Where to buy books for uni?

[MrsMeow]

I start a MH nursing course soon and got the book list from uni today. Looked on amazon etc and the one book is selling for between £45 - £75 secondhand! I think this is ridiculous, and will need to buy at least another 6 books as well so was wondering if there's a site I haven't come across yet, or is it literally just the likes of Amazon, eBay etc? Our tutors didn't recommend anywhere to us.

Thanks :)

[belledechocchipcookie]

Wait until you've started the course, the second years will either sell them or tell you not to bother getting them. They should be in the library also.

[MrsMeow]

Ah that's a great idea, thank you! I did wonder if we needed all of them. The course leaders said we do, but I was hoping not!

Thanks belle :)

[belledechocchipcookie]

You really do need a good anatomy book, they are not cheap. WHSmiths have an online discount IIRC. It's worth while getting your own as you will use it a lot. Do wait though, the second/third years may sell their copies.

[javo]

You could try other secondhand book sites - ABE books, ebay, your local gumtree, green metropolis etc. Phone the course office and ask if students have a board to post for sale/wanted ads on or if there is a secondhand book resale scheme. Go on the Student room website to the board for your uni or for your course - ask if anyone is selling and ask which books are absolute essentials and which are not so important or not used at all(you could maybe borrow these from the library). If you get an NUS card you can get a discount on new books from amazon, I think its 5%.

[MrsMeow]

Thanks, will look into it properly in a bit once my critters have gone to bed! I did find out that if we join one of the unions we get given a free Baillieres nursing dictionary which we'd otherwise have to buy - bonus!

Are you doing a nursing degree belle?

[MrsMeow]

Javo thank you very much, that's really helpful. I have a NUS card that doesn't run out until the end of the month, didnt know that about amazon so will have a look. Green metropolis/the student room didn't even cross my mind so thanks!

[belledechocchipcookie]

I did a child nursing diploma about 4 year ago. I had to leave though as I became unwell.

[MrsMeow]

Oh I'm sorry about that :( I hope you can return one day if you want to.

[belledechocchipcookie]

It's OK. I'm writing children's books now, no shifts!!

[MrsMeow]

Haha that's very true!!

[eatyourveg]

I never buy a book online without checking here first. It has all the major online vendors including second hand.

[jenniec79]

Wait till you get there - you may be able to either get it from the library until you find out if it's actually any good, or buy one from someone in the year above.

Medical books are hideously expensive though, all of them. Some of mine are over £150 new (mine aren't new)