Help choosing universitys

[HighlandCowLover2]

DD is studying for her A-Levels in Computer Science, Maths and English Literature. She's hoping to apply for Computer Science at some rather high-ranking Universities. Her current predictions are ABB, but she's hoping to get these to A*AB/AAB, as well as hopefully an A in her EPQ. She's contextual at most of the universities she's looking at, which helps.

I don't really know much about any of this, so she's taken it upon herself to create an extensive spreadsheet detailing all of her options. Her school recommends they apply to 2 aspirational Universities (competitive or up to 2 grades higher than predicted), 2 normal Universities, and 1 safety.

She's being very indecisive, and most of her choices seem to rely on her being able to improve her maths to an A. Any suggestions for Universities? She's currently thinking something like Durham, Nottingham, Sheffield, York, and Leeds, but it seems to change every day... She also likes the look of Birmingham, but doesn't think she'd get in / doesn't want to apply to 2 that she 'doesn't stand a chance for'.

If she does qualify for contextual then the grade requirements will be lower but the only specific requirement for Computer science at uni is Maths so getting her grade up to an A will definitely help her. I wouldn’t discount Birmingham as they often offer lower grades with an A or A* in the EPQ and make good contextual offers. I’ve heard good things about CompSci course at Bath from students - probably better than Durham. Sheffield is also a good shout as they require lower grades with a solid EPQ. For Manchester you can check if you’ll get a contextual offer on their website so might be worth looking at. If she’s wanting to stay North then Liverpool might also be worth looking at. The spread of a couple of aspirational and 3 solid choices is sensible. Good luck to your DD - and I hope she can get her maths grade up as that will be a big deciding factor.

Durham unlikely with those predictions.How certain of an A in maths is she? Surrey is worth looking at if not too far south. Probably worth having some universities that don't insist on maths A level as well as those that do. Don't discount Birmingham if the A+ in maths is secure.

Worth visiting if there are open days coming up.

@PoweringOn Yes, she's hoping to improve her maths grade in the next mocks. She says Bath is very competitive? Although I guess Durham would be too. It's slightly further away, but I think she's considered it before / liked the look of it, but thought it'd be too competitive. Will have to look at Liverpool! She looked at Manchester and liked the course, but she thinks the city may be a tad overwhelming. I think she mentioned that the contextual offer at Durham is lower than Manchester / Bath, which she found appealing, and they offer a scholarship for Women in CS (but not guaranteed).

@ConBatulations Ah, that's a shame. She's not totally certain, but she's going to try her best and get it to an A in the next mocks. Last year was a struggle due to some home circumstances (I think she said her school will mention this in her reference?), but she's hit the ground running since September. I've heard her mention Surrey, I think she likes the look of it but perhaps a bit too far south when there are Universities of the same calibre further north.

Manchester is actually pretty compact in the centre and easy to navigate. The Uni buildings are all in one area a short walk from the city centre. Accommodation often no more than a short bus ride. It’s possible to have all your student needs catered for without ever having to contend with the vast majority of Greater Manchester. If she’s looking at city unis and the course is right I certainly would not discount Manchester. Fantastic place to be a student and a decent city for job opportunities too.

Southampton might be a good shout? And Surrey for a decent plan B.

Which is her current A grade prediction? I am assuming CS?

I agree for the best unis even with a contextual offer she probably needs an A in maths for CS. Durham asks for an A even for its contextual offer, and Bath's contextual offer is Astar AB or AAA, also with an A in maths. How likely is the A? I assume she is in year 13? Her teachers must be able to give a clear assessment. I think I read an MNer who teaches maths saying on another thread that it's more than possible to give an accurate PG for maths A level (perhaps more so than other subjects). DS certainly had a very accurate PG in maths at this stage of year 13.

CS is also one of those subjects (based on anecdata!) that is perhaps not lowering grade offers as many unis are in some other subjects.

A student I know is very much enjoying CS at Manchester if that helps. She also needs to decide fairly quickly whether she wants a big city, campus, cheaper, or if more expensive is OK.

Definitely Liverpool a much less overwhelming city than Manchester with everything being walkable .

@allthemind Both are quite far away, but still could be worth looking at I suppose.

Yes, her current A is in CS. She's currently at a B in Maths, but she's trying her best to get it up to an A to open up more university options.

She seems to like campus unis that are still close to cities. She likes it to be within walking distance. But she has looked at city-based universities (eg Sheffield) and likes them too.

Good to know! Thank you.

A friend’s DS did CS at York with the year in industry placement. The year out looked a bit intimidating but he really excelled there and they offered to employ him after he’d completed his final year. It worked out really well for him. I’m not sure if your DD is looking at the courses which offer a sandwich placement, but it could be a good option.

Lancaster would be worth a look.

She is looking at doing a placement, yes. York is one of the places on her spreadsheet! They don't need an A in maths, which is a nice bonus.

I believe it's on her spreadsheet. I think she was put off because it seems rather isolated

Dd graduated last year and also did a placement year - it’s has been worth its weight in gold in terms of her getting a really good job now. Would 100% recommend her doing it if she can.

Durham has a low offer rate (35% according to UCAS). DS (not contextual) applied 3 years ago and didn't get an offer despite PGs exceeding the standard offer. Didn't even look at Manchester as their standard offer was 3A stars then. Also didn't offer integrated masters. Lots were at AstarAA then so it's good to see things are a bit more realistic now. Sheffield was a good insurance as they guaranteed accommodation. Birmingham all walking distance including private houses in Selly Oak and has it's own train station.

If cost is an issue it's worth thinking about accommodation costs in years 2 and 3/4. Places like Birmingham and Sheffield may prove more affordable than York or Bath.

Lancaster is a wonderful campus university and it’s very easy to get into the town centre. It’s a nice compact place for someone who doesn’t want a big city environment and has a good reputation. Ditto UEA.
Sheffield is a smaller city to navigate.
Nottingham is campus too and a friends dc is enjoying their CS degree there.
I think she should try for Durham as an aspirational if she likes it.
CS is one of the most competitive degrees out there though so she should make sure she has lower tariff choices on her list too and not think a contextual offer is guaranteed. Good luck to her.

@ConBatulations I think the lower offers mentioned are mostly contextual. Certs Brum and Bath are still Astar AA or higher for standard offer.

Good shout in the ££ accomm. If that might be an issue @HighlandCowLover2 I would maybe steer clear of Bath, York, Bristol, Exeter. Cheaper halls and flats are available in Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, Loughborough, Leicester, Warwick, Birmingham (and others too – those are just the ones we researched). No idea on CS courses specifically in those unis.

Actually how about Leicester? The student halls etc are in an attractive area on the edge of town and while you need to bike/bus/walk in to lectures there’s a nice campus feel to the halls area. Very very cheap accomm, nice lively city, central area and ABB standard offer. Worth a look anyway.

Discount University of Nottingham. It’s an absolute mess.

@clary Manchester asked for 3A stars 3 years ago and now only want 1 (in maths). Sheffield have also lowered their standard offer from AAA if doing Computer Science A level to AAB. These are their standard offers not contextual.

Ah I see yes fair enough. Still quite a few AstarAA offers about but yes, those are certainly higher from a couple of years ago. Interesting – I presumem it's about supply and demand?

It’s worth shopping about a bit @HighlandCowLover2 - is DC in year 13 and applying for next Sept btw?

Probably a combination of demand and the UCAS tool showing actual grades accepted which wasn't around 3 years ago.

Yes, she is

That's a shame. I took my DD for an open day there, and the campus looked lovely! It's also one of her most local choices.