Friendly-feel campus universities

[AlexAndrian]

DC looking for somewhere in England or Wales to study music. Not a Conservative. Predicted A star, A star, A. Liked Royal Holloway. Wants good range of modules.

Think I just replied to you on another forum to recommend Birmingham or York.

Both have excellent music departments. My DS is at Birmingham so I can attest to the campus and music facilities being excellent.

Both campuses fit your descriptions of friendly campuses (not sure if I know an unfriendly campus tbh!)

Warwick has good music facilities too, as does Sheffield (not campus but accommodation is on a form of campus and the accommodation has music practice rooms)

I also replied to you elsewhere. I made two recommendations but from your further info on that group I think Birmingham ticks all your boxes.

I would Avoid Royal Holloway

I loved royal Holloway. Beautiful place and community. Close to town.

Maybe add Southampton and Leeds to the list. My first thought actually was RHUL which I have heard great things about from students and staff, but the PP who warns against it may have better info.

If there is any wriggle room on the campus requirement then Manchester is v good and so is KCL. Agree with York and Birmingham.

But the courses can be quite different so worth looking carefully at the details.

I would say either Cardiff University which has a great school of music, or perhaps Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (also in Cardiff).

OP doesn't want a conservatoire.

I agree that Southampton has a very good reputation for music but I don't know anything about the campus. Is Leeds campus? (my ds is at Leeds Conservatoire & I don't know the Uni at all.

My son knows people who went to Nottingham for Music but I've heard mixed about the environment.

Yes, I'm doing a compare and contrast!
But do actually want to know also 😁

RHUL: usual it's terrible/it's lovely contrast straight away😂. It's a true marmite place I think.

DS really not convinced by Birmingham (the city). Course and Uni offer so much though.

@HappiDaze What did you not like about Royal Holloway? A family member is starting there in the autumn.

That's surprising Alex. What is it about Birmingham he doesn't like? I've always seen it as the best of both worlds, the campus is lovely, very self contained and music has a really good reputation. But a 10 minute train journey from the on campus "University" station takes you into the city with all the theatres, international concert hall etc.

I would agree with you re Bham being a great all round choice. I think he found the city a bit lacking in greenery, a bit grubby, New Street was dark and dull???

Should say we live in a city so he knows they are all grimy around the edges!

We’ve known two young people who studied music at York and were very happy there.

Well to be fair it is a complete building site in the centre of Birmingham at the moment as there is major redevelopment going on.

But the area around the university campus you have got lots of green space etc, not too far from places like Cannon Hill Park. When I worked in Birmingham City Centre used to go to the canal area & Centenary Square, then there is the area round the cathedral.

I wasn’t going to be the one to broaden your parameters. But Sheffield, excellent for Music, has already been mentioned. So I will add Durham and Glasgow into the mix. Durham is right behind Sheffield, ranked 5,6) in the current CUG. UGs study on Queens Campus. I think Glasgow is also a top 10. There are 3 main campuses so it is a hybrid situation in a great part of town. the city and music scene are fab.

Also I think Warwick, Sheffield, Leeds great choices! Cannot comment on RHUL

My DS is at Birmingham , having lived all his life in a very dull suburban village. He has had a good time, loves the transport links and the campus itself.

I think the main thing is the campus is lovely and the uni is very welcoming for such a large institution. Lots of clubs and societies.

I wouldn't say Birmingham is a looker but the area around the uni is green.

I guess a more attractive city, aesthetically, would be York.

My DD is at Royal Holloway (not studying music, but involved with quite a lot of music on campus) and loving it.

Warwick has many good points, but doesn't have a Music degree!

Thank you, OP

It's amazing Warwick doesn't have a music degree really. A friend of mine used to teach an instrument there. They have a fantastic music centre, offer tuition & great facilities but doesn't actually have a degree course!!!!!

Highly recommend Keele. Beautiful and intimate campus. Best years of my life. BiL studied music and enjoyed it.

Oh whoops. I literally just assumed from its UniBrass hosting!