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Original poster

Warwick - student life?

52 replies

Anluna · 17/10/2022 13:41

Hi there,

we're visiting unis atm, ds really liked Warwick, was very impressed by the campus, and liked the modules of the course he intends to study. We liked it overall, but he is (and so am I) a little concerned about social life. He's not a clubber at all, but he likes music and he likes to have fun. He liked University of Sussex for its location and proximity to Brighton. Any experience, insights, tips, opinions on those two? We also visited and liked Nottingham, but he says Warwick and Sussex are on top of his list.
Looking forward to hearing from you! 😊

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EmmaStone · 17/10/2022 14:55

I went to Warwick back in the Stone Age, and took DD to the open day, which brought back a flood of memories - none of them academic Grin. In the first year, I recall everything being very Union based, and then in the second and third years, that expanding into Coventry and Leamington Spa. My friends and I also sometimes went to Coventry Uni's discos when looking for something a bit different. There was LOTS to do, and it was very student-centric.

beachsandseaicecream · 17/10/2022 15:00

I went to Warwick, but started 18 years ago now. Everything in the first year is very campus based, there was plenty going on at the Students Union and lots of clubs to join.

Second year and beyond, I lived in Leamington. Had a good time living there, I didn't know anyone close to me who lived in Coventry. We did still go back to campus for some nights out.

poetryandwine · 17/10/2022 20:47

I am an academic who always thinks Warwick UGs look happy when I visit there. The place just has a good vibe. Also, I am close to a young married couple who met whilst playing in a W campus orchestra or music group (not sure which - the half I know best did both).

Pourmeanotherwine · 17/10/2022 20:50

DD is in second year at Warwick and really enjoying it. Last year she made friends in her halls and tried a few societies. She had regular trips off campus for sport, meals out and clubbing. This year she's living in Leamington in a student house and seems happy. More socialing in each others houses this year. Cost of living / student halls is cheaper than Brighton ( we've been looking at Brighton for DD2).

blinkbonny · 17/10/2022 21:03

My DD was dithering between Warwick and Sussex on results day (Sussex was firm, Warwick insurance but both had same entry reqs for her course). She phoned both and spoke to them and finally decided on Sussex, where she spent three happy years and has been in solid employment since (3 years). However, her best friend went to Warwick and also enjoyed her time there. The proximity to Brighton was somewhat a swaying factor for my DD and in fact she has continued to live there post-graduation. I guess the upshot is there is no "wrong" choice - I'm sure your DC will be happy in either!

Original poster
Anluna · 18/10/2022 18:36

Oh, thank you so much, everyone! It's good to hear happy stories.@poetryandwine I agree, it does have a positive vibe. We were also drawn by the new Arts centre. Although he's won't be studying arts, he has a big passion for music and it feels like having a great department of Arts on campus is good. I had not envisaged that trotting around unis to make a decision would be so stressful. I somehow believed it had ended with the secondary school mission! We also visited Southampton, which I liked, but he didn't, and apparently neither did his friends. Not sure why.
And yes, I think Brighton is also an attractive factor to him, but then he was blown away by Warwick campus, its new sports centre and Arts centre. Impressive.

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Original poster
Anluna · 18/10/2022 18:40

@blinkbonny That's interesting. Who did she talk to, student union or admission? That would help with a decision, I guess.

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TizerorFizz · 18/10/2022 19:54

@Anluna
Surely Warwick trumps Sussex for the course? Certainly employers pay more for RG grads and Warwick is much higher in league tables. Going out should not compromise career prospects.

Phphion · 18/10/2022 22:07

Warwick has a weekly live-chat session where prospective students can ask questions about being a student at Warwick. Departments are also holding their own live-chat sessions with staff and students, mostly in November and then into next term (although some have not released their dates yet). You can see them and sign up here:
https://warwick.ac.uk/study/events/calendar/.

You can see what's on at the Arts Centre (different to the new Arts building) here: What's on Warwick Arts Centre

ChocHaloTop · 18/10/2022 22:18

I went to Warwick back in the early O0s and at that time the social life was great. It centres around the campus and there is a huge variety of stuff on, from all kinds of music nights to a great range of societies that all have their own accompanying social events. I chose it for the combination of course and social offerings and had the time of my life... Still nostalgic for it now, tbh!

poetryandwine · 19/10/2022 07:13

@Phphion has a great idea about participating in live chats at W and presumably elsewhere. Also, applicants can join TheStudentRoom, an online forum for UK undergraduates. Posting specific questions will (I am told) usually generate useful answers. Good luck to your DS. He really can’t go wrong

Original poster
Anluna · 19/10/2022 10:15

Phphion · 18/10/2022 22:07

Warwick has a weekly live-chat session where prospective students can ask questions about being a student at Warwick. Departments are also holding their own live-chat sessions with staff and students, mostly in November and then into next term (although some have not released their dates yet). You can see them and sign up here:
https://warwick.ac.uk/study/events/calendar/.

You can see what's on at the Arts Centre (different to the new Arts building) here: What's on Warwick Arts Centre

Thank you so much!! This is very useful. He's been saying recently that Warwick is his first and Sussex his second. I'd want him to be happy and thrive obviously. Hard to know sometimes before you're there and live there, but good to hear happy stories!

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Original poster
Anluna · 19/10/2022 10:15

ChocHaloTop · 18/10/2022 22:18

I went to Warwick back in the early O0s and at that time the social life was great. It centres around the campus and there is a huge variety of stuff on, from all kinds of music nights to a great range of societies that all have their own accompanying social events. I chose it for the combination of course and social offerings and had the time of my life... Still nostalgic for it now, tbh!

So glad to hear that!

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Darbs76 · 20/10/2022 17:29

My son’s just started at Warwick. Most social seems to be in people’s kitchen’s! He likes it, I can’t help but think maybe he would be happier in a city, but he’s not said that! He turned down St Andrews to go there, so his other option wasn’t exactly City scene either.

Era · 20/10/2022 17:39

Hmm, I know someone who has just started at Warwick and is not enjoying it. Feeling very isolated in a block with lots of overseas students who don’t socialise. Ds wants to put it as and im a bit nervous about it

Original poster
Anluna · 20/10/2022 23:58

Era · 20/10/2022 17:39

Hmm, I know someone who has just started at Warwick and is not enjoying it. Feeling very isolated in a block with lots of overseas students who don’t socialise. Ds wants to put it as and im a bit nervous about it

Yes, that's what I am worried about. It is lovely and feels good, but also a little isolated. I am maybe overthinking it. I don't know. But someone I know told me the same about his son who's just started at Southampton and most of the socializing is in people's kitchens. But maybe that's what you do in your first year?

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Original poster
Anluna · 20/10/2022 23:59

Anluna · 20/10/2022 23:58

Yes, that's what I am worried about. It is lovely and feels good, but also a little isolated. I am maybe overthinking it. I don't know. But someone I know told me the same about his son who's just started at Southampton and most of the socializing is in people's kitchens. But maybe that's what you do in your first year?

Show quote history

Sorry, this was meant as a reply to Darbs76.

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Original poster
Anluna · 21/10/2022 00:00

Era · 20/10/2022 17:39

Hmm, I know someone who has just started at Warwick and is not enjoying it. Feeling very isolated in a block with lots of overseas students who don’t socialise. Ds wants to put it as and im a bit nervous about it

Same here.

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HumourReplacementTherapy · 21/10/2022 00:08

My DS went to warwick and hated it.
We live in a city so nightlife was a downgrade compared to his hometown.
It was full of ' kids of tories'
He never found his 'tribe' and found for most students it was an extension of their boarding school.

GreenFly56 · 21/10/2022 00:33

I played sport at uni and we would compete against Warwick. The students there seemed really happy and i remember thinking it seemed a good place to be. I finished uni in 2010 so a while ago but not a million years!

mellicauli · 21/10/2022 01:16

This is good place to see the sorts of things happening www.warwicksu.com/venues-events/events/

My son started in September. He is having an amazing time. Great sport. Quizzes. Films. Drinking/events in the Student Union. Club nights. Meeting loads of new students. Formula student.

I think the trick is to choose accommodation which isn't too expensive but has some social space.

blinkbonny · 21/10/2022 18:58

Anluna · 18/10/2022 18:40

@blinkbonny That's interesting. Who did she talk to, student union or admission? That would help with a decision, I guess.

@Anluna she spoke to admissions - they were very happy to take her at W but in the end she decided to go with her gut and her first choice and stick with Sussex, and was very happy there. Some of her concerns were the isolation of Warwick, however. DD isn't a big partier so it was more for browsing and cake shops than pubs and clubs. Warwick appears to be more highly ranked and is of course a Russell Group uni, if that's a swaying factor. Whatever your DC goes for and gets will be the right choice!

MulberryMoon · 22/10/2022 16:02

Dd is in her first year at Warwick and is settling in well and seems very happy. She isn't a clubber but was out with a society in Leamington last night. She's getting on well with her flatmates. She said she's socialising with about 28 people in her halls. She went to a comp and doesn't find the people posh, but she picked cheaper halls. There are more expensive halls. I found a link with the percentage of kids from private schools as 22% We really liked the feel of the campus when we looked round but it's different strokes for different folks. We live near London so she can experience big city life any time really.

Warwick - student life?
Parker231 · 22/10/2022 16:15

DS graduated from Warwick two years ago - stayed there for his Masters has he liked it so much. Lots of excellent courses, good students union with well organised events and good range of accommodation on and off site.

MulberryMoon · 22/10/2022 16:18

So many societies to join if you scroll down www.warwicksu.com/societies-sports/societies/

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