What advice to give to DD re choosing where to go for Uni.

[DrMadelineMaxwell]

She knows she wants to do either a History degree (if it's a broad enough one) or an ancient History degree, or a combo of them both.

We live in N Wales.

She has her heart set on Cambridge, and her AS results in Aug will determine whether that goes on her application or whether she hasn't got the grades - stressful!

When I ask her where else she'd like to consider applying for, she says she doesn't know. And I don't envy her the decision.

When I went to uni, it was go to the closest one to home that I could commute to daily or don't go as we couldn't afford it and I wasn't encouraged to go away from home for Uni. We don't want to limit her, but don't really know how to help her decide.

How did your DD/you choose which Uni's to apply to?

My DD (English) is doing Ancient History at Trinity College Dublin. It has that Oxbridge vibe and she is really enjoying the course. I would very much recommend it . PM me if you like.

@BrigitsBigknickers can I ask where your DD is studying?

Re Newcastle-DS is there and loves it.
Very nice vibe to the city-he is an athlete so not a big party animal as a regular thing but very friendly and also has bonus of being much cheaper accommodation, food etc than some of the others

Mumsie she was at Loughborough ( Graduating next week! )

OP, I used to work in History at York and it is a good University and a good programme - among the very best in the world for medieval studies and a good choice of time periods / countries. York also still has a nice community feel - the students and staff know each other by name. Size of university can be important in this respect. York itself is an attractive and safe city.

Bubbles up thread has identified the best History departments in the country. Warwick is very good and, like York, a campus university. Newcastle does have a rep in History for students coming to party rather than from love of the subject. There's good advice up thread about picking a uni based on more than just the course.

Cambridge is first rate and you won't match its tutorial system, but your DD is very unlikely to get in with a B (it is fiercely competitive even with top grades). Cambridge is also not for everyone - colleagues who went there describe it as a hothouse environment. A good History degree from any of the RG universities will stand your daughter in good stead. Ultimately, she needs to be happy with her choice.

I'd be delighted if she likes York when we visit in Sept. We already love the place itself from visiting a few years ago.