The best thing about Warwick, hands down, is the campus and the faculty. The campus is the best place to de-stress after a long day working. Taking walks along the Cryfield pitches used to be one of my favourite pastimes in first year. Discover Tanishk's journey at Warwick and what led them to apply for BA/BSc Philosophy, Politics and Economics, studying with us from 2018-2021.

How did you find out about Warwick?

I heard about Warwick from my career counsellors at school. They highlighted that it was a great choice to consider when applying for economics and business-related courses. I was initially considering applying for a pure economics course, but I wanted to keep my options open, which is why I applied for the PPE programme. It has been one of the best decisions I've made; this degree has really helped me to understand my skills and capacities, and unleash my best potential.

Did you consider anywhere else? What made you choose to study with us?

I considered applying to other universities in the UK, such as Oxford, Leeds and LSE. I had also made applications to universities in the United States and in India. I chose Warwick because it was one of the best universities for the course I wanted to do. The faculty at the Philosophy, Politics and Economics departments are among the best in the country. I also had the opportunity to visit the university; once I set foot on the campus, I knew that this is where I want to study for my undergraduate degree.

Did you contact the University prior to application?

Yes, I did contact the University to know more. I got in touch with the PPE department, asking if I could get a tour of the campus, and have an interaction with the faculty. They were really receptive to my communication, responding quickly and setting up an appointment to discuss the pros and cons of the PPE programme.

How did you find the application process?

I applied via UCAS, with the help of my school counsellors. They assisted in sending over my transcripts to Warwick, and also with writing my personal statement (to a certain extent). I handled the visa application process myself, with the help of my parents.

How was your arrival? What were your first impressions of campus?

I had opted to arrive on campus by my own means, as I was travelling with my parents. The orientation process was very smooth; I received my keys to my on-campus student room, and I was directed to the best places to experience campus during Welcome Week.

My first impressions of campus life was exciting; I felt that I had all the opportunities I could need to excel in an academic and social aspects. The campus community was buzzing with life, and I was glad to be a part of it.

What is the best thing about studying at Warwick?

The best thing about Warwick, hands down, is the campus and the faculty. The campus is the best place to de-stress after a long day working. Taking walks along the Cryfield pitches used to be one of my favourite pastimes in first year. The faculty is so helpful and prompt with any help that you need/ I have received replies to important e-mails sent to the PPE office within the half-hour, and I have always gained a lot of valuable insights into my assessments while speaking to my module leaders and/or seminar tutors.

What was the worst thing?

At first, the main issue I had with Warwick was how disconnected it seemed. The university, situated in Coventry, is at some distance from London, which I assumed would mean that we were extremely disconnected from the biggest things happening in the UK. However, once I spent more time here, I realised that Coventry is very central; you can get to London within an hour, and to Birmingham in 20 minutes. There are things to explore nearby, such as Stratford (a 15-20 minute bus from Leamington Spa) and Oxford, so it isn't as in the middle of nowhere as it appears to be!

How have you found your accommodation?

I currently live off-campus, in Leamington Spa. I really love my accommodation, as it is very central (extremely close to the Parade) and within walking distance to some of the biggest (and most beautiful) parks in Leamington. Bus connectivity to campus is great, even during the pandemic; you can find buses pretty frequently, and they'll get you to campus in 15-20 minutes!

Have you joined any societies?

I am a member of the PPE SocietyLink opens in a new window, Enactus Warwick, and the President of the Warwick Hummus Society. The PPE Society have hosted a lot of interesting events, ranging from panel discussions about the impact of race to the PPE Symposium this year, looking at Inequality in the 21st Century. I have been working on a social enterprise, The People's Backpack, as the Co-Head of Content Curation. The enterprise, operating under Enactus WarwickLink opens in a new window, aims to provide aid and resources to refugees in the UK. Specifically, I am responsible for working on news bulletins and informative content that goes up on the organisation's social media pages. I founded the Warwick Hummus SocietyLink opens in a new window this year, with the hopes to provide an environment for students to engage with each other and share some happiness (over some hummus).

Have you managed to travel at all during your studies?

I have travelled in the UK; I have frequently visited London on a regular basis, and I have been on a day trip to Stratford-upon-Avon. During my first year, I visited Cardiff as a part of the PPE Society Domestic Tour, which was a really fun experience. I would definitely recommend going on a society tour, once the opportunity presents itself again!

What makes you the happiest about being a student at Warwick?

The friends that I have made at Warwick have been such a great support system to me throughout the past three years. I have formed so many valuable relationships while at university, which I will cherish for years to come. The memories I share with them, and the experiences I have had alongside them, are the things that bring a smile to my face when I'm down.

What do you plan to do when you graduate?

Once I graduate, I hope to work in the news industry, as a journalist who researches lifestyle content (especially revolving around food). I have been working as a Student BloggerLink opens in a new window for PPE, so I have a lot of experience creating engaging content for a dedicated audience (which is something I will be able to bring over to my career in the creative industry).

What advice would you give to someone considering applying to study here?

I would recommend that you get in touch with students on the course or the department, in order to understand whether a particular course that you want to do meets your expectations. You should make an appraisal of your abilities and your interests before you begin your degree programme.

Further, living at university involves a massive level-up from secondary schooling; besides the academic aspect, you will also be responsible for doing your own household chores, making your own food, and so on. Make sure you are aware of everything it entails before you make a decision.

I'm sure you'll love it here!