Which uni

[BikeMum8]

DS has offers from both Warwick and Manchester unis and is struggling to definitely which one to firm. I’d welcome any insights into student life at these, mostly the cost of accommodation in the 2nd to 4th years. TIA

There were big problems with accommodation availability at Manchester this year. I'd be checking if this has ironed itself out.

Manchester had huge accommodation issues this year, with some students having to live in halls in Liverpool! Madness! I’d be checking thought out for sure. Warwick is nice, lots of horrah Henry’s but fine if that’s the type your son fits with. Leamington spa is rammed with students of an evening. Coventry is a dive hole, that’s why it’s cheap!

Depends on his personality. Manchester definitely the more vibrant city . Only visited Coventry once and found it a bit dreary tbh .

Thank you all for your replies. We’d forgotten about The Student Room website. I’ve reminded him now. He’s been to both and is off to Manchester again next week for an offer holder day. We parents were very impressed with Warwick’s.
DS is planning to stay within physics (PhD), definitely not finance!!!

Given your update, OP, it’s all about where he will have the best experience. I just think the research ranking differential is related to the Nobel laureates and Graphene Institute. How much will they affect his experience, should he choose Manchester?

He is in fabulous position with two excellent options.

For Physics, the course content is fairly standardised between institutions. Modules might have different labels but will be covering similar material.

Manchester and Warwick both have good physics departments with strong reputations. Any difference in league table position will depend on which metrics have been weighted in that particular table and will probably be based on relatively small differences in the actual data.

The main difference between these two will be the experience of studying in a self-contained campus (albeit with accommodation a bus ride away after first year) vs in a big city. My first impression of Warwick was business park in a field outside Coventry, but for DS it was love at first open day visit; he instantly felt comfortable there and happily chose it as his insurance.

Manchester. Cheaper (of course that's a concern no matter what some might say) and a far more vibrant city.

@Salverus
Its not an issue for quite a few parents.

Well, the OP mentioned it as a concern. Certainly if you have more than one at uni and both only get minimum loan then you bet its a concern.

Not for us. Or plenty of others we know. Others on full loan snd bursary are ok too. In other families Dc work and save money. It was cheaper than boarding school and it’s cheaper than private school. I think I said I thought Manchester was cheaper but Coventry isn’t overly expensive so it’s not much of a factor in the decision. Campus or city is a better decision maker.

Well, good for you! I'd still go for Manchester.

Is Manchester noticeably cheaper than Coventry for students? Not sure there’s much in it.,

I'd leave it up to my dc, but personally Manchester is a more fun city. Can't think of anything worse than 3 or 4 years in Leamington spa!

It was cheaper than boarding school and it’s cheaper than private school.

Blimey! There are some pretty out of touch tone deaf posters on here with very privileged DC.

I'm glad that state educated DD had no desire to go to a a London university. As I pointed out upthread accommodation costs are very much an issue for a LOT of people.

@Salverus Well I’d not be keen either and DDs weren’t. Friend’s DS loved it. It suits quieter folk!

I've told mine not to bother applying for London unis. 12k accommodation for two kids would mean us having to find 24k a year after tax.

Thank you all. Either will be a big change from sleepy Devon. All replies much appreciated, it’s given us an added convention.
And yes, he is in a lovely position to choose between these two 🤗

My DS1 went to Warwick and DS3 is just finishing at Manchester. Both did maths.

Manchester is a fab city and has much more going on than Coventry or Leamington. It depends on your son’s temperament. DS3 is a bit overwhelmed by the size and busyness of Manchester. He’d have been better off in a campus uni, but he wouldn’t listen to me. 😂

DS1 loved Warwick uni, made lots of friends, had a great social life, joined societies and did really well with his degree. He’s got a fab, well paying job now. Uni life is what you make of it, really. But he didn’t stay in the Midlands afterwards.

DS3 has struggled to make friends in Manchester initially. It’s a party university and he’s not a party animal. First year was blighted by lockdowns and that made finding like minded housemates difficult. But it’s big enough to find your people if you try. He’s got a nice group of geeky friends through a gaming society now.

Your DS has got to think about what he wants from uni life. But in all honesty, unless he’s likely to stay in his room, he’ll make friends in both places. They are both highly regarded universities for physics. Maybe look at the courses and see which has the more interesting options and flexibility.

On the cost, halls are a similar range. Coventry is cheaper than Manchester after first year, Leamington possibly more expensive. Leamington has the better social life over Coventry. Manchester is party central!