help you find the right home. We have a fantastic variety of on-campus accommodation to suit a range of requirements and budgets but if you choose to live a bit further afield, or commute from home, there’s lots of support for you too. Living in halls “In my first year at Royal Holloway, I lived on campus in Butler Hall. It was an amazing experience as I got to embrace and make the most of our wonderful campus. Living in halls allowed me to easily form solid friendship groups, both in my accommodation and on my course, as I was just a stone’s throw away from the social activities on campus. It really did feel like a home away from home as me and my flatmates would have a weekly takeaway night and play games or watch the football. The large study space in my room also allowed me to keep on top of my work whilst settling into this new chapter of my life. My top tip: Don’t lock yourself in your room when you first move in – prop your door open with a doorstop and bring some snacks or drinks and get to know your flatmates!” Antonio, BSc Geography 8 Commuting “At first I was nervous about commuting, worried that I would never meet anyone and have to face the new idea of lectures alone; however, I’m glad to say that these worries were unfounded. At Royal Holloway, we have such a welcoming atmosphere, with events during fresher’s week aimed specifically at commuting students so you can get to know others in the same position and potentially find a friend nearby to share the journeys with. On top of this, course leaders encourage group work and conversation to enable you to get to know your classmates so that you don’t feel alone in lectures. I met my best friend, another commuter, online last year. My top tip: Encourage yourself to step out of your comfort zone. Remember that everyone is in a new space so don’t hesitate, go and say hi!” Tori, BSc Business and Management Antonio Tori royalholloway.ac.uk/accommodation royalholloway.ac.uk/commuting Student life University is a place where you can develop the whole you, both at work and play. Community spirit is an important part of the Royal Holloway story and our campus is ideally set up to help you enjoy being part of student life, and keep healthy in body and mind. We have an active social scene with a great range of clubs, societies and entertainment, seven days a week throughout term- time, supporting you in exploring new interests and developing fresh skills. “Sport is a big part of my university experience. At the start of the pandemic, I found it hard to stay motivated when exercising but after going to the freshers fair and talking to a few sports clubs, I was suddenly keen to join in. I ended up trying out for the badminton team and am now a member of the first women’s team. Travelling around to different universities for matches with my team is so enjoyable, we all get on amazingly well and I have so much support from them all; it’s like my own little family. Since becoming part of such a great team, I’ve found that badminton is what I look forward to most each week. It really is a great way to let off steam and I have made some amazing friends since becoming a part of sport at Royal Holloway. My top tip: Don’t be afraid to try something new. All the teams here are really welcoming; it doesn’t matter if you’ve been doing sports for years or if you’ve never played before, the best thing to do is put yourself out there and have a go!” Lizzie, MSci Physics 10 “When I came here for an Open Day before beginning my undergraduate degree, I fell in love with the whole campus. It’s so peaceful, yet has so much life. The vast multitude of opportunities on offer is also really impressive, whether it is student engagement, volunteering or societies/sports clubs. The diversity of the people that study here was also important to me as I’m not just here to get a degree, but to have the full university experience. Royal Holloway offers exactly that with opportunities to meet people in all sorts of roles from many different backgrounds and parts of the world, which is great because such exposure helps grow my perspective and broadens my views of the world.” Marat, BSc Economics and MSc International Management Mel (right) 11 Give it a Go events. Like the name says, there’s a wide variety of unique events, so go ahead, make a flower crown or a wine glass, and maybe try to learn a language on the side.” Mel, MSci Psychology “As a student at Royal Holloway, you never feel bored, you always have something going on. Crafting afternoons, society activities, sports matches or nights out, you’ll find something that makes you happy here, and meet new people doing it. I’ve met some of my best friends through rock nights out at the local club, crossover events between societies that have nothing in common, or outings to the ice rink. You never have a dull moment here, and will always see a friendly face, hopefully at the weekly market while eating a delicious Katsu Chow Mein! My top tip: Never forget to check the Students’ Union’s announcements for new events going on, especially the With 11 different cafés, dining halls and bars on campus, there’s something to suit every budget, taste, mood and dietary need. We also have alcohol- free venues on campus. royalholloway.ac.uk/student-life 1312 We know you want to feel confident at university, but it can feel like a daunting transition. As a friendly and caring community, we’re here to help you to be the best you possible. Whatever the support you need, in whatever aspect of your life, we’re here for you. We’ve got lots of help on hand, including: • Disability and neurodiversity support • Help with managing finances • Access to prioritised nursery places for children of students • Academic skills 1:1s or group workshops • Support for your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing including access to counsellors, wellbeing advisors and chaplains • Specific support and advice for international students • Personal Tutors, Peer Guides and Student Representatives “When I first started at Royal Holloway, I was still coming to terms with my physical disability. I was also struggling to navigate my new surroundings, as I’m autistic (ASD) and find new situations difficult to get used to. The Wellbeing team, in particular the Disability and Neurodiversity team, supported me through this transition by giving me the tools and support I needed. I had regular check-ins to make sure I was settling in well and was given appointments with a specialist ASD mentor, as well as a study skills advisor. Without the support I received, I’m not sure if I would have been able to continue my education; but now I’m thriving with a great friendship group, good grades, and a clear path to my future. My top tip: Practise some household skills before you come to university - cooking, cleaning, ironing, using the washing machine. Make your mistakes at home where you can get help, it’ll make your life a lot easier in halls.” Nate, MSci Computer Science (Information Security) with a Year in Industry and Integrated Foundation Year “University was a milestone I looked forward to whilst I was at school – I couldn’t wait for the chance to move out, meet new friends and explore a new area of the world. In my first term, I became the First Year Physics Representative – a role I still enjoy fulfilling today – and was trained on the many student support networks available. As the work was a step up from A-levels, I found my tutorials helpful in answering the questions that I was worried to ask in lectures and my tutor gave me some valuable advice about coping with the new workload. Your first year at university will come with an adjustment period as you get used to a new routine and way of working but if you have any issues or questions, there is plenty of help available so you can enjoy all the experiences that come with this next step in your studies. My top tip: You aren’t truly alone at university – everyone is or has been in the same boat as you. A great first port of call is your Student Representative – like me! – there’s usually one per year and course, and they’ll be able to offer advice or get you in touch with the right contacts in your department or the wider support services around campus.” Emily, BSc Theoretical Physics Integrated Foundation Year We want everyone to feel confident and capable to come and join us – and if you feel that you could benefit from an additional year to gather the skills you’ll need for your degree because you don’t quite have the grades, or the right combination of subjects, for your course, why not consider one of our Integrated Foundation Years? They’re available across a wide variety of degrees. royalholloway.ac.uk/wellbeing Wellbeing and academic support Nate (left) Emily (right) royalholloway.ac.uk/foundation-year 1918 royalholloway.ac.uk/accountingandfinance Accounting and Finance “Our fresh and intellectually challenging approach to accounting and finance means you’ll benefit from the in-depth knowledge of our academic experts, enhanced by a degree accredited by several professional bodies. Our ambition is to develop the skills required by the accountants of the future, through a balanced understanding of theory and practice and a focus on key future trends such as green investment, ethical decision-making, accounting for sustainability and integrated reporting.” Professor Gloria Agyemang, Head of School of Business and Management “The BSc Accounting and Finance course has been an intense but rewarding experience. The opportunities that this degree has opened for me have been amazing! The variety of topics that are available allow you to specialise in areas you’re passionate about. Within the course the level of support is what has stood out the most for me, you feel like a community, and they push you to be the best version of yourself.” Toby, BSc Accounting and Finance “My year in business at Virgin Media gave me the opportunity to test drive my career and provided me with important experiences without being thrown in the deep end. I was able to step outside my comfort zone and test out all the skills that I developed at university to see how they work in the real world. One of the most valuable skills I gained from the year in business was the ability to communicate with people in a professional setting. Most importantly, I was able to secure a three-year long graduate scheme.” Astha, BSc Accounting and Finance with a Year in Business “My favourite part of the course has been being able to explore different parts of accounting and finance, from financial accounting which is more straightforward, to management accounting which doesn’t have as many rules and there isn’t always a yes or no answer. The course set me up really well for the route that I want to take because of its various accreditations, and it gives you the experience of everything to choose what you’re more interested in.” Edres, BSc Accounting and Finance royalholloway.ac.uk/biologicalsciences Biological Sciences that birds are often the focus of media attention and I’ve been privileged to explore the properties of birds on TV documentaries with Sir David Attenborough, and with Chris Packham for BBC’s Springwatch.” Dr Steve Portugal, Department of Biological Sciences “Growing up watching birds in the garden, I became fascinated from a young age with their evolution, behaviour and anatomy, and that triggered a lifelong passion. My research on birds intersects with many aspects of behaviour and physiology, from migration, flight formations and how birds can be such effective endurance athletes, to avian vision and threats posed by their susceptibility to colliding with windfarms and power lines. As a group, birds play an important role in the ecosystem, and there is a lot we can learn from better understanding how they adapt to their surroundings in cities and gardens, and how they respond to climate change, loss of habitat such as destruction of old trees, and other challenges to sustainability. It’s important to understand which bird species are doing well, or not so well, in their environment from year to year. We’re fortunate that our campus has a rich abundance of wildlife, an apiary and acres of woodlands which means that students in Biological Sciences have fieldwork and ecosystems to explore right on their doorstep. Many different bird species thrive on campus, and we rear homing pigeons for behavioural research. Pigeons often get a bad press, but homing pigeons provide an excellent model system for studying the pros and cons of living in groups. I’m currently researching how members of a group contribute to route learning, and how this interacts with physiological and behavioral parameters. Birdwatching is an enduring aspect of British culture and for many people it’s an important way of connecting with nature. This accessibility means “I really enjoy the practicals, using machines like the fluoro spectrophotometer and techniques such as SDS-PAGE to determine protein samples. Analysing data from results we’ve obtained and understanding how everything works has helped my problem solving and teamwork skills, while the uncertainty of results makes each experiment challenging. I’m more confident explaining certain diseases such as Parkinson’s or dementia, using the knowledge I’ve learned from my degree and plan to go on to a Masters and hopefully a PhD in neuroscience.” Daisy, BSc Medical Biochemistry Bird behavioursMore than just a number Dr Steve Portugal Degrees accredited by in the UK for animal science for graduate career after 15 months (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2022) (The Guardian University Guide, 2022) 4 th 3 rdDegree available with a year in business Accredited by AACSB, CIMA, CPA, CIPFA, and ICAEW Daisy in the lab 2120 royalholloway.ac.uk/classicsroyalholloway.ac.uk/management a lifetime The journey of Business and Management “My placement year at Rolls Royce gave me genuine business experience, from liaising with over 30 dealers globally on a daily basis to developing market research and supporting the planning and execution of marketing events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed. I really enjoyed the variety of the role - working closely with sales, aftersales and marketing allowed me to develop organisational, communication and analytical skills for my final year.” Francisco, BSc Management with Marketing with a Year in Business “The immense amount of support I’ve received has driven me towards great achievements. For example, without the help of my tutors in supporting me to be able to host events as a lead Diversity, Inclusion and Acceptance ambassador, I wouldn’t have been able to expand on my professional network during the pandemic’s unprecedented times. The hard work my peers and I have put towards promoting diversity in the School of Business and Management hasn’t gone unnoticed. I look forward to seeing the successes we strive to achieve!” Khadija, BSc Management with Accounting “The School of Business and Management’s vibrant, AACSB-accredited community provides an excellent management education, which equips our diverse student body with skills and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Our range of business and management degrees will give you the tools to build credible answers and plans to many complex management questions, driven by the school’s passion for success and shaped by our internationally excellent and world-leading research and teaching.” Professor Gloria Agyemang, Head of School of Business and Management Classics Join Dr Richard Hawley as he explores what it’s like to study Classics, and the links it shares with one of history’s most famous myths. “Classics takes us into a place both strange and familiar. Let us take the myth of Theseus, prince of Athens, and his encounter with the Minotaur. We can imagine him entering Knossos, capital of the intimidating Cretan empire. The marble palace gleams in the sunlight. Bright wall paintings depict athletes jumping bulls. The city was a crossroads, Greek-speaking but home to people, languages and goods from across the Eastern Mediterranean. And lurking in the maze within is the monster whom Theseus must kill. His guide is to be Ariadne, half-sister of the monster, princess, and granddaughter of the Sun. It is Ariadne who gives Theseus a red thread to navigate his way from danger. From a single tale, we have many threads to follow: why do Greek heroes journey their world killing monsters? Who is the real monster, the being who is somehow different, or their killers? Why is Ariadne, a young woman in a patriarchal society, the brains of the adventure? How did their cultures work and why did they end? How did they think about identity and wellbeing, gender and sexuality? As we understand better their lives, we get closer to our contemporary differences and commonalities as humans. Each red thread takes us in a different direction. Your journey through a classical degree at Royal Holloway is one of challenge and discovery. We’ll help find your red thread, whether it be through the digital reconstructions of ancient buildings, Classical literatures and their global legacy, or understanding the historical dynamics of ancient societies, social, political, and economic. We encounter the ancient world in all its diversity, from Syria to Britain and through the Mediterranean lands of Africa, Italy and Greece and across the 2,000 years from Homer to the End of Rome. We study the multi-layered experiences that permeated everyday lives from religious ideas to the provision of bread. We’ll equip you to find your unique path and with skills of innovation, research, and presentation that employers so value. Start your journey and find your red thread with our community.” Dr Richard Hawley, Department of Classics More than 40 optional modules All undergraduate degrees available with a year in business 40 (Undergraduate Business & Management degrees, 2021) Learn today lead tomorrow As we understand better their lives, we get closer to our contemporary differences and commonalities as humans. Dr Richard Hawley Graduates have found work with the British Museum, the Home Office and English Heritage in the UK for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide, 2022) 4 th Discover ancient worlds through a contemporary lens “I’m really glad that I chose the School of Business and Management at Royal Holloway because of the variety of different topics that are available to study within one pathway. I also love that extra help is always readily available if you ever need it. Lecturers and academics are always happy to meet you and it makes you feel like you’re part of a larger community.” Devina, BSc Management with International Business (AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) 2322 royalholloway.ac.uk/dramaandtheatreroyalholloway.ac.uk/computerscience Computer Science Drama, Theatre and Dance Is drama only worthwhile if you want a career on the stage? No. Some students become actors, but also writers, directors, designers, producers, stage managers etc. More importantly, the degree develops valuable transferable skills – teamwork, critical thinking, multitasking, excellent communication skills – that graduates use in careers such as broadcasting, events management, teaching, marketing, research and more. Where’s a place that a degree in drama could take you that you wouldn’t expect it to? Well, where to start? We’ve had graduates go into the civil service, the law, fashion and politics; some have run charities, others have started businesses, published novels, become graphic designers. We’ve stopped being surprised at where drama takes our graduates! How can the research activities of staff in the department benefit and support a student’s experience? This is really important. Our students are taught by internationally-renowned experts and professional practitioners. So the students are working at the cutting edge of theatre and theatre studies. In turn, this gives them the tools and the opportunity to make genuinely original creative and critical work and become the next generation of scholars and practitioners. What makes the Department of Drama, Theatre and Dance at Royal Holloway a special place to study? We have such wide expertise among our staff, giving students the opportunity to study theatre from Greek tragedy to Black British playwriting, from Jacobean drama to musical theatre. We are situated on a beautiful green campus – and only a short train hop from London, perhaps the greatest theatre city in the world. Why are the performing arts such a valuable and important part of our society? And why are they important to study? Human societies have made theatre as long as there have been human societies. From The Oresteia to Six, we have always turned to theatre and drama to interrogate and learn about ourselves. The arts foster creativity, encourage connection, promote empathy, understanding and wellbeing, and enhance the richness of our society’s imagination and innovation. What’s one skill you would hope all students can take away from a course in Drama, Theatre and Dance and why? Creativity! It’s a limitless skill that can take you in all directions, no matter what your passions and interests are. What can a degree in Drama, Theatre and Dance offer you and your future? We chat with lecturer, Professor Elizabeth Schafer, to find out what awaits on the stage and beyond. Going beyond the stage Advance of AI “I work in Artificial Intelligence (AI), with interests in designing and building intelligent and autonomous agents through automated decision- making techniques. I had an early opportunity to work with NASA Ames Research Center (USA) on autonomous planning agents for space mission operations, contributing to the development of the reasoning capabilities of two rovers sent to Mars – Spirit and Opportunity. I’ve continued my collaboration with NASA developing technology for drones that can support search and rescue, and disaster responses. My research covers AI task planning, specialising in autonomous surveillance technology, both in aerial and underwater vehicles. Used for reconnaissance and spotting threats, this technology could help with the safe passage of ships. I’ve also worked as part of a team on autonomous and intelligent agents for children on the autistic spectrum to create an ‘intelligent companion’, supporting the development of social skills. I’m currently involved in a project called MIMRee which aims to develop the world’s first fully autonomous multi-robot system for the inspection and repair of off-shore wind farms. Our students at Royal Holloway are motivated to learn in an environment where we connect with real-world applications at the intersection between different areas of cutting-edge technology. AI can have an impact not only to further the progress of the wealthy countries but also to foster the advancement of developing nations, teach people new skills and support lifelong learning. At the same time, AI raises ethical and societal challenges for AI experts and policy-makers, who share the responsibility to deploy an AI technology that is safe, reliable and fair.” Professor Sara Bernardini, Department of Computer Science “My ambition is to go into medicine as I’m driven by helping people and raising awareness of specific medical conditions, taking into account socio economic and other factors. I chose Royal Holloway as it’s one of the top universities for research quality and I thought it would be the best pick to study Computer Science, as academics are brilliant in the subjects they teach, with specialists in BioInformatics, a route I’ll take to enter medicine. In the future I see myself at one of the companies that works in AI producing vaccines and medicine, to impact what they produce and supply to society and push the need to work with people of all criteria.” Shaw, BSc Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) with a Year in Industry Graduates have found work with the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the BBC and ITV Professor Sara Bernardini Professor Elizabeth Schafer (Guardian University Guide, 2022) seat Caryl Churchill theatre178UK Computer Science department30 (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2022) Top in the UK for research quality (Complete University Guide, 2022) 9 th in the UK for Drama10Top (British Computer Industry, Chartered Institute for IT) 2928 royalholloway.ac.uk/healthstudiesroyalholloway.ac.uk/geography Geography Health Studies You will learn how to analyse, discuss and practice solution-focused approaches to various challenges that affect our health and wellbeing. From navigating complex systems, writing policy and developing research skills, to having the confidence to build partnerships and drive essential projects, you will graduate with the knowledge and exposure to go on to a rewarding career promoting the value of health for our communities and environment, and to bring about lasting changes that save lives.” Professor Alex Palombi, Head of Department of Health Studies “The value of good health in people and the environment is what motivates us at Royal Holloway’s Department of Health Studies. We’ve developed a new degree, BSc Health Studies, with a focus on population health and environmental health, an exciting area leading to a huge variety of career pathways. Across society we’ve seen how the promotion of good hand hygiene, infection control and communal approaches have limited the spread of infection during the Covid 19 pandemic. Scientists are also tackling the spread of deadly antimicrobial resistance (AMR) which is threatening the lifesaving role of medications. It is estimated that without intervention, by 2050, 10 million people worldwide could die annually from infections that no longer respond to antibiotics. Our researchers are part of a team that has highlighted the benefits of using technology to monitor AMR spread in areas of high human density and to design urban spaces with public health in mind such as more hygienic transport systems. Biodiversity in the environment can also reduce the use of antibiotics. Combined with keeping up with good hand hygiene and infection control adopted during the pandemic, it could drastically reduce transmission of AMR and other infectious diseases. This demonstrates how putting the science and social science together and working across disciplines can improve our understanding and help to deliver workable health solutions. Our BSc Health Studies is designed to equip a new generation of health practitioners with the skills to address health protection, health promotion and sustainable living frameworks. As a student, you will benefit from stimulating teaching to inspire and challenge you, and opportunities to network and collaborate with local and national partners in the sector. How are we shaping our world? Polar futures Arctic and the House of Commons Environment Audit Committee in these areas. “With industries rushing offshore, the ocean is on a course to become more crowded. To avoid a messy and damaging scramble for marine real estate, a coordinated approach is needed. We’re going to have to be very confident these things are being regulated, monitored and evaluated holistically, and over the long term as well. There’s a real danger that we think the oceans are this kind of frontier space, that we can just do things and worry about the implications later. That’s patently not true.” Our students explore important themes first-hand through teaching and fieldwork, learning to understand a world that is undergoing fundamental changes, and preparing for a career that makes a difference to our future. Our Geography department has world-leading expertise in the Arctic and Antarctica, regions which reflect key challenges to life on our planet, from the environment and climate, to different cultures and global affairs. As an expert in glaciers, Dr Bethan Davies is involved in numerous research projects, and leads the website AntarcticGlaciers.org, explaining glaciology to the broader public. “Glaciers are part of the landscape humans have evolved with, and to lose them is to lose something critically important to our planet, and to people’s well-being. Globally, melt from glaciers contributes to 21% of sea level rise. The recession of glaciers is one of the most visible and clear signals of global climate change, and the loss of these ice masses could affect water supplies, increase hazards from ice avalanches or glacier lake outburst floods, and contribute to coastal flooding.” From a geopolitics perspective, a new wave of industrial interests and turf wars are emerging, with fresh attempts to lay claim to polar waters and the wealth of natural resources beneath them and commercial ventures such as off-shore fish farms already in operation. As an expert in geopolitics, Professor Klaus Dodds has advised the House of Lords Select Committee on the “I enjoy the fact that geography is such an important and relevant topic of study with regards to sustainability and climate change. I feel that by studying it and having a career in it, I’ll be able to make a positive change in the world. The Geography department have taught me skills that are not only relevant to a career in geography but also relevant to any career in life.” Antonio, BSc Geography Dr Bethan Davies in the UK Geography departments in the UK for student experience (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2022) (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2022) 9 th 4 th overall satisfaction from our students 93% (National Student Survey, 2021) Shaping healthy and resilient societies for an evolving world Brand new degree for 2023 entry Challenge-led placements to build career skills Professor Klaus Dodds 3130 royalholloway.ac.uk/history royalholloway.ac.uk/languages Languages, Literatures and Cultures new dimension to my personality and inspired me to be a more confident person when speaking another language. Learning any language must include a huge amount of skills. What kind of skills would you say you’ve gained? The department is really passionate about giving you skills for life - like communication and intercultural awareness - and I’ve been able to put those into practice during my year abroad. By also studying translation, I’ve gained analytical skills by knowing how to devise a translation strategy before translating any source text into the target language. How has studying Translation Studies made you look at your own language differently? Well for a start I now realise what high demand there is for English translations especially in films and literature. I have also noticed how English is dominant in Spain as there are various English translations underneath signs. Finally, if you could introduce any word from Spanish into the English language, what would it be and why? The word I would introduce into the English Language is ‘Convivencia’. It doesn’t have a direct translation in English, but it’s the ability to live alongside everyone peacefully irrespective of cultural differences. That’s one of the main things I’ve taken from studying at Royal Holloway – learning to notice cultural differences and respect them. What’s your name and what are you studying at Royal Holloway? My name is Catherine, and I am a third year Modern Languages and Translation Studies student. I am currently on my year abroad studying in Madrid. Your year abroad sounds exciting, could you tell us a bit more about that; would you recommend it? Going abroad has been the best part of my degree at Royal Holloway and I would definitely recommend it. The support from the department has been fantastic; the staff are always there for me even though I’m in a different country. It’s not only improved my fluency in Spanish, but it’s also helped with my character development as I feel so much more independent and resilient. What would you say is the most inspiring thing you’ve learnt from studying Spanish? The thing that inspires me the most about Spanish is their culture as they are so open as people. I’m personally quite introverted but living amidst such a vibrant culture has added a History The past in the present A world of opportunity In the Department of History at Royal Holloway, we’re passionate about bringing the past into the present and showing that history is alive and engaged with our modern world. Here two of our students explore how reflecting on history has helped them navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Isolation and intellectual thought amongst monastic communities “Since starting my undergraduate degree at Royal Holloway in 2019, my pursuit of history has been heavily influenced by the pandemic, and the adaption to online study and isolation has certainly shaped my interests. Isolation amongst monastic communities throughout the middle ages was common, with this being a key aspect of their day to day lives. This isolation allowed for divine connection, and visions from God, as we see with Gertrude the Great. A 13th-century nun, and mystic, she used her visions to further her education and write her own books on the church, something we would usually expect from a male, like Thomas Aquinas. Granted, my experience of lockdown isolation did not produce divine visions, but it did lead me to become fascinated by key female figures who have shaped their society by their education. The support of the department has allowed me to explore this field more, guided by modules which are flexible to my interests. Through the influence of women who wrote key texts nearly a millennium ago, and by identifying with their experiences, my future focus within academia has been inspired by the groundwork which the History department has put in place through the uncertain times of a pandemic.” Beth, BA History and English What strengthens a community? “History at Royal Holloway has shown me that history is not the past, but the present, and I’ve enjoyed engaging discussions about the ways in which history is interpreted. I’m constantly challenged in my studies and supported in thinking of new ideas about history. One idea that my studies have enabled me to develop came in the form of a comment from somebody I met several months ago. They said they found their experiences of the COVID-19 lockdown worse than their experience of living during the Second World War, because there was no community or socialising. This has led me to think about what strengthens a community, and I believe that it is the idea of sharing. When we socialise, we share our ideas, experiences, cultures, and so much more, and therefore can feel supported and secure. So I can see why such a seemingly controversial take on the War and COVID-19 makes so much sense, because without this socialising, we lose our community support! My studies gave me the chance to explore this idea of the importance of community and allowed me to understand so much more about the world around me.” Olly, BA History What skills and experiences can you gain from studying a language at Royal Holloway? We ask one of our current students for their take on their journey so far. Studying translation studies has made me look at English very differently. Modern Languages and Translation Studies Our graduates have found work with Historic Royal Palaces, the Cabinet Office and Penguin Books Explore history as an active subject that can change the modern world in the UK for History20 (Guardian University Guide, 2022) Top Study either French, German, Italian or Spanish Spend a year overseas during your course to expand your horizons Learn a new language from scratch with no experience necessary Catherine on her year abroad in Spain 3332 royalholloway.ac.uk/liberal-arts royalholloway.ac.uk/lawandcriminology Law “I wasn’t confident enough to get involved in the running of the student law society for the first two years of university but built enough confidence to apply for the role of President in my third year, knowing that being involved would be a vital asset towards gaining legal experience. Our careers advisor works with commercial awareness and networking mentors to offer work placement schemes, mini-pupillages and training contracts. All our activities in the society replicate the real life work conducted in law careers as we host negotiation sessions, client-interviewing sessions and mooting sessions, all skills needed for our future careers.” Tarandeep, LLB Law, President of the Law Society “The communication is amazing here. The department is very friendly, lecturers are always ready to help and reply to any email queries within a short period of time. All lecturers are specialised in their field and their passion is visible through every lecture they do. We have opportunities to engage in talks with guest speakers and in various talks outside of lectures and I write for the student newspaper too. These activities help me develop my writing and communication skills as well as my confidence in putting across ideas, which is important for me as I hope to pursue a career in investigative journalism or academia.” Paulina, BSc Criminology and Sociology “Working at the Legal Advice Centre has provided me with a snapshot of the life within a legal environment as I've had the opportunity to understand the cycle of a case and how each member of the team is necessary to produce the best outcome. I've been able to truly gain a glimpse of what the life of a lawyer is like as I've been able to liaise with clients and law firms. It's been fascinating to sit in on client interviews and listen to the thought process of experienced lawyers and it's also eye-opening to see how much time goes into preparing a case. I'm now working with the most amazing people who are providing me with knowledge and expertise, and I could not be happier.” Reena, LLB Law, Legal Advice Centre Languages, Literatures and Cultures What’s your name and what are you studying at Royal Holloway? Ciao! I am Chiara, a Comparative Literature and Culture student. If you're confused about what I am studying, let me just say that it's the world as you have never seen it, enriched by the voices that usually no one listens to! What’s the thing you love most about Comparative Literature and Culture and why? I love how at Royal Holloway I've never been asked to absorb facts but rather to question them. I am learning to be stimulated in such a way that every piece of art – a painting, a movie, a billboard – is interconnected and in constant dialogue. The world has never been more fascinating! What are the skills that Comparative Literature and Culture has given you that you know you’ll use throughout life? It’s teaching me how to discover and advocate for the beauty of the world, shaping my relationship with it and my identity for all of my life. I’ve learned to be critical in a wide range of situations that allows me to be aware of and to give value to multiple perspectives. Liberal Arts What's your name and what are you studying at Royal Holloway? My name’s Emma and I study BA Liberal Arts. What’s the thing you love most about Liberal Arts and why? I love how broad the subject is. I've explored so many disciplines, ranging from Criminology, to Philosophy, to Italian. It really helps you to understand yourself, and your passions, more than ever. Something to highlight is that you don't have to be a ‘strong all-rounder’ to take Liberal Arts; I'm certainly not but I've had a chance to discover new strengths through exploring modules. What's the most important skill that Liberal Arts has given you? Without a doubt, it’s the ability to analyse and be critical of a product. For instance, I can look at a book and perceive the context with the help of a History module, references through English modules, and underlying themes with the help of Philosophy. It's a gift to have the opportunity to study so many subjects, and I can’t recommend it enough. A liberal dose of culture Prepare for your future Comparative Literature and Culture The Department of Law and Criminology offers a range of social and skill-building events including talks from guest speakers, employment fairs and networking events. Extra-curricular activities such as mooting, negotiation workshops, interviewing competitions, our student-led law gazette and work in our Legal Advice Centre will equip you with transferable skills, which are highly sought-after by employers. Develop cross-cultural awareness and a valuable critical edge Based in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures Explore literature, film and art from around the world all available in English Within the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, we also teach Comparative Literature and Culture, and Liberal Arts. Here, we find out from two students why these are such special courses. in the UK for graduate prospects (Complete University Guide, 2022) 3 rd Wide choice of optional modules on offer Our graduates have found work with law firms, the Crown Prosecution Service, the police, the probation service, the prison service and the National Crime Agency 3938 royalholloway.ac.uk/politicsandir Politics and International Relations The Department of Politics, International Relations and Philosophy offers initiatives to help you prepare for your chosen career. Chloe talks about some of the opportunities that are helping to shape her future. Commons. Doing the internship really helped improve my team working skills as I co-authored a blog on the historical nature of Parliament’s buildings and created and presented a talk on the methods used to scrutinise Government. Even though it was done remotely, I enjoyed my work experience immensely and was inspired to sign up for the third year Politics in Action module. The opportunity to apply for a placement in a Member of Parliament’s office was there so I thought I’d give it a go and succeeded. The role is so varied, one minute I could be drafting parliamentary questions and next, even though it was done remotely, sitting in meetings with stakeholders. Much of my work also focuses on research, something which I have grown to love over the course of my degree. My first tip for someone wanting to get relevant experience would be to just go for the opportunities that come your way. If I hadn’t applied for my summer placement, I wouldn't have been able to intern in Parliament today. Secondly, never underestimate how your current experiences that may not seem ‘political’ can help you towards a career in politics. At university, we’re grappling with new topics every week, conducting research for essays, writing those essays – all these things create transferable skills that are like the responsibilities in political jobs. Thirdly, try and get some experience in research if you can.” Chloe, BA Politics and International Relations “I currently study Politics and International Relations. It wasn’t until my placement at the House of Commons I realised how my course is preparing me for the next steps. University and politics share similarities; they are both fast-paced environments, every week is different, every day is different. In the summer, I interned for one week at the House of Commons, in their Select Committee team. I say at the House of Commons; because of the pandemic the placement took place in my living room(!) I’ve always been interested in the mechanisms of Parliament as an institution and was placed in the Chamber team focusing on the day-to-day parliamentary business in the House of Commons. I got to learn more about Parliament’s role in scrutinising the Government and got to meet MPs and senior staff at the royalholloway.ac.uk/physics Physics Within the High Luminosity LHC UK phase 2 project, we’re developing exquisite simulations of crystals placed in the particle accelerator, that can efficiently clean and control the proton beams as they travel around the 26.7 km LHC ring. We’re also designing new beam diagnostics to measure the precise shape of the relativistic particle bunches as they fly past at 99.999999% the speed of light, just before they collide. This helps to optimise the collision rate that will be crucial for future discoveries. It was thrilling to see our electro-optical beam position monitor that was built at Royal Holloway being tested at CERN last summer, as part of the High- Luminosity LHC project that is set to address a number of new experiments that the physics community is eagerly awaiting. Many of our staff and students get to spend time at CERN, including second year physics undergraduates who visit the facility every spring. It’s an exciting experience to be part of the world’s largest experiment. Whichever degree you choose, your studies will be enriched by the international quality of our research environment, with outstanding teaching facilities and a research portfolio at the cutting-edge of physics.” Professor Stephen Gibson, Department of Physics “As founding members of the ATLAS experiment at the LHC, we have a long-standing involvement in the Higgs boson, discovered at CERN in 2012, and in the ongoing, detailed study of its physical properties. Located underground, the LHC is an ‘atom-smasher’ which collides two beams of protons head-on at extremely high energies. In the debris from these collisions other particles are routinely produced. Royal Holloway’s Accelerator group are helping CERN upgrade the LHC to increase the collision rate to many billions of proton interactions per second, which will enable incredibly rare and fascinating physics processes to be observed for the first time. Sparking the future of physics One minute I could be drafting parliamentary questions and next, sitting in meetings with stakeholders. My political experience Academics at Royal Holloway’s Department of Physics are part of a group of scientists, engineers and technicians from the UK involved in a £26M project to help upgrade the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics on the French/Swiss border near Geneva. in the UK Physics departments (Guardian University Guide, 2022) 10 th for graduate prospects in the UK for student experience (Complete University Guide, 2022) (Complete University Guide, 2022) 4 th 4 th in the UK for Politics20 (Guardian University Guide, 2022) Top Our graduates have found work for the House of Commons, Unilever, the Ministry of Defence, Amazon, Nestle, Ipsos MORI and MPs' offices Professor Stephen Gibson (back row 4th from right) with undergraduate students visiting CERN Modules on offer include Parliamentary studies and Politics in Action 4140 royalholloway.ac.uk/psychology royalholloway.ac.uk/socialwork Social Science through debates such as inequalities in psychiatry, the representations of mental health in film and art or looking at gendered explanations of mental illness. What skills will I have at the end of my degree? Karl: We've worked with the Careers Service to map our modules to skills that employers look for in social science graduates, from critical thinking and analysis skills, teamwork, communication skills or employment sector awareness. Aiman: I've become confident with research and presentation skills. I am also on the Social Science Society committee, which provides opportunities outside the classroom to discuss social issues. I've developed skills like time management, teamwork, organising events and financial We caught up with Karl Mason, a lecturer in Social Work and programme lead for BSc Social Science, and Aiman, a second- year student. What is the BSc Social Science all about? Karl: Our BSc Social Science looks at the study of society from different social science perspectives. Students take modules from sociology, politics, social policy, criminology and philosophy to gain an integrated understanding of how society works. We place emphasis on social divisions such as race, gender, sexuality etc. Aiman: My favourite module is Madness and Society. I enjoy the practical approach our module leader takes, Psychology Neuroscience methods are developing rapidly, and by using these tools we can see what requires mental effort, what attracts attention, and where it goes wrong. As a student you’ll enjoy taking part in experiments with eye tracking and other neuroscience based equipment, often with industry involved and also with other disciplines. It’s an exciting time to be involved, and at Royal Holloway we use cutting edge equipment in teaching, from mobile eye tracking, to virtual reality.” Dr Szonya Durant, Department of Psychology “I research visual perception – how the brain pieces together information that comes from the eyes. This involves making the connection between the biology of the brain and our sensory experience of everything around us. In more applied aspects of my research, I have used eye tracking technology to measure how we engage with the visual information around us. This has opened up a world of discovery. For example, we can study how we navigate a busy road crossing, how we use eye contact in social interactions, how we allocate attention when watching a movie or in virtual reality or how we move our eyes when we use technology. My work puts the human back into technology solutions with applications for example, in user experience and market research – these rely on understanding how we interact with today’s world. It’s rewarding to provide a stepping stone in our understanding of visual perception and to help improve the use of technology that is all around us. Students who join my courses learn about visual perception and understanding the brain as well as applying these concepts and techniques to areas such as social interaction and mental health interventions. Interacting with today’s world Perspectives on society information keeping through the society. Will I have any opportunities to gain experience whilst studying this degree? Karl: Our BSc includes a Voluntary Work in the Community module, which we run in partnership with Royal Holloway Volunteering and local charities. Students undertake 60 hours of voluntary work alongside a module on knowledge and skills for volunteering. Aiman, what’s it like studying this degree and what’s your one piece of advice to anyone wanting to study here? Aiman: Studying this degree keeps your mind open and continually engaged with everything occurring around you. I particularly like the advocacy and social justice lens, thinking about how to create a better, safer and more accepting society. It's important to keep up with the news and current affairs. This will help when you join the course because society is constantly changing and you gain good insights and examples from being ‘tuned in’. “When I came to open days there was a sense of friendship and community here, everyone was talking to each other, and I thought, 'this is a big support network that I’m going to have for four years', and I was absolutely right. I really like to engage with different things and I’ve been able to talk to new people, try new experiences and explore diverse ideas.” Shahmir, MSci Psychology Aiman Dr Szonya Durant (right) Karl Mason in the UK Psychology departments (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2022) 15 th in the UK for research quality (Complete University Guide, 2022) 5 th overall satisfaction from our students (National Student Survey, 2021) 86% Excellent foundation for future careers or further study in education, law, social work, and the public and private sectors Choose modules from sociology, politics, social policy, criminology and philosophy Study society from different social science perspectives 43 Your journey to Royal Holloway Choose your course – find out everything you can about the universities and degree courses you’re interested in. Ask current students your questions by visiting royalholloway.ac.uk/chat. Use prospectuses, websites and social media, it’s all there to help you make your choice. Start your UCAS application and submit it online – UCAS will allow you to start working on your application from spring 2022, and you’ll be able to submit it from autumn 2022 onwards*. Visit our campus – we have campus visit events like Open Days and campus tours, as well as online events, throughout the year. Visit us to get a feel for your possible new home and engage with our staff and students, we’ll welcome your questions and help you find out more about your chosen course. “I came to my Open Day with absolutely no knowledge of Royal Holloway, but left with a remarkable amount of information, passion and curiosity for my future life here. The student guide was fantastic leading us through quiet wooded lanes, the stunning Founder’s Building, the serene chapel and all the modern facilities. It was comforting to see the beautiful blend of people and friendly faces around campus. Instantly I knew it was the best choice for me!” Amirah, BSc Economics, Politics and International Relations UCAS application deadline - you should aim to submit your application to UCAS by 25 January 2023*. Your school/college may give you an earlier deadline if they want to check your application before it’s submitted. Attend a taster course – these can be really useful for Year 12 students to get a sense of what studying is really like in one of our academic departments. They’re non-residential and free of charge. You can find out more on our website. “Joining a Taster Day at Royal Holloway was the perfect opportunity to get a real insight into the subjects I was choosing between, as well as a chance to explore the beautiful grounds. I was able to experience seminar and lecture-style learning, ask teaching staff questions, and was shown around the campus by a current student. I felt welcomed and supported throughout, and the day was key in informing my final decisions – in terms of both my subject and university choices.” Beth, BA Liberal Arts The final UCAS application deadline will be in summer 2023 and this is the latest you can submit an application by*. After this date, you’ll need to apply via Clearing to secure a place. Results day and Clearing - you’ll get your results in summer 2023. Our Clearing lines will be open, call us if you didn’t meet the UCAS application deadline, or if you didn’t quite achieve the grades you were hoping for. You might like to consider one of our Integrated Foundation Year courses, that give you an additional year of dedicated support and education. Finally, welcome! Arrive at Royal Holloway in September 2023 to be ready for the first day of Welcome Week! *Please see ucas.com for full details 1 4 62 5 73 8 Here are steps you’ll take between reading these pages and your first day at Royal Holloway. Don’t forget there’s lots more information and guidance online to help you on your journey. 42 royalholloway.ac.uk/opendays royalholloway.ac.uk/application-resources