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Higher education

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

Original poster

Sports Science degree - Exeter or Bath?

36 replies

Prenelope · 18/08/2024 06:46

Morning. Dd did exceptionally well in her A levels - she was predicted ABB and in fact got 2 x A stars, A and an A in the EPQ. She has a place at Exeter to study Sports Science. She's happy about this, but there's a small part of her who thinks she should apply to Bath next year as its supposed to be so prestigious for Sports Science. They aren't far off each other in the league tables. She didn't apply originally as they state their entry requirements are A star AB or AAA.

Would it be worth thinking about reapplying (she's taking a gap year)? She likes the social scene at Exeter (my ds went there).

Anyone know anything about sports science??

OP posts:
Piggywaspushed · 19/08/2024 08:06

Prenelope · 19/08/2024 07:55

I'm sure she would get an offer. There's no interview, she has a background in elite level sport and she's well above the entry requirements with grades in hand. But yes, there is a tiny risk I agree.

Edited
Show quote history

She probably would but that said her profile does describe nearly every applicant to that course (apart from the grades in hand bit, admittedly).

Good luck to her whatever she chooses to do.

Piggywaspushed · 19/08/2024 08:06

Adjustment! That's it!

mrsconradfisher · 21/08/2024 11:03

I posted on here last year about DS’s journey to do Sports Science, he is finally starting Loughborough in September.
He was rejected last year with predicted AAA, got AAB last summer but got papers reviewed and ended up with A star AA. He’d firmed Birmingham but really didn’t want to go (he had a low offer as well due to the combination of his A levels). He said it felt wrong and they don’t offer a placement year which was really important to him. I had lots of excellent advice last year, I’m sure if you search on here for my user name you’ll find all the posts.
He ended up taking a Gap Year and applying to only Bath and Loughborough. He considered Exeter as well but in the end he felt it was just too far from home. He absolutely loved Bath and would have been really happy there if he hadn’t been offered Loughborough.
He ended up getting an Unconditional Offer (as he had his grades) 2 weeks after applying for Loughborough. Incidentally, despite having the grades required, an excellent PS and relevant experience in the subject in his gap year he never got an offer from Bath. He definitely isn’t an elite athlete so your DD has that to her advantage but he fulfilled every other requirement and still didn’t get an offer.

Feel free to PM me if you think it would help, feel like I’ve been on this journey for the last 18 months and sat through so many SS meetings and Uni open days I know the subject well!!

doubleshift · 21/08/2024 12:05

Has your child phoned Bath and spoken to them. Might be worth a phone call as nothing to lose.

MrsAvocet · 21/08/2024 12:35

My DS spent a long time debating between Sports Science and Mechanical Engineering in 6th form and Bath and Loughborough were both very much on his radar initially. He loved Bath and the sports facilities are indeed excellent but one of the things that put him off was the cost of living. I don't know how it compares to Exeter as he didn't look there, but Bath seemed very expensive compared to more or less everywhere else he considered. Appreciate that might not be an issue, but if it is, I think it's worth comparing the costs. If a student is having to use all their free time to work to cover the costs I think needs to be weighed up against any possible advantages of the University. DS didn't apply to Bath in the end, as much as he liked it he knew the finances and logistics really wouldn't work for us.
He did apply and got an offer from Loughborough and would have got in but actually he just didn't like it. There was quite a bit of pressure from school as it seemed the obvious place for him but he had sound reasons, both regarding course content and lifestyle so I was happy to support his choice to go elsewhere. I do think it's important that a young person is happy where they are - reputation isn't everything. I mean obviously it depends what the options are, but if choosing between two good universities I think personal preference and gut feeling are important.
DS also ultimately decided that both Bath and Loughborough are too sporty for him. He's not bad at his sport - he plays at regional level - but both those Universities are packed with national and international level players so he reckoned he might make about the 11th team if he was lucky. This was a significant factor for him. He wants to play at a reasonable level and to develop but knows he's never going to make national level as a player so he wanted somewhere where he can be a medium sized fish in a medium sized pond sports wise.
If she's happy with the offer she has I'd probably stick with that. However, if she is unsure, there's probably no harm in taking a year out. As you say, it's unlikely that she won't get offers from both next time, especially if she can do something relevant in that year, and it gives her another year of time to build back up from her injury to put her in a stronger position for selection for the BUCS team wherever she does end up.
In reality, with those kinds of grades and abilities she's likely to thrive wherever she goes so I'd see it as a win win situation and go with her personal preference. Either choice is likely to be good.

TizerorFizz · 22/08/2024 09:48

Is this course at Exeter St Luke’s? I know years ago it was. DD of a friend went.

Original poster
Prenelope · 22/08/2024 10:15

MrsAvocet · 21/08/2024 12:35

My DS spent a long time debating between Sports Science and Mechanical Engineering in 6th form and Bath and Loughborough were both very much on his radar initially. He loved Bath and the sports facilities are indeed excellent but one of the things that put him off was the cost of living. I don't know how it compares to Exeter as he didn't look there, but Bath seemed very expensive compared to more or less everywhere else he considered. Appreciate that might not be an issue, but if it is, I think it's worth comparing the costs. If a student is having to use all their free time to work to cover the costs I think needs to be weighed up against any possible advantages of the University. DS didn't apply to Bath in the end, as much as he liked it he knew the finances and logistics really wouldn't work for us.
He did apply and got an offer from Loughborough and would have got in but actually he just didn't like it. There was quite a bit of pressure from school as it seemed the obvious place for him but he had sound reasons, both regarding course content and lifestyle so I was happy to support his choice to go elsewhere. I do think it's important that a young person is happy where they are - reputation isn't everything. I mean obviously it depends what the options are, but if choosing between two good universities I think personal preference and gut feeling are important.
DS also ultimately decided that both Bath and Loughborough are too sporty for him. He's not bad at his sport - he plays at regional level - but both those Universities are packed with national and international level players so he reckoned he might make about the 11th team if he was lucky. This was a significant factor for him. He wants to play at a reasonable level and to develop but knows he's never going to make national level as a player so he wanted somewhere where he can be a medium sized fish in a medium sized pond sports wise.
If she's happy with the offer she has I'd probably stick with that. However, if she is unsure, there's probably no harm in taking a year out. As you say, it's unlikely that she won't get offers from both next time, especially if she can do something relevant in that year, and it gives her another year of time to build back up from her injury to put her in a stronger position for selection for the BUCS team wherever she does end up.
In reality, with those kinds of grades and abilities she's likely to thrive wherever she goes so I'd see it as a win win situation and go with her personal preference. Either choice is likely to be good.

Your ds could be my dd!! She had the same thoughts about unis as he did!

She has decided to stay with Exeter. She is particularly interested in biomechanics and prosthetics (doesn't use one but has always been interested in the 'engineering' side.) There's some good research coming out of Exeter on this, and she figures she can always do a Masters at Bath or Loughborough.

OP posts:
Original poster
Prenelope · 22/08/2024 10:16

mrsconradfisher · 21/08/2024 11:03

I posted on here last year about DS’s journey to do Sports Science, he is finally starting Loughborough in September.
He was rejected last year with predicted AAA, got AAB last summer but got papers reviewed and ended up with A star AA. He’d firmed Birmingham but really didn’t want to go (he had a low offer as well due to the combination of his A levels). He said it felt wrong and they don’t offer a placement year which was really important to him. I had lots of excellent advice last year, I’m sure if you search on here for my user name you’ll find all the posts.
He ended up taking a Gap Year and applying to only Bath and Loughborough. He considered Exeter as well but in the end he felt it was just too far from home. He absolutely loved Bath and would have been really happy there if he hadn’t been offered Loughborough.
He ended up getting an Unconditional Offer (as he had his grades) 2 weeks after applying for Loughborough. Incidentally, despite having the grades required, an excellent PS and relevant experience in the subject in his gap year he never got an offer from Bath. He definitely isn’t an elite athlete so your DD has that to her advantage but he fulfilled every other requirement and still didn’t get an offer.

Feel free to PM me if you think it would help, feel like I’ve been on this journey for the last 18 months and sat through so many SS meetings and Uni open days I know the subject well!!

That is really interesting, thank you

OP posts:
MrsAvocet · 22/08/2024 11:16

Prenelope · 22/08/2024 10:15

Your ds could be my dd!! She had the same thoughts about unis as he did!

She has decided to stay with Exeter. She is particularly interested in biomechanics and prosthetics (doesn't use one but has always been interested in the 'engineering' side.) There's some good research coming out of Exeter on this, and she figures she can always do a Masters at Bath or Loughborough.

Show quote history

Wow, that's weird... my DS is really interested in prosthetics too! We volunteered at the Paracycling World Championships last year and he was absolutely fascinated by both the adaptations to the bikes and the prosthetics worn by the athletes. Obviously there's a long time to go yet and he might change his mind but at the moment that's the area he'd like to work in ultimately. He's also talked about potentially doing a Masters elsewhere, depending on what direction he finds himself going.
Good luck to your DD. I'm sure she will do well wherever she goes as she's obviously very able and has a positive attitude.

thing47 · 22/08/2024 13:30

Prenelope · 22/08/2024 10:15

Your ds could be my dd!! She had the same thoughts about unis as he did!

She has decided to stay with Exeter. She is particularly interested in biomechanics and prosthetics (doesn't use one but has always been interested in the 'engineering' side.) There's some good research coming out of Exeter on this, and she figures she can always do a Masters at Bath or Loughborough.

Show quote history

Many congratulations to your DD! My DD2 'upgraded', for want of a better word, for her Masters. She went to a decent but not top-notch university for her undergraduate and did well enough to switch to the equivalent of a Loughborough (ie world renown in her field) for her post-graduate. All worked out very well.

Original poster
Prenelope · 22/08/2024 14:11

MrsAvocet · 22/08/2024 11:16

Wow, that's weird... my DS is really interested in prosthetics too! We volunteered at the Paracycling World Championships last year and he was absolutely fascinated by both the adaptations to the bikes and the prosthetics worn by the athletes. Obviously there's a long time to go yet and he might change his mind but at the moment that's the area he'd like to work in ultimately. He's also talked about potentially doing a Masters elsewhere, depending on what direction he finds himself going.
Good luck to your DD. I'm sure she will do well wherever she goes as she's obviously very able and has a positive attitude.

Show quote history

That's so funny! Maybe they'll ended up working together!

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