DS university first choice

[Enyap]

DS torn between 2 choices for firm, choices are Bristol for sociology and social policy and Hull for British politics and legislative studies.

Hull's course has a one year internship in Westminster which really appeals to DS , but Bristol is obviously a Russell group uni. Also Hull's position in league table has plummeted recently.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Briefly met him yesterday. He was very enthusiastic!

Thank you piggy for coming back to this , I always knew the course is very highly regarded and the placement year is guaranteed ,this is what made the decision between Bristol and Hull so difficult for DS.c

It seems DS is set on Bristol now , however after reading the other thread on Bristol accommodation it is slightly alarming .

Any thoughts on Wills Hall anyone?

As I said, I just wanted to feedback to you : not trying to influence your DS's decision which has to be based on so many factors.

If it makes you feel better, I looked up a drug use league table (believe it or not I found one!) and Bristol was pretty far down the table (although UWE was 'top' ). I look at accommodation reviews on UniCrowd and Student Hut, which sometimes help. Often good YouTube videos but students who live there.

Hull. The work experience will be priceless - as someone who did a BA and MA at a top 10 uni I was unemployed for 3 months due to a lack of relevant work experience.

I commented on accommodation on the other Bristol thread. Please PM if you want more info about halls.

Incidentally, the Civil Service now blank out the uni applicants went to during the application process. So no one will know if you DC went to Hull or Bristol.

The internship will ultimately be helpful but (having worked in the Commons) he will be working, long, anti-social hours and will have to be within reasonable travelling distance of Westminster or it just won’t work. This will incur pretty hefty additional housing, travelling and general living costs which you’ll need to factor in. Can you cover them/is he prepared to take on the extra debt?

Sorry, just read the whole thread. I’ll get my coat .....,

The course has been running for many years now and so it must be doable, I imagine the university passes on information from previous students as to the living arrangements etc .

Though many of the interns in my day were American: funding did not seem to be an issue!

Apologies if this has already been suggested because I haven't read the whole thread, but have you looked at any stats for student employment after the courses?

They definitely do enyap : certain landlords work with them so each wave of students passes on details of the next wave.

That's what I assumed ,piggy. I still believe it possibly would have suited DS better but it's his decision and he prefers Bristol.

I did read a bit about the legislative studies bit and it did sound rather , for want of a better word, dry!

I would absolutely always go.for a place where there is guaranteed placement every time. My job involves assessing looking closely at data about universities generally including what leads to.better employment and salary levels etc. Work placements have a very positive effect on this. Obviously they don't guarantee a job afterwards but they give you a way into very good jobs and if the placement is guaranteed/ compulsory this is very very good, not all are at all and depend on the student finding the job.
I know this is not a popular view on MN where Russell Group seems to ( inexplicably to.me) trump everything.

Of course it also depends if your DS thinks he will be happy there.

I was just reading back through the thread and thought I shoudl comment on :

albeit not posh enough for olives.
You'll never guess what we had for lunch yesterday!? With that fancy Feta stuff, too Proper posh it was!

Piggywaspushed - I am surprised that Bristol was not that high on the drug use league table. My DD’s experience would suggest otherwise. Bristol seems overwhelmed with drugs compared to the experience of her friends at other unis.

Bristol, apparently, has more cocaine in its sewers than any other UK city.

Those UWE students perhaps? Though like blueplanets dd, mine was shocked at the drugs, and this is despite coming from London.

blueplanet : to be fair, UWE was 'top' ! Bristol as a place clearly ahs soem issues with drugs. Edinburgh , too, but more confined to the outlying housing schemes.

I've worked in politics - got in after University just sending CV to research department - had been involved on a voluntary basis in local party which is important. There was a disproportionate number from Oxbridge including me but it was by no means a complete barrier - a good degree with a passion for politics and willingness to work hard and be dedicated to the cause were main criteria. I would vere towards Bristol and try and get work experience - this may well be unpaid. Due to this there's a disproportionate number of people with very rich parents but I was just a state school background and was fine and didn't have to do the free work experience. I was only paid £14k 20 odd years ago but got invited to PMs Christmas party, events with the Queen, put up in 5* hotel during general election worked with PM and Cabinet members and was amazing. It also made getting jobs after much easier and big jump in salary on moving on.

I think either choice could work but getting political work experience and doing voluntary work for political parties is vital to go into political jobs.

It depends also who he wants to work for - what are their backgrounds, it shouldn't matter but I've always found people are more likely to recruit people from a similar background.

My son is in his 3rd year of the BPLS course and is currently working for an MP in Westminster.

I can highly recommend both the course and Hull University itself.

If your son is interested in working in government it is an excellent way of making contacts, experiencing the hectic Westminster life and gaining excellent work experience.
There are significant numbers of Hull University politics graduates employed in various capacities at Westminster.
I have been very impressed.

My son is currently on his guaranteed Westminster placement in the 3rd year of his BPLS course and is getting unbelievable experience. The 'Hull mafia' at Westminster really does exist - I hope your DS chose Hull!

I am biased as I have twins at Bristol and my daughter went there..... ...
There is no doubt on most metrics Bristol is probably better (other than the internship). Most people who go to university with a career plan other than say doctors, change it so he probably will too which means he will be saddled with B grade Hull, with the lower grade people as friends (I am not saying everyone at Hull gets Bs of course...) rather than harder to get into higher grade university on his CV for life ....

My daughter and one of my twins were at Wills Hall and loved it.

The internship sounds interesting but means an extra year of debt/student loan/cost and I suppose the question is is he set on a Westminster job when he qualifies and where do the people who get those study? He should also check the pay of those jobs if pay matters to him.

Perhaps look at the kind of grad job he wants and pick 10 of the newest joiners in the job he wants and see where they went. If a lot went to Hull following the placement and he is sure of his career then Hull might be his choice. if instead he wants to be an MP plenty of those were lawyers for example first like Blair etc so picking the university best able to get you into the well paid first career you might want before becoming an MP is another thought.

This is a year old thread! I know an MP and they sings praises about the Hull course!

sorry they not theys!