Warwick or Edinburgh

[marine04]

My son is lucky enough to have five offers for biological science. His favourite on paper is Warwick and having seen it for the second time today and chatted to some of the academics, he still really likes it and would be happy to firm it (he'd insure Kent). Edinburgh was his aspirational choice and they are asking for a grade higher than Warwick although they are lower in the league tables. For various reasons he's not seen Edinburgh University yet, although he's been to the city as my daughter is in Scotland. We are meant to be visiting in April but I think now he's confirmed that he likes Warwick he won't be too bothered about visiting and realistically for family reasons it would be difficult. He would prefer a campus set up (he's dyspraxic and organisation and finding his way around trips him up sometimes). I suppose I am asking if anyone has any experience of the biology set up in Edinburgh and if there are any compelling reasons to go there. I would hate for him to miss out just because it's a hassle to get there; we could make it happen somehow. Thanks.

I would choose Warwick over Edinburgh mainly because it’s a 3 year degree rather then 4. If he wants to do 4 years at uni, he may as well do a masters.

Edinburgh is 21st in world rankings for biological science....whereas Warwick is down at 54.
Edinburgh is also a gorgeous city and very easy to get around
My dd did her MSc there , she's dyspraxic, dyslexic and dyscalculic and loved the university and got loads of support
Although it's a 4 yr degree, my daughter only paid for 3 yrs ( were from Wales)

Is there the option of a placement year at Warwick (and would he want it, if there is)?

I know too many students who are miserable at Warwick. The social life seems to revolve around clubbing, the gym and weekends away on European city breaks. It’s a cultural wasteland.

I went to warwick and loved it. Really loved the campus set up, and it's a good half way house as the halls are all self catering.
No one I knew were big on clubbing (other than weekly events on campus which were 80s /90s music ) don't remember anyone ever leaving campus at the weekends even to go home, let alone abroad (where on earth are they getting the money??!) and I didn't know there was even a gym there .

I had a DC at Warwick who never went to Gym, clubbing or European city breaks . Maybe that's one little clique that you know Maria?
My other DC looked at Warwick and Edinburgh for Biology. He preferred the campus set up and was a bit put off by the four year course at Edinburgh. He ended up choosing York though!

My DS has looked at Warwick and had written it off but if I tell him clubbing, gym and minibreaks I suspect it would go up in his estimation!!

So, Maria, what cultural activities do your own student DC prefer to indulge in? I'm sure that if your young friends who are so miserable with the social offerings at Warwick (is it not something they asked as many current students as possible about at their open days and applicant days?), they could get together to have the SU start up an Opera Soc or whatever. Did they choose Warwick on a prestige ticket and only afterwards realise that those of us who encourage our own DC to consider whether they feel they would actually be happy living somewhere for the next 3/4 years of their lives perhaps aren't such negligent parents, after all?

It's an easy journey to Birmingham Airport from Coventry, so why not look out for cheap weekend deals? I'd be happy if mine took the initiative to get out and do that sort of thing. And students everywhere go clubbing. Or not, if they don't fancy it. And for heaven's sake, what's the matter with going to the gym?

I’m not sure what my own DC indulge in is especially relevant since they didn’t go to Warwick. Nor am I responsible for the failure of other families to pay enough attention to the type of environment that their DC would enjoy for 3/4 years at university.

I know someone whose [shy]son was keen on campus university, set on Warwick rather than Bristol and loved his first year doing a science, but found the second year living out in private accommodation less fun, because there wasn't a big city to be part of and he hadn't made soul mate friends, but more a gang of acquaintances. He also found the socialising fell off in second year because it was all so campus centred. Whereas some feedback from Edinburgh is exactly the opposite, less fun to start, big and bewildering but then very fun oppportunities in the city itself as time went on. I've heard the same about Surrey tbh, wonderful in first year, then the campus orientation made it less satisfying in later years.

The Complete University guide has Warwick at 11th and Edinburgh at 24th which sounds sensible for the UK. World rankings can be a bit odd. If you don’t work in a world market it’s a bit irrelevant too.

DCs I know at Warwick really like it. It’s quiet though. Second and third years are often spent in houses in Leamington spa. Edinburgh is obviously bigger and livlier but I would look at student support because everyone had to find their way around after y1. Making friends is key of course. But that applies anywhere.

Making friends is key of course. But that applies anywhere.

While this is true, some students quite like getting away from the university atmosphere and going to galleries/shows/films etc. I know I did!

Not keen on Warwick. The lad culture seems a little off.
rape a laughing matter

Edinburgh is a nicer place than Warwick I think but it depends on whether your DS wants that student-centric campus life. Perhaps wait until he's seen Edinburgh too?

Biology is on a campus at Edinburgh (Kings’ Buildings).

It’s a fab city in which to be a student.

Coventry will be City of Culture in 2021, which may prompt Warwick to be less of a "cultural wasteland".

I think if you are coming from London or another big city, then Coventry and Leamington are going to seem small and a bit like there's not much going on, and if that's going to be disappointing and difficult for you then Edinburgh may be a better choice.

My perception is he Warwick has a much more "laddish", insular culture than Edinburgh.

My ds is in his second year at Warwick and loves it. He is (predictably) living in Leamington this year.

Ds is a bit geeky but has found a great set of friends and has a good social life. He is really pleased with his (first) choice of Warwick and has not been to any European cities for weekends!

Currently a second year at Warwick studying biomedical sciences. I agree that is is fairly clubby (didn't drink for my first year and it was a touch isolating) came into my own this year when I found a sporting society I love (and I'm hoping to get onto exec for) . The department is amazing and the teaching is great. My personal tutor is fantastic and everyone looks out for each other. We get loads of lab experience which is amazing (until you have to write up reports 😅) and the careers service at the university is great. I've already got my plan ready for September when grad schemes and med school open up.
My flat mate does bio (as opposed to biomed) and he's doing a placement year at a massive pharma company next year. Our employment stats are awesome.
The course keeps being bumped up the rankings every year and it really has got a lot going for it. A new bio building is having construction completed next year ( I think) and we have a new sports centre opening in April (state of the art. The current one is awesome but this one looks great).
Life on campus is a but glum. Coventry sucks. I say it picks up in second year. I live in canely but socialise a lot in Leamington (and I'm moving there next year) Leamington is a really lovely town. So much to do there!
If it helps I know people who go out clubbing 4 times a week but I drink less Han once a week and often that's in a pub.
When I visited endinburgh I found it a bit snooty but it is vv good and if city living is what your child likes then that may be the way to go.

Edinburgh certainly has more prestige. Postgraduate studies and research are a major consideration for those completing biological science. Edinburgh would open more doors.

I can't comment on the biology side of it but as far as getting around goes, I wouldn't let that put him off Edinburgh.
First year classes even for scientists are largely in the George Square area which functions very much like a campus without being in the middle of nowhere. There is a shuttle bus to KIngs' Buildings (the science area).
Yes accommodation is further away but there is lots within easy reach.
My dd is in 1st year there. She is autistic so finds it hard to find her way around and has the added problems of being a wheelchair user. She has managed fine although she limits herself to well known routes.

The disability services organised some orientation sessions for her in freshers' week which helped a lot.

Where do you live? If you’ve got one in Scotland already...
As the parent of one out of the other end, a 3 year course really is very short. If they get a job on graduation they’re very very young to be out and adulting. For that reason alone I’d go for Edinburgh!

Biology is based at Kings buildings campus and most lectures would be there. Biology research in Edinburgh is more than twice the size of Warwick giving access to a much broader expertise for Teaching. Research wise, Edinburgh is way bigger and better! - see ref2014 results uoa5.
Biology at edinburgh would open more doors for him.

I can't comment which course would be best for your DS longterm. However, DD is holding holders from both unis (and we've looked at both). She's probably going to firm St Andrews as she's happier with course and location, but I'd wouldn't have any worries at all if she'd chosen Warwick (ore from a safety point of view and socially it would suit her). Edinburgh will be her insurance (as it's the only one she's got).

Socially Warwick revolves around the bar, a couple of restaurants and societies. It's all flat, easy to get around. Coventry and Leamington Spa aren't that far away. Leamington is nice and some students told us great for a night out. There's a supermarket on site, but also a Tescos very close.

Edinburgh is a lovely city and has everything - societies, bars, restaurants, clubs. Train station is very central, so transport is easy home. Main chain shops and train station are on a lower level, touristy shops, bars, restaurants, uni are mainly on the hill. I'm not sure how easy your son finds it getting around, but the hill is a short steep one, but there are plenty of buses if this might be an issue. Student satisfaction isn't so high at Edinburgh although it's a high ranked uni.

"Rape the whole flat to teach them a lesson"

I wouldn't send my child to Warwick, no.

@Etino we are in the midlands.
Thank you. This is all really helpful. We will definitely go and see it in the Easter holidays now. I think the one grade higher scenario might be putting him off. There are reasons why he might not perform as well in his A levels as his predictions might suggest and I think that he's nervous of discussing that with Edinburgh but also of having Warwick as his insurance with no guarantee of getting those grades either. Is there any way of checking to see if the Kent course made it into clearing last year and what grades they were asking for?