York or York St John

[isittimetogotobed]

My eldest is really keen on York for uni. I'm just wondering the difference between York and York St John?
I have no clue as it's a long time since I went to university.
Does anyone have any experience? Is one much better than the other?
Results are expected to be ABB if that makes any difference?

[MarchingFrogs]

OP: My eldest is really keen on York for uni.
Piggywaspushed: York has a vvvvvv good reputation for History of Art. It's a good choice.

Sounds like a plan to me...

[BubblesBuddy]

I didn’t mention Law! Where did that criticism come from? All my posts have suggested focussing on the best course, the best university for the degree (as predictions allow) and where you want to live, having taken an informed view.

History of Art is not that difficult to find but I would look at what recruiters might prefer in terms of university IF your DD has a job in mind. The degree obviously leads to certain jobs but they are not easy to come by. If she wants the degree because she loves the subject, then definitely do the degree that excites her. Studying abroad can be a wonderful experience too. So I would look for these opportunities.

[LaBelleSauvage123]

analytical

[LaBelleSauvage123]

We have had this dilemma in our house as DS1 (on gap year)was totally in love with Newcastle ( the city and the university) when he went for the open day, but didn't feel the same way about York at all, despite being very impressed with the psychology department and it being higher in the league tables than Newcastle for that subject. He swithered for a while but has finally decided on Newcastle. Didn't apply for Durham or Oxbridge despite having got high grades as he isn't keen on the idea of formal dinners, gowns, tradition, colleges etc. We talked about it a lot ( I went to Oxford a million years ago) but he was certain. Given that I chose Oxford because I was pushed by my school to apply and my college because I heard the choir singing evensong from the cloisters, I think he has gone through a much more developed and analytic decision making process!

[stubiff]

www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/ba-history-of-art/#entry

Job's a good 'un, if your DD is taking the EPQ and can get a C!

[MarchingFrogs]

I have suggested Birmingham but she feels it's too close to home ( we are in the midlands )

We're 160+ miles away, but I'm sort of hoping that DS2 won't choose Birmingham, if only because his siblings (a 2018 graduate and a current first year) both chose UoB and it would be nice to have a bit of variety. Also, my late mum loathed the 15 years in Staffordshire my dad's work landed her with, so I suspect her ashes would be swirling at the thought of all 3 grandchildren ending up back in the vicinity.

Although she did always enjoy a good day's shopping in Brum.

[isittimetogotobed]

Thank you all so much, we have a few more to visit too.
I have suggested Birmingham but she feels it's too close to home ( we are in the midlands )

[Piggywaspushed]

True.

The 'media' table annoys me more tbh!

[ErrolTheDragon]

Yes, although that grouping is History of (Art, Architecture, Design) - Architecture and (Art&Design) themselves are separate categories.

That list is at least perhaps a manageable starting point of where to even bother looking at, and it's fairly easy to drill down into the details for specific History of Art courses from there.

[GCAcademic]

There are really big differences between the various History of Art courses, rather more than between other humanities courses. Some are much more focused on modern and contemporary art and theory, others on medieval and Renaissance art. Some offer only modules on Western art, while others have a broader offering. Some involve a term abroad as part of the actual programme (rather than as an optional exchange). She does need to give the course serious attention, and not just base the decision on where she wants to live.

[Piggywaspushed]

I am not sure those subject rankings are awfully helpful because they conflate HoA and architecture , which really are not the same at all and different unis will offer one/both/neither. They do have a habit of doing this with their subjects.

[MarchingFrogs]

DS2 is also looking to do History of Art. From the two proper open days he has attended, he is very keen on the courses available at UEA. Quite besotted with UEA altogether and with Norwich generally, actually. He also quite liked Leeds (university, course, city). He has decided that he prefers campus universities to city, so York is definitely on the list to visit.

I'm sure that the 'hit rate' for jobs paying squillions (or many jobs at all, for that matter) that actually require a degree specifically in History of Art is fairly low, wherever one studies it, so one might as well do it in a place that makes one happy.

Subject rankings, as opposed to overall rankings, throw up a few surprises as well, btw.

[ErrolTheDragon]

History of Art must be a bit easier to narrow down than some subjects because relatively few unis offer it!


www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/history-of-art-architecture-and-design

It's not a subject I know anything about, but I see Birmingham is quite high on the rankings. I know it's got the Barber Institute, the campus and main halls sites are lovely and it seems to want ABB. one for her list of possibles, perhaps?

[Needmoresleep]

DD's was that she wanted something "like London" but not London. My friend's DD chose her Oxford college because she liked the lawn, another only applied to places where he could continue sailing. It does need to be a place where they feel comfortable and want to go.

[Toddlerteaplease]

@Needmoresleep my criteria for choosing a university was if it had a large cathedral!

[Piggywaspushed]

York has a vvvvvv good reputation for History of Art. It's a good choice. As well as being a great city.

[GCAcademic]

Well, YSJ don’t do History of Art. ABB should get her a place at other well-ranked universities for History of Art, though I see York itself is AAB (however their course is always in Clearing and is likely to accept a lower tariff). The employment field for related careers in this area is competitive. So it’s important to pick somewhere with a good reputation for the subject.

[isittimetogotobed]

Sorry for the late reply. My phone broke and I couldn't log on.
It's my DD actually. She wants to do History of Art. She has her heart set on York uni but I was just exploring other options of she doesn't get in there.
She had been to Bristol which she liked but not nearly as much as York. We are also going to go to Liverpool too. It's just so confusing to narrow down the search. She is torn between the best uni/ most interesting course and a city she will be happy in.

[Needmoresleep]

Bubbles, I think your background is law, which is by definition a pretty English profession. (And from past MN threads a pretty old fashioned and snobbish one.)

DH works in a specialist mid-level city role. It's really not about whether YSJ or York. I think only one of his current immediate colleagues is British anyway. British colleagues he has worked with have had degrees from places like Huddersfield or Southampton Solent, had work experience in local backroom operations of national/international banks then worked their way up including a transfer to London. Equally there are plenty in his organisation who grew up relatively locally, started at the bottom and proved themselves. DH went to Oxford, took a Masters at a RG and has a fairly traditional route through. In his field you are recruited on your performance in your last job rather than your University.

Xenia will be able to confirm that in many London private schools, white British are a minority. In part because parents able to afford fees tend to reflect the diversity found in many City workplaces, but also because many international parents and British ethnic minorities find the idea of sending your children away to school, very strange.

It depends a lot on subject. The likelihood is that degrees from York will be more rigorous reflecting the higher entry requirements. For those subjects/professions where what you cover at University (either technical knowledge or the ability to research evidence and argue) is important, York will PROBABLY be your better bet. But not always. I do not know much about YSJ, though a relative recently did a foundation course there, having mucked up her A levels and moved onto the degree of her choice elsewhere, but vocational degrees with good placements can be a good choice. (Oxbridge is not the best for costume design, product design or music technology, yet I know people making good livings in all.)

Its about subject, course content, and fit.

[BubblesBuddy]

I think the history of a university and it’s usp is quite important in the workplace. Clearly grad recruiters will view these universities differently. They will view ex polytechnics differently from UCL or Durham. It’s just the way it is for some recruiters. Niche local recruiters will have an entirely different view and York St John is more likely to fill that role. That applies to recruiters who like niche degrees as well. That’s why looking at a city and not exact courses and the best universities to match aspirations makes little sense.

[Benes]

The term 'Polytechnic' was not just the name for anything that wasn't actually a university...

True...plus we really need to get away from referring to uni's in this way. it's completely meaningless. Students applying to university now weren't even born in 1992. They don't care!

[Pootles34]

I went to YSJ and work at York - both lovely, for different reasons. Entirely depends on what they want to study, grades, what they want out of the experience, etc etc.

One thing I did struggle with YSJ is it's so small, there aren't many societies - just sports & Christian Union if I remember rightly.

York has loads! But then some may prefer a small uni - entirely depends. But yes, York as a uni city is lovely, and I'm sure they'll have a lovely time.

[MarchingFrogs]

Presumably the university itself should know whether it was ever at any point in its history a Polytechnic?
www.yorksj.ac.uk/about/our-history/
The term 'Polyrechnic' was not just the name for anything that wasn't actually a university...

[LemonPrism]

I have cousins who went to both and while the campus etc of YSJ is truly lovely, York is much better regarded

[LemonPrism]

York St John is an ex-poly and much lower on the tables