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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Choose uni

23 replies

lostjanni · 09/03/2018 21:08

Hi posting for d's, who has a son off to uni but we have a big dilema as his funding options are very different. Btw he wants to be an odp.

  1. Cardiff uni - all his tuition fees paid for by Nhs and gets 3k free of living paid for. However he then can only get a 3k loan on top. Biggest worry is that he has to work in nhs Wales for 2 years after or has to pay.

Sheffield Hallam - has to go normal funding but then can choose where he works or does after uni.

OP posts:
MojoMoon · 09/03/2018 21:22

Well, what does he prefer?

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 09/03/2018 21:41

When he visited (please say he's visited each!) which did he prefer? What's his gut feeling?

Original poster
lostjanni · 09/03/2018 21:43

He loves both. Yes he visited. He can't decide between the two because of this

OP posts:
Candlelights · 09/03/2018 21:44

What's he doing? If it's something like nursing then he'd likely be looking at working for the NHS anyway so no real sacrifice to commit to this.

Original poster
lostjanni · 09/03/2018 21:50

ODP. So working in theatres. I agree but he is just worried that he gets a lot less for accommodation and living

OP posts:
alibongo5 · 09/03/2018 22:03

Personally, I would think that staying on in Wales for two years after qualification wouldn't be too much of a commitment as many students stay on where they've studied for a while after graduation. And not having to pay fees is quite a big incentive! And everyone I know who has studied in Cardiff absolutely loved it!

But I'm not sure what you mean that he'll get a lot less for accommodation and living? I thought I understood that he'll get £3,000 plus a £3,000 loan? What would he get in Sheffield then?

£36,000 over three years (£9k fees plus £3k living expenses) is quite something to turn down! If I've understood right.

FluffyWuffy100 · 09/03/2018 22:22

Cardiff. He will be much better off financially.

Can you afford to give him anything? I know nursing students can’t get jobs really as they are out on placement etc

Mrsmadevans · 09/03/2018 22:26

Cardiff for defo. It is just amazing there. It has a great buzz and the course is brilliant .

Allthewaves · 09/03/2018 22:37

Cardiff - better finanically in the long term. It's going to be tight if he needs accommodation all year round for placements he could be looking 5k for halls. Is he going to supplement with pt work in hospital

Littlecaf · 09/03/2018 22:43

Cardiff. Lovely city & no tuition fees!

LoniceraJaponica · 09/03/2018 23:04

What is ODP?

unintentionalthreadkiller · 09/03/2018 23:09

Cardiff. No brainier.

altiara · 09/03/2018 23:14

Such a good offer! Cardiff for sure. Great city, so many people love it there at uni.

Eltonjohnssyrup · 09/03/2018 23:15

Have you done your sums re cost of housing and living to see if it’s worthwhile taking the £3k? Sheffield can be v cheap. I understand Cardiff less so. He may also want to look at the potential of working abroad after uni for a while and if that might recoup his costs better than being in Cardiff would offset them:

Hallam is a brilliant uni and it’s students are great.

Original poster
lostjanni · 09/03/2018 23:27

Hi thanks for the replies. I think Cardiff and I think he does but he was looking for reassurance. ODP is operating department practitioner so they work in theatres. It is an extremely full on course so no part time work possible at all really as he is on placements most weeks.

Cardiff is more expensive living wise thiugh.

OP posts:
MoorMummy · 09/03/2018 23:34

My sons at SH and loving it ( different course though)and yes it’s a great value city to be a student BUT fees plus living costs (2nd year rent over 5k and mum is paying ) , I would have to be very convinced to turn down what he can get at Cardiff! We are only entitled to minimum maintenance loan so he’s living on that and I’m paying his rent.

Must say I love Sheffield myself , I go over quite often but then again I’ve spent time in Cardiff and I love it there too!

Don’t think I’m being much help am I, but happy to answer any questions .

Original poster
lostjanni · 09/03/2018 23:41

Ooh thanks moormummy

OP posts:
alibongo5 · 09/03/2018 23:41

Yeah I agree Sheffield is a fantastic city too! All things being equal I don't think there's much to choose between the two cities. But difficult to argue with fees being paid in Cardiff.

Original poster
lostjanni · 09/03/2018 23:51

That's what I've been thinking. He likes both and his mum tbh couldn't care less, so I'm here to help him choose.
We both think Cardiff butbhe wanted reassuring

OP posts:
Els1e · 09/03/2018 23:53

Def Cardiff

ThereIsNoSuchThingAsRoadTax · 09/03/2018 23:56

So the choice is Russell Group uni with no fees to pay vs mediocre post-92 with fees? Both nice cities. What is there to think about?

JockTamsonsBairns · 10/03/2018 00:12

Cardiff, Cardiff, Cardiff, all the way. I'm Scottish, but spent some time living in Wales when I was young. It should be the law that everyone has to spend time living in Wales at some point throughout their lives - it's an amazing country!

Original poster
lostjanni · 10/03/2018 00:58

I think we have definitely decided Cardiff hahaha

OP posts:
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