Implications of a tiny cohort? (<5)

[trendzetter]

DD wants to apply to a course that was new in 2019. It is part of a larger department, with many shared modules in the first couple of years, then becomes more specialised. However we have just found out that the course has had fewer than 5 students in each year group since it started (I don't know exact number - they won't say). Is this a red flag? I was in a very small cohort of about 7 for my own degree, and it was fine, but the HE funding landscape was different back then (early nineties). I suppose I'm worried in case, after she commits, they pull some modules, or don't run the course at all.

Hmmm.... I can see why you are wary. I think it might depend a bit on what the course is and the general subject area.

For example, DS is applying to policy, politics and economics at Birmingham. They have about 15 students apparently, but it's unlikely to have the issues you describe given the modules come from three big departments.

Check how the course is run. DD does a social policy type course with quantitative methods (only one other person on her exact degree this year). However students doing IR, politics, sociology etc do her methods modules so class numbers are about 40. For social policy courses, they ask students to select options in June for the next year and attempt to run courses to suit everyone. Some courses run every year (health/education policy), some every two years and others only if there is enough interest (or someone to teach).

Ooooo... where's that? That's what DS is looking at!!

Thanks. Now I've done some cross-refencing, it looks like all but one of the third year modules are also offered to the wider (maths) department, which is reassuring. Perhaps some maths students decide to specialise in this sub-discipline in their second or third year, in which case numbers will grow - I've only seen the numbers for those specifying it on entry.

Edinburgh. Government, Policy and Society with Quantitative Methods but other options are possible eg Social Policy with Quantitative Methods. Four years though but has allowed DD to do outside courses in economics, data ethics and sustainable development in years 1 and 2. DD loving it.

I did a degree which straddled 3 different departments ages ago with one other person. Most modules were options for other students but I had two modules which were just us two (no hiding not for everyone). Made a wide circle of course friends but not really known to academic staff other than my Diss supervisor. I remember my personal tutor asking me at my formal graduation dinner to remind him how he knew me! Might be something to think about if he is considering staying in academia.

Yes, that's the exact course DS likes the look of!! It sounds great ; it's juts Edinburgh is my concern : distance and cost of living and I'm a Glaswegian so refuse to accept Edinburgh exists

Haha. Edinburgh is expensive accommodation wise (especially with the 4 years and the fees on top if you are RUK) but reasonably accessible if you live near London now they have a new cheap train provider.

There are lots of great SPS courses in England. I suspect if DD didn't have no fees in Scotland she would have looked at LSE or elsewhere in London or York (put off Oxford by doing a subject summer school where everyone seemed to have been preparing for Oxford since they were 12 and were rather brilliant)

Yeah , he has York, Cambridge and Birmingham so far. Leeds does SPS now too . He might add Bath for just social policy. He also likes Glasgow's ESH course but again distance and fees put us off. Shame as that course looks ideal for him.

Sorry OP for hijacking thread but don't come across many social policy types on MN!

OP, as long as there are lots of shared modules and they are within a larger department, I don't see a problem. DS was one of 9 who graduated in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, which is a sort interface between maths and economics. They actually did not get to opt for it until half way through their second year, and they only had one course, a dissertation, that was unique to their degree.

It worked out well. They went to the pub together after their weekly seminar and colonised a room in the library and wound up quite a bonded group within a much larger department.

I would just check that your DD would be able to shift to a similar, overlapping degree if her interests change over the first couple of years.

I’ve studied and taught on courses that had as few as 4 students. In most cases, it’s just one small component of the degree that would actually be taught in a group that small. It’s okay for a lecture course, but workshop-type activities with a group that small are very dependent on the mix of students you get.