Student Experience at Coventry University
The Pros and Cons of living in a student city.
Photo by Katie Light
Ever since the emergence of Covid-19, student experience has taken a tumble. Whether it’s nightlife or the price of accommodation, everything has taken a massive hit. Students across the country have been finding it difficult to not only find a place to live - at a reasonable price - but also to just try and be themselves, which can be difficult in a student city.
“I think locals in university cities get really annoyed with the antics of students, like the standard one of traffic cones on the top of cars.” Stephen Dawkins, Head of Student Experience at the College of Arts and Society, Coventry University, said. “Sometimes the type of life the students bring in to a city isn’t the type of life people want to be brought into.” He explained how students and locals don’t always mix well together, despite living alongside eachother.
Most students would agree that living in a student city is great. You’ve got your main campus, and then two minutes down the road is your favourite restaurant, or your student accommodation. Another couple of minutes and you’ve got your shops, and pretty much everything you need living as a student. Of course, campus life is great too, but there;s not that true university feel. “It’s not university if you don’t get at least one noise complaint.” Mark, a Psychology graduate student, said. And he’s not the only one that thinks the same, plenty of other students have their own antics that they get up to in the city.
However, that’s not the same view that everyone holds. Many Coventry locals don’t share the same opinion, and instead view the student lifestyle as more of a disturbance. “The publics opinion, especially with student accommodation, is that the university is taking over the city. That’s a really common narrative.” Stephen continued. “We get a log of complaints about students having late night parties.” A lot of residents share this opinion on social media, speaking for the the hundreds of noise complaints that the university receive each year.
Cllr David Welsh’s constituent, St Michael’s Ward, covers almost all of the student accommodation in Coventry city centre, meaning that he has a huge part in student and local co-existence. “We’re trying to make sure that neighbourhoods are balanced and are somewhere that people want to live.” He said. “I think students living alongside settled communities brings such vibrancy and life, and it does bring money too.”
Although there is, of course, vibrancy and life before students began to settle alongside locals, many people, including Stephen Dawkins, agree that not all of the locals agree with the idea of students living so close to them. “If I was a local, I think I could understand that narrative about the students taking over.”
Coventry University also issue their own statement commenting on the anti-social behaviour that some students partake in. “Concerns regarding excessive noise should be made to City Council Noise Officers, who have powers to deal with noise complaints ranging from issuing warning letters to taking noise makers to court.”
Photo by Katie Light
However, there are many positives that make Coventry an excellent student city. As the City of Culture in 2021, it shows easily how diverse and culturally rich it is to live here, with students from over 163 countries studying at the university. Not to mention the numerous theatres, music venues and events that provide a well-rounded experience - and, of course, the massive amount of pubs that are here too, with the number being around 110.
Employment is another massive bonus for the city, with the student spending providing an extra 1,500 jobs. “Estimates are that it (the university) brings in about 80 million pounds into the city each year. The university has really good relationships with the council… it’s one of the biggest employers in the city, it’s one of the places that brings money into the centre of the city.” Stephen said. More than £146 million is spent each year by students in the city with a further £8 million being spent by visiting family members. Those visits also provide a further 240 jobs.
With around 30,000 students, it may seem overwhelming to the locals, which is understandable, but the opportunities that Coventry University provides is undeniable. The university itself employs 3,300 members of staff, which is approximately 45% of everyone that lives in the city. Not to mention all of the schemes that are run by staff, students and the wider university alike, all of which can be found here.
“If the university wasn’t here, the city would be a really different place.” Stephen said. When brought up to students, there was only agreement, especially from Coventry University student Danny. “Of course it would be different. Think of all the jobs and the money that wouldn’t be here. I mean, even just the buildings. What would be in place of all the student buildings? Just more homes?”
Daisy, a Masters student at Coventry University, had a bit of a different take on the city. “I’m from Warwick, but did my Batchelors at Essex University in Kent, which is a campus uni. To be honest, I liked it a lot more. I felt a lot safer, like coming back from the library late and knowing that it was only students around me, that I didn’t have these people with zero connection around me. I do like the atmosphere here too, but I think it was a lot nicer being surrounded by students. It’s also just easier to be back living with my family instead of worrying about rent all the time.”
Photo by Katie Light
“All residents are important to us, of course they are, but it can’t go without saying that students that attend either Coventry or Warwick University are one of our biggest demographics.” Cllr David Welsh said. “Every one of them will have a unique and new perspective when coming to the city, and yes it will sometimes conflict with locals’ perspectives, but it’s really important that we try and find that balance.” More than 60,000 people in Coventry are around normal university age. Whilst only 6% of Coventry’s full population, it’s still the single biggest age group in the city.
Overall, it seems like the pros far outweigh the cons with student cities. Coventry as a city has always had a lot to offer due to it’s rich and diverse history, but most agree that the university only adds to that diversity in it’s own unique way. “It might be a wise idea to lay off the pranks, I don’t know how many more traffic cones I can take off my roof.” Stephen added.