choosing a university - WWYD

[floraloctopus]

1. Russell group, high in the league tables, more expensive course, accredited by the professional institute, less optional modules to chose from, longer commute for student living at home, no credit transfer, more specialist course.

1. Not Russell group, lower in the league tables, cheaper course, not accredited, more optional modules, gives credit transfer, near for student living at home, more generic course.

DS can't choose which one to go for, he has a gut feeling but isn't sure it's the right choice.

Option 1. Professional accreditation is important if he plans to have a career in that particular field.

Why is the second option cheaper? What's the difference in cost?

Because he'll get credit transfer for the second and not the first.

That doesn't explain why it's cheaper? It it a college offering HE?

A credit transfer where? To another university?

Second might be a false economy if he then has to achieve professional accreditation afterwards.

Are you saying he's already got part of the qualification for option 2 so would be going into year 2 for example?

Professional accredited courses are held to two standards... The university and the professional body. I would always advise a course that offers professional accreditation. It's often a sign of quality.

Option 1 looks like a clear winner in terms of the best use of his time. The cost shouldn’t be too much of a factor as with better credentials, a better paid job is more likely.

@floraloctopus
It may help others if you can name the Unis and the subject.

He's already got some masters credits which reduce the cost. One is Edinburgh and the other is the Uni of west Scotland.

accredited by the professional institute,

Does he plan to use the professional accreditation after graduation ? If so, go for the course which includes it. If not, go for the one which provides wider choice of options. Relatively easy to see why an institution would choose one or the other. You are likely to want one or the other, too

Simples

I can't see how he'd use it as it's more for people going into an allied profession which he won't be.

So this is for Masters level?
I'd go for Russell Group.

Why is he doing a Masters? Is it to increase employability?

Many many are doing a masters these days, so if it is for employability, he needs to stand out, so a " better" uni on his cv may be the ticket.

Also, if it's just for one year of study, then the money/ course cost isn't going to be massive in the grand scheme of things.

What sort of degree is it?

What subject is it? Does he have a.career plan? Which university has the better reputation for the subject and for getting people into his chosen career?

Edinburgh

Definitely option 1.

But not living at home

Edinburgh is one of the best universities in the world. It will give him a much higher standard of teaching, he'll mix with lots of bright people and it looks far better on his CV. This is an easy choice.

Although Edinburgh is a brilliant university it doesn't necessarily mean a better standard of teaching ... It very much depends on the subject.

Absolutely agree that university reputations do not depend on, or indicate, a higher standard of teaching. If anything, the reverse.

University reputations are made in research, so the better ones will provide direct access to the people considered to be the top in their field and at the forefront of research their field.

If anything , a less well thought of university is more likely to pay more attention to teaching and pastoral care.

He's doing it because he's interested in the subject.

But what are his career aspirations?

It would also help to know the subject so we can advise if the professional accreditation is important.

Edinburgh! I thought Scottish students didn't have to pay for their courses any way. Like the old English system.

But there's no contest. One is globally acknowledged as a top uni. And I'd never heard of the other, even though DSs have been looking at every uni under the sun in the last two years.

@FinallyHere "If anything , a less well thought of university is more likely to pay more attention to teaching and pastoral care."

If a university has a good standard of teaching and pastoral care it isn't a 'less well thought of' university. It's a good one.

OP, is it lack of confidence that is putting your son off Edinburgh?

Often highly rated teaching is because they have to do more of it because students come with lower grade A levels. Other universities expect you to hit the ground running and stay running. Pastoral care is utterly different and many universities are reviewing their procedures and have really improved what they do. However if you live at home, then parents are obviously involved a great deal and are not absent.

Edinburgh for most courses would be a top choice.

Also, you never know where you might end up in life. Plan B might be using the accreditation!