The National Student
The National Student is an independent, free, national publication for higher education students in the United Kingdom.
Featured Writers
Daniel Keane
I am a journalist with over five years of writing experience. My career began in the student press at Oxford University, where I worked as Music Editor of The Oxford …
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Keith Watkins
BA (Hons) Journalism graduate from City, University of London. My portfolio of work largely reflects my interests - these articles are a combination of stories that I was asked to …
View PortfolioAndrea Arhagba
My experience working in the entertainment and marketing industry has enabled me to learn many skills that range from content strategy for talent social channels (celebrities, content creators and influencers), …
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Fresher Sounds - The best new music - 06/08/19
Another week, another Old Town Road Remix. Taking the spotlight away from Lil Nas X for a moment, there was some seriously good new music released this week. And we have the evidence to prove it - right here. Your invitation extends from a miserable disco to the darker side …
Your ultimate music festival survival guide
The sun has finally graced the surface of the UK, the summer holidays are beginning, and the festival season is thoroughly underway. Whether it’s Bestival, Reading, or if you're fortunate to be travelling abroad to attend one of the many festivals that the rest of the world has to offer, …
Volunteer tourism: is your trip altruistic or ineffective?
Volunteer tourism is part of an emerging trend of travel, particularly popular amongst young people. This type of tourism entails individuals from one country, normally in the Global North, travelling to another nation, often in the Global South, to "do good deeds". These deeds can range from teaching children, building …
Fresher Sounds - The best new music - 04/06/19
We've entered June, and summer has become very real for a lot of us as we hit submit on our final Turnitin link and utilise our student discount more than ever in celebration. Although the weather may have been hit and miss for a lot of us across the country, …
Why music is so important for my mental health
As many self-help diagnoses and philosophers including Sartre pointed out, social anxiety may stem from the fear of “the look”, or being judged by others. And whilst that’s very plausible, knowing your condition's origin often doesn’t ease the feeling of living with it. I’ve read countless self-help books, endured hours …
Fresher Sounds - The best new music - 22/04/19
Amidst M&S selling out of canned mojito, and chocolate eggs becoming the nation's diet for the weekend, some outstanding new music might have slipped under your radar. From jagged Irish shoegaze to charismatic slacker pop, we've got you covered. Image: Just Mustard by Karl Welsh via They Do PR Dundalk …
Live Review: FONTAINES D.C. @ Leeds Brudenell Social Club, 12/04/19
The Irish music scene seems to be having a bit of a musical renaissance at the moment. Dublin exists as the beating heart of this revival, with artists such as post-punk band The Murder Capital and hip-hop renegade Kojaque reimagining what Irish culture means in 2019. FONTAINES D.C. the poster-boys …
Festival Preview: Baltic Weekender 2019
Over the years Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle has become the playing ground for like-minded creatives, hosting some of the cities biggest club nights, and world-renowned talent. Baltic Weekender comes as a celebration of this movement, as it exhibits some of the most promising local talents among prolific names in the electronic …
Hear This: Sky Ferreira - Downhill Lullaby
Following the release of 2013's Night Time, My Time, she has tirelessly campaigned forover her own creative process. After being locked out of her own Soundcloud account and a trail of abandoned release dates ("I refuse to put out something that isn't honest") the songstress finally returns with the brooding …
Women in Music: An interview with Lorraine Long, Founder of Longevity PR
** The National Student's 'Women in Music' content series makes space for the incredible, important women that work behind the scenes in some of the toughest and most rewarding roles in the industry. To celebrate International Women's Day, we're hearing their stories. ** We spoke to Founder and Head of …
Fresher Sounds - The best new music - 04/03/19
After a week of weather more inconclusive than the UK's Brexit deal, we bring you the best new music these turbulent past few days have had to offer with a playlist that vacillates between the more melancholic and the sunnier aspects of life. So whether you're curled up in bed, …
Live Review: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets @ YES Pink Room, Manchester, 23/02/19
So when you think of the band name Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, what do you expect? An iridescent serving of Rated-R savoury snack? Not quite, but it seemingly reflects the idiosyncratic psychedelic rock of their first two records. The band's reputation for electric live shows have earned them the well-earned status …
Interview: Queen Zee
Despite only being birthed back in 2017, Scouse five-piece Queen Zee and the Sasstones have caused quite the commotion on the Liverpool scene with their fluid expression of brash queer punk that’s as arresting on the eyes as it is on the ears. In the best way possible. Queen Zee …
Interview: Demob Happy
10 years is a landmark for most bands in the UK’s current music climate, and Newcastle lads Demob Happy kicked down the decade mark with reckless abandon. 2018 saw the release of the intricately layered Holy Doom and a roundhouse kick of high octane live shows. Though the semantics of …
EP Review: Sunflower Bean - King Of The Dudes
New York’s Sunflower Bean their previous two EP’s presented an indecisiveness on their sound; their debut album Human Ceremony breathed with breezy jangly indie, while departed into the nostalgic longing for 70s stadium rock. EP King Of The Dudes ventures further into the rabbit hole of rock, but this time …
Fresher Sounds - The best new music - 28/01/19
Winter showed no signs of departing this week, and neither did the influx of sensational new music. From hedonistic misfit party anthems to sensual synth-pop that could be extracted straight from the Drive soundtrack, we've curated the week's best new music from the best new artists. The latest output by …
Playlist: Alternative New Year's Eve
Taken from their 2013 album, 'Borrowed Time' is the momentous earworm guitar hook and quick-paced, no-frills percussion loaded with high-octane fun. It'll keep the momentum going throughout the night, and with their literally being borrowed time towards the end of 2018, you might as well make the most of it. …
Festivals we're excited for in 2019
As we revel in the festive period, it only means one thing: it's time to look forward to the warm pints, muddy fields and unpredictable weather, and get booking our 2019 festival tickets. Lucky for you, we've done the hard work for you. Here are a handful of festivals to …
Fresher Sounds - The best new music - 24/12/2018
Oslo-punks Wet Dreams rip-roar into a raucous attack of dirty, high-octane guitar riffs, and fervent growls of anarchy in latest single 'Bad Boy'. For fans of bands such as FIDLAR, their newest release is just begging for pints of warm lager flung over the shoulder in momentary, abated outrage. It …
Charity Swales' Best Albums Of 2018
Whereas Brutalism was all guns blazing, Joy As An Act of Resistance comes as more of an invite for conversation, as Idles show a more vulnerable side to their songwriting. Armed with unabashed wit and raucous instrumentation, Idles' unique dissection and embrace of society make them one of the most …
Hear This: Calva Louise - Tug Of War
'Tug Of War' sees frontwoman Jess Allanic displaying an impressive diversity in her vocals, which come off like a sour bonbon, as her sugar-coated harmonies culminate with a kick of acidity, within the most belligerent lyrics. The single plays on the meta allegory of relationships as a calculated and artful …