Where do your DC go to uni, and what are their thoughts?

[electricfeel]

I have a Year 12 DS starting to look ahead to the university open days he would like to attend this summer. He is keen to pick a uni with a decent academic reputation (though probably not Oxbridge etc standard) in a city which he really likes. I was hoping to gather some opinions for him to consider on the unis which your DC attend and the cities they are in?

He's vaguely considering Bristol, Nottingham, Manchester, Sheffield and Cardiff so far but frankly insider feedback/info on any uni would be helpful as he/we are a little clueless

You need to state what A levels he is studying and what subject he is interested in studying at uni.

@Frostyskies1223 sorry about that. To be honest he is looking more for opinions on cities to be in as a student than course specific information, but if it is helpful he currently studies English Lit, Philosophy and Psychology - not entirely sure what degree course yet but will be an Arts subject along the lines of Philosophy, Theology, Sociology, English etc

Has he considered Southampton? It's a Russell group university and the city is quite nice with lots of transport link to other cities. With two unis there's lots to do for students.

Dd1 loves Cardiff uni. and the city itself.

Mine loves Nottingham. Lots of clubs and sports and nightlife is great. Beautiful campus with easy cheap tram access to city centre. And cheap house rental.

@Cornishmumofone Southampton is definitely a contender but contrary to what you have said, DS had the impression there wasn't very much going on there - not sure where he got that from though so he may be very much mistaken!

@TheDrsDocMartens @mumsneedwine fab to know. What courses are your DC studying?

My Dd had her first choice as Newcastle but end up in clearing as A level results weren't great
She opted for Cardiff met, not a red brick uni but had a fantastic experience there and graduated with a first!
Has returned to do her Masters there
Loves Cardiff as a city and the people are very friendly

Mine's doing medicine. But has friends doing lots of other things too.

One DC went to Southampton -had a good social life, seemed to have seen plenty of Indie bands there or in Portsmouth, and the accomodation was OK. Good Uni
Other DC went to Nottingham, did post grad there as well, and is now working there. There seems to be a lot of graduate employment around. Lovely uni campus, good student support, lots of student societies, variable accomodation ( but cheaper than Southampton), decent culture, good watersports.
I liked Sheffield when we visited and know a couple of friends whose DC went there and loved it.

I have a DS at Birmingham (Intl Rels) - absolutely loves it. Lots going on. Currently on year abroad at Uni of British Columbia - great opportunities for study abroad with Brum. DD has just started at Exeter after torrid time with uni applications in year 13. Best thing that could have happened to her - great course (History) great flatmates lots going on and lives the city. So can recommend both even though each very different.

My twins are at Bristol and love it. We live in London and it's not too far for them to get the train or drive (they both rejected Durham offers as did their older sister who also went to Bristol - although Durham is very good and probably better but I was certainly happy with the 3 of them choosing either. My other daughter went to Nottingham and liked it and my older son to Reading (he missed his grades for his Exeter place). I certainly prefer Bristol to those other 2.

My daughters are London lawyers after going to Bristol and Nottingham respectively.#
It can be worth looking at the linkedin or website profiles of newish graduates doing jobs your child might like to do to see where on the whole those who got those jobs went to.

Sheffield, it's a Russell Group university, the cost of living is probably lower than the other cities you've mentioned. There's a lot going on in both the city and the university - the university SU has a good reputation for the quality and quantity of it's societies. There's a strong arty/music scene across the city.

The city itself is very friendly and feels safe - I live there now - and can vouch for this. It's also really close to the Peaks and the Pennines - about 1/3 of the city is in the Peak District national Park, so if he's remotely outdoorsy he'll find plenty to do there. Inside the city is also surprisingly green, I've never come across another city with so many trees and parks.

Sheffield also has one of the highest rates of student retention post-graduation, people do seem to fall in love the place.

The UoS campus is ugly though.

@SaskiaRembrandt @SpringFan DS is keen on Sheffield - I seem to have heard less anecdotal stories about it compared to other unis and don't know any DC who go there so that is good to know.

electricfeel if he can cope with the hideous architecture on campus (he may like it, some people apparently do ) it's a great place. It's a city, but both campuses and the different areas of the city have a nice villagey feel.

Liverpool and loved it

My DS is in Liverpool.

It is an amazing city with incredible vibe, culture and wonderful people.

He loves it, loves the city and the Uni and he is thriving.

My younger DD is set on going there too, after hearing how much her brother is loving it.

@Jins he is considering Liverpool - city looks fab. One thing he is confused about is that on looking at the website the entry requirements seem to be typically ABB or even lower with EPQ, which is a lot lower than most RG unis like Leeds or Nottingham - is there a reason for this?

Ah, above question applies to @thekaiserswife too!

Can’t answer that I’m afraid. I wouldn’t be concerned tbh

DS in second year at Cardiff and loves it. It's a great city and pretty cheap for accommodation after first year. Sheffield was his other favourite but Wales won (we're not Welsh!!)

Cardiff is a Russell Group university!

@choirmumoftwo is Cardiff Uni heavily made up of Welsh students? Not that this would be a dealbreaker for DS, but we are not Welsh either, so I suppose being massively in the minority is something to consider.

One University of Birmingham graduate (Biochemistry), who has stayed on in the area and one current first year there (IR with French). Attractive campus, plenty of accommodation locally and lots to do in the city.

Other contenders between them were UEA, Southampton, York, Leeds. Other places applied to but gone off of, so to speak, upon mature reflection were Exeter (DD) and Warwick (both). DD also liked Kent, but it fought with UEA for a place on her UCAS form and just lost out.

DS2 is also year 12 and at the moment and after two visits is mad keen on UEA and Norwich in general. He has also looked at Leeds and liked it, but found the subject talk (History of Art) less inspiring; also Sussex, but only for a campus tour.