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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

University offers for 2018? (Part 1)

868 replies

OnlyTeaForMe · 02/08/2017 17:56

OK, I know I'm a bit early, but let the hand-holding begin...

Come and join us if you (and your DC) are about to start the UCAS process in September - applying for a place in 2018.

I've got DS1, who wants to do Computer Science in 2018. Looking at various Russell Group unis and maybe Oxbridge.

OP posts:
goodbyestranger · 29/08/2017 08:47

Trippy my DC are very close in age especially the eldest six (six under seven) but also very different people. They chose the same uni with absolutely no pressure from anyone else, same as yours, but all chose a different college within the uni to make sure they had their own university experience, not overshadowed by an elder sib. It made logistics far simpler! I just found the results comments interesting because even if one doesn't compare oneself, or tries very hard not to, it's impossible not to be aware of the raw results. I've been astonished anyhow, given how different they are.

goodbyestranger · 29/08/2017 08:49

The DC that is.

I don't think I could have managed triplets or even twins. But triplets would definitely have floored me.

Trippy4 · 29/08/2017 08:56

I am finding it reassuring that they will be geographically close although they will not be in the same accommodation , and it makes it easier to visit . Intended no criticism of others by saying mine are very different . It is interesting though the way the dynamics work in these relationships .We reward effort too , vital for ours as their strengths and weaknesses are so varying . I don't imagine they will live in each other's pockets at university but good to know that their sibling is there.

Trippy4 · 29/08/2017 09:59

You have my admiration goodbyestranger for going through everything 6 times over!

knittingwithnettles · 30/08/2017 22:27

Glasgow Open Day went well. Ds1 was very interested in the whole university vibe, accommodation, lectures etc. He talked to other applicants to see where they came from, and found most of them had come from Scotland, not surprisingly Smile He also relieved to see various mums hanging around with their offspring, so that it wasnt just him who came attached with grey haired baggage!

However, Scotland is four and half hours by train. I wonder how this works out in reality, the sheer distance of it. Better to make a new life at uni without being able to come home at weekends or too much? I was only an hour away by train but never went home anyway, so I'm not sure it will matter that much anyway. Is it madness to make all this effort to go to Scotland when there are perfectly good unis nearer (like two hours away!)

knittingwithnettles · 30/08/2017 22:33

He has decided he does want to do a BMus (the MA is apparently very little performing and a lot of theory], but then spoilt it by saying, "I have to do one because I told Mr ....[HOY 6th Form] that's what I am doing...and he has written it down"

I screamed" Mr...[HOY] has no say in the matter, you can change your mind!!!" aaargh.

HesMyLobster · 30/08/2017 22:42

Knitting I hear you re: Scotland!
DD's current favourite (based on course content - she hasn't visited yet ) is St Andrews which is a 6 hour train journey from us.
Lots to weigh up.

raspberryrippleicecream · 31/08/2017 00:38

I'm in England, but those unis are nearer than most of the ones DD is looking at!

DD's favourite based on course content is Exeter at the moment.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 31/08/2017 08:39

I think dd is pretty much there now with her PS and her choices. Just needs college to check it over and she will be ready to submit. Her college are very strict about predictions though. It will all be on her AS results and at a parents meeting we were all warned that there is no point in asking them to change them because they won't.

inchyrablue · 31/08/2017 20:37

DD is very, very keen on two Scottish universities. They are an eight hour drive, or 6/7 hours on the train for us. We have family and close friends in both towns though, which makes it much more bearable. We tend to go up a couple of times a year anyway. She'd never be rid of us, and could meet granny for cake.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 01/09/2017 07:53

Sounds like a plan inchy!

knittingwithnettles · 01/09/2017 15:42

I mentioned the four year course to a friend and she was shocked at the idea of another year's tuition debt, so that is also a factor in not choosing a scottish uni, if you are in England or Wales. Ds has an Irish passport, so in fact it would save a lot of money to go a Scottish uni. But I've heard there is a quota on EU/Scottish students.

Anyone know anything about that - would it affect his application if he chooses to be England rather than EU applicant. Irish unis would be good too, I'm looking into Trinity Music "points". Although I hear it is hellish to find accommodation in Dublin.

knittingwithnettles · 01/09/2017 15:43

and then of course Dublin is really far away, a plane journey, unless you live in Wales or Liverpool Smile and can get the ferry quickly. I have relatives there, but they are 2 hours from Dublin on public transport.

LoniceraJaponica · 01/09/2017 15:55

Somerset DD didn't want to do the BMAT as well. She spent most of the holidays practising for the UKCAT test which she took last week.

The taster day at Imperial is so she can add that to her personal statement. She has no intention of studying in London.

Gnome is that a full A level or an AS level? How did your DC find time to study a 2 year course alongside 3 other A level subjects?

Also, many universities want to see A levels taken in one sitting.

raspberryrippleicecream · 01/09/2017 19:16

Most of the Scottish unis only charge 3 years tuition, though of course there is still an extra year of living costs.

There is also the possibility of entering straight into the second year. DS1 applied for second year entry into the 5 year MPhys course at Glasgow. The four years tuition actually worked out cheaper than the 4 year MPhys he is actually doing in England, as the cost was 4 years pro -ratad over 5.

Hope that makes sense!

Jabbott1 · 02/09/2017 21:01

Just found this thread DS very keen to study Physics. Has so far visited Oxford, Bristol and Exeter. Oxford definitely top of his '5' he liked Bristol, but Exeter wasn't really suited didn't do the course he wanted. Spent the journey home googling other uni's. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Must be very naive I thought a Physics course would be same at all University's

OhYouBadBadKitten · 02/09/2017 21:29

Has he looked at Imperial Jabbot? If Oxford is a contender, then Imperial probably would be too. They do offer help with finances a bit, so the costs although scary are a little less scary than first appearance.

Oldie2017 · 03/09/2017 12:51

knitting, that extra year of debt (or in my csae having to pay £9250 fee plus £8k rent etc for that extra year out of my own pocket and income already taxed) for Scottish universities put me off there although one of my sons had Edinburgh as his back up choice. i am glad he got his first choice instead also because it's expensive to travel so far (for us as we live in the SE) and because it would mean an extra year before starting a job/life etc. althoguh some people want to spin out their studying years. Had he gone to Edinburgh I would have paid up and I would have made the best of it and I like the city and it's a lovely university.

Jabbott also perhaps get him to think about careers (not that any of my 5 ever have done at 18 sadly..... ) as that can be as important in terms of university choice as other things too. If he wants to keep options open have a look at potential employers and where they recruit from rather than just where is very interesting or good for physics in particular.

raspberryrippleicecream · 03/09/2017 13:05

DD's course is 4 years at Oxford anyway so she has that as a starting point.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 03/09/2017 13:08

All of the options dd are looking at are a four year course too as the last year is a taught Masters. For her it makes sense as she is likely to want to continue her studies and at least she will get a loan for all four years under better conditions than she would for a seperate masters.

raspberryrippleicecream · 03/09/2017 14:00

DS1 is doing MPhys, Kitten, so has that security.

DD envisages carrying on to Masters, so that'll be 5 years then!

inchyrablue · 04/09/2017 09:32

knitting yes, it is true there are different quotas depending on where the student is resident. I think the numbers vary by uni, and are decided annually by the government. I have no idea if it is possible to have access to these numbers though.

ErrolTheDragon · 04/09/2017 09:48

Jabbott - physics at Birmingham is strong, and its a lovely campus.

Original poster
OnlyTeaForMe · 08/09/2017 12:50

OK - just checking in!

DS is going for Oxbridge, so the school want to see his personal statement next week. He was really faffing about with getting it started last month, so in the end I sat him down at the kitchen table and asked him all the questions (verbally) that they say you should answer in your PS. As he talked I typed up bullet points of what he said.

I think it worked quite well because it was 'in his voice' and it gave him something to work with. He then wrote up a first draft.
We've since done some tweaking and already it's too long!

My only concern is that it's probably not detailed/technical enough for his subject (Computer Science) so that's the next thing to work on.

OP posts:
OhYouBadBadKitten · 08/09/2017 17:48

Welcome OnlyTea :) we have a nice group of us gathering now.

I think the shortening of the PS is the hardest bit, other than the initial sitting down.