York, Warwick, UEA for Biological / Biomedical Sciences?

[BobtheFrog]

Like the title really, my DD has narrowed her choices to these three (from so many!). In case its relevant, after first degree they are thinking of a Masters as a gateway into microbiology / immunology research (but that could change massively).

Don't know that much about any of them beyond what we learnt at Open Days and read online. Each seems to have pros and cons, would welcome opinions.

I think York and Warwick are head and shoulders above UEA for this. Why only 3 choices, is she going to apply to 3, see how it goes and maybe add 2 more later?

Maybe look at Lancaster as well?

thanks folks, its the nature of these 3x unis that is of interest - I have an opinion but would like to hear others'

FWIW agree York and Warwick are somewhat similar, UEA is likely insurance option and there is a stretch option

DD didn't like Lancaster but it is good for bio subjects

I don't think York and Warwick are similar other than by reputation. Warwick is further from Coventry city than University of York is from that city center - you can walk it, basically instead of needing to get a bus. York is also collegiate and has bars, restaurants on site and is a lively place. Warwick is quieter.

I loved UEA when I visited it and it was actually my 2nd choice. I also have lots of friends who attended. There is a good vibe and a good mix of people. I would say generally it leans more to the humanities / creative degrees as well.

Diversity and inclusivity is one part of character that is of interest - UEA seems v good, York okay, not sure about Warwick

I work for a biotech that does immunology research (cancer immunotherapies) and recruit lots of Life Sciences grads/Masters/PhDs

Warwick and York are both great choices and students get a great education that springboards them into various opportunities. I don't think I've ever had a strong applicant from UEA.

Might your DD like Bath? That's also campus and the Life Sciences courses are great.

Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester also have great courses if she's up for a city uni.

Thanks for the reply, interesting list.

Manchester good but not liked by daughter, likewise Bath (for different reasons) Bristol is her stretch option. Didn't even consider Birmingham

just out of curiosity @BatshitIsTheOnlyExplanation , do you have a view of Liverpool?

I'd say good, but not as good as some of the others. Probably better than UEA though.

I know you didn't ask this, but places that offer a year in industry often have great employment rates post-graduation as the students get proper experience.

As a part time academic (and sometime placement tutor) myself I have encouraged placements quite vocally - no placements is why Liverpool wasn't the preferred insurance option.

Do you see value in a Masters to start a career in research? Would a decent insurance uni (like UEA/Liverpool) with Masters still get her there, whereas a 1st from York / Warwick might be good enough to enter research straight from BSc? Or is it a BSc and Masters too?

A first from York or Warwick is always going to hold more sway than a Masters from somewhere lower ranking.

I agree with the pp, but would also add that a decent degree in Biomedical Science plus a more specific Masters (e.g. cancer immunotherapy; biotechnology etc.) would be a good way into employment.

OP, I know you didn't ask this either, but in my industry (small biotech, drug discovery) the majority of people also have PhDs too. So it's not unusual to see BSc + PhD, or frequently BSc + MSc + PhD. In the second category, the MSc will often be an intercalated course, 4 years leading to an MSc.

Slightly depending on what you mean by diversity I would imagine Warwick to be more diverse than York, for the uni as a whole anyway. Biomed is majority female everywhere if that factors

Here's the diversity report for Warwick
https://warwick.ac.uk/about/management-and-governance/data/psed/#:~:text=In%202023%2F24%2C%2056%25,%25%20undergraduate%2C%2033.4%25%20postgraduate.

and for York there's a ton of stuff about diversity, but I didn't find the actual report on demographics

We were shown round UEA a couple of years ago by a student who deliberately chose it over Bath because of its inclusivity and diversity. His parents weren’t best pleased apparently at the time but he was very happy there.

Lots of Warwick uni students also live in Leamington Spa as well as Cov. Agree like York it is a 'Campus Uni' but campus is further from either town. As someone who lives in Leamington I have observed how many students stay locally after graduation so they must enjoy their time here, however no idea on the subject area

If she wants immunology etc biochemistry is always worth considering too.

i went straight from a biochemistry degree to a funded phd at Oxford. From a non -Russell group uni at that - the mumsnet horror!

ime getting phd placement was not always about the undergrad uni. If you were a good student it wasn’t unusual for lecturers to ask colleagues from other unis to recommend students, or if your undergrad thesis is in an area of interest that will get you a related phd more than the uni you did it at.

one of my professors at undergrad was world renowned and anyone who attended his lectures/passes his modules would automatically be invited to interview for phd’s.

the only people I knew who did Msc’s were people looking to change their direction, or there were a couple who were recommended for it before a phd as it was felt their research skills weren’t strong enough yet.

Warwick is very diverse for such a well respected ( top 10 for years). Big ethnic mix and relatively low private school. Downside ( if that's how you see it) is it's very much work hard rather than party hard. Its not as much fun as some Uni's and campus is bleak but as a top Uni in a central U.K. location the opportunities offered seem pretty good.
Mine has had a great internship and people are already keen to see his CV.
If you want a "nice" experience Leamington Spa is the pretty town. Mine has chosen Canley for two years running because it's close to Uni. Rents aren't hideous.

Weirdly most of DS social circle have picked Liverpool. We are a "niace" quiet SE middle class town.
Socially they all seem happy although once out of halls student accommodation can be in tough areas. No experience of Bio Med but some of his friends felt the courses ( mostly technical) were "lite".

DD studied biomed at Newcastle. Her course was definitely not "lite".

@RampantIvy good for Newcastle.

Thanks for all the thoughts folks, keep hearing that UEA has a more diverse and chilled vibe compared to many universities

Good to hear some positive views of Warwick because, in my experience Warwick hasn't been so good in that respect. Been to a number of Open Days there and each was the same, plenty of very entitled / arrogant people (both potential students and parents). Not seen it that visible at any other unis

Warwick and York very good (this is my field). UEA not so much. Liverpool getting a bad reputation now as they went very online after covid and haven’t returned - even for exams - so their students are much less well prepared. Someone told me it is chatgpt central

others that are very well regarded - Bath, Southampton, Newcastle

Glasgow. My friends daughter did biomedical science there with a year in industry she has done amazingly well and has a brilliant interesting job.

Oh Glasgow is superb. I rank graduates from there over Oxford and Cambridge