Any experience of Cardiff, Sussex, Kent, Reading & Keele?

[SausageCrush]

Dd will be going to university in 2021 to study psychology and is frustrated by the current lack of open days.

She chosen the above 5 as they all include a placement year.

If anyone has any advice, suggestions or experience to share we would be grateful.

[Xenia]

My son went to Reading via clearing as he missed his place at Exeter due to lower grades than hoped for. It was fine there but go for the one requiring the highest grades perhaps and have a look at the linkedin profiles of people who are what your daughter wants to be for a career to see where they went - the younger ones so see what is the best place for that career.

[My0My]

Of course some students want to live a bit more wild! Cosy and secure isn’t for them. They get that at home so want university life to have a bit more edge.

[SpeedofaSloth]

I went to Keele, it is lovely. The campus is beautiful and it felt cosy and secure. I took DS (11) there recently (Hawthorns was being demolished, it was a get together for former Thorns students) and he loved it too, to the point that he says he is going there when he is old enough. No idea what he wants to study but there is something about that campus which he responded to very strongly, and I have to say I had the same feeling during my own open day

I had part time jobs in Newcastle-under-Lyme and on campus. Nearest rail station is Stoke, a bus ride away.

[isithotinhereorisitjustme]

One of my sons is at Keele about to go into his final year and is loving it. Lots on campus and decent transport links for socialising/ gigs off campus if desired. He isn't doing psychology so can't comment on the course, though but he is loving his course.

[CottonSock]

I went to Sussex but live in Cardiff. Cardiff is a city campus, Sussex is pretty much rural. I loved that part of it, but it's a big difference..Brighton and cardiff are both amazing cities to live.

[RummidgeGeneral]

In these troubled times my advice to any potential applicants is to check out the financial accounts/financial statements of the unis. Accounts for the 2018 2019 academic year will have been published online. Look to see whether there are operating surpluses or deficits (figures will be shown in brackets). Also compare levels of borrowing of the different institutions. It is important because if an institution was founded n trouble last year COVID will have added to its woes.

[SausageCrush]

Continued thanks!
We're reading all your experiences with great interest.
At the moment Cardiff is top of the list, but we'll have to do lots more research and hopefully visit before Dd decides anything.

[MsSweary]

I went to Kent and still go to Canterbury quite regularly, there are two night clubs and loads of venues that have live music, it's a city which is now quite focussed on younger people and it wasn't always like that.

I remember the psychology department was in a separate building and it was all a bit mysterious, like the psychology department existed in a world of it's own, but I'm not quite sure what gave it that vibe.

[My0My]

Or even use off peak trains! Can be cheap if you are flexible. Best advice though is to make friends and not come home too much.

[bruffin]

Its worth looking at Megabus . They serve a lot of universities and are really cheap . Dd comes home quite regularly and once made a last minute decision to come home at 6 and was on a bus 30 minutes later.

[okiedokieme]

Bit of advice in more general - look at the 3rd (4th) year course content, tends to vary more than earlier years, look at setting - keele is very different to Cardiff, look at travel time to home - whilst sone students barely go home others want to 2 or more times a term so a long journey is ideal, SE universities will cost more especially living out. Look at teaching set up, lectures seminars, tutorials etc - different styles suit different students. If she has any additional needs some are a lot better than others. Finally try to get a spread of offers - 1-2 aspirational, 2 at the predicted grades and 1-2 insurance approx 3 grades below prediction (eg BBB if predicted AAA). If you can get her to visit the cities at some point it is helpful if they are places she's never been. Keele is very much a marmite institution, not for me for sure but really suits some.

[spababe]

My son is at Cardiff and enjoys it there. Lots going on in the city and although he's not a clubber, he loves all the pubs with live music. Cheap and plentiful accommodation with streets and streets of student houses close to both the town and the Uni. I think he pays about £80 a week plus bills. Social life tends to be more city based rather than at the student uni. Good transport links - buses trains and the cheap Dragon Taxis which work like Ubers. I think he had a BBB offer which he exceeded but one of his friends got into the same course on BCD - just depends on numbers. Lots of shops in Cardiff both chains and independents. Lots of hotels and restaurants for visiting however prices vary considerably depending on what events are on.
The town is NUTS if the rugby is on especially if combined with another event eg a concert. Good atmosphere though but they have to close the roads because of all the people.

[bruffin]

The university of South Wales, is in another town ( Pontypridd) north of cardiff.
There is a campus in Cardiff itself, my Dds friend goes there and we have driven past it.

[user1486131602]

Both my kids:
a son at Cardiff Met Uni, studying cyber crime and a daughter studying Forensics, have had a great experience!
They both chose to study ‘at home’ as Cardiff has the 2nd best results for cyber, and recently the medical part of the Uni has had purpose built forensic site said to be better than none!
The city also has a University teaching hospital close by.

The university of South Wales, is in another town ( Pontypridd) north of cardiff.

Cardiff university and Cardiff Met University are both sited in the city.

Cardiff is a vibrant city, used to students from many countries and counties, we are friendly helpful And outgoing.

If your daughter chooses Cardiff I’m sure she will Will be happy and make lifelong friends. If not, I wish her well! Good luck

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

Cardiff rules! I'm still here at 38, couldn't bear to leave

[lovinglife321]

My daughter is in Cardiff and couldn't be happier. She chose it because it's a RG and will be doing a placement year. Accommodation for this year is under £400 p/m. She was told she would need AAB but prior to starting her 1st year she had a letter stating she would be accepted if she had BBB.

[SausageCrush]

Hi My0My

Thank you for all your help and advise.

She's had a look online and is particularly drawn to Cardiff and Brighton as they are more 'lively' and it will be just what she wants after living (as we currently do) in a quiet, rural area!

She has done lots of work experience and volunteering geared towards psychology (including this summer as a research assistant - albeit remotely) and hopes this will offset her exam results as she gets very stressed. We have studied the league tables and think Cardiff and Brighton seem a decent fit if she can get AAB/ABB next summer.

[My0My]

I think the other thing many students consider is if they want a city (Cardiff) or whether they want a fairly remote campus (Keele). There are significant differences. What else does she enjoy? If life comes back to normal, would she value what cities and larger towns have to offer? Or is she happy to stay on campus and not leave very much? Some students like the all inclusive experience but others cannot wait to get to a bigger city or town. Many people who value Brighton would not like Keele and it’s largely rural setting.

[SausageCrush]

Thank you all again for the replies.
We are planning some weekends away over the next few months!
Keep them coming - it's lovely to have so many opinions.

[My0My]

Of these only Cardiff is RG. Posters don’t always like that but evidence shows RG grads earn more. Therefore if she needs an alternative job, Cardiff might be better.

[My0My]

Sussex, Kent and Cardiff are in the top 20 in the Complete University Guide. Reading is 55 and Keele is 60. I would think seriously about putting these two above the other three based on rankings for a Psychology.

A key issue is who actually gets a training contract to become a psychologist from these courses. I’m assuming that by wanting a year out, this is the end goal. Very many psychology students don’t get anywhere near this but do of course get other grad jobs.

Often the best courses ask for the highest grades because they do attract people who will get the training jobs post degree. Bath for example is a good bet. So try and get the actual destinations of grads - how many actually become psychologists (or similar)?

[cologne4711]

Cardiff is a capital city - it's a great place to study.

I know the Reading campus, it's very nice.

Brighton is obviously a great place for students too.

Canterbury is a lovely city.

Not been to Keele but it is finding its way onto ds' list as a possible insurance application, as it looks good but doesn't ask for impossible grades.

[bruffin]

I think dd is only paying about £350 in Cardiff. Really nice houses owned by the same landlord .There is a dodgy landlord in Cardiff that was featured on Joe Lycetts got your back. But DD has a lovely landlord

[Yourownpersonaljesus]

DD is currently at Reading and loves it. Close proximity to London (as previously mentioned). Accommodation is expensive there in my opinion. She is paying £550 per month for a room in a house this year, though she probably could’ve found something cheaper if she wasn’t so fussy!

[DivisionBelles]

DD went to Reading and had a fabulous three years. So much so that she's now relocating from her first grad job in Brum to go back to Reading.

DS is at Sussex and loves the Brighton lifestyle. Accommodation is expensive though. His 2nd year house share is £500 pm and this year's is an eye watering £585!