Nottingham or Manchester?

[MrsClouseau]

DD can't decide. Courses very similar. Offers the same. Similar positions in league tables for overall uni and subject. Both a similar distance from home. Everything is similar!

I'm inclined to think that Manchester is a more interesting city.

Any opinions?

Different types of institution. Nottingham is a beautiful campus, but you can walk 30 minutes and still be on campus. Manchester University is in walking distance of the city with all sorts of other things nearby. I definitely preferred one type over the other, but institution wise, they’re evenly matched.

Has she visited both? That's always a good way to get a gut feeling.

Manchester will guarantee accommodation if she places it as firm or insurance, but Notts will only guarantee if she firms them.

Are there any particular societies that she will want to join at either?

Nothing beats a visit though to bring things into contrast. I was very happy at one of the two, but I also know people who were happy at the other. It's a very personal thing!

It depends on if she's the campus type or not. I wanted a city so that's what I chose as the thought of being on campus left me cold.

Send her to visit both cities and get the vibe of the place, both uni, and the area. I knew the instant I got off the train for the open days where I wanted to be, and ended up staying 12 years!

My ds was adamant he wanted a city university rather than a campus one - until he visited Nottingham! He fell in love with the uni and campus. He is now in his first year there and very happy.

A big plus for him is the amazing sports centre on campus.

Had he not visited Nottingham Uni then he would have ended up at a city uni and been very happy I'm sure.

I have no experience of Manchester but my husband studied in Nottingham and it was a really nice university. Nice campus and good societies.

I would visit both universities and city centres and go from there. We loved the drinking scene in Nottingham and spent many a Saturday night in Rock City.

Yes she has visited both, several times. That's interesting about accommodation rightsaidfred, thank you. For societies, sport mainly, but again there seems little to choose between them.

I think it comes down to what else you value about your university city. Both are pretty similar in terms of institution. I have a suspicion that Manchester would have more students who are local or northern and I know lots of privately educated students from the SE and London who have chosen Nottingham. I realise this is a minute snapshot but it might come down to choosing the one where you are most likely to find your tribe!

If she's into competitive sport, this will give a good idea of how good the university clubs are at that sport, though it should be noted that for some sports (e.g. rowing) BUCS is not the main event of the year www.bucs.org.uk/bucscore/Search.aspx

DS has the same dilemma although Nottingham gave him a more generous offer.

He loves both but is going for Nottingham for sports reasons.

I went to Manchester and recently visited both and can see him at both.

Both excellent albeit different.

Yep. All northerners at Manchester and southern softy posh types at Nottingham

Double check the small print for the accommodation guarantees - sometimes they aren't quite what they seem to be at first glance.

Non of my DC went to either DC but I think either would be a great bet.

Has your DC looked at the stats for each course things like how the courses are examined, percentage of firsts awarded, student satisfaction, continuation rates, etc etc. UNISTATS can be really useful

Have they also really examined the course modules?

I agree that for a proper Northern experience then Manchester is a good choice. .

Sorry for typos

DD looked at both for medical school and hated Manchester. It was too big and too busy for her. She much preferred Nottingham as it felt much less intimidating. She preferred the campus and the ease of access into town by tram.