Which uni for v academic party child?

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DC is predicted 3 a stars. They want to study history. They are highly social. They love parties and dancing. They have grown up in a big city and they love big cities but not London as they don’t like that idea.

they so far have visited Cambridge and said it was too small with too many serious academic types, Durham too geeky and no clubs, Bristol too diffuse and spread out, St Andrews they cried while there as so quiet, Leeds they loved but worried it’s aiming below their academic potential, Newcastle ditto.

they really want to go to the USA but I can’t afford that. They want to research trinity Dublin which we will look into.

Edinburgh?

Im confused that they want to go to the US, but clubs are a big consideration. Isnt the drinking age 21 there? Presumably if they are 18/19 it is going to be pretty difficult to access clubs there for a couple of years. I dont know how strictly age regs are enforced though.

I get the feeling they are looking for something similar to the US uni experience/vibe in the UK. Uni here is different. Many unis arent campus particularly those in large vibrant cities. If campus unis are too quiet and city unis are too spread out she really is a bit stuck. This is only exacerbated by her feeling unis like Leeds might be below her academic standards, but Oxbridge is too study intense. Essentially she needs to decide what she will compromise on.

How do you define partying?
Drinking?
Dancing?
Drugs?
Sex?
Staying up until dawn?
All of the above?

That wasn't our experience. DD had mixed GCSE's then 3 A* A'Levels. It was a bit of a breeze.

You can certainly party hard at Cambridge and Oxford if you want to.

Otherwise I’d say Manchester

Birmingham is a top 10 uni - my youngest DC just graduated from a History degree there and had by far the best time of the three. Bristol is great and really not spread out. Warwick can feel very insular and isolated m Manchester definitely a good shout. One of the great things about Birmingham is accommodation- large chunks of Selly Oak are just student housing so it’s easy to get and they are all near each other. We paid all DC’s rent and Birmingham was the cheapest and least hassle to organise.

@arethereanyleftatall - they really don’t care about co curricular stuff - just academic ability and intellectual curiosity.

Second Manchester. That’s where we’re hoping DS will be in September - parties, music scene, good student social scene, great transport links.

DH nearly went there (went to Cambridge, where he seriously partied).

Ultimately - if they are a fun, sociable, likeable person they will have a social life wherever they go. They will gravitate to people like them - they just need to be willing to instigate as well as ‘go along with’ social plans.

What’s tiresome is this kind of comment. Perfectly acceptable use of the English Language.

It will depend on the course you are applying for.

Agreed, and she downloaded data vis a vis applications and acceptances for various subjects and chose one that was very close to her first choice but had a far higher acceptance ratio. I guess that's what sorts the sheep.from the goats.

i totally support my child in deciding where they want to go based on their interests which can include social scene. nobody would be moaning and saying they’d grow out of it if they wanted to be near beaches for surfing or hills for fell walking. music and clubs are perfectly good interests to have.

It’s part of knowing yourself. I chose my university based on my own equivalent interests as a teen and the interests were great but my mistake was that I didn’t put as much thought into my course which was really boring. That aspect made it hard to stick it through the three years. For a masters I loved the subject and would have done it anywhere so it makes a huge difference.

Isn’t this a two stage filter- 1) they want to take their course seriously so research where best place to learn for that 2) they presumably are very into music so they will know where the music venues are and whether they’re in university cities or not. But priority must be 1; always.

final thing to say- it’s never been easier to follow music than it is now, in this digital age, so if they get the course right, wherever they end up they will be able to find others likeminded or set up their own society, club night, music venue amd clubbing trips to other places together or whatever it is they are into.

Nobody's mentioned Sussex university for nightlife but pretty sure that’s still good and if gives access to London gigs.

Also can understand fhe crying- any ND in play here? Under stimulation can feel really threatening.
Gap year is a very good suggestion for confidence and self reliance and self organisation. Also a good look at the working world for those just starting with school qualifications on the bottom rungs of the ladder and the immense privilege of being able to go on to get a university education.

Glasgow? Should be opportunity to study yr3 abroad inc USA options. Two student unions and lots of clubs, gigs etc.

I think it’s important they trust their gut. Mine knew she wanted big city and not campus. Some were an immediate no within minutes of setting foot there.

Manchester

She can do her own research all unis are academic snd have parties

id be very concerned at her random crying as that sounds like she us depressed or under a lot of strain that should be your ficus really

If she’s wanting USA if she studies at Queens Belfast she’s eligible for this scheme which comes with a scholarship for a year in USA.

https://nireland.britishcouncil.org/opportunities/study-usa

GB students studying at Queens get an automatic GB scholarship too yr1.

This would get my vote.
High ranking Uni, city, party reputation.

I went to Warwick and had an awesome social life but it all centres on the exceptional students' union and house parties in Leamington Spa - no one goes anywhere near Coventry. I wasn't into 'serious' clubbing though, which seems to be what lot of posters are referring to and you will only get in major cities.

I did postgrad at St Andrews and also could have cried at how quiet it was! I left and came down to London after a term.

Mine was keen on time in USA. What’s worked well for her is being at at Scottish uni which is semester system quite similar to USA (or rather they are quite similar to Scottish uni) and lots of USA students. She’s been working in USA at Camp America for 3 months last 2 summers which has scratched that itch. She’s now opted for Australia for her yr abroad!

I’d encourage going to lots of open days. Some put in clearing open days, worth a visit then even if she’s not in clearing as convenient to visit in school holidays.

Leeds but I’m biased

Glasgow - If you are RUK (rest of uk) they do scholarships there’s £1000 a year academic scholarship my dd gets (needed min A*AA) and generous bursaries if you are max loan.

Manchester, Birmingham, Bath, Exeter, Bristol, Newcastle, Liverpool?