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

[marvellousmaple]

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 !

As an Oxford resident who grew up in Sydney I think that's about spot-on. (though, my second choice course when I went to uni was at ANU, we'd all agreed at summer camps that Canberra was a bit of a hole).

OP, you're absolutely right to make sure you and your son investigate the options thoroughly. Some years back, when there was much less info on the internet, friends of ours were thrilled that their daughter had the opportunity to come to Oxford on a law exchange. When she got here she discovered that it was at Oxford Brookes and law was on the High Wycombe campus, some 25 miles from Oxford. That was not worth it at all for her (can't remember if she was at Sydney or UNSW). In your case if the universities are correctly identified then as people are saying above, all could be good, but Liverpool or Glasgow might give the best all-round experience.

As an Australian he's not likely to be phased by travelling distances to see anywhere he really wants to investigate. I recall when DH and I were doing 2 month electives over here, we got ourselves britrail passes and headed in various directions most weekends. My (English) mother commented it was "such an Australian thing to do" when we spoke of going up to Edinburgh for a weekend ...

Good luck getting it sorted, hope it works out and he has a great time!

Oh, I meant to say, the only accent I really struggled with when I moved to the UK, was Nigerians - I'd had little exposure to African accents and found it very hard to get my ear in when working with two Nigerians.

@marvellousmaple
It really will depend on the core and options snd how they relate to Australian law. My DD has a friend with a law degree from South Africa. It’s not accepted here. He’s now doing 3 year law degree at Oxford (yes: he’s very bright). So if this is a direct swap, surely his home university must know which is the better match? Here Scottish law is different. So be careful about Glasgow.

Reading is not a law powerhouse and neither is Liverpool. So there’s not much between them . Liverpool is ranked 29 and Reading 46. Glasgow is 14.

Randomly bringing this up to once again thank people for all their insight and comments. Super appreciated. As it happens he was accepted to Glasgow but because of the (housing crisis?) they are reluctant to accept more than they can house in halls. So he then applied to Liverpool and has been offered a place and he has accepted. He is super excited. He has about a month break between when his uni semester finishes mid next-year and a couple of his mates are meeting him to do the big European tour for 6 months ( he has deferred that semester and will come back to Australia to do his last semester early 2024).
Seeing as he has a month break I thought it would be lovely if I went over and "supported him" ( cough cough - this kid hasn't really needed support since he was about 4).
DH is muttering about coming along ( as he has Scottish ancestry so thought a trip to England would be a good opportunity to see it , as he has never been there , but that means finding someone to look after all of my animals and the house). Trying to put him off 😂
A month abroad on my own (except for a week or 2 with my darling son )sounds like heaven.

That's great. Liverpool is so brilliant.

Can DH come over for a couple of weeks once DS is 'settled'.

I would suggest Liverpool....fab city for uni....Glasgow also fab but Lpl has the edge I think ...

Great result OP. He'll have a great time at Liverpool- it's a great city (not quite Glasgow averythinline🤣but a close second!). Enjoy your time here too, OP.

Reading is a bit crummy. I don't know the other ones but they both have cool accents.

Yes I guess I will sort something for the DH and the baby DS. Was just kidding. Possibly bribe one of my other adult kids to house sit for a couple of weeks. Too big a job for a housesitter I think as I have horses. Anyway, so excited for my DS and youngest DS ( first ever overseas trip as he will come along with DH for a fortnight ) and DH who hasn't been overseas in years. I haven't either. I could wear my I Love JKR t shirt so you all know me. 😁

Thanks for the update OP. Great choice, my musician son loved his time at Liverpool uni. Have a great time when you visit too.

Thanks for the update.

I went to Glasgow uni and had a great time. It's a fantastic uni and the student life there is good. I can't comment on the other two, but Glasgow would, imo, be a great choice for an exchange.

Ah sorry, I answered too soon! Hope your son has a great time in Liverpool!

Liverpool- I had a few friends from nz/aus that did their exchange there and absolutely loved it

OP, just wanted to say so pleased for your son! I did my degree at Cambridge but used to get the train to Liverpool to meet my best friend and go clubbing there! So many fun memories :) It's a lovely place and super-friendly, with amazing nightlife. Hope he has a brilliant time.

Scottish law is different to law in rest of UK. If he wants to have option to practice in UK then go for Liverpool. Large vibrant city with large student population. If he is a football fan then he could visit Liverpool football club. Very big club.

I'd be tempted by Glasgow as Scots Law will give an insight into a very different type of legal system (very similar to Canada) so would give broader experience of other legal systems.

It is always cold in Scotland, often freezing and raining a lot too. They get snow every year.

What does hehope to do afterwards? If he is thinking of trying to get a traineeship in a London law firm Reading university would be the easiest for interviews and more likely to have law firms from London visiting for careers fairs or presentations etc. Reading far enough out of London to have countryside nearby for outdoor pursuits too. As others have said Glasgow would mean studying Scottish law.

Sorry, I just realised he is only coming for a 6 month placement then back to Australia!

I just found ‘thecompleteuniversityguide’ (UK website) where you can select league tables by subject. It ranks Glasgow highest at 15, Liverpool is lower at 29 and Reading is at 46. There is specific info on each university so it might help with your decision making.