Smaller universities

[Plasmodesmata]

Son is year 12. Looking at computer type courses but not the real high flying ones (he's not doing A level maths, but is doing comp sci A level). Realistic grades likely to be 3 Cs. He would like to look at smaller unis as he's very socially anxious and worried he might get overwhelmed on a huge campus. He went on a trip to York st John last year and liked it. Can anyone suggest other options with a similar sort of feel?

Random fact. Bournemouth, or rather BCP, ranked fourteen in terms of population, not far behind Bristol who were eleventh. Not a city because there is no cathedral, and because unlike Southend, they did not apply.

I would suggest a campus, whether on the outskirts of a city or in a smaller town.

Gloucester is really highly rated for Comp Sci and Gaming Tech. Lots of industry contacts if your son is into Gaming

A city can be a city without a cathedral. There aren't many, but there are a few.

Yes, but they need to apply. Because of its size the BCP conurbation probably would have got it, but the idea of city status does not appeal to residents.

Another random fact Poole Harbour, the P in BCP, is the second largest natural harbour in the world. Both the town(s) and the two Universities have grown organically so there is relatively little campus feel. So probably not what OP is looking for. But otherwise not a bad choice for those seeking Universities with lower entry requirements.

Wolverhampton is a city with no cathedral.

It does have a university though, which is the other standard criteria for City categorisation @DogInATent @Needmoresleep

Unlike my local --town city, Bangor, Co. Down; which was conferred city status last year and has neither a cathedral or a university

Swansea - probably too far for you OP but my dc who was terribly shy and needed a lot of support absolutely thrived there.

Now we know the OP is in Yorkshire, Bournemouth is probably too far. Whatever the size of Poole Harbour! It’s still fairly genteel when compared to many other places!

My son had similar criteria but different course and liked Chester, Lincoln, Bishop Grosseteste, York St John, Edge Hill and Lancaster. Lancaster and York were his favourites.

My dd is going to York St John for this very reason, the lecturers there said everyone feels very much like family compared to the Unis with 60/70,000 students. I felt it had a lovely atmosphere when I went round. Plus if you're not far away your son could still live in accommodation but wouldn't have far to come home on weekends if he felt he needed to.

Ds applied to the local uni as one of his options and we agreed that if he went there he would live in student accommodation for at least the first year and see how he feels after that about continuing or commuting. Just because they can commute doesn't make it easy, it depends on the number of lectures they have and timings.

Leeds Trinity is in its own little bubble really unlike Leeds uni and Leeds Beckett which are city centre. So although Trinity is in Leeds geographically it is a good 2 hour walk to get to Leeds train station in the city centre.

I’d second Lincoln. Small city, campus uni within walking distance of the city centre. Nice vibe. No idea of course requirements.

Thanks again all, I'm going to give him a list of suggestions to look at online this weekend, should keep him busy.

@Plasmodesmata
York and Lancaster will definitely want more than CCC and no maths A level. It’s not realistic to look at them.

What you could do is talk about confidence in living somewhere else and what size torn/city that might be. Then look at something like the Complete University guide for this subject. There are all sorts of courses allied to CS. We haven’t mentioned quite a few universities he could consider such as Derby due to size of city. However the university itself might appeal. You could also look at number of undergrads on the course. Is it huge or not too many? Hope you get useful shortlist. Also some universities are recruiters and not selective so might be flexible on grades. Plus you have foundation years which might help.

@TizerorFizz you are right about Lancaster and I actually should have said DS liked University of Cumbria but based in Lancaster at their campus there. Don't know if they do Computer Science though.

@2gorgeousboys
Ah. I see. Not all universities offer computer science or related courses though. That’s why the CUG is worth a look.

I had a friend many years ago who went to Lampeter and loved it. Maybe worth a look though I think it may be a bit geographically challanging from what you say.

Another one for the list? DD is thoroughly enjoying her time at ARU. It's a compact campus with accommodation scattered around, they have a range of computing courses, and generally small classes. Cambridge is a city, but it has a very different feel from London, Birmingham, Manchester etc.

She is also socially anxious but doesn't feel overwhelmed there. Of course, it isn't the cheapest place to live. (We're further North than you, so it's a long journey too; it was the furthest south she looked.)

I’m not sure if anyone has mentioned Oxford Brookes? Main campus is small and modern, walking distance to the city centre.

I fifth Keele.
DD1 is studying medicine there and everyone loves the campus so much. It is a very nurturing environment with older years offering lots of support and advice to younger years.
Even though she is now living off campus, third year, she and all her friends make their way there at weekends to use the library, SU and KPA.
We love it too as there is a super hotel directly on campus which makes end of year pick ups relaxed rather than rushed.

What about Sunderland or Northumbria?

Chichester

Just to say, I went to a very small university and by my last year I was climbing the walls. There was nowhere to hide and it was very claustrophobic. There are downsides!

@CurlewKate I think you do change between 18 and 20/21. There absolutely are downsides.

Oxford Brookes is in a residential area of Oxford. However Wheatley campus is a bit remote. Not sure CCC is high enough to get in.

@Plasmodesmata Has he thought about Kent? University of or Christchurch? Canterbury is a easily manageable sized town and the campus is walking distance from the town centre and not huge.