Geography - Notts/Birmngham/Leeds/Southampton?

[ScottishStag]

My son is looking to do Geography for his degree and likes both human and physical, so would like a mix. He is also appreciates a good looking campus and a good social life 😀
Does anyone have any experience of the above? We have been to Nottingham which he loved and Birmingham which he also likes - both lovely campuses. We haven't been to Leeds - is it worth it? He liked Southmapton but not enough, I dont think.
Just read the Nottingham Uni thread and it has spooked me a bit! Both the safety in the city and the academic side.

Don't let it spook you. Most on there who have had students attend speak highly of it. It is no more or less safe than the other places you mention.

Southampton has the best reputation for Geography of your list but the place also matters.

Leeds is quite different because it's not a campus uni like the others. Very popular choice for many young people.

My DS is at Birmingham and has liked it a lot. Not geography, however!

We did the open day at Leeds for Human Geog as it has a Quantitive Module which really appealed to DD and EPQ grade reduction. The city itself is fab though it's not green leafy campus.
DD had a change of direction away from Geog in the end though so didn't apply.

I thought it was usually Durham for Geography

Thanks for your replies, they have been really helpful. While my son gets great grades, they are not great enough to get into Durham 😉
I like the idea of Birmingham - does he like the city?

Yes, well enough. Birmingham students don't perhaps make as much of their location as other unis in more , shall we say, picturesque locales. But there is something for everyone. My DS dies parkrun in a lovely nearby park, has had a job at Edgbaston and an internship at the uni itself, plays in the ( national champions!) brass band, swimming at the fantastic pool and plays for two football teams ( halls and department ) so there is lots to do. Clubbing is on Broad Street but he goes there less these days. Plenty of pubs and restaurants. The campus really is lovely and Selly Oak is fine with good amenities and excellenttranspirt links.

DOES Parkrun! No one dies!

If your ds loved Nottingham why not send him there? It has an amazing campus, both uni and city have a friendly feel and there is lots going on. There is also a good choice of accommodation for the first year and beyond. I know someone who had a great time there doing geography and I have a dd at the uni but on a different course. She is very happy there. I also know of people doing geography at Southampton and that is a very good option but no point in pushing it with your son if he wasn’t keen. My DD liked Leeds for shopping but was not so keen on her department and the accommodation at the open day. The university lacks the green space of the other places you are considering but it comes down to what aspects are important for your ds. We did not visit Birmingham uni so will leave others to comment on that.

DD is at Leeds and is so happy. It might not be a campus uni but I think it feels like it is once you are inside. And there's lots of pretty old buildings, blossom trees, ponds - they make the most out of being in a city. The central village accommodation is worth a look, it's much nicer than the older buildings.

Thank you. I think Nottingham has the edge but be open to Birmingham as well.

My DD is at Notts and loves it. She is not a geographer but does modules with a number of people doing a geography joint honors and they all seem to enjoy it.

DD also at Notts but not geography, she loves it.
The campus is great and she hasn't really felt unsafe, like any big city you need to keep your wits about you

Most geog undergrad courses are either Human (BA) or Physical (BSc) after the first year where everyone does the same modules. So he needs to delve into how the course at each place is structured if he really does want a mixture throughout. For what it’s worth my DC geog A level teacher said the Nottingham course was the best available and it really is a great place to be a student