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Higher education

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

Original poster

Is Kent a good enough uni?

91 replies

RabbitH0LE · 08/10/2023 16:27

I feel so overwhelmed and out of my depth with this. DD wants to study computer science. Predicted AAA so not enough to go to the top 30 or so unis in the Guardian League table.

Is it worth going to see the likes of Kent at Canterbury, Chichester, Sussex , Portsmouth?

Or better to try and get an apprenticeship? My mum says there's no point getting a degree from these unis. I never went to uni and neither did my husband and DD is also a bit clueless. She's not bothered about a top uni but don't want to waste money on loans etc if it's not worth it.

Please help

OP posts:
SabrinaThwaite · 09/10/2023 21:05

RabbitH0LE · 09/10/2023 20:32

No, you don’t need maths for UEA.

I just checked again and it says you do

Please let me know if you know something different because this one looked really good

You just need one of those subjects - your DD has Comp Sci so that ticks the box (but agree that it’s not very well written).

The first year includes a maths module for those that haven’t studied A level maths, so that definitely clarifies it.

Is Kent a good enough uni?
Bleepbloopbluurp · 09/10/2023 21:07

I don't know about Kent, but Sussex has an excellent reputation for CS. A degree from there would definitely not be a waste.

MarchingFrogs · 09/10/2023 21:08

The UEA requirements are (as I quoted from the course pages upthread) "including Mathematics, Computing Science, Digital Technology, Chemistry, Physics, Electronics, or Economics".

I definitely read that as meaning that your have to have at least one of those - but not all of them (there are 7 of them, so couldnt be that), or that from the list, maths is specifically required.

Do try to make time for a visit to the Sainsbury Centre (the art gallery; keep going past the Ziggurats and you cant miss it) - and if you are of a mind to splash out a bit, the Modern Life Café at the far end is rather niceSmile.

ElleCapitaine · 09/10/2023 21:12

I did computing and she’ll struggle without A level maths unless she has physics or something very numerate. If we’re throwing unis into the pot also take a look at Aston which is great for CS.

SabrinaThwaite · 09/10/2023 21:13

@MarchingFrogs I read it as at least one of those subjects is required, and that maths A level isn’t compulsory (given the Yr 1 maths options and that Grade 5 at GCSE is a minimum requirement).

Original poster
RabbitH0LE · 09/10/2023 21:15

clary · 09/10/2023 19:10

Yeh @RabbitH0LE the firm choice wrt accommodation will happen after all offers are in - sometime before the A level exams start IIRC but certainly well into spring next year if need be. DD's offer holder days were in February - she hadn't decided the course for certain till then, never mind the uni!

Okay so excuse me for my ignorance. On the UCAS form you just put the unis in no order of preference? And then they might offer a place?

OP posts:
Original poster
RabbitH0LE · 09/10/2023 21:15

SabrinaThwaite · 09/10/2023 21:13

@MarchingFrogs I read it as at least one of those subjects is required, and that maths A level isn’t compulsory (given the Yr 1 maths options and that Grade 5 at GCSE is a minimum requirement).

Edited

She got an 8 in gcse maths. So that is okay.

OP posts:
SabrinaThwaite · 09/10/2023 21:26

On the UCAS form you just put the unis in no order of preference? And then they might offer a place?

That’s right - the unis will look at predicted grades, your DD’s personal statement and the school reference (all part of the UCAS online form).

Then they’ll either make an offer or not - but some are quicker than others!

clary · 09/10/2023 21:27

RabbitH0LE · 09/10/2023 21:15

Okay so excuse me for my ignorance. On the UCAS form you just put the unis in no order of preference? And then they might offer a place?

Show quote history

Yeh you cannot order them. When I applied 1,000,005 years ago, you did put them in order but you don't now.

You put five unis down (or fewer - but may as well list five) and they may all offer. Or, you know, none may - which is why most students put one banker along with an aspirational one and then 2-3 OK. So DS was predicted AAB and put down three with AAB offer, one with ABB and one with BBB or BBC I think. He got five offers and then decided which he liked the best. Well he already knew haha but he "firmed" it - in about March or April IIRC.

clary · 09/10/2023 21:28

SabrinaThwaite · 09/10/2023 21:13

@MarchingFrogs I read it as at least one of those subjects is required, and that maths A level isn’t compulsory (given the Yr 1 maths options and that Grade 5 at GCSE is a minimum requirement).

Edited

Yeh that's how I read it too actually - x, y, z, a, b OR c - so any of those. But they ought to say "one of" and then the list; or "maths and one other from:" which is what a lot of science degrees do. But in this case I don;t read it as requiring maths, and that year 1 module seems to confirm that. I might still call tho.

Alegebraba · 09/10/2023 21:30

Kent is in quite a bit of turmoil right now. They are in financial difficulties, are proposing a change to the term structure and are pivoting from research to teaching which is leading to a lot of staff churn. That may or may not be a good thing depending on your perspective but it's worth being aware of.

OnGoldenPond · 09/10/2023 22:42

RabbitH0LE · 09/10/2023 12:12

Yes she is doing computer science. Been doing coding since age about age 7 in a coding club.

Ruled out UEA purely because I don't think we can afford accommodation in year 2! People are saying their kids had to move miles away from Bristol to get anything affordable.

There are so many things to consider. I find it overwhelming. I really appreciate this info and wish I'd asked earlier

The distance thing was because of her feeling like 5 hours on a train is too far.

I will look at the other suggestions.

UEA is Universally of East Anglia and is in Norwich, not Bristol.

DS has just graduated from there. Accommodation pretty reasonable. He paid £400 per month sharing a nice 3 bed flat with 2 bathrooms walking distance from campus last year.

stubiff · 10/10/2023 08:32

I agree with Sabrina.
The UEA list will be ONE of those subjects. So DC is ok with (only) CS.
I've read a lot of CS course pages and not seen one that says Maths + ANOther. If there is one it is likely to be one of the top Unis.

For comparison UEA's Mech Eng page says -
ABB including A in Mathematics and B in one of the following subjects : x, y or z

Lampzade · 14/10/2023 15:44

UndercoverCop · 08/10/2023 21:17

I did some professional qualifications at Portsmouth, it was dreadful. I have two undergraduate degrees and an MA all from different Unis, varying experiences but all good. I wouldn't study anything else at Portsmouth if you paid me.

Friend’s daughter studied at Portsmouth and loved the course .

SaltySeaCat · 23/08/2024 15:24

My DD also loved Portsmouth and is going on to Bath to do her masters.
Our younger daughter is at a RG university and we have been less impressed with the teaching and admin.

CurlewKate · 23/08/2024 16:44

Kent is a very well regarded university with sky high student satisfaction. Not sure where you're getting your opinion of it from....

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