Oxford Brookes or University of Kent

[Abi90]

Hi,
Sorry its me again. I asked about Nottingham Trent vs DeMontfort Uni yesterday for BioMedical Sciences. DD did more research and decided not to go to any based on various reasons. Since then she has two more offers from Oxford Brookes and University of Kent for BioMed. Her heart is in Oxford Brookes but her mind wants to consider Kent too.

So here I am again! Any experiences or help will be much appreciated. She has been offered an accommodation for both too. She has done more research on Oxford Brookes Uni but is thinking if Kent as its 5th for best teaching will be a better choice.
We cant really visit the Unis either. This year, their results have got the best of me to help her decide!
Help please! Thanks

What were the reasons for discounting DMU and NTU? Might help for giving advice /opinions about Kent and OBU.

Hi. Thanks for the reply. Her reasons were not knowing much about both, the feedback she got from her friends or peers, both had no year abroad options and her gut feeling.

I can't help on the course front, but I went to Kent (admittedly a fair few years ago!).

I loved it there - it has a lovely and green campus, close enough to the city to walk in or get public transport and shop/go out but far enough away you're not overcrowded by tourists. Only a few miles from the beach. There were some good bars and nightclub on campus as well which were always pretty cheap. It didn't feel so big it was overwhelming if that makes sense.

I think they've updated/upgraded a lot since though.

Hmmmm.... friends and peers often have odd ideas. NTU is very popular with the students who go there and Nottingham is a great student city!

Anyway, of the other two, Kent is possibly the more established university, in the sense that it always has been one (although OBU is a very highly regarded post 92 institution). Kent has a good reputation and Canterbury is lovely. Some people find Kent a rather remote university in terms of travel time and location, depending on where you are based, of course. Nice campus but some see it as insular.

OBU is also a nice campus. I found the accommodation costs eye watering when DS1 considered it. it's also an expensive city to live in in 2nd and 3rd years. However, in terms of the course, Oxford is a very medical city so I'd imagine lots of opportunities there for work placements and experience and lots of expertise. OBU has a reputation for having a lot of public school students, just about the highest proportion of any non RG uni : that may or may not be of concern to your DD!

Where are you getting info on '5th best for teaching' from?

Dd had the choice of both and has plumped for Kent (different course). I went there too, but it was unrelated to her decision.

Thank you for your feedback everyone. Really appreciate it at times like these. 😘

Kent is a lovely Uni, my DD there. They did well in my view during Covid, kept to timetable with zoom seminars etc, staff accessible and responsive (contrary to tales others told here of their kids experiences). Accommodation on campus is good, facilities excellent (amazing library, theatre, sports centre, bookshop, co-op, various eateries and a nightclub!). Off campus accommodation plentiful and cheaper and the city itself is lovely and a bus ride away from the seaside. It’s well worth a visit if you can

Thank you. After much thought, research and reading up about the course, DD has chosen Oxford Brookes. We are happy for her and wish her and all DC best of luck for the future. Now those who's DC have left for Uni, when and how do you stop crying and feeling lost? She has not left yet & I have DS at home for another 4 years but I feel so lost! We are out shopping, spend the day planning, being happy for her but at night...oh my goodness I am crying rivers! DH seems to be coping so well and here I am 😭
May be this should have been another thread! 😉

I went to Brookes and loved it. A great Uni.

Bit late to this thread, but as I mentioned on your other thread Abi90, Kent really doesn't have a great reputation for biomed so I am certain your DD has made the right choice.

Just as a point of fact, NTU does offer the chance to study abroad in 3rd Year (I know because DD was very close to going to Spain), the problem is – and this is a biomed problem wherever you study – that overseas courses aren't IBMS accredited so effectively you're putting your qualification on hold for that year.

Oxford Brookes will be great, though, I hope your DD enjoys biomed as much as mine did (mine is now doing further study in that field).

Hiya,

I visited Kent as a possible Uni a few years ago. I remember a current student telling me that most students there went out to London in the evenings for nights out etc. and this wasn't really my thing, so I this put me off. Also a long way to travel from my family (in the West Country). I have friends who have studied at Oxford Brookes and loved it, although they lived at home and commuted in. Oxford is a very expensive city to live in.

I think they are both nice Unis and well done to your DD for getting offers to both :)

Thank you Ladies, that has put my mind to rest. I wish all of your DC best of luck. I am so glad to be on this forum. The support here is amazing. ❤️