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Higher education

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

Original poster

Music degree: Leeds vs York?

63 replies

ButPerfectlyFormed · 15/04/2024 20:42

DS has identical offers from York and Leeds to study Music and Music Tech and now needs to choose which one to firm. Having attended open days at both, he's very much on the fence at the moment. Sadly the only remaining offer holders days for both unis are on the same day so he'll only be able to go to one - I admit to toying with the mad idea of trying to do both on one day, given how close they are! Really grateful for any thoughts, in particular from anyone with insight into the two faculties.

I realise that York is an out of town campus whereas Leeds is a city campus. Although very sociable and would probably be happy to go clubbing, that sort of thing is unlikely to be a prime motivator for DS. He likes historical places (York!) but will enjoy having access to as many music opportunities and experiences as possible (Leeds?). His main instrument is the sax so his performing opportunities are likely to centre on jazz/blues/big band/modern, although he has an eclectic taste in music.
I haven't yet been to Leeds but thought the atmosphere on campus in York was welcoming and I thought it would be great to be able to walk from halls to practice rooms in a matter of minutes (but then only for the first year).

I'm wittering on! As I said, very grateful for any wise words/experience.

OP posts:
handmademitlove · 21/04/2024 18:05

Often unis will have more than one offer holder day - it is worth calling to see if one can be moved.

Moominmammacat · 22/04/2024 11:24

Experience of seven universities in this house and I have to say the York music department was the happiest of all of them.

Linneasweet · 22/04/2024 22:23

WarraK · 20/04/2024 09:54

Does anyone know any specific details of 2nd 3rd year housing? I constantly read that York is expensive, but not much beyond that. Whereabouts do students tend to live? And how soon do you have to sort?
OP, I got the impression that York had quite a project based way of learning, and a lot of flexibility in how you were assessed. Not just in the normal sense that a music degree naturally involves performance, essays, composition, technical work, etc, but that the student could choose the weighting of assessment method in most modules.

My DD is a current 2nd year student in York. First year she was in halls, about £185 per week on the newer East compus. This year flat share of 3, around £770 per month, 12 months contract. Next year she wanted to move back to halls as cheaper as don't need a full year but were told the only 2nd and 3rd +students getting halls are international students, so she's moving to another flat share instead roughly the same cost, also a year contract (could have stayed in the year 2 flat but they all decided to find something else 😫). I'm just counting my blessings that I can help her financially through paying the rent, however I'm already counting the months to when she finish uni and I get to keep close to £800 per month to myself! 😁

Mytholmroyd · 22/04/2024 22:37

My DC is currently a student at the conservatoire in Leeds and their older sibling went to Leeds University. 2nd and 3rd year accommodation was/is fine and reasonable. Currently DC is renting with three friends through UNISON within walking distance of classes and the house is decent and well maintained and so far they have been safe and happy. There was no problem getting sorted with a place. Both of them loved being a student in Leeds.

Youngest is planning to go to York in September - am dreading the accommodation costs!

Piggywaspushed · 23/04/2024 06:49

That £185 a week halls in York is not one of the cheaper ones, though. David Kato and Anne Lister, for example, are cheaper than that. Shared bathrooms are available.

I think when people quote York prices they are often quoting some of the more expensive stuff (which is pricy). There's a bit range in Leeds too. I know this because when we were researching we were always comparing the cheapest first year accommodation!

Linneasweet · 23/04/2024 06:59

Piggywaspushed · 23/04/2024 06:49

That £185 a week halls in York is not one of the cheaper ones, though. David Kato and Anne Lister, for example, are cheaper than that. Shared bathrooms are available.

I think when people quote York prices they are often quoting some of the more expensive stuff (which is pricy). There's a bit range in Leeds too. I know this because when we were researching we were always comparing the cheapest first year accommodation!

That was Anne lister. But yes, it was on suite so could be find cheaper if shared bathroom.

CaptainCarrotsBigSword · 23/04/2024 09:15

Linneasweet · 22/04/2024 22:23

My DD is a current 2nd year student in York. First year she was in halls, about £185 per week on the newer East compus. This year flat share of 3, around £770 per month, 12 months contract. Next year she wanted to move back to halls as cheaper as don't need a full year but were told the only 2nd and 3rd +students getting halls are international students, so she's moving to another flat share instead roughly the same cost, also a year contract (could have stayed in the year 2 flat but they all decided to find something else 😫). I'm just counting my blessings that I can help her financially through paying the rent, however I'm already counting the months to when she finish uni and I get to keep close to £800 per month to myself! 😁

Show quote history

Oh my good god, those numbers are terrifying! DD is only ten so I've got a bit of time but we will have to have some awkward conversations about which uni to choose; there is no way I can afford to pay £800 of rent on top of my own mortgage!

Mytholmroyd · 23/04/2024 11:38

Consider Aberystwyth - an excellent university with very reasonable accommodation costs - just not easy to get to!

WarraK · 23/04/2024 12:43

...and no Music degree.

Mytholmroyd · 23/04/2024 13:12

True but it was aimed at @CaptainCarrotsBigSword above not the OP - her child is only ten so young as yet to have settled on music

Piggywaspushed · 23/04/2024 14:00

CaptainCarrotsBigSword · 23/04/2024 09:15

Oh my good god, those numbers are terrifying! DD is only ten so I've got a bit of time but we will have to have some awkward conversations about which uni to choose; there is no way I can afford to pay £800 of rent on top of my own mortgage!

Show quote history

Honestly , in my own opinion - and recent experience- rent at uni does not need to cost that much. And I do include York in this.

DS2 is currently at Birmingham and you could be told accommodation there is a fortune - if the poster's experience was Chamberlain Halls.

Second year accommodation does seem to cost more than I bargained for, mainly because as noted above many uni landlords do 12 month rolling rents. Thsi is not the case in all uni towns and cities but does seem common. DS2 didn't have this in Lincoln so I was shocked when hit by it in Brum.

DS's friend in York is spending less on accommodation than he is now in Birmingham (for which I blame his extraordinarily wealthy housemates...)

Piggywaspushed · 23/04/2024 15:16

Getting my DSs all in a muddle. I meant DS1 did not have this in Lincoln!

MarchingFrogs · 23/04/2024 17:56

DD is moving to Leeds for a masters degree next academic year and seems to have found a flatshare with two others in Headingley at £108 pppw. Looking at prices generally, I assume that this is not inclusive of bills, but It's okay. More in line with what she was paying in Selly Oak when she was at Birmingham than what she is paying atm in Norwich, but her current landlord does seem to be the very opposite of grasping (says she, hoping that there will be no awful surprises when it comes to moving outShock).

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