Student life at Warwick

[Knittedanimal]

Is it as rubbish as one might imagine?
Living in Leamington doesn't sound like much fun for a student, and the bus service sounds problematic. What are people's DC's experiences like?

DC is in 3rd year there now. He’s very social and has had/is having a fab time. First year on campus - seemed to be a lot going on on campus but they seemed to go out in Coventry and also Leamington quite a bit. The last two years he’s chosen to live in Leamington (and not tried to get back on campus for 3rd year). He’s been less into clubbing than he was in his first year but goes out a fair bit and seems to be having a great time. He hasn’t complained about the bus service. Overall seems to have been very happy there.

It’s great, my dc loves the campus life and now living in Leam. There aren’t many issues with the buses and they can use Ubers or grab a lift with someone with a car too. Plus there are loads of accommodation options near the campus too. It’s a very reasonably priced uni for accommodation and possible to live off a full maintenance grant if you select the cheapest campus accommodation. The uni has loads of societies that are active.

There is an active parents Facebook group but take some of the posts with a pinch of salt (over invested parents).

My other dc is at Bristol and it is so much more expensive, the people they have met are very much SW London based etc and far less diverse than my dc Warwick’s friends and the Bristol accommodation costs are expensive.

Thank you for these positive replies. Interesting perspective about Bristol too, we are midlanders and i do wonder how dd would fare with swathes of wealthy southerners (also a concern for oxbridge) 😊 The only info I can find online about WU is really negative about living arrangements/transport/nightlife which is such a shame as the uni is obviously brilliant. Hoping dd will put it back on the list for next year's application.

I have taught a range of students (state comp) who have gone to Warwick - as did DS's best friend (he's very studious, not a partygoer at all and lived on campus for 3 years). They have all spoken very highly of the uni and their experiences. I do think students who go to Warwick tend to pick it for the reputation, the quality of the uni, its reputation in specific courses - rather than lifestyle. They have all been 'heads screwed on' types. But I also hear the campus itself is very lively.

DD not at Warwick but at a small town very remote uni.

It seems to just promote a communal spirit - she's made a lot of friends because everyone goes to the same entertainment spots (as there aren't many of them).

We visited her in the first month and she was already seeing people she knew as we walked round the town.

Obviously if your DD really wants big city life then a campus/small towner might not suit but I don't think there's any reason to worry about not being entertained.

You have to remember that some of these students that complain have never walked anywhere or had to get a bus as they have had parents drive them. Ds heard people in his accommodation on campus complaining about how far out of the centre they were for walking to lectures. It is a 15 minute walk, or how small their ensuite was, cry me a river. He was on the far west of campus, Sherbourne/Heronbank way.

Buses are plentiful from Coventry and Lem and the student population is 29,000 so people clearly make it work. Ds is always involved in social stuff and now lives just off campus. You can always find places to go, people to see and things to do.

As for "swathes of wealthy southerners" my other child was at a top uni where this is a perceived problem as it is at Warwick. Neither of them have been put off by this or had any problems making friends. Most of time people will find their tribe. Ds2 is having a brilliant time at Warwick and gets the bus into Coventry.

Warwick campus is actually in Coventry and there is accommodation around it but less than in Coventry and Lem. This all comes down to who you are sharing with and usually budget constraints. Coventry has its own university too so two lots of student populations. Warwick is also an incredible university with a brilliant reputation. Both my sons could see that party party for 3 years was lower down the list of priorities than course and uni.

Hi,
DS2 is at Warwick and is happy. He says it may not be for everyone but it suits him. He’s quite sociable and made some great friends because as @HPFA says, these environments encourage people to get to know one another. Societies are a massive thing at Warwick and there is something to suit absolutely everyone from Rugby to Taylor Swift Societies.
Most second years live in Leamington which is where a lot of the pubs, restaurants and clubs are. I think for DS the pull of the university and its prestige makes him accept it’s a little quieter than other places.
Saying that DS1 went to another university known for being a bit livelier and I can’t see DS 2 is going out and socialising any less than his brother did.
There are parents on the Warwick Facebook page whose dc are struggling but they seem to be in the tiny majority and this as we know can happen in any university.
It definitely has a reputation for academically able kids with their heads screwed on which can only be a good thing.

DS2 is sharing a house and best friends with ‘wealthy southerners.’ I admit that there aren’t a huge amount of northerners at Warwick but that doesn’t stop them making friends. And northerners can have successful and wealthy parents too.

DH and I met when he was at Warwick University and I was at Coventry (then still a Polytechnic). That was 40 years ago.

Our eldest DD also went to Warwick, graduating in 2017.

Warwick University is pretty much smack in-between Coventry and Leamington with very regular bus services to both. The campus has a lively Student Union, a sports club and the Arts Centre (Butterworth Hall etc.) where loads of events take place including performances from actors, comedians, music recitals (pop and classical). You name it. I think it has a cinema there too, or did back in our day.

The social scenes in both Leamington and Coventry are also quite lively. Leamington in particular has a number of clubs, pubs, bars and cafés. Lots of students from Warwick University rent there during term time. My DD house shared there with her friends and had a great time. All had met in hall on campus during the first year. No issues getting to campus when they wanted or needed to.

Who has been advising you that it is problematic? It isn't.

Just to add, if a visit to a bigger city is required then Birmingham is not that far away and easily reachable quite quickly by train from Coventry (maybe Leamington too as it does have a station but I am less familiar with that one).

Thanks all.
'Wealthy southerners' was coined from an online source. I hadn't appreciated this would be a consideration at WU. I went to a northern uni with 70% public school kids which i wasn't prepared for. I know northeners can be rich too. 🙄
I've been looking for info in online student forums as dd was concerned about hpw campus life might not be as fulfilling as a big city uni. She is also thinking about Sheffield so tricky to compare the two. But i know the Warwick course is much better....so just trying to compile as much info as possible. You've all been really helpful, thanks.

I wasn’t being snippy at you OP. It’s something you see a lot on here to be honest.
I think there is so much information out there it’s overwhelming for young people. I see decisions about university agonised over and every effort made not to make the wrong choice. I understand this but at the same time so much is down to both attitude and luck. Personally i would be hoping she would choose Warwick but these things have to be the decisions of our dc. Good luck to her.

Thanks @Lobbygobbler yes, lots of snide comments on here atm.
Warwick would be perfect for dd but you're right, she needs to decide if campus life is for her. She thought the union building was grubby so not sure how she'll fare in any big city! We went to the open day and were blown away by the taster lectures and module options....brought back all my uni choice regrets. I might apply and go incognito myself 😅

It’s so hard for them-too much choice! I had exactly the same thoughts before ds went to Warwick but as I say he’s really enjoyed it. There will always be compromises to make but if your dd can’t see herself there then that should rule it out.

Yes I agree it’s quite marmite, despite my dc having the most fantastic time at Warwick I have many friends dc who crossed it off the list following visiting the open day mainly due to the location. I also agree there is so much choice for young people and open days really help with shortening the list.
Exeter is another uni where a trip to the campus can be love/hate.

There is SO much nightlife - I think that's such a weird view. Leamington is a really busy town with tons going on, Coventry is obviously on the doorstep and Birmingham is a 20 min train ride away which isn't far by anyone's standards. I agree with a PP about kids who have never walked anywhere or got a bus!

There is definitely enough nightlife from what I can gather! My DS who was in a busier city only tended to go to one club anyway and there is quite a few to choose from between Leam and Cov.

DS in year 2 is having a blast. Loads of very sociable societies, and Leam is full of students so it’s a bit like an extension of campus. Also, cheap rent!

My DD went to an open day there and absolutely hated it - it’s very modern and ugly and completely soulless. If that doesn’t bother you, great, but if you want somewhere that feels inspiring, then it’s probably not for you!

I went there and loved it - it was completely inspiring. The resources were great and it felt a safe, friendly place to be. It probably comes down to whether the campus lifestyle appeals though.

Definitely depends on what you find inspiring. Both my dc hated Durham. Cambridge also has its fair share of bland and even ugly buildings.

Ds graduated from .warwick in 2021. He lived in Coventry in years two and three - cheaper than Leamington and he didn’t want to spend all day on campus/make several bus trips. Sports facilities were excellent, campus accommodation reasonable (Dd is at Bath which is £££) and plenty of nightlife in Birmingham and leamington. Campus is not particularly attractive, but not sure that’s a deal breaker for most students. Pastoral care sub par in ds’s opinion.

and the bus service sounds problematic.

In what way? I use this bus service occasionally and its always been fine

DD is third year at Warwick. She chose it because it’s one of the best for her course. I was a bit worried at first as we’re from London and she loves clubbing and going out. But she has had a great time, especially from second year onward as most live in Leamington which is a lovely town with loads of pubs and restaurants and a couple of clubs. Accommodation is plentiful as there are a few towns to choose from and not as expensive as say Bristol or Exeter. They also go to Coventry and Birmingham for shopping and nightlife. She now has her car and they all carshare which has been helpful as the bus to Uni is £6 a day. I think if you don’t already live in or near a city and want to experience that Warwick isn’t for you and you’d probably enjoy Manchester or London. DD enjoys that side of life when she comes home. After first year they also don’t tend to use campus for their social life (except sport). Also they are not cosseted in the way they might be at collegiate universities such as Oxford or Durham. Study is much more self directed, which suits DD as she’s quite independent. In conclusion I don’t think it suits everyone but she’s been very happy there and that surprised me.

It’s fine- plentiful, reliable. But it is expensive £6 a day- although many courses don’t require 5 days on site. Lots of them have cars or car share.

student can get termly passes, which work out at abut £17 a week