Leeds or Nottingham, particularly Nottingham campus

[mrsrhodgilbert]

Dd is trying to decide between these two for September. We have done initial open days and more recently offer days for both. She absolutely loved the Notts campus last September and was very excited to receive an unconditional offer. She also likes Leeds, particularly the apparent friendliness of the dept and the very small tutor group sizes.

However, when we visited Nottingham for the offer day a couple of Saturdays ago she was quite alarmed by the complete lack of people around. It would not be an exaggeration to say that apart from the groups like us having guided tours and some activity on the sports pitches the campus was deserted. It's a huge and beautiful campus, there must be a few thousand students living on it but there was no sign of life, the students union building was mostly shut up. We were there nearly all day, it didn't get any busier.

It would be a 3-4 hour train journey for her to get home and she is now worried about being very lonely and miserable at weekends. The girl showing us round did suggest that a lot of people go home. She has compared courses, living costs, travel, distance from the city centre. All the other usual things you think about but can't quite get her head around how somewhere can appear to be so empty. Any views from those with dc there would be very welcome.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Nottingham is lovely. DD was in halls in her first year and only came home every now and then. They either did things in their hall, or in the campus bars at the weekend, or went into town.

Personally, I like Nottingham better than Leeds.

[Skiptonlass]

I went to Nottingham, about three hundred years ago, and loved it. You just went at the quiet time of the week, I think. I adored my time there, the campus was a lovely green space and I felt very safe there. Come spring, it'll be packed with students having picnics and enjoying the sunshine.

My sister went to Leeds, and personally, from my visits, I preferred notts. Leeds is very much a city campus, so if that's what grabs her, she may be better there.

If you can get into the catered halls, do. I couldn't afford it (I was very, very poor at the time) but all my friends were in them and they are a wonderful, safe, collegial environment where lifelong friends were made. I wish I'd been able to get into one.

Quality of teaching is excellent as well.

[senua]

It's all down to personal preference, isn't it. I didn't like Nottingham campus when we looked round - it felt sterile, windswept and exposed. Leeds is much more 'buzzy' with stuff going on and everything is within walking distance - town centre, university, students digs.
The distance from home does make a difference. With DD we could fit in a bit of a tour of the city - sightseeing, the shops or restaurant. With DS we only have time to drive there, load his luggage and then hightail it back home again. It's even worse for the students themselves trying to get home for the weekend on public transport.

[Theas18]

Both my big kids are at nottingham and would recommend it- dd so much that she is doing an MA and applying for a PhD (it is strong in her specialism). Ds did try to go elsewhere (to get away from her and do his own thing) but it was the best course !

[Molio]

A couple of DDs and I felt the same as senua about Nottingham when we whizzed in and out of the campus one weekend to have a quick look. That impression was confirmed by speaking to a couple of recent students we knew - neither had really thrived. But admittedly that is very superficial, although enough to deter my DCs from applying.

[Needmoresleep]

Off topic but I failed to notice the 2 DDs and simply spotted the reference to DC in Molio's post. I suddenly saw the entire Molio family in a mini bus doing a grand tour of UK campuses, all singing. Something like the von Trapp family on wheels. Molio rushing down a grassy slope in Nottingham, Julie Andrews style. Please tell me that was how it was.

[Molio]

Needmoresleep my mother took me to see The Sound of Music twelve and a half times when it first came out, because she was completely in love with the Captain (the half time was on the twelfth visit where we stayed on in the cinema to get to the bit where he puts white gloves on, then left). And you can have too much of a good thing. So sorry, but no :)

[Needmoresleep]

Ah, so that's why you had so many children. Early influences!

End of hijack

[ScorpioMermaid]

Nottingham is my hometown (although I have no idea about the uni itself) I can honestly say it's a very busy city and there are loads of students around. I've lived here all my life and I love it.

[hellsbells99]

An unconditional offer sounds good! If there is not much between the 2 then I would go for Nottingham purely on this basis.
My DD would probably say go for Leeds though as she prefers a City campus. She is selecting Manchester over Nottingham partly for this reason (& also because she preferred the course at Manchester).

[Bearcatt]

DS's both went to Nottingham in 2006 & 2010.
Both lived in catered halls in their first year.
They both loved their time there.
Halls could be quieter at weekends & people were either going home, visiting friends at other unis.
There was always someone around in halls so I wouldn't let the quietness of the campus put her off.