Exeter or Bristol for Economics??

[YaWeeGobshite]

Hi all, any advice appreciated - DD has offers from both of these and is trying to decide which to opt for. She is going to look at both cities soon, but I thought I’d ask the Mumsnet massive whether one is inherently ‘better’ for Economics than the other? Many thanks

I don’t know specially for economics (there might be a league table)? But I visited both when I was picking and they are very different unis - Bristol is not campus based so the halls and lecture theatres are spread about the town whereas Exeter is all one big campus which I much preferred and was one of the reasons I picked it.

For economics, I would say that Bristol is marginally 'better' in terms of academic reputation but I would think of them as being within the same tier. I wouldn't see choosing Exeter economics over Bristol economics as choosing a definitively lesser course.

Do they like maths? Bristol prides itself on having a relatively mathematical course. Indeed, afaik, it is one of only two Universities where you can graduate in econometrics, the LSE being the other.

Hi, my son will hopefully be studying Economics L100 this year too, and he spent many hours researching the best unis for this ,as his main requirement was the reputation and the academic strength and rigour of each course. I would agree with @Phphion, both are considered to be very good unis for economics , in the same tier, but maybe Bristol is ( or thought to be) marginally stronger. The difference is small, and if she prefers to spend 3 years in Exeter it's where she should probably be!

They are two good universities but very very different unis and incredibly different cities. Bristol is bigger with a lot more going on, Exeter is much smaller and more laid back but if I was into say, really into good nightlife Exeter may come up lacking.

Exeter are known for financial economics and offer Econ/Econometrics, so they are pretty maths-y too.

Happy to defer to your greater knowledge.

Bristol just seemed to make a thing of it.

With economics it is worth looking at the content of the course, including how much compulsory maths there is. We knew one girl who struggled with level of maths needed at Exeter, but happily graduated from Royal Holloway. Others though will see more maths as a posituve.

Thanks all - she is good at Maths. It’s good to hear that you all consider them to be in the same ‘tier’ in terms of rigour/reputation - it means she can choose on the basis of how she feels about each place when she visits them. Cheers!

My DC has loved Bristol. When there is no Covid (or rioting) it’s a lively city with lots to do for everyone. It certainly seems to suit a more liberal outgoing type of student. I think a quieter student could be a bit overwhelmed at first judging by my DC’s reports of life there. However, I am reliably informed that Bristol Economics students are well sought after in the jobs market and lots head into the City, accountancy etc. Can’t comment on Exeter although it’s on the possible university list for my next DC.

Indeed, afaik, it is one of only two Universities where you can graduate in econometrics, the LSE being the other.

This is not correct. Always a good idea to do a quick Google first before writing such things! York, Nottingham, Kent and Leicester also teach BScs with Econometrics in the title, and there may be a few more. Many other unis offer undergrad degrees in ‘Financial Economics’.

Thanks Much, reputation with employers is v important factor to consider too.

@lastqueenofscotland I get that Bristol and Exeter are very different cities but in what way are the Universities themselves different (apart from campus/non-campus)?

Different in what way other than location and campus/non campus?

Broadly similar in terms of student 'type', I'd say. Bristol is a very large university, Exeter a bit 'cosier' (advantages and disadvantages to both).

Might it be worth looking into assessment if that sways it? Assessment type does vary a lot form uni to uni and is sometimes quite hard to find out.

I think when it is really hard to decide between two so obviously great unis it probably does come down to place so it is a shame visiting is limited/impossible. Accommodation tours on YouTube? When I went to Open Days with DS1 to years ago I was surprised how much accommodation quality and location swayed my response , and his. Accommodation cost can be a factor , too.

Agree with @Piggywaspushed - they are very different in terms of student type. DNiece is a loud, festival loving type girl - she likes her live music, nights out etc. When she went to look at Exeter she’d been there about ten minutes and spoken to about four people before deciding she hated it. Too quiet, more of a formal atmosphere, students seemed more reserved (which is 100% fine if that’s what you are looking for - that’s the thing to remember with unis, it really is each to their own). She’s now at Bristol absolutely bloody loving it

If it was my choice I would go for Bristol purely because Exeter is a much longer/trickier journey!

Some of DD1’s friends thought Exeter was a bit boarding school in the country atmosphere (they hadn’t been to boarding school). Niece went there & loved it (normal large comprehensive & 6th form college).

@Piggywaspushed thank you, in terms of assessment she prefers Bristol as they take more coursework into account which would suit her.
@aintnocoffeebigenough that’s exactly the problem, we can’t go and speak to current students and get the general ‘vibe’. I’m so grateful to hear people’s views - I’ll show DD this thread

DD went to Bristol and a friend’s DS did the Econometrics course. Now lectures p/t. He didn’t have FM which meant, at the time, LSE wasn’t interested.

I think the type of student is overall pretty similar. Lots of DDs friends went to Exeter. Her school friends loved it because it was the closest thing to continuation of boarding school. It’s on a campus slightly out of town. It’s quite a gentle introduction to living away from home. DD enjoyed a good night out. So did her Exeter friends. They both have high numbers of independent school pupils and few from the north. Lots from London, SE snd SW. I wouldn’t put anyone off either though. Bristol has a lot more going on because it’s bigger. The city is more vibrant. The SU isn’t very active and the students were not remotely political when DD was there. She would have found Exeter limiting and didn’t want a continuation of school. She wanted a more independent existence which Bristol delivers. Your faculty at Bristol is not spread out. You only go to one! Exam halls can be!

I think Bristol has a slightly higher reputation regarding city jobs but don’t forget lots of the students come from ambitious families. Lots of grads stay in the area too. Exeter is a very popular destination from DC at our local grammars too. Every DC we know that went there is now working in London, except our neighbour’s DS who did maths and is in Canada. I don’t know any Economics grads from there but Bristol economics grads DD knows have done very well and are happy with their jobs.

I think the make up of students at Bristol varies by course and may have changed since contextual offers became common. I am not aware of DD knowing anyone who was a boarder.

DD (medical student) has been surprised at how few are from London and the SE, with loads from Wales, Belfast and other parts of England, especially the South West.

I am sorry about getting the econometrics wrong. I do know that in the past Bristol have emphasised that their course is rigorous and maths heavy. Exeter in contrast seemed to be emphasising links with accountancy, finance and other social sciences. The message remains the same. It is worth your DD sitting down, looking at course content and structure, and who is in the department and what their research interests are.

Good point @Needmoresleep re looking at department staff and their interests, thank you.
We live in Brighton and she’s from state school background. She’s pretty sociable and I do wonder if Exeter would be too quiet.

@PresentingPercy thanks, some pertinent points there particularly about the Bristol faculty being in one place, that’s good to know.

Hi @YaWeeGobshite
My DS is a 3rd year at Exeter and is very happy also. Loves the nearby beaches and surrounding countryside and everything is very walkable.
We are also from Brighton and looked at Bristol. Bristol feels a much bigger city to both Brighton and Exeter when we looked around it felt more like London?

Thanks @Lovecatsanddogs, good to know. DD likes to be able to walk everywhere too.

3 of my children went to Bristol and loved it. Exeter was on their lists but not as high up in terms of choice. None studied economics other than at A level.

Foe good graduate jobs of most kinds, with higher pay, I woud put Bristol slightly ahead of Exeter. Also we live in London and getting to Bristol is easier than Exeter (one reason my 3 Bristol ones by the way rejected Durham offers in favour of Bristol which was their key decision rather than a Bristol v Exeter one).

Bristol is a relatively small City compared with where we live in London and our children loved the Stoke Bishop Halls. One is even back in the City this year for post grad law as he likes Bristol as a place so much.

Thanks @Xenia that’s really useful, re jobs especially