Kilash,, for maths, we looked at Nottingham, Southampton and Warwick. I really liked Nottingham, but my enthusiasm just managed to put DS1 off!
Nottingham.
1st year lots of contact time, some lessons on top of lectures which I thought sounded really good.
Halls were a mix of catered and self catering which was unusual, most places are self catering.
Lovely campus, park-like but near the centre of Nottingham which meant it had best of both worlds, campus yet in the city.
Southampton.
Maths building really ugly, but once you are in it, you can’t see it!
Concentration on financial maths on open day. Course can exempt you from various finance exams. DS1 not interested in finance, though.
They took STEP into account in their offer, grade 2 and above.
Nice campus, bus ride away from Southampton centre, but on the route in. Lots of accommodation available just off campus. All self catering.
Warwick. DS is at Warwick.
Lots of options on the course. Small amount of core subjects compared to others, more options. All optional in 3rd year.
Working groups in 1st year with a mentor/post grad. These were compulsory while tutor groups seemed not to be. 1st year exams worth 10% of final degree. This was unusual as most places seem to use first year to get everyone up to the same level and you just have to pass it to get to 2nd year. Warwick has a higher offer than most so maybe they are already at a good enough standard. It was quite high standard from the start.
STEP also included in offer, but Grade 1 required.
Campus lovely in first year. Lots of variety of accommodation, from more expensive studio flats, or big en-suite rooms, to smaller en-suite room and on the cheaper side, small rooms with shared bathrooms. Preferences made and applied for after results day, so no problem putting it as insurance.
DS1 lives in Coventry, about 4 miles from campus and cycles or gets the bus. About 60% live in Leamington which is nicer but a 30/40 minute bus ride away. Lots of university managed accommodation owned by private landlords which can be paid for termly, like halls which meant you didn’t feel at the mercy of private landlords. You have to choose your 2nd year accommodation early, though. Before Dec of 1st year.
DS1 also really liked Exeter.
Big problem for us was no guaranteed accommodation unless you put it as firm. I didn’t go to Exeter open day, but really liked the city.
Not many halls on campus. All seemed expensive compared to Warwick.
Birmingham.
DS1 went there on his own, so not much info. Lovely campus. The very definition of a ‘red brick university!’