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Higher education

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Original poster

Help finding a Uni that fits this criteria please!

82 replies

orinoci · 14/10/2021 08:38

Hi

DC has had MH issues in the past, and so their safety blanket is a Uni that meets the following criteria - but we're struggling to find an easy way to search so I thought I'd ask for recommendations!

DC wants to study either English or Sociology, or some combination of the two (eg liberal arts) so most Unis seem to offer something along those lines. Predictions for A Levels are AAB at the moment, bearing in mind we're at the start of Year 12, teachers say possibly higher if DC puts the work in.

But DC would like it to be :

  • a small campus University with halls on site
  • within a maximum of two hours drive/100 miles of Nottingham/Derby
  • ideally allow returners into halls (this may not be an issue one year in but it's a thought now)
  • ideally allow halls students to bring cars so they could get home if they needed to.

NTU at Clifton has all of these, and DC is very happy with that, but could do with some other options.

Any suggestions anyone?

Thank you

OP posts:
NoNotHimTheOtherOne · 15/10/2021 13:05

@oscarcat99 - Sorry, you're right. Because the OP's son/daughter would be on the southbound M5, I was looking at the route via junction 4. But, of course, they could come off at junction 3 (i.e. before reaching the services) and go up that narrow road (Lapal Lane?) off the A456. Personally, I always get lost when I do that, but other people are less gormless than me.

Craftypuss · 15/10/2021 13:15

I'd second the Edge Hill recommendation. Dd is there now, very happy. It's small campus (1 mile across max). The support through last year was excellent, and it is highly rated. Plenty of accommodation. Not sure about car parking, though there is a big car park.

Ohflipflopextra · 15/10/2021 13:57

York?

foodanfagsjokiing · 15/10/2021 14:01

Probably a bit further but I recommend Lancaster. Great campus and divided into colleges.My son really felt a strong sense of belonging there and lots of parking options. Beautiful countryside and Lancaster a lovely town. Cannot recommend it enough.

Original poster
orinoci · 15/10/2021 20:56

Thank you all so much. We're going to take a drive up to York this weekend as our first trip, they have a self guided campus tour so we'll see how we go!

OP posts:
SmithfamilyRobinson · 15/10/2021 21:16

Take care. My DS dropped out of Birmingham after year 2 (failed year due to MH and a variety of related issues...) one of the factors in this was he HATED Birmingham. Student accommodation was grotty; small group of sensible friends versus a large noisy student cohort of party animals... low student contact hours. If his MH recovers we are looking at University of Buckingham private uni compressed 2 year degree. Definitely has parking. It is really important to make sure your DS has appropriate support ahead of time whether medication or counselling/CBT..PS. Lincoln is lovely, DNephew got a 1st & loved it.

ancientgran · 17/10/2021 18:44

@Hercisback

Warwick?
I don't think Warwick would have accommodation for all 3 years, most students I know live in Leamington so a bit of a trek which might not be ideal. Leamington is a nice town to live in though.
ancientgran · 17/10/2021 18:46

[quote NoNotHimTheOtherOne]@oscarcat99 - Sorry, you're right. Because the OP's son/daughter would be on the southbound M5, I was looking at the route via junction 4. But, of course, they could come off at junction 3 (i.e. before reaching the services) and go up that narrow road (Lapal Lane?) off the A456. Personally, I always get lost when I do that, but other people are less gormless than me.[/quote]
I think I'd find the junction 4 route more straightforward but I guess if you do it a few times you get used to it.

mycatscausehell · 18/10/2021 15:54

in york certain colleges do have room for cars, you just have to apply for a permit

CoffeeWithCheese · 18/10/2021 17:33

It's not an academically stellar one - but I can't fault the support De Montfort have given me since my mental health collapsed because of the sodding pandemic and trying to home school my own kids! I have a parking permit because of my mental health issues meaning I can't cope with public transport anymore (I have panic attacks and awful anxiety), I have a mental health mentor funded through DSA (another thing to mention - that is a thing you can access too), I've got a very lenient view from the department on attendance this year - and any of the staff will do what they can to support me.

I can't praise the mental health team, the DSA team and my department enough (and the autism team although that diagnosis isn't "official" at present).

Campus is nice and small as well - thanks to the evil sadists in timetabling this morning it was established that fat, unfit me with a knackered hip who always walks slow can make it from the outer reaches of one side to the other in 10 minutes (yes I bear a grudge).

TizerorFizz · 19/10/2021 15:18

Have you thought about collecting your DS is necessary? Without a car (are they safe to drive if unwell?) the choices open up massively.

Original poster
orinoci · 20/10/2021 21:27

Thank you for all of the suggestions.

Yes, absolutely I would fetch DC if they needed me, but this I think is more about them feeling able to come home if they wanted to, not trapped. So good public transport would work as well.

OP posts:
UpintNorth · 20/10/2021 21:32

Just wanted to offer a different opinion on NTU /Clifton from the poster above. I graduated in English and Psychology and found the campus chilled, supportive and community minded. There is also the option of the city campus for socials through the wide SU. English Literature was strong although not so sure about lang. This was 10 years ago.

Moominmammacat · 21/10/2021 08:23

Another vote for York. My DS, who had DSA, got plenty of help from tutors and specialists, academically and pastorally.

orinonci · 27/10/2021 15:47

So.

DC wants to put three entries on UCAS - one aspirational, one which should be achievable, and a dead cert (DC already has sufficient UCAS points for this course from previous qualifications, even before waiting for A Level results)

DC wants to put aspirational as firm, should-be-achievable as insurance, and hopefully get an unconditional from the dead cert which they will decline.

But then if DC has a wobble come results day and decides they don't want to be as far from home as firm or insurance, they could get Unis to release/reject them and approach dead cert Uni who (up until now) always have clearing places available.

Would this work, subject to the course being in clearing? It may not be needed, if DC is happy to go with aspirational or should-be-fine when the time comes, of course.

gogohm · 27/10/2021 16:12

The car situation is probably the hardest but, most universities do not allow cars on campus. Don't discount your local university, in year two years f living away has proved difficult they can choose to live at home - so Nottingham, Loughborough, Leicester, Sheffield depending on where grades end up

gogohm · 27/10/2021 16:13

But I would avoid Warwick if mental health is still an issue, I know multiple people who have dropped out due to lack of support.

TwoBlueFish · 27/10/2021 16:15

Lancaster may be slightly too far away but we looked recently and it’s got a lovely welcoming feel and is very self contained.

clopper · 27/10/2021 16:16

You may have to pay for off site car parking. I know someone who does this in Bristol through a rented driveway. This may be a good option but it is an additional cost.

Tillymintpolo · 27/10/2021 16:17

Lancaster

MrsOnions0 · 27/10/2021 16:19

I went to NTU (a number of years ago now). Would his course be on the Clifton Campus? Or would his lectures be in Nottingham City Centre itself?

A number of students I know dropped out because their halls were at Clifton but their lectures were in town or vice versa

Just a thought

Gherkingreen · 27/10/2021 16:21

Look at Edge Hill Uni

Tillymintpolo · 27/10/2021 16:31

My ds is loving Lancaster, it’s close to the M6, parking at the halls (colleges), very safe, friendly campus

pistachioicecream · 27/10/2021 16:46

I agree @Tillymintpolo, Lancaster would be a great option and fits all the criteria apart from the 100 miles and only just outside that I think. Definitely worth a look.

My DS also loving being there and has settled really quickly. Strong community feel, college system very supportive, safe, lovely campus.

MissingGrandstand · 27/10/2021 17:51

Loughborough! Halls an option all 3 years and certain halls are more convenient for parking (thinking William Morris which is technically “off campus” but only due to being on the other side of the main road into the town centre, it is actually closer to the student union than any other halls, literally a 20 second walk onto campus by crossing at traffic lights)

Feel for your child as I also struggled with mental health and thought there was no way I could handle moving away (was around a 3.5hr drive from home) but the uni were amazing and can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I ever made