Suggestions required for which uni to visit

[ineedteanownotlater]

My son is looking to start uni Sept 2025. He has been to a uni fair where lots of uni reps were all together so he got to speak to a few. From that he wanted to visit York and Southampton. I also suggested we visit Loughborough as it is local.
He hated York so that is a no. He loved Loughborough. Southampton we visit first weekend in October but since we have seen Loughborough he doesn't seem keen to want Southampton anymore. Problem with Loughborough is we live 25 minutes away and we both feel that he needs the independence of living away so would like to find a uni that has a similar vibe and modern facilities like Loughborough but is further away from us.
He wants to study maths with economics or something similar. Does anyone have any suggestions of Unis that fit the above we can look at?

Yes indeed. In the 'campus university' definition, Leeds is not one. It's confusing because nearly all unis refer to their teaching buildings as a campus...

Let’s hear his predicted grades and has he done Maths A level? Then we can suggest suitable places

Indeed, it's not a campus, but everything is pretty close together. Best of both worlds.

Twenty-five minutes away is absolutely fine! Choose a uni you feel comfortable with. It doesn't have to be at the other end of the country to give independence.

DD (STEM but not Maths) liked Lancaster, York and Nottingham.
If Loughborough is a campus Uni perhaps find more of those? Why did he hate York? I have yet to come across anyone else who did even if they didn't actually pick it

Dis didn't like the extreme levels of duck poo at York..

He liked the ducks but not the smell and the mess

Surely it depends on what grades he's likely to get?!

Agree @ineedteanownotlater can you tell us his PGs? Not much point saying Bath if it’s BBB

I don't think the duck poo actually smells. I was at York and remember walking in it occasionally, but not smelling it ever. I do also remember a student was "sent down" after a cleaner found duck feet and bill in his bin. He'd killed, plucked and roasted one, which is strictly against university rules...

Warwick?
modern and sports facilities were upgraded 4/5 years ago. Offers accommodation at a variety of price points.

We must have been there at the same time!

@Piggywaspushed '88-91
you?

Haha! Yup!

Sorry been so busy Today

To answer a few questions.

Loughborough is not because of the sports. He isn't sporty at all. I think it is more about the modern buildings, the cleanliness etc. when we visited York it felt very run down and dirty. The rooms in halls that were open to view were dirty and run down. The ladies toilets that I used were disgusting.

We are intending for him to stay in halls even though it is so close but wondered if there was other options a bit further away.

As for predicted - A in maths, A in economics, B in Physics

Did you go to East campus at York? No one would call that dirty, usually!

So, to clarify, the campus aspect doesn't matter?

Best thing is to look on what uni or ucas and put in the subject and his grades and see what comes up. Can do all sorts of filters and sorting etc

York campus is awful - I visited a few years ago for an open day and there was bird shit, cans and empty wine bottles all over. The accommodation was also grim and really expensive!

Again, nothing grim about East Campus. But if OP's DS didn't like it, it hardly matters.

I must declare my hand first: I work at York.

I'm really sorry you felt this way about York. At open days, we have accommodation open to represent all budget bands. Some of the cheaper accommodation is at the older end, but I'm surprised to hear that it was dirty.

Over on Campus East, there are five new colleges - the oldest there is 12 years old and the newest opened just last year. The accommodation there is lovely (my office overlooks it!).

Yes, there are ducks and geese ... But there always has been.

If I can answer any Q's about York, am happy to help. I'm in admissions!

Me and my DD weren't that impressed with York - there were crowds of people at the offer holders day and we had to queue to look at rooms and ushered out quickly, it was like a cattle market. We got alot more personal experience at Durham (where she's going) and Hull (second choice). But not doing Maths. We live near Lancaster which we were impressed with at open day, not RG but good reputation.

To be honest, no we didn't visit east campus only west as that is where the talks are that he was interested in seeing.

I will look at the websites suggested - I had no idea such a thing existed where you can filter based on course and grades!

Having never been to university the typical way ( I studied for my degree at home through open university, later in life than typical) I am a bit lost with it all.

Why doesn't parenting come with an instruction manual!

Yes I think a filtered search is a good plan @ineedteanownotlater

Lol at all of us suggesting sporty campus unis!

I think you should look at Nottingham, Birmingham and maybe Sheffield. You can then compare with Loughborough.

DD really like York! Just in case anyone is reading this and writing it off! Bit scruffy in parts but had a nice feel and subject talk was good. Loved the halls in the East Campus and the Library.
Didn't like Bath or Bristol at all.
Lucky they all like different places!

He should definitely look at Lancaster. The buildings are really impressive. The library in particular is fantastic (it has a tree growing through it too). Its had a massive amount spent on buildings over the past decade.