Exeter or Birmingham University

[IcyLilacSnake]

DS has received offers from the University of Exeter and the University of Birmingham to study BsC Computer Science.

He's quite introverted so the night life isn't a massive factor, but I would like for him to attend somewhere safe; the recent coverage of Birmingham in the press has felt somewhat concerning. Ultimately, we think that he would probably prefer living in Exeter, but we're not sure whether it's academic reputation is as strong, and we didn't find the welcome day very well delivered either.

I'd be really interested to hear any comments about the teaching quality, student life and reputations of the two universities. Thanks!

I went to Birmingham in the early 2000s, before the town centre got gentrified. The campus is very different to the city centre, really nice leafy campus and the area around the uni (Selly Oak into Bournville) is also pretty safe.

Exeter City is very small, the campus is on top of a big hill, big enough to be annoying if you need to do it every day. Geographically Exeter is pretty isolated vs Birmingham which could be a factor.

For me the big pull to Birmingham over Leicester, Exeter, Nottingham, Warwick and Manchester plus the London universities (I did law) was the feel of the campus which had a really nice vibe to it.

Birmingham is 6th for CS and Exeter is 19th on CUG league table, so neither are poor choices. Exeter is rated higher overall though.

DH went to Birmingham to do CS in the 1990's when CS was all new and shiny It was very well regarded then and I believe still has this reputation. Obviously it's changed a lot since then but DH lived in halls then in Selly Oak in years 2 and 3. He enjoyed his time at Birmingham very much.

My DC is currently studying CS at Birmingham. He’s really enjoying the course, likes all the lectures and lecturers, and is happy with the teaching. Currently living on The Vale, it’s an easy walk to campus or into the city centre along the canal (although apparently Ubers are very cheap).

It’s a big course, numbers wise, so labs can be split into several sessions, but the facilities are good. It’s a lovely campus and Birmingham has great transport links.

Every city has its problem areas, but Edgbaston / Harbourne / Selly Oak are all pretty good areas (I’d be more concerned about being city centre or north).

What's the coverage about Birmingham?? Bin strikes aren't related to safety??

Birmingham and Exeter were my daughter’s top choices (but not for computer science).

After two visits to each, she plumped for Exeter and really enjoyed it. It is a lovely city and seemed very safe. I suspect she’d have been equally happy at Birmingham though!

Both lovely universities! Birmingham is fine, it’s safe as anywhere else and the campus is lovely.

What in the press op??

Exeter is lovely and a great uni for lots of subjects but it is definitely true that Birmingham is considered one of the very strongest unis for CS.

I was wondering about that. Dd is currently doing a postgrad at Leeds but is in contact with university friends from Birmingham who still live there, as does DS1, and whatever other recent shocks and horrors there have been in the Edgbaston / Selly Oak area, they don't appear to have been of concern to any of them.