Callum Mcmanus

Callum McManus

Why did you choose this course? 

I have always been interested in food technology, but I found at school that there wasn’t enough science in the course and I wanted to learn more. I am also generally interested in science and so I looked at the universities which did that course and Leeds looked like the best. 

What do you like most about your course?

It’s good, some modules are better than others but overall I would say that the course has a good range; we’ve been talking about food origins; we’ve been doing more in depth science which I quite like and find interesting; we’ve been talking about brewing and also there’s a good practical element as well. It’s quite a wide range. I enjoy the lab work and we have just started a module on processing operations which is interesting. 

What skills have you gained from your course so far?

Personal organisation, making sure you get your work done. General confidence and adapting to different lecturer styles and also revision skills. 

Why did you choose the University of Leeds?

Quite simply it was just the best university out of the ones I looked at. It’s a red brick, in the Russell Group which means it’s good for research and it looked like a nice city as well on the open day.

Are you passionate about the subject or is it just something you like which you can see a career in?

I really do enjoy the subject; it’s that enjoyment which helps me through the harder aspects or the things which I am less interested in because I know that it is something which I want to do in the future.

How would you describe student life at Leeds?

Student life is generally pretty good to be honest. I don’t like ridiculous amounts of partying but I do like to go out and there’s something for everyone and all needs are catered for here. 

How would you describe your lecturers/ tutors/ supervisors?

Really good, to be honest. I have come from a really close-knit school and that is the first thing that I noticed when I came here is that everyone knows you. You know most of the lecturers and you can build up a bit of a rapport with them.

What do you think of the academic facilities and support services?

The lecture theatres are good and you’ve good a decent amount of lab equipment and also all the support we get from lecturers and technical staff as well is really good. And so if you ever have any questions, the staff are pretty good at helping you. So for example, I just had a question about an experiment which I did a couple of weeks ago and the member of staff just stopped what he was doing to help me.

What do you like best about your School?

The size which means you can form good bonds with your lecturers which can help you develop, identify what you are doing wrong. You are a really valued member of the School.

What would you say about Leeds as a city?

It’s a really good city. It’s quite clean. It’s accessible with excellent transport and a good nightlife. It’s got everything which a big city needs, it’s quite compact.

What has been the most surprising thing about coming to Leeds?

Even though Leeds is a city, it’s not dull and lifeless, people are quite friendly and you do find that it’s generally very friendly.

What do you like to do outside of studying?

I like to play music, I play the piano and I’m trying to get a band or collaboration going with some singers.

What do you plan to do at the end of your course?

There are really excellent opportunities; I would really like to work in the industry and get some experience of that and then if I find something I really enjoy or I really want to do then I will stay but ultimately I would really like to get into teaching Food Tech or Science.

What would you say to anyone thinking of applying to your course?

Well, it’s got excellent job prospects. It’s a hard course but at Leeds you’re not overwhelmed and the University itself is really good and it has an excellent reputation, especially with research and even some of the experiments and practicals you do will be with research staff; people taking an hour out of their day to help you learn something which to them is very basic. It’s excellent really.  

What advice would give to someone thinking of coming to university?

Generally have a look around and get a good balance; don’t just look at the nightlife, make sure you look at the course and the career options but when I came I really felt that it was a close-knit , caring School, where you are going to be valued and that is ultimately what did it for me.