DH is limiting Y12 DC to universities in the north due to ££££

[BatteredHonda]

DC is in Y12 and wants to apply to KCL, Bristol and Exeter - alongside other unis. DC will qualify for minimum maintenance loan and we are therefore expected to top up/pay the accommodation. We struggle to make ends meet as it is so DH has said DC canNOT apply to southern unis - let alone London ones. He is recommending Leicester, Newcastle, Swansea, Belfast etc instead. DC is furious but I do get where DH coming from. What are your thoughts?

www.glassdoor.co.uk/Reviews/Mark-Warner-Reviews-E805457.htm

It's an experience. He'll come tanned and skint

That’s a shame, I wonder if it’s after covid as it seemed very popular up til then, but as I say I don’t know any one there more recently.

@littelmadnyness Durham is second to oxbridge for History.

So as @AnonyMuse and @justasking111 have said, it transpires that a summer teaching kayaking at Mark Warner or Club Med are more lifestyle choices - aka. a free holiday. He’s not going to be able to save much doing that - although good for CV.

Durham is not a good option says DH - the rent there is through the roof. Same grades required as Cambridge - A star, A, B - and doubt he in that league. Cambridge accommodation at least for all three years and subsidised.

@WarProf History with war studies at KCL is his top choice. Not many unis offer it though - although DH has discovered Wolverhampton do and is raving about cheap accommodation there

Wouldn’t go to Bristol or Durham if you paid me.

Out of curiosity what kind of career is he anticipating with a history degree @BatteredHonda

@justasking111 he wants to go into the army/RAF/marines/police

@justasking111 so degree subject not key. Getting a 2.1 is though he says

From looking into the cost of accommodation this eve, I agree. Also not v diverse - far more private school than Oxbridge!

the rent there is through the roof

yep, although is KCL, being in London, any better? Have to confess I haven't looked.

But your DS should do his own proper research on accommodation (and other) costs at his preferred unis, and based on the parameters you seem to have set out (topping up to max maintenance loan) start to work out what he will have - thinking as well about 2nd and 3rd yr accommodation too - and what shortfall he may need to fund.

I can add Aberystwyth to your DH's list. Have a DC there doing IR and Military History. Aber well regarded for its school of IR and Politics. Accommodation is good value. Less than £5.5k for top end ensuite hall; 2nd year rental less again and on the beach. Granted Aber, population about 25,000 might be a bit different to London, population 9,000,000. And is a long way from anywhere; although for visiting parents does have a Michelin starred restaurant. 😀

DC1 did history at Cambridge - now that was cheap accommodation wise!

@boys3 Aberyswyth is great call. Thanks. Is it sporty though? Bit remote to play other teams?

Why doesn’t he do policing degree in Swansea?

I agree with your husband. My parents couldn't afford to support me at university, so I commuted. It's better they are comfortable at cheaper universities, rather than struggling and visiting food banks when down south.

Aber would be good. They have certain sports scholarships and scholarships for good results so that might help as well. The party train to and from Aber is great and really friendly.

@Ritasueandbobtoo9 he doesn’t want to commit to policing so a degree in it too narrow. Would rather do history (with strong war/military component) as that is what he enjoys. Swansea worth looking at though says DH

Sporty(ish) - there's a lot on offer; but a relatively small uni student wise so quality not that great.. Travel to play other Unis is, aside derby day with Bangor, a bit of a trek. Lots of bonding on the coach presumably 😁

Your son sounds pretty switched on for yr 12. Knows degree and sport he wants.
At least he can work through concrete examples and know how much he’ll need to earn to make up different.
Then can look at options like dropping a sport to take up a weekend or holiday job now - a days lifeguarding a week now plus holidays could mean he had several thousand pounds saved by September 2024.
Or look at taking a year out to work and save prior to going to London.
I’d definitely show DH league tables - if he’s capable of a top 10 uni then it’s good he’s aiming for there.

The party train to and from Aber is great and really friendly.

Indeed until the line gets washed away; which it did during DC3's first year.

Thank you for all the suggestions about lifeguarding jobs in hols/at uni. Suggested it to DS and l don’t think it had occurred to him - he was surprisingly up for it. Mumsnet is great!

for clarity a bit of trek was understatement.

Ds’s friend is a lifeguard and it’s a great job for a student.

I went to Wolverhampton. It’s a world apart from KCL. If he’s KCL calibre just don’t.

Do the forces no longer pick up all the costs for their recruits and see them through Uni? They certainly used to. He could join up first and then they'd deal with the dosh and you wouldn't have to be involved at all.

Maybe they don't do it any more.

Kings versus Wolverhampton You have to be trolling us surely. No one who is capable of Kings should go anywhere near Wolves. If that is what your dh has said he categorically does not have your ds's best interests at heart at all. What a mean fucking bastard. Your dh knows absolutely nothing. At. All.

@TizerorFizz this thread made me - at times - feel like I have been soft not making my son get a p/t job while at school. I am glad to see your post that your DDs didn’t either. DS is at bog standard state school and honestly hardly any of his friends work outside school. Did your DDs get jobs when at uni?