Exeter vs Loughborough

[Alex74]

Hi there
My ds has offers from Exeter and Loughborough for Business and we are struggling to decide as the firm offer. He is sporty and would no doubt be able to play at least IMS at Loughborough and I imagine Exeter. My thoughts are that they’re both great unis, but Loughborough is still underrated. It’s been top 10 in Sunday Times and CUG for the past 10 years now, and I assume there’s a reason for that! This year its rated at 6 in CUG above Durham, Bath etc. Yet people always assume it’s just good for sports! On the other hand Exeter is Russell Group and located in a
lovely part of the country. Any advice would be appreciated.
PS I accidentally put this in AIBU (first time posting!), so have moved it here.

DD had it as her insurance but she'd have been happy to have ended up there. 4 years ago I was watching all her university choices on social media to see how they were handling their students during that COVID year 20/21, since we didn't know what 21/22 would have in store. Loughborough came across as so student-centric. I don't know how Exeter compares as it wasn't on DD's list.

I know loads of people don't like Loughborough because it's based in a town but the campus really is lovely and it would be easy to get to many other places. If he is planning a year in industry, Loughborough might be better placed for that. If cost is an issue, Loughborough would be best.

Edited to add: I doubt it matters that much which he chooses, so if he has a strong pull to Exeter, he'll be likely to do just as well there.

Loughborough, any day of the week. It’s not “only good for sport” - it has a great reputation in some of the STEM subjects for example. But in addition to that the sports facilities are a-maz-ing.

I dislike Exeter mainly cos my friend had a lousy time in crappy student hall on a hill. And then later, my ex-dp got a job lecturing there and he was rubbish at teaching which made me question the entire place (it wasn’t business though, so never fear!)

Doesn’t your ds have a gut feel from visiting the campuses?

Is his course on the main campus at Exeter? I ask because DD is doing business (joint honours with law) and is based on the Penryn campus. Apparently every year there are people who show up in Exeter when they’re supposed to be in Cornwall.

If you've visited both, does he have a preference as to where he could see himself living for 3 years ?

My DS is 2nd year at Exeter - he's loved it there, primarily due to the small size of the city, where everywhere is walkable (his 2nd year house is 10 minutes walk to campus/business school) and 10 minutes walk to city centre)

Nightlife isn't as varied as bigger cities, but it has sufficient pubs and 2 nightclubs to satisfy him and his friends.

In terms of sport, mine plays rugby (university 3rds/4ths this year) and whilst the 1st year was really well organised, with lots of opportunities, he's found that Exeter very much favour the BUCS/elite teams for subsequent years. I can't comment for other sports, but that's possibly where Loughborough may be better - I remember when DS was applying being very impressed with their IMS and hall level competition/league structures (reminded me of college level sport from when I was at Durham).

Finally, in terms of industrial placements, having just being through the hell of him applying for those (makes UCAS seem a doddle) one common thing stands out amongst me and my mum friends of students at other universities: the universities actually do very little to help - it's up to the individuals to complete applications, do online tests, video interviews etc and, if you're lucky enough, attend assessment centres. It's an incredibly competitive process and is effectively the same processes as applying for graduate jobs.

Good luck to him wherever he chooses - both arr fantastic opportunities

Hey @Alex74 I saw you tagged me on the other thread but it makes more sense to reply here.

So one obvious possible negative of Lboro is that if you are looking for a big-city experience at uni you will not get it here. Manchester or Leeds it is not. However if the other places considered are Exeter and S’oton then I am thinking that’s not so important. From Lboro you can head to Nottingham or Leicester for gigs, big shops, clubs – but then why not just go there to uni?

I feel that Lboro gets a bad press sometimes – I recall a poster on here being astonished that anyone would choose it over Strathclyde (a specific course is offered at both) – but I can think of half a dozen reasons why Strathclyde might not suit someone who might prefer Lboro.

Some positives:

• The campus accommodation is priced with a big range. There are en-suite catered halls which cost £££ but DS2’s first year hall was £100 pw x 40 weeks. It’s more now, but still pretty low.
• Accommodation in the town is also quite cheap, esp compared to places like Bristol – and maybe Exeter? (I don't know that tbf)
• Because the town is relatively small, the social side relating to the uni is huge – whatever you like to do, not just sport is on offer and your hobby will be a great way to meet people. DS’s sport has provided him with a social life, housemates, a chance to take on responsibility, a way to keep fit, so so much. But like I say, there are similar opps with music or drama or whatever grabs you.
• If you enjoy sport it’s great as there are so many sports you can try and play at various levels – for fun, as intra-mural, or at a BUCS event. The facilities are excellent. Lboro is unbeaten at BUCS.
• It’s not in the RG but only bc (I suspect) it doesn’t want to be. RG obviously includes the top unis in the UK – Oxford, Imperial, Cambridge, LSE, Bristol and more – but tbh if you are comparing Lboro (or Bath or Lancaster) with, say, Cardiff or Southampton I don’t really think the RG tag pulls up any trees there.
• Many courses are very highly rated including engineering, science subjects, product design.
• It’s central in the UK which makes it easy to get to from a number of places. If you are also looking at Exeter and Soton then it may be too far north for you ofc.

One thing ppl often say is that you won’t be able to play your sport at Lboro unless you are world class. It’s fair to say that for popular sports like athletics or footy it’s very competitive to get the BUCS nod. DS tried for the football team and was one of 400 trying for a spot. But then a mate of his at another uni was one of 200 trying to get into the footy team so it’s not easy anywhere. DS btw when disappointed, switched to his other sport and hasn’t looked back.
Yes, to compete at BUCS at track and field for Lboro you need to be excellent (it helps if you are Holly Bradshaw or Alex Haydock-Wilson!) but you can still train and enjoy your sport if you are not that standard. If it really matters to you to compete at BUCS and you are a 100m runner then I guess I suggest a different uni. But there are lots of other sports where you can make your mark. DS’s team (US football) won the BUCS trophy two years ago with a goodly number of rookies in the squad, and everyone got some game time in the final.

Oooh what an essay. Sorry to go on. I do rate it as a uni destination but for sure it is not for everyone.

Both are excellent. It really depends on the course and what you want out of University. For my son, Loughborough was too close to home and Exeter was near the sea so that is what appealed to him (all things being equal)
Both are good at sport and have good reputations etc.
He has subsequently changed his mind re what he wants to study and Exeter doesn't offer the course, but he would definitely have chosen Exeter over Loughborough purely for those reasons. Both are good choices

Thanks so much for your thoughts. We’ve just been for an offer holder day and it’s even better than I remember it. Fantastic campus, vibe and the an unusually friendly and welcoming community feel with people from literally every background you can think of. Totally agree about the RG tag - it’s clearly a much better uni than many RGs, like Bath for example. Literally everyone we have spoken to loves the place and that says something I think. There really is nothing to dislike as far as I can see. My son would be happy with either but seems to be leaning towards Loughborough, although I’ve been very careful not to appear biased and I do think Exeter is also a lovely uni so personally I don’t mind which he chooses. But you can only form one of course. And you only get guaranteed accommodation at your firm. We shall see!

That's great that you has such a good experience @Alex74 I'm glad ppl were so positive. I am a bit biased as ds is there and he abd I are both big into our sport and see how well lboro does.

Just to flag tho Bath us not RG but esp for things like engineering and maths is ranked well above lower ranked RG like Cardiff and Southampton. As is Lboro.

OP have a DC at Loughborough doing Business. We didn't consider Exeter (it isn't especially known for Business and it was in clearing in 2023 at Penryn). Agree with all the other points raised but just wanted to comment on the placement aspect. DC and course friends / housemates had secured placements well before Christmas - some companies had existing L'boro students and were actively recruiting L'boro students again. DC used the careers service for mock interviews and mock assessment centres. I think it's been quite helpful - but I think you have to seek it out. Two friends are doing the year abroad instead of a year in industry, one is off to Spain and the other to Chile.

Argh @Alex74 I just reread your post and realise you may have meant Lboro, like Bath is much better than many RGs. If so pls ignore my post!

@Africa2golol at your "Exeter isn't especially know for Business".

How on earth did you come to that conclusion? Do some research and you'll see their Business Schools have similar rankings across the main World and European measures.

And Exeters main Business School is on the Streatham campus in Exeter itself

@cyclingmum67 its just my view - Exeter wasn't on our radar - that was just from our research, appreciate others have different views, that's fine! Not sure why you mention the main site being in Exeter (I know that), I was just commenting on the course in Penryn (it's still the BSc Business Uni of Exeter).

@Africa2go- I'm assuming the OP is looking for balanced views of both Universities, not a "bang the drum" for where my DC goes.

And re Streatham - Exeter Business School have undergraduate courses available at both that campus and Penryn - just wanted to highlight their Business offerings aren't all at Penryn - which would give the level of sports opportunities the OP is after for their child.

@cyclingmum67 I don't think I was "banging the drum" at all in comparison to quite a few posts (including yours), I was just commenting mainly on my DC's experience of the placement aspect at Loughborough.

Let's not derail the thread.

Good luck OP in making the decision, good choices to have.

Just for balance. To add to the rather bizarre comment about Exeter not being known for business - Investment banks have target universities where they recruit heavily from. These are Oxbridge, UCL, Imperial, Warwick and LSE. A level below that are semi target universities like Durham, Nottingham and yes Exeter. Loughborough is specifically mentioned as a non target
There are quite a few articles on the web about this (one is linked below) Loughborough is not mentioned and if I have accidentally missed it, it is definitely not mentioned as often as Exeter.
Not sure what research was done re Loughborough/Exeter, but this isn't my opinion, rather actual facts.
https://www.efinancialcareers.co.uk/news/target-universities-finance-uk#:~:text=They%20are%20Bocconi%2C%20Imperial%2C%20LSE,%2Dtarget%E2%80%9D%2C%20which%20are%E2%80%A6

That article is poorly written at Best @TheJollyCoralEagle .
Here's a quote:

Either way, banks might be hesitant to bring in hires from target universities. Trackr’s data shows that non-targets are much more likely to lie on their CV/Resume, for one: 15% of target university applicants have reported lying on their application, compared to just 3.5% of semi-target applicants.

Banks might hesitate to hire from target unis? But the article is all about them hiring from those unis.

Non-targets lie...15% of targeted university applicants lie, compared to 3.5% of semi targets...??? That doesn't even make sense.
I am a bit doubtful about the research behind something so badly written and checked.

As I said there are plenty of articles to go and choose from and this is one reference. They can't be all wrong 🤔
"Yes, Exeter is generally considered a semi-target university compared to Loughborough, which is a prominent non-target school. Exeter is often listed alongside other semi-target universities like Bristol, Nottingham, and Edinburgh. Loughborough, while reputable, is not typically included in the same category as these semi-target institutions, especially when it comes to certain career paths like investment banking"

And just to add. My comment was predominantly about Exeter not being known for business which it most definitely is.
Even if there is indeed some reference re Loughborough also being a semi target university, that wasn't meant to be the thrust of my post.

Isn't that article slanted towards banking / financial careers? I'd have expected anyone targeting that sort of career to be looking at Economics / Finance / Accounting / Maths - type degrees rather than perhaps a more general Business degree?

It's an indication of how respected business/finance/accounting is at Exeter. It's business school is ranked in the top 15 in both the CUG and Times rankings and it's undergraduate business degrees are ranked in the top 10 by both the Sunday Times and the CUG (higher than Loughborough coincidentally in both league tables)
www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/business-and-management-studies

No worries @clary. Yes that is what I meant! I am also increasingly skeptical about the so called benefits of ‘research’ based universities. We were more impressed by the teachers at Loughborough - who teach rather than just repeatedly ask ‘what do you think’, which seems to be the way with RG.

I went to Loughborough - admittedly 20 years ago, but we had a fabulous time both in the town and also being able to very easily get to Nottingham and Leicester for gigs and shopping and bigger stuff. Campus life was brilliant, and I'm still very close to the main group of friends I met there.

PP's comment that whatever your sport or hobby you can do it there is accurate ! It also has some great countryside not too far away which for me as a horse rider who wanted to hack rather than compete or be on uni team was perfect - might not be relevant for your DS but worth mentioning!

Another thing about Loughborough (mind you this is probably true of a lot of unis) – students really like to stay there! While you may not want your DC to be a student forever haha, it must say something good about the place.

DS2 (who has basically moved there – four years and counting) had lots of mates who seemed to be there forever by dint of various masters and other dodges. And I know a lot of T&F athletes who are into their fifth year by splitting their course or their masters. This may be a function of wishing to stay at Lboro to play American footy (DS and mates) or train track and field, but still I think it says something positive.

DS went to Loughborough and really enjoyed it. They have a strong halls and inter halls competition culture , he played sport for fun in the inter halls tournaments throughout his time and loved it. A strong culture of supporting the BUCAS teams, he went to watch and support lots of the rugby, football etc tournaments.

DS and his friends, mix of engineering, economics, business... all graduated last year and all are in jobs now (including banking).