Redirection due to unexpected A-level results: Loughborough or Uni of York?

[sundrenchedsummerandrose]

Specifically for Economy.

YP into a sport and has played at district and just below county level in a sport they're passionate about.

Was predicted A star AA and was on track for A*/A and A and A/B but achieved BBB (the drop from A star was a real surprise).

Would be grateful for any advice, comments etc as YP distraught as didn't get their first/insurance choices.

Keen on campus.

Also has offers from following unis:
Reading
Lancaster
Cardiff
Southampton

Thanks in advance.

For sports?
Loughborough
No question
Good luck

If keen on campus, Loughborough is a winner, the campus is great.
Much, much cheaper to live there than in York too.

York is lovely though, but pricey.
Cardiff is also a good student city, good rugby, obviously, stadium for large events. Cheap rent
It also depends on where you live

@swampwitch0 @Chewbecca Thanks. Just worried that it's really for the super talented - do other 'mere mortals' (even though have played at district and just below county) get a look in for sports??

Top teams, probably not, but there are lots of other opportunities to play sports as well as the top level.

Lots of sport at Uni of York too and Roses competition every year in all manner of sports with Uni of Lancaster

From what I hear, it’s only the top competitive teams that get a real look in
for Loughborough that is

The roses at York seems to involve all students at whatever level they’re at. Even beginners

I think Loughborough is a bit higher ranked than York. The town of Loughborough is a bit uninspiring compared to York but I'm not sure medieval architecture is a draw for most teenagers!

Loughborough - they also have an incredible design technology department, and from what I understand, have had a lot of investment from sports companies for research and development.

Lancaster is a great and a very underrated uni. Great sports facilities and campus. Really good.

I went to York (annual war of the roses sports between Lancaster and York which is a brilliant weekend they host in turn).

DS went to Lancaster and I’d pitch it far above York in terms of accommodation and facilities and the general campus (plus cost of living).

Have a look at the tables - people are often surprised how high Lancaster ranks (well above York).

DS went on to Oxbridge post-grad and rated Lancaster higher in his experience. Really good atmosphere, excellent quality of lectures, fab campus. Easy access to the Lake District, the coast and Manchester.

He's glad he “did” Oxbridge but thinks he’d have had a better time post grad staying in Lancaster.

For economics Lancaster is the highest rated of all you have suggested.

https://www.uniadmissions.co.uk/application-guides/economics-rankings-uk/

Loughborough is much cheaper than York. Much as it pains me to say it, I would only go with York if you are able to provide hefty parental support. It's very hard to get a part time job there (more students that want one, than jobs available).

York has the college system so opportunities to get involved at all levels of sport if not top team standard. They also have the Roses as already mentioned.

Lancaster will probably surprise you with how highly ranked it is for economics. Above both Loughborough and York I believe and a much less expensive place to live

My niece played hockey at county level and swam for her town. She got the third team for hockey and just got to do swim training. Second year she moved up to second team in hockey and third year finally got into the first team and did swim a few races in her third year. The standard is very high. I know a cricket player who plays at county level and plays in the Birmingham Premier League and he is in first cricket team but others in the team are of equally high standard. District might only get DC third team.

Thanks. DC is not worried about being in the top team, just wants to play!

Dh went to Loughborough a million years ago and Ds applied there last year for Econ (now at Warwick which was his first choice) but Loughborough is lovely in the fact that your accommodation hall is your team too. There are hall vs hall matches and I do feel like it offers a team spirit even if you are not playing.

Facilities are incredible, campus is lovely with a lot going on. Depending on the sport just wanting to play means you will probably be playing against some high level players and it will be a challenge. Dh played in 2nd team and it was deadly serious with training etc and you had to be incredibly committed to it alongside your studies.

York is a ridiculously expensive city, not just for (often substandard old) campus accommodation but also for the nightlife, i.e. pubs & clubs etc.

Lancaster is a lot cheaper all round, no substandard/old accommodation on campus, and is very highly ranked for economics. Also has excellent sports facilities.

DD was university 3rds fo her sport at Oxford, but 1st team at York. She really enjoyed the social side, as every Wednesday they would train then go out for the evening. She loved the Roses competition as much as playing varsity as it included all sports to win the competition, not just hers in isolation.

Thanks all.

Or Aberystwyth. Lovely Campus lots of on campus housing and even cheaper housing in town, only a walk down the hill.

Surely pick the one which will give the best degree in her subject?

Sorry to hear they didn't get the grades they wanted but at least they have other offers now. I would look at course content at all of them, normally online on uni website, as courses can vary in maths content and options availability. I would go for place / course they think they would enjoy the most out of those. Its hard when you haven't seen them but there's often a lot online - if you get this moved to Higher Ed board might get more people who know about those unis. If you can say what firm and insurance where or why they chose them people may be able to say which of those is most like that though its always a bit subjective.

They have a kind of house system that runs competitions specifically for students who aren't in the elite categories (my son went there and loved it)

Some really useful insights, thank you.

Surrey University is a lovely campus and I understand has good sports facilities.