Anyone got any advice over choosing between Portsmouth University or Keele University?

[Jinglebells99]

My ds hasn't really had any plans for after year 13, he didn't apply through UCAS but has had unconditional offers for History. We visited Portsmouth, but the Keele offer was emailed too late to attend the open day yesterday. Anyone got experience of either? Thanks

[wizzywig]

If he likes city life, dont go to keele. It is a campus uni. Amazing curriculum for humanities.

[HollyBuckets]

The OP's DS is looking at reading History. Portsmouth really can't compare with Leele in the Humanities. Keele was established as a serious university in the 1960s as part of the expansion of provision in the wake of the Robbins report. It was built around a concept of interdisciplinary degrees with particular strengths in the Humanities. Portsmouth is an ex-poly, and from the POV of the humanities, has never really invested in its research or development of its staff.

These things make a significant difference in te quality of a Humanities degree, particularly in the level of challenge of the curriculum, how far staff will challenge and push students, and the advantages to students from being part of a bright cohort.

[DontbeaDickaboutit]

I would definitely say for a humanities degree - Portsmouth wouldn't be your best. I live in Portsmouth, it's better known for engineering, architecture, textiles etc.

[Jinglebells99]

Thanks so much for your input. He has decided on Keele. :) We did like the environment of Portsmouth but think campus life would suit him better. Fingers crossed that he's happy there.

[BubblesBuddy]

I do wonder about the firsts handed out by Portsmouth. The DD of a friend came good at Portsmouth in sociology but she wouldn't have got near a top flight university and it still took her a year to get a job.

[hellsbells99]

Good luck to your DS Jinglebells 😄

[Peregrina]

Keele was one of the "new" red bricks set up in the 60s, togetwith York, Lancaster and Sussex. It's a hidden gem, in my view.

Not quite true although it may be a hidden gem. It was established as a 'University College' in 1949. My cousin graduated from there in 1959. It became a full University in 1962.

The 'plate glass' universities of Essex, Sussex, York, Lancaster, Wawick and East Anglia were established by the Robbins report of 1959. Essex had its first intake in 1964. I know its history being one of the early graduates from there.

Mixed reports about Keele - my cousin enjoyed it. My niece went there a few years ago and enjoyed it less so, not liking Campus life, but happy with the course.

Having lived in the area in the 1960s we had many visits from school to events put on by the University, so for me it has positive memories.

[Peregrina]

I see he's chosen Keele. If he doesn't like Campus life, there is plenty of cheap accommodation nearby in Newcastle under Lyme.

[WaitrosePigeon]

My brother has done great and got a job straight away with a really good firm, bubbles.

I'm sorry to hear your friends daughter wasn't as lucky. The probably with sociology is that everyone does it, hence no jobs.

[WaitrosePigeon]

*the problem with

[Jinglebells99]

Thanks for the advice and good wishes :)

[HollyBuckets]

It was established as a 'University College' in 1949. My cousin graduated from there in 1959. It became a full University in 1962

Thanks for the correct info! I think I was grouping Keele with the 60s redbricks/plate glass universities because it shares (or shared) their rethinking of university curricula, particularly in embedding interdiciplinarity in undergrad programmes - Keele (and Lancaster) still do, but I think the radical vision has left Sussex & York.