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Higher education

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

Original poster

Aberystwyth

135 replies

Piggywaspushed · 26/01/2019 08:10

Has anyone got recent experience of Aberystwyth Uni? DS has a conditional place there for International Politics. I do know that Aber has a very good reputation in this area.
DS is a funny old fish and utterly demotivated ... but he does like the sound of the modules. He has a lowered (contextual ) offer of BBC already. he sits a scholarship exam next week and if he does OK, that could drop to CCD.

So far, so good. However, we live 200 miles away , and it isn't the easiest place to get to. DGPs live in Wales , but in the Valleys , so not all that near. DH thinks it is too far away and is steering DS towards Lincoln, Hull or NTU.

Because of distance, we haven't even visited most unis : most we have visited DS hasn't then applied to!

I have never lived near home. My DF is 400 miles away, my DM thousands! I live 500 miles from where I grew up and went to uni 200 miles away from where I lived. But DS is so unlike me, I wonder if he was swapped at birth!

I have all the info about league tables and so on, so don't need that kind of info. My concerns about Aberystwyth are more about the place, and how out of place someone from a boring town a hundred miles from the sea, somewhere in the east of England, might feel there!

OP posts:
LoniceraJaponica · 27/01/2019 09:44

DD sounds very similar to your DS. She lacks self confidence, but somehow managed to get a Christmas temp job, and it was the making of her. Sadly the job ended on 27th December and she has been applying for jobs again.

She has had a couple of interviews and has another one this week. She doesn't have the confidence to go off travelling on her own though.

BubblesBuddy · 27/01/2019 09:45

Ok Piggy. But posters were talking about political grad recruitment and it appeared the degree from Aber was going to open all the grad doors into a fantastic job without worrying about the A levels. Obviously you are realistic. Many apologies if I sounded harsh. However the Spanish is an excellent skill. Could he not do that with Politics to keep doors open?

formeraberstudent · 27/01/2019 09:46

I think you're right to discourage a local uni.

I went to Aberystwyth from 1999-2002. Everything everyone says above is true, lovely town and so on but honestly I personally wouldn't recommend it.

You are so, so isolated, is the problem. There are trains that go through Wales and Shropshire to Birmingham New Street and it's a nice journey but complicated.

It's hard to explain really but it's almost like being on an island, a small one that is. You have to drive two hours to get to any sort of civilisation Grin I know some people like that but I found I was cut off from a lot of "normal" everyday experiences to be honest.

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 27/01/2019 09:47

I tried to steer him that way and he was keen at one point on learning German and/or doing European Studies. He is an oyster so no idea why he cahnged his mind. Confidence issues, I reckon. He can always swap to Spanish and Pols at Aber if he wants to by taking specific modules, apparently. Same at Portsmouth and Hull. Lincoln not so much of a Langs place.

OP posts:
formeraberstudent · 27/01/2019 09:48

Piggy I don't know why you've got arsey with a PP either - she's right. The fact you chose to go into teaching is neither here nor there Confused

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 27/01/2019 09:51

Interesting former . It is hard for me because, personally, none of that would have fazed me at 17 , but I am so not my DS!

In a strange way, Lincoln and Hull are as isolated from us as Aber, albeit closer.

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Shadowboy · 27/01/2019 09:56

It’s a fantastic place. Very liberal and open minded. A bit hippy in a way. It’s not a wealthy place compared to some UK university towns but it’s location by the sea really makes up for it. Halls are nice and varied and it’s outdoor opportunities are wide ranged. I studied for 4 years and have returned often for short holiday breaks. It does have a strong welsh speaking contingent who are a little anti English but I never ever felt uncomfortable there as a non welsh speaker. I always felt safe walking home at night in the dark too!

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 27/01/2019 09:56

I don't think I was arsey. I know bubbles from other threads and value her knowledge and I know some posters see things through RG/ high achiever lenses. I am realistic that Aber is the best DS can do with his potential grades and is a good shot at a good uni for him. I am bound to get a bit defensive if I infer that my DS might end up unemployable when all stats suggest any degree is better than no degree!

It's been (and still is) a very very long road with DS and it is draining.

The point I made about teaching was just to point out that not everything in,life is about A Level grades, and that not everyone with high A level grades wants to get caught up in the milk round rat race. But, yes, it was probably not relevant, true.

I want to be optimistic about and for DS, but, in truth, I fear for him.

OP posts:
formeraberstudent · 27/01/2019 09:58

They aren't though.

Hull (I have been Grin) has a massive shopping centre, retail parks, all the "normal" things you'd typically expect to find in a large town or city in this country. Lincoln I have never been to but Leicester is an hour away, so is Nottingham.

In contrast the nearest biggish town to Aberystwyth is Shrewsbury with a direct train and that's two hours - to get to Birmingham and the city it's another hour or so on top of that.

It led to a weird depression for me (there were other things going on) as I often just needed to escape and couldn't. It's not about it fazing people, I was more experienced with being independent than most 18 year olds, but it was claustrophobic, which can feel safe but also suffocating.

formeraberstudent · 27/01/2019 09:59

I don't know shadow, there was a bit of racism when I was there. It was a long time ago, though. Hardly any BME students, and a bit of an anti-English feeling.

LovelyBranches · 27/01/2019 10:03

I studied Interpol at Aber. I also lived in the catered halls in my first year.

Aber is great for many reasons. The size is a massive advantage, you tend to see everyone at the same places (because there aren’t a huge number of options) and your social circle expands because of it.

It has a great reputation with employers. I have worked in the Assembly and lots of people who work there studied in Aber.

I personally wouldn’t have got my job had it not been for the internship I was offered through my course. I had to apply to do it but it was a paid internship that ended up influencing the rest of my career.

I made the best friends there.

BubblesBuddy · 27/01/2019 10:07

Piggy: I do understand what you are saying. Another poster was talking about recruiting largish numbers of politics grads. This can only be a govt dept one would think. It’s unlikely to be Rolls Royce or John Lewis. Aber was spoken of in similar terms to Oxbridge. Therefore one would imagine a selection criteria might be A level. These jobs are the milk round! It’s inevitable. However, of course there are other jobs and many people find their niche in teaching and all sorts of careers that are less competitive to get into. I was only trying to be a little bit realistic and I’m not suggesting for a moment that RG is better or more suitable. Or indeed that he might want the FO or MI5/6!

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 27/01/2019 10:32

If I had my time again, I'd be a spy . I'd love to work for Mi5!

OP posts:
CowJumping · 27/01/2019 10:43

For a relatively generalist course such as politics, then Aber is far better bet than the HEIs your DH is pushing your DC towards.

Aber is a gorgeous town in an amazing location, and academically, it’s top notch.

SawnUpLooRoll · 27/01/2019 10:48

Hinterland makes Aber look like such a dump. From v recent experience, I promise they don't have teenagers dancing around flaming cars in Borth. It's beautiful and perfect for socially upskilling introverts.

SawnUpLooRoll · 27/01/2019 10:50

In contrast the nearest biggish town to Aberystwyth is Shrewsbury with a direct train and that's two hours

Carmarthen is an hour away by car or bus/coach. Everything is a lot more accessible these days.

formeraberstudent · 27/01/2019 10:55

Big town, Carmarthen? Are you 'avin a laugh? Grin

LoniceraJaponica · 27/01/2019 11:05

I am loving the sound of Aberystwyth. However, it is too late for DD who has firmed her offer for Newcastle. Living rurally she is pining for city living.

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 27/01/2019 11:09

I am a Geordie by birth. Newcastle is great. Big place but not of an overwhelming size. Beautiful surrounding countryside and near the sea!

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SawnUpLooRoll · 27/01/2019 11:29

Big town, Carmarthen? Are you 'avin a laugh?Grin

It's big enough, these days, Ms Left-in-2002!! 😂

kazzymac · 27/01/2019 11:42

My DS is in his final year at Aber. He has really enjoyed his time there. We live in Essex so it's not easy to travel to and from. We tend to drive up twice a year in the warmer months for weekend breaks (stay in a flat in Aber and he comes to stay with us) and he gets the coach home -Easter and Xmas( takes about 6-7 hours). It's difficult being so far away but he's grown up a lot having to be so independent.
Aber had a nice feel about it when we first visited for the open day (drove there and back in a day!) and that feeling hasn't changed. Good luck

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 27/01/2019 12:35

Essex is probably even further away than us, kazzy. Good to hear it has worked well for you all.

OP posts:
popolvuh · 27/01/2019 17:06

With regards to getting out of aber bus travel is free within Wales at weekends so it’s pretty easy to hop on a bus to a different town or even venture the few hours into Cardiff

BestIsWest · 27/01/2019 17:11

Bus travel is free in Wales at weekends Is it? I live in Wales and have never heard of this but it would be wonderful if true.

BestIsWest · 27/01/2019 17:16

I’d never heard of it but Here

Thanks Popolvuh!