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Original poster

Australian with choice of 3 unis in UK and no idea. HELP pls!

145 replies

marvellousmaple · 24/08/2022 05:07

Asking on behalf of my son who is doing a university exchange semester next year . The 3 uni's that fit in with his law subjects are Reading, Liverpool and Glasgow. I've never been to any of these areas but I said I would ask if anyone here has an idea . Basically he wants to know which would likely be the best thought of upon his return to Australia ; and which would be the most fun. Also anything he should know as 21yo living there for 6 months. I am jealous and have offered to come over in his suitcase but I don't think I'd fit. Thanks !

OP posts:
Skelligsfeathers · 26/08/2022 14:27

underneaththeash · 26/08/2022 13:58

neither Liverpool nor Glasgow would be cities I’d choose to visit. Both have significantly higher crime rates than other cities of similar size. Yea wouldn’t want my children studying there.

reading is very near London and would be an easier transition to U.K. living being a campus.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Puffalicious · 26/08/2022 15:26

underneaththeash · 26/08/2022 13:58

neither Liverpool nor Glasgow would be cities I’d choose to visit. Both have significantly higher crime rates than other cities of similar size. Yea wouldn’t want my children studying there.

reading is very near London and would be an easier transition to U.K. living being a campus.

How narrow minded. Have you been to both cities? If not, don't bother, stay in your bubble and dismiss anything outwith your own experience or prejudice. We're pretty forthright in Glasgow and don't suffer fools gladly, so perhaps don't come.

OP's DS is from Syndey, so familiar with big cities and all that they bring.

sashh · 27/08/2022 07:55

Puffalicious · 25/08/2022 10:20

Totally. It's been a cracking summer.

And when it is cold, out of all 3 it's the only one, I reckon, with skiing in travelling distance 😆. My aussie ex was obsessed with snow and huntng it out at any sniff of a report of it on the hills 🤣. When his father came to visit he was exactly the same. Their minds nearly blew when we got to Glencoe (you can do it easily as a day trip). Mind you, DS1 was snow-boarding in our local park- city centre- last year as well.

Show quote history

LOL.

My Australian relatives were the same, Xmas day phone call, "do you have snow?"

My cousin took a trip to South Korea, experienced snow and is no longer a big fan.

MajorCarolDanvers · 27/08/2022 07:57

Glasgow 100%

HipsterCoffeeShop · 27/08/2022 08:03

If your DS is outdoorsy, then Glasgow hands down.

Thegoodandbadlife · 27/08/2022 08:13

Wouldn’t touch Liverpool Uni with a barge pole - awful experiences there by me and fellow course mates.

Ragged · 27/08/2022 08:20

Reading is the youngest city in the UK (youngest median age of residents) and has beautiful countryside around it. Liverpool & Glasgow both rainier & colder than Reading. I imagined someone studying law in Glasgow would study Scottish law. Why is an Australian studying English law, anyway?

Porridgeislife · 27/08/2022 11:00

@ragged I live near Reading in an AONB and whilst the Chilterns are pretty, they’re flat. Glasgow and Liverpool have a far better variety of wilderness nearby.

He’s on an exchange program, so subjects matter a bit less as they count towards electives. You may have heard at some point that Australia was colonised by the English and so there’s substantial crossover…

eatsleeppaddle · 27/08/2022 11:06

Glasgow or Liverpool, not Reading!

Caroffee · 27/08/2022 11:08

Reading is well-known for being one of the most boring towns in the UK. I know someone who went to Reading University and she agrees with this sentiment.

Luredbyapomegranate · 27/08/2022 11:13

Glasgow by a country mile - fabulous vibrant city, very friendly, Edinburgh (also a fabulous city) is a hour away, lowland Scotland on your doorstep, and the highlands in just a couple hours. So apart from the City itself it’s the best choice of he’s outsdoorsy.

Liverpool is nice enough. Lots of character and also very friendly, but small and really only just getting out of a long 20th century decline. Manchester which has lots going on is an hour away.

Not reading. Dull town. Although very close to London.

Puffalicious · 27/08/2022 11:52

sashh · 27/08/2022 07:55

LOL.

My Australian relatives were the same, Xmas day phone call, "do you have snow?"

My cousin took a trip to South Korea, experienced snow and is no longer a big fan.

Show quote history

🤣

I still love the snow, despite experiencing it every year. In fact, I'd love to live somewhere where it was proper heavy in winter: I'm v envious of relatives in Canada for this reason alone.

Ragged · 27/08/2022 21:29

tbh, my vision of Scottish people trying to enjoy the countryside is far more Trainspotting than Andrew Cotter. I didn't find Berkshire remotely flat. I'm sure it will all be adventure for OP's DS. I'd vote Liverpool if student nightlife was top priority.

Porridgeislife · 27/08/2022 21:53

Ragged · 27/08/2022 21:29

tbh, my vision of Scottish people trying to enjoy the countryside is far more Trainspotting than Andrew Cotter. I didn't find Berkshire remotely flat. I'm sure it will all be adventure for OP's DS. I'd vote Liverpool if student nightlife was top priority.

Yes, Berkshire’s famously hilly - their mountainous claim to fame is Bussock Hill, all 150m of it.

There’s parts of the southern coastline higher above sea level than Berkshire 😂

zhivagodr · 27/08/2022 22:19

It wouldn't even be a choice for me, Glasgow every time! Fantastic nightlife, the uni is in a beautiful part of town, and easy access to Loch Lomond and the trossachs. And Edinburgh only 50 mins away on train.

Reading is a bit meh and although Liverpool has fab nightlife it's just a bit run down for me

Puffalicious · 27/08/2022 22:24

It wouldn't even be a choice for me, Glasgow every time! Fantastic nightlife, the uni is in a beautiful part of town, and easy access to Loch Lomond and the trossachs. And Edinburgh only 50 mins away on train

Yup!

Drivebye · 27/08/2022 22:26

Where is he coming from in Australia?

If any if the main cities then I would go for Glasgow or Liverpool. Reading is really more of a town and whilst it's accessible to London a student isn't going to be going to London every weekend. Much more fun and culture to be had in the other 2 cities.

Skyrain · 27/08/2022 22:28

Both my kids are at Uni in Glasgow, one at Glasgow Uni and one at Strath. No concern about their safety as, like in any city, they are sensible and look out for their friends. I also studied in Glasgow and survived!
I don’t have experience of the other 2 unis but would say that any overseas student would be impressed by the historic buildings of Glasgow Uni as well as the friendly people, the nightlife and the Scottish countryside.
And Great Western Road has just been classed as one of the worlds coolest streets! Coolest streets in the world.

Ragged · 27/08/2022 22:28

The funny thing about this dissing Reading for being "flat" is that ... Australia is fairly ... flat. Some people even prefer relatively flat.

Think about rain & long dark nights, OP.

Takeachance18 · 27/08/2022 22:29

Each has advantages/disadvantages. Academically needs to look at module options as only coming for 1 semester might not get to study a subject he is interested in. Also look at how they house exchange students and how many come each year - will he be with others also on exchange or mixed in (ideally you want others on exchange as won't be going home (weekends or Easter holidays) or working earning money in comparison to permanent students. Most accommodation is new or refurbished at Reading. Reading advantage, is its campus, so everything close by and it is a great campus - compared to city living, where different bits could be spread around the city. Sport at Reading is taken fairly seriously. The NW of England is great place, very friendly and a great place. I would stick to England, as the law does vary, so negligence/ duty of care and criminal law (which is still based on case law in New South Wales, same as England, but Scottish law relies more on common law, and the legislative approachin Queensland etc)

GerronBuzanDoThaWomwok · 27/08/2022 22:30

Glasgow 1000% 😎

Gherkingreen · 27/08/2022 22:35

Either Glasgow or Liverpool - both universities have excellent reputations and both cities are fun places to live for art, culture, food, bars, music.
He likes the outdoors? Brilliant! Liverpool for the Lake District, Peak District, Snowdonia in North Wales and Glasgow for...well ...the whole of Scotland!
Your DS won't be coming to the UK for the weather so just make sure he has decent outdoor, waterproof clothes and solid boots and he'll have an amazing time exploring.

YukoandHiro · 27/08/2022 22:42

Liverpool or Glasgow.

Reading is a tedious place in comparison to the other two.

PermanentTemporary · 27/08/2022 22:43

I'm very fond of Reading (DP lives here and I'm a Reading Uni graduate) but God I'd choose either of the others, probably Glasgow if I could but Liverpool is amazing too.

Puffalicious · 27/08/2022 22:46

Skyrain · 27/08/2022 22:28

Both my kids are at Uni in Glasgow, one at Glasgow Uni and one at Strath. No concern about their safety as, like in any city, they are sensible and look out for their friends. I also studied in Glasgow and survived!
I don’t have experience of the other 2 unis but would say that any overseas student would be impressed by the historic buildings of Glasgow Uni as well as the friendly people, the nightlife and the Scottish countryside.
And Great Western Road has just been classed as one of the worlds coolest streets! Coolest streets in the world.

Oooooh didn't know this! It is a great street. Even middle aged me meets my girlfriends in Great Western Road for breakfast of a weekend. I sometimes forget I live in a super cool city. My teens have certainly loved growing up here.