Economics at Surrey, Lancaster, York or Newcastle

[Bufftailed]

How would ppl rank these please?

I don't think there will be a vast difference between those four. I would look at the courses and how the universities are as places to live.

Some things I would consider
How much maths is in each course and what do most students go in with re A levels grades and if they find the maths too difficult / not interesting can they opt out or would it require a degree change as maths seems to be the most common reason for issues in economics degrees.
What are the course contents, are they interested in those topics.
Are they likely to work in London afterwards - a lot of economics jobs and placements are in London which may give Surrey a slight edge over the others due to location unless you live in London already so accommodation not an issue.
Otherwise would just go for the course and university they like best. Accommodation price is probably worth looking at as well.

I'ld also keep an eye on strikes / job cuts though economics is relatively safe as a subject. Sussex appears to be striking.

Sorry got Sussex and Surrey mixed up there.

I would say the degrees themselves employers are unlikely to differentiate between but if one of them gives them a better chance of getting work experience / internship / placement that would help employability. Surrey obviously the best one for proximity to London placements. York I think has Joseph Rowntree Foundation which may offer work experience and even if they say want to work in finance rather than policy that would still help and would help get into the finance for social housing / regeneration / green type issues. Don't know about other two cities.

(based on google search): Lancaster top - well rated course and financially stable uni; York - good course, a little less financially stable, then Newcastle and Surrey (order dependent on what you look for) - Newcastle less well ranked course, city uni, more financially stable; Surrey least financially stable but pretty good course and apparently really good placement options.

Lancaster and York might be considered the "best" in terms of people recognising them/respect etc, but for the actual course, I would read up and ideally visit because one might suit your particular interests more than others.

I have a DC just started Economics at Surrey and seems happy there. Less stringent requirements around Maths for sure, and great placement opportunities due to proximity to the City as pp stated.

If financials are a consideration York is expensive. Halle 8-11k and as it’s a lottery system you cannot guarantee what you will get really. Private rent also looking to be £10k ish next year.

that said by daughter is loving her first year and her halls are lovely - I’m impressed by the range of freshers stuff her halls / college had on offer that was not drinking focused (the majority was a sober event I think)

Friends son is doing it at Newcastle and loving it .

Thank you. How is it socially? I read a lot commute so wondered how it is for residents…

Thanks that is good to know as DC doesn’t drink

8-11k for 40 weeks of halls!!! Omg

Standard York halls (budget not en suite) look like £5800…

Yeah…..i think there are two that are cheaper than that and that’s it.

My DD’s are £213 a week for 44 weeks, so roughly £9.5k. She is on minimum loan so that’s alot of top up.

That said they are lovely with a
huge communal kitchen / diner / living room . 7 girls sharing the flat……

Her college and another the set out same are the top choice I believe so she was really lucky to get it (and lucky I can afford to top it up)

There are 3 under 8k from a choice of 30 options in total - it’s not good odds if you are on a strict budget.

My ds has just graduated from Surrey in another subject and had a great time socially and academically.
Halls seem a lot cheaper than most places and his rented house was reasonable as well. His friend did Economics and now has a job in London though not sure what doing.

We definitely wouldn’t be in the market for a huge en-suite! Unless he is going to work

Thanks for intell

York you get what you are allocated. My DD’s friend was allocated the £10,000 ones like it or lump it. Yr2 accommodation was a scramble and deposit needed Autumn yr 1.

York is very expensive, D2 was allocated a room in a (lovely) student flat in her 1st year, I think it was £10800 for the year. Rentals also expensive. But she loves it as a place.
Newcastle is a brilliant place to be a student

My DD is at Lancaster (not economics) and her accommodation (second cheapest I think) was £5700 for the year. If you get an offer and make it your firm choice you can apply for accommodation from about April. I think she had to choose 2 different colleges and went for the cheapest in both.

There's loads of accommodation at Lancaster and it seems to be first come first served rather than the lottery after results day that other unis make students go through.

She's now in a house share down in the city and is paying about £130 a week including bills so Lancaster is relatively cheap.

Thanks all. I am shocked about York. Good to have this heads-up.

@Bufftailed Be careful about assuming students get internships too or a year working. These dc have to apply. It’s competitive. Not just against students from Kings, UCL, QMU, but many others like Reading, Exeter, Bath, Bristol and Oxbridge who all want internships. They are not reserved for Surrey students.

Just looked at CUG. Only Lancaster is top 20. It’s 16. York 23, Surrey 28 and Newcastle 31. So the front runner is Lancaster but I’d look at employability and where. Plus course details and whether dc prefers Newcastle as it’s the only big city on the list. Surrey at Guildford is very different for example.

True, not guaranteed, but Surrey has an exceptionally good placement programme that is its strength leading to v high grad employment from Econ. For this and a few other reasons DC v keen atm.

Times ranking has Surrey 17, Lanc 19, York 25, Lanc 44…

My ds was at Surrey on a degree with a placement. As far as I can gather they had workshops about applying and CVs. I think there was a list of placements not sure how many but basically you were on your own and had to find the placements and apply competing with students from every other uni. I'm not sure Surrey do any more than any other Uni.

@Treylime Yes. That’s how it works. University doesn’t have a long list of exclusive employers. They just get notified of availability. It can take up a vast amount of time filling in numerous applications. Students get guidance but not a promise of the year out or an internship. Far too many students and parents think there’s a bank of opportunities and students choose which one. Reality is different.