University of Bristol vs University of the West of England

[Janus]

Daughter has got herself into a bit of a state trying to decide! She hasn’t had an offer yet from university of Bristol but she should get it via a contextual offer. She’s also got predicted grades for their full requirements anyway. Waiting to hear.
She’s now worried she won’t ‘fit in’ if she does get an offer from UOB. She goes to the local comp, we are a bit left wing and she’s worried that most of the other students will be from private schools and she won’t fit in or have much in common. She wants to do Sociology so I’ve said the people on her course would probably be the people she’d get on with. She’s worried about who would be in her accommodation.
It’s all a bit daft to me, tried saying I’m sure everyone will be nice and she will be fine, she’s got friends that are all over the place socially and politically and she gets on with it.
I think it’s all come from how awful it is at the moment, we’ve not even seen any of the unis she’s applied for and although Bristol is top of her list she hasn’t even been to Bristol! I’m not surprised she’s having a wobble.
Does anyone have children at either uni that can tell me how theirs is getting on and what they may like about it or dislike about it please??

I don't think it's wrong to generalise about who goes to witch calls although I know Wills where 2 of mine went was definitely trying to encourage more state applications. My son's block on the quad of 9 or 10 boys was 7 state schools and rest private not that they were sitting there going on about schools all day. Churchill where his twin went to is apparently about top of every hall in the country in terms of most from private schools - 59% - thetab.com/uk/2019/06/28/these-are-the-uni-halls-with-the-most-private-school-k%E2%80%8Bids-in-the-uk-107469

I work at UWE, if you want to DM me at all. I guess I would say just think about the course, the teaching including contact hours and modules. At UWE we received a Gold rating for our teaching but UOB got silver... Look at what past students on the course have said, facilities that are important to her and also what it will be like to live there. If she lived on frenchay in her first year that's a different proposition to UoB halls- maybe feels a bit easier and more approachable being on a campus, but you are outside the city.
We have a real mix of backgrounds at UWE, but does the overall mix really matter when it will only be a few people she's directly living with?

Sorry I didn’t look at this thread yesterday!
I do see what you mean and do agree when you say we shouldn’t judge private school kids too. It’s just we don’t actually know anyone with kids in private schools around here but I’ve just remembered a family we meet up with on holiday each year and they are all privately educated so I shall remind her of that because they really are good pals. As you say, they all just want to get to Uni and get on with everyone and I’m sure you don’t have a conversation about what sort of school you went to.
She particularly liked UOB because they have an amazing study abroad year. You can choose from so many and she has her heart set on Australia. I hope she gets the offer now after her realising that she really would like to go there. They seem to be taking their time with admissions.

Also private school is such a brioad church from working class (or other) people on full bursaries, to BAME families with 4 full time working parents contributing to the fees, and the big difference between say a private school like Manchester Grammar and my children's day schools and some of the very posh full time boarding schools and then you get to here in London where some children will be very rich at comprehensive schools in areas where houses cost £1m and then the very selective day school grammars in the state sector such as Henrietta Barnett etc

To be fair I specifically said the old quad at Wills. With shared bathrooms. They might encourage a wide spread of applicants but only some dc will put up with the ancient furniture and bathrooms etc. It’s just how it is. There are more modern buildings at Wills and they do attract a wider mix. So yes, all sorts are there! I still think any hall is ok for any dc but the old quad tends to be different.

Bristol is a research led university. Students are expected to work independently. Gold standard teaching in reality means more hand holding. Employers do know the difference. Universities with lots of foundation courses are often gold standard teaching because the students need more help. Teaching is also subjective and very much depends on options chosen. Often the best lecturer on paper isn’t the best at conveying their subject. How students and lecturers gel is often key.

I hope she gets an offer but applications closed late this year.

Do be aware that the year abroad is competitive. Australia is very popular. DD cannot expect to go but should aim to go.

@PresentingPercy I do think Wills looks very pretty. One of my eldest DDs friends was in the quads and loved it.
Wish I was in Bristol today seeing my youngest for lunch. But we are being good and not breaking the rules (even if it is killing me a bit).

I’m afraid I simply can’t fathom turning down Bristol university for UWE. Bristol is a much higher ranked university, 16 vs 64 in the good university guide and is more prestigious. Not that this is the be all and end all but it will open more doors in many professions.

I miss visiting Bristol. I need to get there when I can!

At is right, just about no one would. it is not like choosing between Durham and Bristol where either is not going to hinder job prospects.
I agree on Wills Hall except my son was in old quad 2 years ago and had mostly state school people in his group of 9 with shared bathrooms - there was an ancient bath and loo on his top floor and he just went down to the next floor down for his shower - it was fine. Probably boys are happier with that than some girls.

Yes. It’s probably more a girl thing! DD did meet state educated pupils there - of course!
It’s definitely about who you are as a person rather than where you went to school. I think the old fashioned catered halls tend to attract DC who eat anything. I think if DC is vegan, it is perhaps better doing self catering.

Although my son in Wills Hall did his year there as a vegan - he has been vegan since he was about 15 and the kitchen staff (in non covid days) were lovely and always had extra food he could eat for him etc.

That’s a big improvement then! Stodgy stews in DDs day!

Bath
Cambridge
Oxford
Birmingham
Durham
Exeter
Imperial
Leeds
Newcastle
Nottingham
Royal Academy of Music
Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Royal College of Music
Royal Northern College of Music
Royal Veterinary School
St Andrews
York.

Yep, I bet even the lowliest employer has these in their well-used list of places whose graduates to avoid like the plague. On account of the level of handholding they will have demanded and received, unlike those from Bristol or Warwick.

On the basis of Silver TEF being preferable to Gold from an employer's point of view, presumably being presented with the cv of a graduate from a Bronze TEF institution must be the prize above rubies? I'm surprised that anyone who didn't go to LSE ever manages to get a job...

OP I think your DD would love Bristol. It’s very diverse in culture and there is a lot going on in the city. My DD would also love to go to Bristol. We live in the EU and she attends an international school so I think she’s attracted by the diversity there.
Also, my BIL attended UWE and he absolutely loved it. He was privately educated and felt right at home there! He was out every weekend and had many friends.