To think my DD should go to Edinburgh Uni instead of Kent?

[Girlypops154]

My DD has been accepted to Edinburgh to study Astrophysics and she has also been accepted to Kent University. We live outside of London and she says wants to be closer to home but I say she should go to Scotland because it’s a better university (she has also been accepted to St Andrews but we prefer Edinburgh). We are in a blessed position that we can afford the extra year up there. How do I get to change her mind as she has her mind now set on Kent but I really think going to an RG would be far better. She’s now getting annoyed at me because I keep insisting on Edinburgh. She has also been accepted to Durham and Aberystwyth but neither of them have got back to us yet. Any advice or am I being unreasonable? Thank you.

My friends daughter was accepted to Edinburgh and St Andrews for the same course. St Andrew's is far superior and I wouldn't want my child living in Edinburgh.

That said if she doesn't want to move up here then she shouldn't. Closer to home is better for het no matter what you think.

Exactly

But I thought someone said Will and Kate were the only good thing about St Andrews???

St Andrews is ranked marginally above Edinburgh overall, but they are VERY different unis (St Andrews is a small town) so people make their minds up depending on how they feel about that. Glasgow’s a good uni. Dundee uni is probably the best thing about Dundee which is an extremely deprived place indeed. Aberdeen is cold and remote.

Is the degree course of any significance? *a quick Google shows Durham not even in the ratings, and St. Andrews rated highly.

It’s her decision so back off and let her make it for her self

I wondered on first read if she’s got the jitters about the up coming change? Moving away from home, school ending, starting university. It is so much! This might be why she is now preferring Kent.

Can you take her up to Edinburgh to visit? Spend time looking at the university area (including near Pollock Halls and the Bruntsfield/Marchmont areas - rite of passage for English students to rent in those areas) and identify the sort of amenities she likes (galleries, leisure centres, outdoor walks, shopping) and take her to those things in Edinburgh? Possibly you could tie in Durham if you hear back!

That being said, I agree with PPs, why not imperial, UCL or even Bristol? I would be so pleased if my child wanted to stay near home, but since your daughter originally didn’t, just check it is not fear of change!

What’s wrong with living in Edinburgh?

it’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Why wouldn’t you want a child to live in Edinburgh?

I think she’d be better off at Manchester for Astrophysics. I know that isn’t helpful but…

I’m biased as a St Andrews alumnus, but I would go to St Andrews as first choice, Edinburgh second and Kent a distant third. I went to St Andrews in an era when the trains to Scotland were much slower. It’s now only 4.5-5 hours Edinburgh-London.
As others say, with Kent and Greenwich merging due to financial pressures, I would be worried about the sustainability of smaller / less popular degree courses.

@Sartre Manchester is ranked 4. One above St Andrews but below Durham at 3. Professor Cox pulls them in!

@FunnyOrca She’s surely completed her applications now as she has offers! I’d be interested in Durham though.

@Picklelily99 ? Durham is 3rd on CUG for this subject, I’d look at recognised league tables not Google. Research in this field really matters and the best lecturers and world recognition.

@dynamiccactus Do you know, most of us easily get dc from uni miles and miles away. We cope because it’s needed.

I would investigate why she’s feeling she wants to stay closer to home. It could be many things that are easily fixed with time and support or you may find that she’s struggled with A levels and needs family support to get through them. You don’t want her to go to Edinburgh and then screw up her results due to stress or quit and refuse to finish midway through.
Many kids I have heard from recently are struggling with the concept of independence and becoming an adult. I think making sure they are ready is as important as the university they pick. Maybe plan how often you will visit or she can visit you might be enough for her to feel safe to be that far from home. And as others suggested visit the area more so she maybe feels a connection that makes it less scary.

Aberdeen is cold and remote?

This is a very parochial outlook. It's an ancient university and was rated number one for medicine last year. Remote is a very relative term. Remote from what? London?

@Nofksleft2give Remote for the DD in question one assumes. Not remote for people in Aberdeen! If you are travelling from Kent it’s a long journey to Aberdeen. Neither is it top 10 for this subject so what’s the point?

She sounds like she might have regretted choosing places so far from home. She could always defer if Kent isn’t the best fit but the only option she has nearby.

Point taken.

Why, what's in Edinburgh that makes it unacceptable for your child? Dragons? Vampires?

I would encourage her to put her money into the uni with the best reputation to aid graduate opportunities. I wouldn’t pay for Kent sitting on a St Andrews offer!

Why didn't she apply to better London uni ? UCL /imperial etc.

Anyway I feel your pain ,yes yes yes we know it's their decision but as adults with more life experience we know it's better to go to the best uni you can there is now proof she wouldn't like Edinburgh.
I've had a similar situation I can't understand my DD reasoning I think it's short sighted but she's dug in

She had the opportunity for a world class uni best course in world that was cheaper and has decided on a good uni further away. .I know she's not understanding the costs yet because School tells them they will all get loans !! And make it sound really easy.

We don't earn enough to fully support her.

I do get the distance to home thing potentially being an issue. I’m a lecturer and I’d say I normally get one student a year drop out due to being homesick. They often tell me they’re planning to start over again nearer home.

I agree with you OP - she should aim for the better uni

@ParisCityofLightsHave you checked out what loan she would get? Have you talked through finance with her? If you should pay something to make up the loan to the max loan, you should do this. Any shortfall above £10,500 then she needs to work. World leading very much depends on subject. World leading isn’t many unis in the uk.