Do these universities have a good reputation?

[SausageCrush]

Dd is looking to do psychology in 2021.

We've looked at the ratings and factored in all sorts of things such as her predicted grades, T.EF. rating, graduate prospects, distance from home, campus, etc.

What we would really appreciate is some insider information about whether the following have good reputations, because that isn't something you can find out online. You need to know someone who works in academia or recruits graduates.

We might be over thinking this, but would appreciate any input on the following:-

Portsmouth
Leicester
Hull
Lincoln
Aberystwyth

We plan to visit them over half term. Just to add that these will be whittled down to become choices 3, 4 and 5. Her first choices are Cardiff & Sussex. We've already visited both of these.

Thank you!

Thank you.
All of your suggestions are useful and we're enjoying the debates!
We are definitely concentrating on the higher end of the table and prioritising those offering a placement year.
Just to remind you that her top two are still Cardiff and Sussex and she really wants to go to one of these. It's just places 3, 4 & 5 on the UCAS form that she's looking at.
Aberystwyth was put on the list (originally at 5) in case she does really badly, but may go up as it does offer a placement year.

I think Sussex had places in clearing couple of years ago. Try to get hold of info from this year if possible.

@Fere

I think Sussex had places in clearing couple of years ago. Try to get hold of info from this year if possible.

Pretty much every university has places in clearing these days.

I think which university you go to matters more for professions like law and other similar professions. In many cases where graduates are applying for jobs that requires the applicant to be educated to degree level then it matters not a jot in most cases. Not everyone wants to be a high flying lawyer or banker.

That said, I agree that some degrees at some universities don't seem to be able to furnish the graduate with the right tools to get on the career ladder. I would imagine it would be difficult to get a law training contract with BBC at A level and a degree from one of the universities at the bottom of the table. That isn't being sniffy, but realistic.

Is it me or are law and psychology the most popular subjects just now?

Is it me or are law and psychology the most popular subjects just now?

They've always been two of the most popular subjects. They, alongside nursing&business, always feature in the top ten most popular subjects.

The DCs 6th form said exactly that, they are the 2 most popular subjects followed by design , that being a rather broad range of subjects. I guess with the former 2 they don't specify subjects so more can apply.

This isn't a fact at all. It may ring true for some sectors and some employers but these perceptions are being challenged all the time because it is recognised that there are many reasons why some students don't attend an elite university

Maybe, but it isn't universally recognised and, until it is, then (all other things being equal) students generally will be helping their prospects of getting onto a postgraduate course or whatever by attending the best university they can with their grades. There are now many more psychology graduates than there were when I did my degree and competition to get onto postgraduate courses must be even fiercer. Of course there will always be people who defy the odds. but I suspect that candidates from universities low in the tables will start at a disadvantage.

Maybe, but it isn't universally recognised and, until it is, then (all other things being equal) students generally will be helping their prospects of getting onto a postgraduate course or whatever by attending the best university they can with their grades.

But all things aren't equal - far from it.
It's known and accepted across higher education and many elite professions to be the case.
We are far from living in a meritocracy unfortunately.

I would only consider red brick universities, 2 of which I attended.

University of Birmingham
University of Bristol
University of Leeds
University of Liverpool
University of Manchester
University of Sheffield

You could branch out to Russell Group which includes the above, plus:

University of Cambridge
Cardiff University
Durham University
University of Edinburgh
University of Exeter
University of Glasgow
Imperial College London
King's College London
London School of Economics & Political Science
Newcastle University
University of Nottingham
University of Oxford
Queen Mary, University of London
Queen's University Belfast
University of Southampton
University College London
University of Warwick
University of York

So really your best choice is Cardiff.

@bigbluebus

We visited Leicester with DS and one thing that put him off was that Halls were a 45 min walk from the Uni and the bus pass was £500.

We bought DD the bus pass at Leicester last year and it was definitely less than HALF that price. Most days she walked in anyway.

DD2 isn't studying psychology but is studying at Leicester. The accommodation people at Oadby are wonderful. Pre-Covid, we rocked up unannounced in the school Easter holidays and we had a personal tour round. DD had a nice room in a self catered flat sharing with 9 others last year. There were events on every week, only cut short by Covid.

This year she is in a private house with 4 other students, a 15 minute walk from her department and 20 minutes from a big supermarket. The university has been proactive in helping her sort this out. They have been great about moving things online; all DD's exams were set that way with decent deadlines and they were very sympathetic about our terrible rural broadband. Today I received a generic email to parents from the VC and was impressed at both the fact the email was sent, and its contents.

I had never visited Leicester before we looked at the accommodation. It is a vibrant, inexpensive, friendly, multi-cultural city. I was brought up in a big northern city; DD has lived in a rural hamlet since she was 5. She loves it and I have to say, I have felt safe and welcome there.

One of the best universities for Psychology is Bath. Not RG. Asks for high grades. I think a number of us have said not to discount RG but just putting up a list of them is pointless. There are first class, good and less good within that list.

With over 85 universities offering Psychology it is obviously ludicrously competitive to get the further training. Most psychology grads give up or don’t try in the first place. The degree holder then has to compete with any other degree in the jobs market. Although looking at social work and health jobs like OTs and counselling (not sure what qualification is actually needed for this?) are definitely worthwhile, plus HR.

I notice on another thread there is concern about the fierce competition to get trained. There is also fierce competition for other jobs too and an ever increasing number of of psychology grads wanting them. Not even talking about city jobs or law! It is important to give yourself the best chance to get qualified and the best chance to compete in another line of work if you have to.

Cardiff (15th) is one above Sussex in the tables and below Bath (4th) and Lancaster (10th).

AnoDeLosMuertos

I find it incredible that you would rank Liverpool, higher than Oxford,Cambridge, Durham, LSE and UCL.
I say that as a Liverpool graduate.

It depends on her academic ability but these are all pretty low level. Check courses carefully as well because lots of students think they like Psychology based on the A level which is pretty‘soft’ whereas Psychology proper is pretty scientific.

Don’t know about academic reputation of your list. There’s good advice here in that.
If all else equal I’d add that of the places to live for three years I’d rank them

1. Lincoln - small and bit difficult by train though if that worries your D.C.
2. Leicester
3. Aberystwyth
4. Hull/Portsmouth. Hull is actually more lively than it used to be - has changed but it really is remote from other things. Portsmouth is very mixed.

Above just liveability.

Her choices all look good OP. A mix of grades for the rest is probably sensible but next year is going to be impacted by COVID as well as 2020 so in some ways it doesn't matter hugely.

Of her top two, Cardiff would be my preference, it is good for psychology too.

@AnoDeLosMuertos

I would only consider red brick universities, 2 of which I attended.

University of Birmingham
University of Bristol
University of Leeds
University of Liverpool
University of Manchester
University of Sheffield

You could branch out to Russell Group which includes the above, plus:

University of Cambridge
Cardiff University
Durham University
University of Edinburgh
University of Exeter
University of Glasgow
Imperial College London
King's College London
London School of Economics & Political Science
Newcastle University
University of Nottingham
University of Oxford
Queen Mary, University of London
Queen's University Belfast
University of Southampton
University College London
University of Warwick
University of York

So really your best choice is Cardiff.

Why would you only consider red brick universities? That's incredibly close-minded.

@AnoDeLosMuertos

I would only consider red brick universities, 2 of which I attended.

University of Birmingham
University of Bristol
University of Leeds
University of Liverpool
University of Manchester
University of Sheffield

You could branch out to Russell Group which includes the above, plus:

University of Cambridge
Cardiff University
Durham University
University of Edinburgh
University of Exeter
University of Glasgow
Imperial College London
King's College London
London School of Economics & Political Science
Newcastle University
University of Nottingham
University of Oxford
Queen Mary, University of London
Queen's University Belfast
University of Southampton
University College London
University of Warwick
University of York

So really your best choice is Cardiff.

By only considering red brick universities you are potentially discounting some excellent institutions. And if employers only consider graduates from these universities they are potentially missing out on some excellent people.

They would be missing out on Bath and Lancaster grads for a start and Loughborough and St Andrews! The list of 5 red bricks was not the best list for Psychology by any means. Obviously Oxford and Cambridge are better!

Bath one of the best for psychology

@Serin

AnoDeLosMuertos

I find it incredible that you would rank Liverpool, higher than Oxford,Cambridge, Durham, LSE and UCL.
I say that as a Liverpool graduate.

They’re not in rank order. But I wouldn’t go to a collegiate through personal choice.

They would be missing out on Bath and Lancaster grads for a start and Loughborough and St Andrews

And other really decent universities like Essex, Reading, Stirling and Strathclyde.

My son is at Aberystwyth and really enjoying it. It's a lovely little town next to the sea. They have a big student village which is opposite the university so they are all together. There is some accommodation on the seafront. He's been able to stay in university accommodation for the whole of his degree which has been cheaper. B&Bs are cheap and lovely for when I visit.