University?
 

I'm going to University this year (hopefully, grades permitting). Have any of you been to University? How did you pick your final choice? What swung your decision?

I'm thinking about Hull because I have an offer and its very good for politics (My teacher went there, and so did Greg Pope, both said it was very good). However I don't know what the nightlife will be like, which shouldn't be the main thing but I guess its rather important as I want to have a good social life there otherwise i'll be bored crazy! How can I find out what its like other than going and visiting and staying there in a hotel? :p

Re: University?
 

Have a look at their student union website - looks good!!

http://www.hullstudent.com/

Re: University?
 

Why not choose something closer to home then there is no problem with a social life? You could also consider Scottish ones as there is a large section of them are from England. Only down side is the courses are 4 years oh and its cheaper.

Re: University?
 

I'm considering that, Spuggie. The financial benefits are a big plus & I see Uni as the first chance to get out there and be independent for the first time so why not go as far away as possible?
I'll just have to learn to use a cooker...:rolleyes::D

Re: University?
 

Hang on since when has being able to use a cooker been part of the pre-requisit to being a uni student? :confused: :confused: :confused: ;)

As for night life you cant beat Glasgow or Edinburgh.

Re: University?
 

Damn right. What was I thinking.



I'll hire a woman :D

Re: University?
 

Manchester = Ultimate Party Uni

Plus you get a pass into the academys (2 + 3 I think) and a discount on 1.

Re: University?
 

You do not state what you intend to 'read' at University Cyfr, If I were you, and I do not want to appear a killjoy, I would be looking for a University that will take me, and educate me to the highest standards possible, and not concerning myself with 'nightlife'.

Re: University?
 

I've already applied to them, and im sure theres better night life than close to home, there better be anyway!

Re: University?
 

Apologies Ianto, I will be reading Politics.

Re: University?
 

Oh so you can study for a BA in partying at Manchester Uni then. ;)

Re: University?
 

It was once stated to me "one day education will sweep the sreets" after reading the few posts already on this thread, I now believe it. This is a lighthearted tongue in cheek reply ,best of luck Cyfr.

Re: University?
 

Thats were my nephews hoping - Manchester and my niece is already there and is in her 2nd year there.

Re: University?
 

If as you say you are going to read Politics Cyfr, have a good look round where the most successful politicians in recent years went, i.e. Jack Straw went to Lancaster University he became leader of the students union there. Also the In/Famous London School Of Economics has spawned some pretty radical political animals, who given the passage of time have mellowed into decent leaders. Always follow success and you will not go far wrong.

Re: University?
 

It was slightly different for me, as twenty years ago all degrees in art, and all the art schools, were then affiliated to Ploytechnics, as opposed to Micky Mouse Universities as they are now.

I was offered places at St. Martin's in London and Liverpool, and eventually decided on Liverpool, which was very progressive at the time, and not as pretentious as the London college. I'd still always chose the course over the location everytime.

Hopefully you'll have the time of your life, as I did.

Good luck.

Re: University?
 

Just a note.

Do remember that if you were a Scottish student, all your course fees would be paid for, unlike the poor old English students, who will probably leave with a mountain of debt behind them.;)

Get a Linguaphone course in Glaswegian, quick!:D

Re: University?
 

if its nightlife yer lookin too you will make a good M.P.;)

Re: University?
 

If anyone would like one of these in German I will give them one free of charge pm me. And now back on thread.

Re: University?
 

I went to Bangor N Wales.

Reasons - 1) I wanted to do a specialist course in Applied Mathematics and Computation rather than just straihght Maths.

2) I hate cities - I have absolutely zero desire to live in a city - ever

3) N Wales has some superb Biking roads so there was plenty to occupy me

4) it was 'far' enough away from home yet not too far that I couldn't pop home when I wanted to.


In the end I partied far too hard and dropped out after year one(Passed all the maths stuff with ease but was forced to do physics which I hated)

It was still a brilliant introduction to 'Life' and I don't regret a second of it. I am lucky that I have been able to work myself into a job that would normally require a degree to start off in but the experiences I've had along the way make me far more flexible in my view of my career. Where most of my colleagues have only done 1 thing I have a myriad of skills picked up along the way.

Re: University?
 

Re: University?
 

My nephew is studying government, politics and history at Lancaster University he is in his first year of three. He loves it it and could not wait to get back after a month off at christmas. Check out the website it has a very good reputation.

Re: University?
 

Me too! Polytechnics were the best way to get into arts - I went to Salford which was great - close enough to take my washing home, close enough to Manchester for nightlife and cheap enough to rent.

I agree that you should choose course over location though - basically where ever there is a large number of students there is always going to be a decent nightlife - it's more or less built in!

Re: University?
 

thread wander ..........thanks ian for the german linguaphone .......will be very helpful to me.

Re: University?
 

Re: University?
 

It also has the highest suicide rate of all the unis in england :eek:

Re: University?
 

Just had a thought Cyfr - my girlfriend's sister is at Hull in her third year reading Law.
As far as I know she loves it & when my girlfriend went up to spent a weekend there she enjoyed the nightlife a lot.

Re: University?
 

Well come on Cyfr, where are you going to go? typical wannabe politician start a debate then dissapear to the free bar:D.

Re: University?
 

Seemingly Hull is one of those at the top of the tree for politics. I am sure you have been given the statistics from College re. the ratings. A BA in any given subject can be rated higher sometimes than those from the prestigious Cambridge/Oxford. Every university has its specialist subjects and this is the type you need to be going for.

Don't know how many offers you have had Cyfr, but you must go and take a look at them all to give you an idea of the feel of the place and the surroundings .. don't go blind.

Like Gayle stated, all social life based around a University is good, and definitely better than your home town, so don't think you will have any problems here, and cities the place to obtain information and, most importantly, contacts.

Not all students studying Politics wish to become an M.P. Ianto . just a 'qualification' at the end to a job, but not a specific job, lots of people I know studying this subject end up in banks, P.R. accountants, etc., nowt to do with politics at the end of the day .. so get your focus specs on Cyfr.

In the meantime, concentrate on those A-levels and best of British . x

Re: University?
 

I was at the Calder last night revising for my Politics exam on Monday. :p
Currently taking timeout to come post here!

Katex, I don't know any statistics for the Universities other than the ones from the Guardian website where they have rated the Universities.

You get to apply to upto six courses, I applied to Manchester, Manchester Met, Salford, Keele, Huddersfield and Hull.

I think it's really between Keele and Hull. I received conditional offers from all of the Unis except Manchester who declined, and Manchester Met who have not yet responded.

Hull want a B in Alevel Gov & Politics as do Keele.

The entry requirement were BBB for Hull, I think, but they're only asking BCC from me (as I already have two alevels at C grade).

Re: University?
 

Sorry, can't help any more Cyfr ... my son entered Man. 6 years ago and as far as I remember the details of ratings were given to him at school for his subject ... (maybe they got it from this site ?) .. just ask them I suppose.

What I was trying to say about the focus was that he studied Geography and obtained a higher second BA, but covers vast amounts of jobs and the next year didn't find anything suitable. That's when he went back 'to focus' for his Masters in Planning and never looked back since then (can't see him ever coming home now). Cost me, I can tell you .. so always have your eye on what type of involvement you wish to enter into.

Have a friend whose son just gone through Hull studying politics and he loved it ... many opportunities to do work placements, even one in the House of Commons (has to be London of course). Will have a chat to her to see what he is up to now. Another friend's grandaughter also studied the same subject at Cambridge and went into banking and now got a great job in P.R.,

Other than above can't help you .. there again question was originally about the social life, wasn't it .. :D

Re: University?
 

Re: University?
 

Hi as you probably noticed i haven't been actice online for a few weeks, just a little busy. Anyway i'm going to uni this year also. got replies for Salford and Uclan.

Re: University?
 

Would be great if he could comment on the course/university!
The work placement things really attracted be to Hull, there is a course where you spend a whole year working with an MP in Westminster but it required AAB which I don't have much chance of attaining. However you can still go on the placements with the 3 year courses, its just not as long! :D

Re: University?
 

Does anyone know the difference between what you guys refer to "university" and American Colleges and Universities? Is there alot of state sponsorship for those going on to university? Do English Universities offer scholarships for athletics, good grades in high school, financial needs:confused: ?

I went to my state university. A university over here is made up of many different "colleges/areas to major in." I majored in animal sciences/pre-veterinariian sciences hence received a Bachelor of Science Degree. It was much cheaper for me to go to college "in-state." I also received a bit of a scholarship for throwing the javelin on the track and field team.

My sisters and little brother went to colleges out of state (New York and Massachusetts) and they were very expensive. Also they were much harder for an out-of-stater to get into.

Does any of this make sense to you. I'm just trying to understand the similarities and differences. Oh yeah, I would say 90% of American Universities and Colleges have quite active social lives. I was in one of those fraternities ya see in the movies. Although we weren't nearly as wild as most you see. Then again, I forget much of it!;) :D

Brian

Re: University?
 

An English GSCE is equivalent to one of your Doctorates.:D

Re: University?
 

And does that take like 8 years to achieve like a doctorate does? My B.S. (:D ) degree took 4 years and a "Masters" would take another 2 years. An Associate degree takes just 2 years of college,

Do most English university students stay for 4 years?

Re: University?
 

Most stay for 3 but it depends on the course.
Veterinary study for example can take upto 6/7 years

Re: University?
 

They may lower the standard a little if you excel at certain popular sports as Oxford and Cambridge do when they let a few 'Yanks' in to try to win the boat race, but you still need a bit of oil in your lamp to get into these. From what I have seen on film about colleges in the USA, the Ivy League excepted, if you can 'play ball' you can be taught to read and write later (about a week before they dish the degrees out):D

Re: University?
 

It's not quite as bad as the tele may show Ian. Some of the biggest Division 1 and Div. 1AA schools do let some athletes slide especially in basketball and american football. However, many of the bigger Conferences have fairly strict guidelines that must be met before admitting even the best of athletes.

The smaller universities at the division III level can't even offer scholarships. Also, the Ivy league schools are not even close to the reputations that they carry. I feel it's more the rich paying for the mere prestige that goes with attending them.

Brian

Re: University?
 

Re: University?
 

No offense taken whatsoever Ianto!:D

Re: University?
 

There used to be student grants, now there are student loans. So for those whose parents can't afford to fund them they start life with a millstone of debts.

Re: University?
 

Unless of course you happen to live in Scotland, where incidentally they also don't demand you sell your home to pay for residential care if you are elderly.

Och aye the noo.:D

Re: University?
 

Isn't there still Grants, its just that they were frozen at 1989 levels(I was there protesting about the proposals for all you youngsters!)

Loans are there to top up to what you actually need to live.

Re: University?
 

The difference is that if you are from England or Wales, you now also have to pay for course tuition fees, something the old grant system used to pay for, irrepective of how much grant you were awarded by the local education authority.

Re: University?
 

What I can't understand about this whole situation is why are we letting them get away with it.
Free University, free this and free that and the ignomy of the putting up with the main MPs being Scotish. This may be the subject of another thread but here goes, an old Irish pal of mine has just gone back to live in the south of Ireland near the border with the 'North of Ireland' he draws a pension in the South crosses a bridge and draws what he calls his Crown money pension. He also said pensioners here (Ireland) get almost everything for nowt as the country is awash with 'European' money. Are we daft or what?

Re: University?
 

I think that would make for a good thread Ian. Not all are probably reading through this thread based on its specificity (cool word eh?):p Hence you'll get some more imput and interesting responses!

Brian

PS- Thanks for the input all. Gives me a better understanding of this similiarities and differences of our post high school educational systems.

Re: University?
 

my sister is at hull and apparently it's a very good uni and very good nightlife
only downsides are
1 student unemployment is v high there is a serious lack of employers in hull willing to take on students
2 halls are way out in the sticks (approx £20 taxi fare from the centre)

Re: University?
 

I went to Hull and really enjoyed it and it is has an excellent reputation for politics (despite awarding me a degree). I was there quite recently and the city looks a lot better than when I was there and apparently the nightlife is good. You also get a chance to work with an MP in the Commons for either a semester or a year - I know about this because I have had some Hull students working with me in the past. Anyway, whatever you decide, good luck with your exams and I hope you have a great time at uni.