Which Uni for Economics- UEA or Cardiff?

[Allfurcoatandnoknickers]

Any experience/advice greatly appreciated! My DD finished ‘A levels’ and we’ve just done some non virtual look rounds both Unis and Cities- loved both but need to put one down as first choice ASAP!
She’s had same offers from both so now just making a pros and cons list - any thoughts??

Which one is easiest to get to from home? And do you think she will prefer campus or not?

Cardiff is Russell group I think or at least a high ranking red brick. UEA is good for the creative writing masters but that's about it. If she wants a job as a serious economist then it has to be Cardiff.

She liked the UEA campus very much and is very hard working and not really a party girl (at the moment!)
Cardiff was always number one in her mind but UEA thrown her a bit as she liked it way more than she thought she would.

Should say that neither is easy to get to!!

Cardiff is Russell group I think or at least a high ranking red brick. UEA is good for the creative writing masters but that's about it. If she wants a job as a serious economist then it has to be Cardiff. Err that's a bit of a put-down. Pretty sure UEA has scored higher in The Sunday Times rankings in recent years than Cardiff.

Actually UEA comes out much higher. Not bothered that it’s not red brick or Russell group or whatever- it’s very independent of all that which is fine by me. It’s good for research and policy which is what DD more interested in

That’s higher in terms of ranking for economics and also way higher for student satisfaction which in my opinion is worth a lot!

DS is at UEA and loves it. Six pupils from his very high achieving secondary school went there from his year group (including to study medicine). For him, it's definitely been the right choice. I've not ever heard him say anything bad about it! Coincidentally DN is there too (and no, it's not a local university to us) and very much enjoying herself. It just has a really good, positive and caring vibe about it.

There's a thread for parents of current UEA young people if you want to ask any more questions. You'd be most welcome.

It’s good for research and policy which is what DD more interested in. Not to mention that the main scientist behind the AZ vaccination programme at Oxford, is a UEA alumnus.

Thanks 😊 will take a look

Love your username BTW @Allfurcoatandnoknickers!!!

What’s vaccination scientific work got to do with an economics degree?

I don’t think either are that strong for Economics. In general terms RG outperforms other universities for salaries but that might be of no importance to your DD.

Student satisfaction is pretty meaningless as so few students take part in any surveys. Most students at most universities are happy. Whether they get the job they want afterwards is what really matters to a lot of economists so I would look at the curriculum and consider how it prepares students for the jobs they want. What does dd want to do? Teach, be a policy adviser to the government, work for a think tank - look at what students do afterwards and most importantly where?

Here are their rankings in the Complete university Guide. Nothing in it. Neither is top 30. So go to whatever she likes.

@NewModelArmyMayhem18

Love your username BTW *@Allfurcoatandnoknickers*!!!

Thanks 😂

@PresentingPercy

Here are their rankings in the Complete university Guide. Nothing in it. Neither is top 30. So go to whatever she likes.

Thanks- it’s a different rankings - very confusing as UEA was 8th in the one I was looking at and Cardiff well below. She’s not completely made up her mind what she wants to do. Fine by me too. I did law and work for charities now - go figure

UEA has a really great centre for competition policy if that interests her. It’s a centre for excellence for that area in the U.K.

Thanks for the heads up on that - yes it does interest her!

Cardiff is Russell group and UEA is a post 1960s university. These things really do matter in the job market I'm afraid , especially in an Academic field. Might not be what you want to hear but it's a fact.

Cardiff!

I am not sure the lower ranking RG outweighs others. Bath is ranked far more highly for economics. Cardiff is lower than it should be in my view.

I would discount the Guardian rankings. Far too much emphasis on student satisfaction. Also do not forget that not all students can get the plum policy jobs. There is huge competition.

My DD volunteered at the Citizens Advice Bureau near where she lived and her mentor was a barrister. So you can work at whatever you like if it pays the bills.

Thanks all. She’s just chosen UEA - it was a hard decision for her to make as she liked both Unis but it was completely her choice.

@Allfurcoatandnoknickers, all, being well on August 10th, DS2 will be starting at UEA, too - I think he will be spending most of his days hidden away in the Sainsbury Centre, though.

My DS is studying economics at UEA and is doing great - good luck to your DD @Allfurcoatandnoknickers

Thanks - she is very happy with her choice and I'm sure she'll be happy at UEA (providing her grades match up!).

I think that as all the rankings vary so much it seems impossible to choose on that basis alone - gut feelings and what feels right for her outweighed everything else.

Whena young person already has their offers there is no point coming on and griping and picking at them. It's so negative.

UEA is fabulous for both under and postgraduate creative writing along with a range of other subjects. I know nothing about economics so wouldn't dream of commenting.

I think campus vs City living could be a clincher. Norwich is lovely , though.

There has I know been trouble at mill in the soc sci dept at Cardiff recently : in their case those students satisfaction ratings are a sign of some issues. In their favour though, I think they offer Quantitative Methods modules which strengthens soc sci degrees and is the Big Thing at the moment.