UCL or Exeter for History

[aibutohavethisusername]

DD has narrowed down her offers now. She needs to decide which to firm and which to insure.

UCL History
Exeter History And Ancient History

Any advice?

I agree with the above. There will be a "what if" if she does not go with her heart. Try and do everything you can to support her decision.

The situation with regard to exams is now a worry isn't it? Are there differences between the offers from the two universities? Is there an obvious firm and insurance choice regarding grades required? For what its worth, I think adding Ancient History can lower offers and ensure a bit of flexibility regarding entry to courses, but I have not checked. I think, though, if she really wants History at UCL I would go with it. She has an oportunity to continue to work and has a work ethos. Therefore she everything in place to make a success of UCL and she does not appear to be wanting a small city with a campus university. Go with what she wants and please do ot worry about money. These issues do get sorted out and it is best that she does not regret her decision because you have persuaded her that her top choice is not affordable. That might not be great for your relationship.

Thanks both.

British Museum, British Library, National Archives all in London

More than that different Universities offer a wealth of public lectures. Depending on where her interests lie she can almost certainly find things of interest at KCL (war studies) LSE (political and economic) SEES and SOAS (East European, and Oriental and African) and so on. She could sign up to a couple of seat filling agencies to go to talks by big name historians, mainly to launch books. And all the rest. Queue for cheap theatre and ballet tickets, comedy and gigs on the various campuses, sport at ULU, buy fruit from Berwick Street market, bubble tea in Soho, discover a London largely invisible to working and commuting people.

UCL has the Slade Art School in the middle of its campus, RADA more or less across the road and the medics around the corner, along with some world class scientific research. Throw in the fact that it is a magnet for bright students from around the world, and there is a real buzz. A buzz your daughter seems to have picked up on. And nothing to stop your DD from going to LSE's famed Friday night disco. London can be challenging but if you are able and prepared to rise to that challenge, it can be very rewarding.

Needmoresleep you’ve sold it to me.

UCL offer is AAA, ABB if she does some coursework which she has done. Exeter is BBB.

She has pushed the buttons and firmed UCL and put Exeter as the insurance without visiting.

Sorry. It was quite a personal response. I went to a rather dull girls convent boarding school, back in the days when girls were not encouraged to push against boundaries, and was determined to study in London. I did not apply to Oxbridge and the college system at Durham did not seem a sufficient step away.

I do not regret my decision at all. Oxbridge/Durham are fantastic Universities, but would not have been right for me at that time. Student London is not dismal, if London is what you want and are determined to make the most of the fantastic opportunities that the University and the Capital have to offer.

DS also went to London and it was right for him in different ways. He is studious and a non-drinker, and loved the academic opportunities on offer. (Not just the course, but his interested, bright, international peers, the visiting lecturers, etc.) DD has just received an offer to study in London next year, as a sort of academic gap year in the middle of her medical degree. She is delighted. London really is love it or loathe it. If this is where your daughter wants to study, I suspect Exeter won't be the same. (And vice versa.)

Congratulations on making the decision!

DD has been thrown by Durham also making her an offer - she was literally logged into ucas to firm Exeter when it came up. So now she needs to decide! ( She also has drama audition recalls scheduled but it’s not clear if/how these will be done)

errorofjudgement That’s a tough decision to make. Which way is she swaying?

No idea! She loved Exeter, but turning down Durham....
I hope she takes a bit of time and then chooses the one where she is most likely to be happy, she’s very lucky to have the choice and has friends at both (& already has A levels)

That’s good that she already has her A-levels in the bag. Is it for History too?

Sorry. Ignore my last comment, I read up thread it was for History.

Lol x
Will let you know what she chooses, once she decides!
Good luck to your DD in her assessments and final grades.

Thank you. Would love to know where they both end up going.

Sorry I know this thread is a bit old but just wondered where your dd ended up @aibutohavethisusername?

My dd has just been redirected from Oxford (Ancient and Modern History) and is now considering Exeter. She did look briefly at UCL and the course looked good but we live in the London suburbs and she wanted to experience living in a different city.

Hi bendmeoverbackwards my daughter ended up at UCL and is enjoying it. She was in private halls but is staying at home at the moment and will hope to eventually go back.

I've had DC at both. UCL more prestigious to my mind.

Lots of London students love Exeter. It’s obviously campus and a bit out of the city but not far at all. It’s favoured by lots of people who like a fairly intimate university and some go with friends! None of DDs friends went there alone! It’s a continuation of school someone said to me. I think there is some truth in that.

Academically not quite UCL but whether that matters is a moot point. Depends on what job she is seeking (possibly) but Exeter isn’t a barrier. If you live within Greater London it’s often pleasant to go somewhere else. UCL second years can live miles away from UCL and the cost of living is quite high. Would she commute? If she’s thinking about that, I’m not sure you really get the same experience and Exeter might be better. What are her friends doing?

And when I say friends of DD, I don’t mean secondary age. Lots of primary friends went there too! Together.