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]

@SockFluffInTheBath I apologise if my posts elicited somewhat sweary and uncalled for reactions directed at me. I seem to be followed by these people. It’s quite nasty I feel. Some of what was said is not true by the way. I also believe in free speech and threads being open to all. I’m totally in favour of a friendly supportive thread about non RG plus 4 and I had a DD at an Arts uni. Not all dc can get their courses at RG. Nor should they. I’ve many friends whose DC have done very well at non RG and I’m happy to share those experiences. It is unfortunate that posters kept posting about RG though but I’ve no idea why. I did not intend to derail. Sorry.

I think its unfortunate this happened, but as I've seen on other threads, you can get peoples backs up quite quickly, intentionally or not. Sometimes you fire off a bunch of short questions that are challenging, and often sound rather aggressive. Then you're surprised when people challenge you back. You frame their responses as an "attack" when actually, they are often just matching your own, perceived tone. Maybe you should think about moderating your own responses to things, and you'll receive less challenging ones in return.

@TizerorFizz and @Thedogismybaby thank you, we’ll all survive, but maybe let’s leave it at that and get back to the intended conversation 🙂

I read a good article recently, which I [typically] can't find now, about Surrey University and how it has invested heavily in student accommodation and facilities years ahead of it's rivals and is now reaping the benefits with great reviews and excellent student satisfaction ratings.

My son has a friend at Surrey now and she loves it there.

I hope your young people get the offers they have applied for. Best of luck to them all

@SockFluffInTheBath yes. I was responding to you. Didn’t expect yet more commentary. I’ll leave it there. I genuinely hope all dc enjoy their choices.

Now that's rude. See, you open yourself up for criticism and you never take responsibility for it.

@Thedogismybaby breathe 🙂 nice username btw, mine is too!

My DD was tempted by Surrey but having been in the car when I've taken relatives to the RS hospital she has decided that the whole area is far too busy for her!

It was me who said I would also fuck off then if Lancaster and Surrey aren't allowed on the thread and I mainly swore because I'd had a bad day. I shouldn't have sworn (although this is MN) but honestly..

Anyway, let's all move on.

Lancaster is a top ten university but it isn't Russell Group (which is literally just a marketing consortium) and it is possible to access some of their courses with BBB through clearing. It's a really good aspirational choice for those expecting to get grades around that mark and it's really worth a look even if it seems inaccessible at first. Surrey is rising back up through the rankings and is also very accessible because it offers lots of foundation courses so will often switch DC onto those if they miss their grades.

DS is looking at Reading or Keele for insurance. His school recommends an insurance place should be at least two grades below their predicted grades. They recommend one aspirational choice, three choices at or about predicted grades and one choice 2/3 grades below predicted grades. That apparently significantly reduces the chances of needing to scramble to get something through clearing.

Guildford is very busy. The Surrey campuses themselves are both quite green though, at least around the edges. DS liked it and he is a country boy. It is very much second choice though - he's well and truly seduced by the beauty and the polish of Lancaster which has had way more investment than Surrey over the years. The campus at Lancaster is stunning and it's like a small town in itself.

My DD loved Keele when we visited (we only did it as it's relatively close). It was her number one until we visited Lancaster, and now she's seen Bangor I think it's shuffled down to number three. I think we were told that Keele is one of only about 16 Unis that are considered good for both teaching and research quality.

he's well and truly seduced by the beauty and the polish of Lancaster which has had way more investment than Surrey over the years. The campus at Lancaster is stunning and it's like a small town in itself.

Yes, DD felt the same. She absolutely loved the subject talks as well. And accommodation is relatively cheap (though not as cheap as Bangor!).

Just adding myself to the thread. My son is applying to Aber. Like previous posters we went for the open day and fell in love. We’ve been to Cardiff (fine) and Warwick (hated it) and he’s now refusing to go to any others. He’ll apply to Swansea as its local, Cardiff too. But Aber is his preference. He’s planning to study Politics and IS.

Nice username @llareggub 😅 I remember reading that in sixth form! Looks like we might have a Mumsnet massive going to Aber!

I’ve got a DS at Plymouth in y2 reading oceanography if anyone wants any info. He couldn’t love it more, loves the city, the course, his tutors, the boat time, the sea, the people, his halls last year, his house this year, the social life…. All in all it is the biggest resounding success ever, he is just so happy. My 2 older ones were at RG and both also v happy (not to quite the same extent, I have to say). The key is to really match the kid to the course, I think, whether that course is RG or not. Anyway I can highly recommend marine-based courses at Plymouth which have an international reputation despite being a post -92 institution.

Aber is one of the top places for International Relations. My older child almost put it down but its a very long way for us.

yes aber for politics and ir is v highly regarded so if he likes it after a visit - fab! Job done!

I agree.

My eldest went to an RG university and their general attitude was that he'd get a degree at the end with their name on so not to bother them in the meantime. He did a year abroad, there was no financial help, no pastoral support and a call in the May to see if they could help in any way 🤷🏻‍♀️

My middle child is at Leeds Beckett, the teaching and support there are great, it's been a completely different experience!

Thanks! I chose it when I joined Mumsnet, pregnant with the son who is now applying to university. I can’t believe how quickly 18 years have passed.

I thought Aber was incredibly welcoming and friendly. So many plus points.

That's what DS2 wants to study 😁
DS1 loves Cardiff Met and, in the spirit of not doing the same or even being in the same city as his big brother (got to be different!), DS2 has ruled out a visit, so maybe Aber is worth a look. I'm all for a bit more Wales!
We did Warwick but it was all a bit intimidating and the wrong 'feel' for him, if you know what I mean 😬
This thread is great OP, perfect timing with all the visits and choices to make. So good to hear about the real experiences of places, beyond the 'best behaviour' visiting days!

Those who've visited Aberystwyth- with it being small compared to other uni towns, did your DC feel like they might get a bit bored there? Wondering if it's worth DC looking at it as it gets good feedback for the department he'd be in. He is quite social though - gym, pub, footie with mates etc so would need stuff to do!

@Inezz DD did comment that there are only 2 nightclubs, but weighed that against saying she felt perfectly safe wandering round at 9pm on the Friday night. She’s very outdoorsy so there’s plenty there for her otherwise.

Bangor is one choice here, and it feels like they would 'look after' DC there. And course is good. Clearly some people think it must be second choice to an RG, but all the RG and non-RG choices are in the frame and the grades are almost the same. It's a long way though......and not sure of the winter! And whether being non-Welsh will sometimes be hard.....

I think that actually places like that are better for students. When everyone is stuck in one place they are all going to the same few places which makes for a good atmosphere and a really good chance of bumping into people you know. It's far more personal. Aberystwyth has thousands of students so plenty of people to socialise with.

There’s 50 odd pubs in Aber so if he loves pubs then he’s sorted! My son loves a beach BBQ so he was happy to hear that’s a thing at Aber. I’m guessing it’s an outdoors sports kind of place too. It’s most definitely not got a city vibe. I think you have to think of it as a village really. I loved it!

It isn’t easy to get there even from within Wales.