Which universities have a more quirky/alternative student body?

[cheeseclothshirt]

DS is in Y12 and considering either Music or Geography. We are hitting the Open Days soon and as well as thinking about reputation for subjects, I'm also thinking about where he is most likely to find like-minded people. DS is quite quirky, practical and creative and generally drawn to similar types. Not a huge party person, likes doing outdoors stuff. He really likes Falmouth for its mix of creative/outdoorsy.

I work at one of Durham/York/Bristol/Exeter and I know that DS would not feel at home in our student body (delightful as they are and much as I enjoy teaching them!). I gather Nottingham has a similar demographic and I imagine Warwick too?

London is probably out due to cost/size.

Anywhere we should be adding to our list? We are already visiting Falmouth, Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham, Huddersfield. I am wondering about Lampeter?

Sorry, I meant Lancaster not Lampeter!

No student body is homogenous- there will be many different”tribes” - rahs, emos , rugger buggers, drama kids, nerds, Mathmos , religious, potheads, clubbers etc etc - most kids find their “people”. Even where you teach there will be kids with so many interests, I’m surprised you put everyone in the same basket

I agree up to a point, but I think some universities are a lot more diverse than others. I know the student body of my own university very well and the quirky students stick out like a sore thumb.

Sussex might be a good choice - Brighton campus. Brighton is great for acceptance of everyone and a creative vibe. Or Manchester but that might be too big. Birmingham might suit and has a good indie scene. Sheffield always strikes me as a great place to be too and a bit quirky and also Lancaster but that’s a bit smaller. It sounds like he might want to avoid the ‘Rah’ type places.

Thanks @Turmerictolly those suggestions are really spot on, that's exactly what I was getting at!

Sheffield? Although it's a long time since I was there

Liverpool?

I work at one of Durham/York/Bristol/Exeter and I know that DS would not feel at home in our student body

In this list I would say York is quite quirky and accepting of a variety of student types. DS went there and possibly found it a bit TOO quirky for him, but did still make friends. Lots of lovely Yorkshire countryside, and the coast not too far away!

Aberystwyth for geography - sea, mountains and very quirky

Ah that's interesting @LlamaDrama20 perhaps I have got the wrong end of the stick about York.

Oh, and I meant to say, I think York has a good reputation for music!

Can you define in what way your DS is 'quirky'?

Sussex might be a good choice - Brighton campus. Brighton is great for acceptance of everyone
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Sussex just got fined £585000 for not allowing free speech.

Winchester and Solent are both quite quirky in their own ways. Ulster if going to NI is an option. Herriot Watt and Portsmouth might also be options. Brighton is the obvious one, but Chichester could also be an option.

Totally agree with that.

I know quirky students at three of the Durham/York/Bristol/Exeter set you put and they've all found their tribe and are very happy there, and would say they're great places for quirkiness.

I think sometimes the problem is people convince others that they won't fit in, then it becomes self-fulfilling because they don't bother to look beneath the surface if they don't find a tribe straight away (which many don't)

Can you define in what way your DS is 'quirky'?

Good question! He's always been a bit of an outsider at school, probably a bit neurodiverse, gender non-conforming, loves the technical side of music rather than performance, bright but not motivated by academics, likes doing things rather than analysing them, not a rule follower and people-pleaser like me!

Solent is not on a par with York / Durham / Exeter / Sussex

My Dd is at one of these. She is definitely weird, and has definitely found some extremely quirky friends ! Happy as Larry, I wouldn’t worry too much

@cheeseclothshirt he’ll like the music at York then!

@MargaretThursday yes I take your point and I think DS can fall into the pattern that you describe. I do encourage him to keep an open mind and talk about how some of my best friendships have grown organically rather than being 'love at first sight'.

Sheffield is now known as the Outdoor City (not as much steel these days) and is fabulous for all who want to find their tribe. So many do that they stay here afterwards.

University of the creative arts for music. We went to an open day and it was full of weird and wonderful, buzzing with creative energy.

Sussex is a haven for quirkiness. It is intolerant of those who are intolerant of quirkiness.

While it might not suit everyone (including me), it could suit your DS.

Remember that Falmouth shares a campus with Exeter in Penryn - worth looking at for geography courses.

If the distance to Falmouth isn't too much of a turn off, perhaps they'd also consider Aberystwyth - great for geography and the outdoors.

My DS sounds very like yours! Probably going to Sheffield, which has a great reputation for friendliness.

I know it’s not what you’ve asked, and you do say you’re looking at reputation for subjects, but I would be looking almost entirely at where the degree of choice is most highly rated, and where would give your DS the best opportunities after university- open the most doors. It’s a huge investment of time and money, and I’d prioritise that over quirkiness of a cohort, especially as that will vary by year and is entirely down to the luck of the draw. Some of the universities mentioned are RG, some I didn’t even know existed tbh… I’d personally use a different lens to come up with a shortlist.

Not all of these suggestions offer Music, including Lancaster (and Warwick). But that doesn't mean they don't have good extra curricular musical activities, if your DC does choose Geography