Oxbridge vs top 10 workload

[Mozzarellasticks55]

Sorry I realise this has no doubt been discussed on here before but I am
seeking viewpoints from those of you who have had a DC at Oxbridge and another at a competitive top 5-10 uni ie you can make a first hand comparison. How different an experience was it in terms of workload and work / life balance, esp for essay subjects.

For background I have one DC at Oxbridge currently. Younger is starting to consider options and has high aspirations. Obviously not my decision but I would like them to be a bit less swamped with work and have a little more time for a better work/life balance. Or is there not that much difference?

thanks

Durham chemistry is a LOT of work- particularly 2nd year.

You also need to factor in how much less time you need for daily life stuff at Oxbridge. Living in college with all meals catered and a library right there makes it much easier to work for hours a day without feeling the same level of hardship. It’s easy to feel you can buckle down for 8 weeks when everything else is taken care of.

DC was at LSE. They had two 10 week teaching terms and the final term was for exams. DC chose all modules that were coursework only apart from a MFL outside module. So in the entire 3 years only had 2 exams per year in that 10 week final term.

They had a job throughout university. In the final year only had 6 hours of contact time over 2 days, so commuted from home. They would spend a good 8 hours in the library on the days they were in London.

I honestly think Durham maths is more arduous than Exeter, Cardiff or Bath - places some of adD’s contemporaries went. Can’t speak for Oxbridge but o bet that’s tougher again.