Any interest in a non-Oxbridge/ non-RG parents chat?

[SockFluffInTheBath]

There are lots of threads about applying to Oxbridge and other ‘top’ unis, anyone interested in a thread for those of us with DC looking elsewhere? Not trying to be divisive, but there’s no ‘drop in centre’ thread for other unis, and I thought it might be good to have a space to chat sometimes.

[Title edited by MNHQ at OP's request]

I've come back to this thread as DD'S college finialy submitted their UCAS applications at the end of last week. She got one offer straight away and was really happy about it, she's wanting to do Biomedical sciences and ARU came back with an unconditional offer. It was one of her backup choices but hse feels happy that she doesn't uave to worry she will have somewhere to go no matter what.

She got another offer from Edge Hill, who want 112 Ucas points and a minium C in Biology which is more then achievable. They have really helped boost her confidence though which is great.

What’s the consensus on Swansea? All I can remember about it is the cracking beach!

My dd’s boyfriend is enjoying Swansea! Dd is impressed that he has had a schedule of coursework deadlines and exam dates for the whole year, while she’s still waiting for her January exam timetable!

Thanks @crazycrofter sounds organised!

Ds is going to apply there but we haven’t visited. It seems to have a generally good reputation.

It’s dd1s first choice- she loved the open day and the interview- for nursing- which was the most thorough she received.

we like the cheap accomm, the train to London and the beach (and the funded healthcare course). Her friend likes the scholarships you can get if you aren’t funded.

it felt very small though compared to notts, Manchester etc- open day felt more like a big sixth form.

I live in Swansea.

As a city, there is a reputation for it being called the graveyard of ambition. People move here for university and never want to leave. It is a great place to live. As I type this, I am sitting at my window and I have a view of the bay and the park opposite. It's the sort of place where you get unexpected glimpses of a view that takes your breath away.

When my children were smaller I'd often pick up from school and head straight to the beach, often with many other families. There's a great lifestyle. Lots of people into healthy living. In summer, there's free yoga on the beach and sometimes 100s of people attend. Parkrun along the seafront. Housing is relatively cheap too.

Obviously I know plenty of people who work at both universities and they are good, caring people.

I'm happy to answer any questions about the city. It's small, friendly and safe.

Thanks @minisnowballs

@llareggub sounds amazing, her mum might have to come too! Aberystwyth blew her away, sounds like Swansea would as well. Living somewhere like that must have made it hard for your DS to find somewhere he’d like to go to. Do all the kids just swap between Aber and Swansea? 😅

lol yes, I think a lot do. Many go to Exeter or Cardiff. There’s around 5 or 6 out of my son’s small 6th form planning to go to Aber.

How is everyone? It looks like admissions offices are trying to clear their to-do lists before holiday shut downs as DS has had two more offers through this afternoon in the space of 15 mins!
The one he's really keen on (Newcastle) has offered (a contextual) BBC and Teesside have asked for 128 UCAS points both for MEng. He's also been asked to do an online assessment for a degree apprenticeship which he applied for last week.
He really wants to go the apprenticeship route but having an offer from his first choice uni has perked him up no end.
All good stuff😊

DS submitted on Monday, after much chasing from me and hasn't heard back yet. There's a chance he won't get any offers as he's not put much effort in at college 😬. I didn't go to Uni so this is all new to me.

Dd had an offer for Biochemistry at NTU late this pm 120 points minimum C in biology so hopefully achievable. York(,sorry I know RG) have sent email say it will be after Christmas. Radio silence from Lancaster so we assume after Christmas! Now planning a Nottingham trip as we haven't been. Still departing her other two slots

@jamimmi NTU is great. DS has just finished there after doing his masters. He liked the campus and the labs and enjoyed the city. Definitely go and visit.

Thanks good to know. We have it on the calendar for the last open day in January. Can I ask how "party" it is. She's sociable but needs quite and space too, needs to focus as she has dyslexia and I personally think is a bit neurodivrse but doesn't want a diagnosis .( I work in health care so am aware of the presentations ).

@jamimmi i do not think it is hugely party, there seems to be lots of clubs and it is slightly out of the city centre which makes a difference. For ds it was city enough without being too much. He lived in West Bridgeford for 2 years by the cricket ground which was nice and not too expensive.

@jamimmi I think @mumonthehill is talking about the Clifton campus which is on the outskirts of the city. Would your dd be based there or at the city campus? My dd is at UoN which is considered a 'party uni' (and she was out constantly in her first year) and she says NTU is a notch up again. My ds isn't into drinking or clubbing and she warned him against NTU. Of course, I'm sure there are non-party types there too, but I just wanted to pass that on. Also, I'm on a thread on here for dd's year and I recall that one of the girls started NTU and had to leave, because of the drug taking etc. I think she restarted the year after, somewhere else.

Of course, your dd might be based at Clifton. And someone else might come along and say their quiet dc got on fine at the city campus... I guess it will totally depend on flat mates.

Excited on behalf of the people with offers!

Form still not in here, and it’s the last day of term. Decided on Social Policy though, so that’s something.

Ds' form is with his old school. As always, they don't do what they say they'll do - in this case, the head of sixth form said she'd look at it yesterday. Ds is off to New Zealand on 30th, so I will have to pick it up with school after Christmas if nothing happens by the end of today. He's decided on PPE though and has included 3 choices so far - UEA, Swansea and Essex. We found Economics and Politics yesterday at Surrey, which he's very keen on as he feels (not sure if there's any basis for this) that a BSc is better than a BA. And Surrey are pretty high up in the league tables. I've asked him to think about whether he really wants Philosophy though....

Glad you're getting there @SockFluffInTheBath !

Surprised the uni admissions people are still working this close to Xmas, they must be clearing the decks! DC's school submitted his form on Monday for 2026 entry and 3 unis have responded with offers already! 2 at the standard offer and one much less (not sure why as there's no contextual factors?).

So he's thrilled! Especially with the much reduced offer as that will be his insurance choice now.

I am really surprised re NTU, i do not think it is any more drugs and party than other unis. DS certainly did not have that experience and was at the Clifton campus and not city. He found it a very supportive and inclusive place to study with really good teachers. He played a lot of sport there as well. They have a very good post degree support set up as well with funded placements if you are not in your chosen job a year after leaving .

Ditto for DD2, who left 4 years ago. No more of a.'party' university than any other judging by the experiences of my three DCs and all their friends. The idea that someone had to leave because of the dug taking sounds very weird to me - there are drugs available at every university, and are likely to be more prevalent in big cities, obviously, but if that isn't your scene you just avoid.

DD2 managed a balance between study, socialising and representing NTU at sport. FWIW @jamimmi she did a degree not dissimilar from biochem, and did well enough to get a place on a world-renowned (for her field) Masters course the following year.

Form still not in here, and it’s the last day of term. Decided on Social Policy though, so that’s something.

DD's tutor admitted yesterday that DD's form fell through the cracks into a black hole and she's only just looked at it for the final once over😡Very apologetic but I am so cross, she's not even got any teaching, she is purely a personal tutor. Presumably DD's form won't now go in until after Christmas. I am even more cross because of all the comments on here that a lot of places don't even look at the PS which is what apparently caused the hold up.

Hi all thanks for the info re NTU. She would be at clifton campus i belive. Her brother was at LJMU and I would agree drugs are an issue at lots.of unis. We will go and see I think

Yes, please take my comments with a pinch of salt! And I think they apply to the city campus rather than Clifton.

Yes the labs are at Clifton @jamimmi (DD did biomed). Apparently from some halls you can see when students are being allowed in and.still make it from your bedroom on time... I cannot vouch for the accuracy of this tip 😄