Why did you choose to study Philosophy and Game Design Studies at the University of Liverpool?
It was the only university that offered my unique course combination (although it doesn’t anymore unfortunately) as it was a joint honours combination degree within the School of the Arts.
What do you enjoy most about the course, and why?
The breadth of topics discussed and learnt about on both sides of my course give me a wide foundation of knowledge with which I can decide what path to take, both further in my course and beyond in the choice of a career.
Can you tell us about an exciting project you have completed on your course?
For Philosophy, I wrote an essay for the first year Art Philosophy module on a philosophically-inclined game I played and really enjoyed, arguing that it deserved to be considered art in the truest sense. My seminar lead and marker both enjoyed the essay and found it interesting as no other students had written about a video game before, and I achieved a high mark for my effort. In Game Design, I have completed multiple projects I am proud of, ranging from creating complex 3D models and animating them to move, building 3D virtual environments and even creating my own pixel character and programming him to move around a simple space.
What does Liverpool have to offer as a city?
Lots and lots and lots. Loads in fact. Jokes aside, Liverpool is a real 24-hour city, with something always going on. The nightlife needs no introduction, and the music scene is legendary. But it has fun stuff to offer for anyone, not just people interested in those. There are lovely parks further out from the city centre, like Sefton Park and Lark Lane which are beautiful any time of year. There are tons of fun activities, including but not limited to golf, go karting, VR spaces, arcade bars, the gigantic cinema. And it’s all walkable. Basically for the most part if you can think it Liverpool probably has it in some form.
Can you tell us about the teaching methods/how your learning has been facilitated?
Mostly lecture/seminar based, lecturers feel a lot more like teachers in the sense that I have been able to come to them often with any questions or just friendly banter. Assignments and exams are both methods of assessment, and every module has review surveys to help the university improve its courses year by year which is brilliant.
What extra-or co-curricular activities do you take part in, and how do these affect your student experience?
I work for the School of the Arts as a student ambassador, working at conferences and open days representing the university and my course. I am also a student rep for the Game Design course and I help to improve the course by telling coordinators about concerns and requests students have. I have been a part of multiple societies, all hugely nerdy ones like Trading Card Game soc and Anime Soc. They are all really fun and i’ve met lots of friends through them.
What are your ambitions for the future and how will your experiences at the University of Liverpool help you in your future career?
My ambition is to work in a field I am passionate about (the games industry, despite its frustrating habit of laying off thousands of employees every month for the past year). Obviously my course is rather vocational and prepares me well for this, with my assignments being industry standard project work as well as the links and connections that the uni and my lecturers have to the local industry.
If you could go back, what advice would you have given yourself before going to University?
No regrets.
Rapid fire:
- Best revision/study spot: my room
- Concert Square or Baltic Triangle: concert square!!!!!!
- Favourite place to socialise on campus: the sphinx is so goated icl
- Best brunch spot: Milo Lounge on Lark Lane
- Top three things to do in the city: go-karting, cinema, play arcade games at NQ64
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