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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Advice needed on university choices

118 replies

Universitynewbie · 14/08/2023 20:57

Hi, I am looking for some advice for my daughter regarding what universities might not be worth applying to for a state school pupil for courses in the following areas economics/finance/actuarial science. She would love to go to a highly rated university but is worried she won't be considered for some because she is from a state school rather than independent school and doesn't want to waste her choices if there is very little chance of her getting in. Does anyone have any advice or personal experience at all?

OP posts:
Coriolise · 14/08/2023 21:53

Universitynewbie · 14/08/2023 21:50

Was worried she might not be considered for St Andrews, Edinburgh and Glasgow and feel Dundee doesn't have a good reputation for her subject area (I know it has an excellent reputation for other areas and have absolutely nothing against it) I feel she is a bit limited in Scotland because it it either unis that she probably doesn't have any chance of attending qnd then a huge gap before the other unis that aren't really great for these subject areas

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St Andrews is mostly Americans, Chinese and English students as they like that extra funding so they don’t take many Scottish students. But Edinburgh and Glasgow are both fantastic Universities that will take lots of Scottish students. I agree Dundee isn’t strong for her subject area, but take a look at Stirling.

Spirallingdownwards · 14/08/2023 21:54

What a goady post when all unis are increasing widening participation and the majority of students at all unis are from state schools.

titchy · 14/08/2023 21:54

I was under the impression that fees would be around 28k though? Have I got that wrong as that may well change things once more? Is it actually 35k?

The fee loan accrues interest from day 1 so you need to factor in three years at RPI - so what maybe 5% compounded over three years, plus the year she'll take to earn the money to pay it back in full (without spending any of her income at all).

Coriolise · 14/08/2023 21:56

titchy · 14/08/2023 21:54

I was under the impression that fees would be around 28k though? Have I got that wrong as that may well change things once more? Is it actually 35k?

The fee loan accrues interest from day 1 so you need to factor in three years at RPI - so what maybe 5% compounded over three years, plus the year she'll take to earn the money to pay it back in full (without spending any of her income at all).

That would only be if she did not go to a Scottish Uni

SmartHome · 14/08/2023 21:56

The stats about "only 7% of pupils attend independent schools in the UK , they take up a much higher % of spaces than that at some universities." Which universities? How much higher percentage? When you normalise for many independent schools being selective and offering generous bursaries and scholarships for very clever kids from non-wealthy backgrounds (so they get a much higher proportion of kids who will want and be able to go to university) and also for contextual places (which are not offered to the wealthy private school kids you are referring to) I don't believe there is a significant discrimination either way nowadays. It may interest you to know that many parents of kids at private schools are now complaining that the private school kids are being discriminated against, because of contextual offers and state school quotas.

For example, my son goes to a private school with a very mixed demographic. His offers for the course he wants to do were AAA-AAB. His friend, who is on a full bursary, and lives in a deprived postcode, needs ABB-BBB for the same courses.

titchy · 14/08/2023 21:58

That would only be if she did not go to a Scottish Uni

Yes I know I was pointing out that an extra year working gained from being at an English HEI is unlikely to be the financially sensible choice when compared to staying in Scotland.

Anoooshka · 14/08/2023 21:58

Universitynewbie · 14/08/2023 21:32

Thanks this is very helpful and good to know that actuarial science is a bit niche. To be honest she has been struggling to decide on a course and don't feel like pure maths would suit her , any other ideas of courses that might suit?

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Glasgow does a BSc in Finance & Mathematics. This would give her a good grounding in both subjects while allowing her to go into actuarial science at the end of her degree.

celestebellman · 14/08/2023 21:59

Your concept of who gets into which universities seems a bit misinformed - Edinburgh, St Andrews and Glasgow are all perfectly valid options for someone with five As at higher. It's totally irrelevant whether she went to state school or private school - as far as I am aware outside of Edinburgh and Glasgow (possibly other urban areas) most Scottish pupils are state educated in any case. Don't limit her choices due to some misguided inferiority complex. I went to Edinburgh (admittedly a while ago!) from a state school as did/do many others. The advantage of private school is increased chance of getting the grades - if she already has them it doesn't matter.

atiaofthejulii · 14/08/2023 21:59

Universitynewbie · 14/08/2023 21:27

It would be good to get this information first hand from admissions officers as I am just concerned there is still a bit of discrimination out there and I don't believe they don't look at schools. She is working hard on all elements not just grades but I still think it would be good to get na idea of unis to not bother even attempting to get into

Show quote history

I suggest you/ she contact admissions tutors then.

There really isn't pro-private school discrimination. They might look at the school as some universities use it as part of their assessment for making contextual offers. But universities are generally very keen to improve their state school intake and not look elitist.

Coriolise · 14/08/2023 22:00

Generally use two choices for aspiration, shoot for stars Unis. Two choices for what you are 90% sure you can get and one choice as a safety school.

SmartHome · 14/08/2023 22:01

And these have nothing to do with type of school attended, only grades achieved/achievable.

cestlavielife · 14/08/2023 22:02

If she predicted good grades she should apply for whichever uni she likes
Please encourage her to aim high
If you say " not for kids like you" that is awful

Youonlygetonelife19 · 14/08/2023 22:05

Agree with other posters, actuarial science very narrow. Would look at applied maths courses, statistics (Glasgow does that) or MORSE or similar.
And would prioritise Scottish universities. Remember all the interest on any loan, soon adds up!

Original poster
Universitynewbie · 14/08/2023 22:06

Spirallingdownwards · 14/08/2023 21:54

What a goady post when all unis are increasing widening participation and the majority of students at all unis are from state schools.

No goadiness intended at all, just a genuinely concerned parent that has no experience of university myself looking to help my child navigate the process the best way possible. Sorry to have caused offence at all

OP posts:
thaegumathteth · 14/08/2023 22:06

You really seem like you have a bit of a chip on your shoulder OP. I went to Edinburgh Uni, from a terrible state school and before contextual offers.

My dc go to state school and ds has just got 4 As at higher. I'm not telling him not to apply anywhere based on some misguided notion that he shouldn't because he went state school!

Really, just go to open days, get a feel for places. Let her decide.

And well done to her on her grades! I wish ds had done a 5th higher but he was resitting a N5.

Original poster
Universitynewbie · 14/08/2023 22:08

titchy · 14/08/2023 21:54

I was under the impression that fees would be around 28k though? Have I got that wrong as that may well change things once more? Is it actually 35k?

The fee loan accrues interest from day 1 so you need to factor in three years at RPI - so what maybe 5% compounded over three years, plus the year she'll take to earn the money to pay it back in full (without spending any of her income at all).

I hadn't considered this, thanks, this is helpful

OP posts:
thaegumathteth · 14/08/2023 22:09

Also I'd worry that using the tuition fees V earning potential argument would be a lot of pressure for her. What if she gets her degree and then doesn't want a high paying career?or she switches courses to something else or whatever? I'd be thinking god if we'd went with a Scottish uni we wouldn't have all this debt?

SmartHome · 14/08/2023 22:11

You have come across badly, in all honesty, but you clearly want the best for your daughter (like we all do) so it is great that you are doing the research to find out what universities are really like now. It hasn't been like you have been led to believe for decades so I'dd also encourage you to take the chippy element out of it and give your daughter the confidence to apply anywhere she fancies with her really excellent grades, as she is clearly very clever and able which what the unis care about. I'd say lots of open day visits and chats with admission people there will do a lot to reassure you.

Coriolise · 14/08/2023 22:12

Blurb on Stirling economics offering
”Study Finance at the University of Stirling and discover why we're ranked in the top 5 universities in Scotland for Accounting and Finance and top 20 in the UK (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022). Our BA Hons Finance is the first undergraduate degree in Scotland to have Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Affiliation Program status, underlining the embedded employability skills that students develop, as well as our cutting edge syllabus. “
https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/courses/details/economics-and-finance-ba/55001768

Economics and Finance BA (Hons) at University of Stirling | The Complete University Guide

Find course details for Economics and Finance BA (Hons) at University of Stirling including subject rankings, tuition fees and key entry requirements.

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/courses/details/economics-and-finance-ba/55001768

Coriolise · 14/08/2023 22:13

Universitynewbie · 14/08/2023 22:06

No goadiness intended at all, just a genuinely concerned parent that has no experience of university myself looking to help my child navigate the process the best way possible. Sorry to have caused offence at all

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If your DD is first in family to go to Uni, she should be eligible for contextual offer as part of widening participation. She will be highly sought after by top unis.

clary · 14/08/2023 22:15

Honestly OP please encourage her to apply where she would like to go. I agree with others, I would stick to Scotland for monetary reasons tbh.

Friend of DD's had an offer for Edinburgh and mate of DS2's is at Stirling. Both state school educated. I don't know bags of ppl at Scottish unis bc of the fees thing (ie an English person would be paying fees) but please please don't run away with the idea that Edinburgh only admits students from private schools. It's certainly not the case.

londonmummy1966 · 14/08/2023 22:16

With 5 As already I think she should be looking at Edinburgh Glasgow, Aberdeen, and St Andrews or Stirling

messycupboard · 14/08/2023 22:19

I don't think actuarial science is too narrow if that's what she wants to study. Heriot Watt is the only Scottish University accredited to offer exemptions from actuarial courses which would definitely boost her starting salary.

A number of English universities offer the same.
Even if she decides not to continue with an actuarial career she'll have a strong degree in applied maths with finance so hard to go wrong if that's what she's interested in. Totally different to a pure maths degree.