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Politics & IR - Warwick or York?

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(edited 5 years ago)
Warwick all day long. Warwick has a very strong reputation for EPAIS, so you'd not be selling yourself short. If you're worried about getting 'bored' because you're from London, then York might not be the best choice for you. Warwick isn't the livelist university in the world, but it's still pretty decent. There are pubs everywhere, so I wouldn't let that bother you.

You say that you prefer York's course, which is probably the most important aspect of choosing. What is it that you prefer? The Warwick course may be flexible?. Your poor AS grade probably won't matter much, since you're predicted to get a B, what were your other AS/s grades, since this might be a factor in whether, they think you're likely to achieve a B. What are your other choices?
Reply 2
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(edited 5 years ago)
I think you'd be better of going for York based on everything you've told me, since, it's seems like Warwick's rep is possibly the only thing making this a difficult decision. I think Warwick does have alot more going on than York though, and you said that you were worried about being bored, esp being from London. I think in terms of general prestige, Warwick has quite abit on York, esp in certain career industries, but that's not too important.

That's fair enough, you seem to prefer the York course by a country mile. I'm sure Warwick's EPAIS focuses alot on politicial theory and the likes of Hobbs, which is closely entwined with political philosophy. The Warwick course does seem to have aspects of political philosophy, and has a year in the US if that interests you. I'd say if the content of York appeals to you, go with that, but it's not unheard of for students, to hate the things that they thought they would love, and love the things they thought they'd hate, so don't rule it out just yet.

Your AS grades aren't bad, I've seen people get Politics/IR offers from Warwick with similar. Your predicted grades are fine, and applying through the access scheme would only help. I'm guessing, but it seems like you have AAA, AAB, AAB ? and then another AAB? I'd probably say York would suit you more, but Warwick does have the pubs, you may just not have discovered them:tongue: but sadly the course content doesn't cater to your needs.
(edited 12 years ago)
York and Warwick have great Pol/IR courses, and the latter only maintains a marginally greater reputation. It's probably negligible.

In terms of 'getting on' with people, why do you think you'd better suit Warwick to York? What exactly are you basing this on?

From my own experience, political philosophy is outstanding at York, and if that's where your preference is, i wouldn't hesitate in applying on that premise alone. You could just apply to both though..

Original post by Tsunami2011
I think you'd be better of going for York based on everything you've told me, since, it's seems like Warwick's rep is possibly the only thing making this a difficult decision. I think Warwick does have alot more going on than York though, and you said that you were worried about being bored, esp being from London. I think in terms of general prestige, Warwick has quite abit on York, esp in certain career industries, but that's not too important.

That's fair enough, you seem to prefer the York course by a country mile. I'm sure Warwick's EPAIS focuses alot on politicial theory and the likes of Hobbs, which is closely entwined with political philosophy. The Warwick course does seem to have aspects of political philosophy, and has a year in the US if that interests you. I'd say if the content of York appeals to you, go with that, but it's not unheard of for students, to hate the things that they thought they would love, and love the things they thought they'd hate, so don't rule it out just yet.

Your AS grades aren't bad, I've seen people get Politics/IR offers from Warwick with similar. Your predicted grades are fine, and applying through the access scheme would only help. I'm guessing, but it seems like you have AAA, AAB, AAB ? and then another AAB? I'd probably say York would suit you more, but Warwick does have the pubs, you may just not have discovered them:tongue: but sadly the course content doesn't cater to your needs.


I find university applicants lecturing other university applicants on the supposed merits of this-or-that reputation or of this-or-that city curiously amusing. You could have at least feigned non-partisanship as well :tongue: it's blindingly obvious you have a personal, overriding attachment to Warwick!
Reply 5
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(edited 5 years ago)
Reply 6
What gave you the impression that York is a rightist university? It has a thriving leftist community, with Labour Soc, People & Planet, Green Party, Amnesty and others all doing very well for themselves. A branch of Compass (leftist pressure group) is currently being set up here. If you want leftists, York has them in droves. That's not to say we don't have a fair few rightists too - although Tory Soc is more of a social than a political organisation.

The current YUSU President is a leftist, who recently publicly condemned John Sentamu's comments on marriage and LGBT issues.

Most significantly York has a great non-partisan political scene. York Student Think Tank, NGS and Debate Soc all provide excellent forums for developing different aspects of this.
Reply 7
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(edited 5 years ago)
Reply 8
No problem.

I do just disagree with the people that you've spoken to at York. Given my (fairly extensive) experience of other universities, I would say York is at the very least in the middle of the range of top universities for ideological position, if not somewhat leftist.

Also, I was somewhat involved in that Women's Officer campaign (on the retain side). It was not fought on left-right grounds, really. I'm afraid that more and more young people believe that formal, structural equality = effective equality, when it so obviously does not. I know of quite a few people generally of the left that campaigned for the position's abolition, or had no strong opinion either way.
I don't suppose you could help me out with deciding which university to go to?
I've got an offer for Politics (BA) not Politics with IR, though.

I'm deciding between Nottingham and York university. The former seems more related to practical politics, with some integration into ideology; but the main reason I've selected to do Politics is for political philosophy. I'd really like to study political philosophy in year 3, but the only thing holding me back from going to York is this (and I wonder if you could comment on these?):

York seems to be more focused on political philosophy than Nottingham
BUT York's year 3 modules seem to lack political philosophy, with only 3 modules I could find that interest me. This is the issue: do York provide more modules for year 3 students than it says on the website? For example, I've seen from a handbook that there are modules e.g. Marx and some about feminism; are these offered even though the website says it's not?

York seems to have a worse reputation than Nottingham, particularly for Politics e.g. better research assessment? Nottingham seems to be improving, and York, stagnating at the the same level as the now (seemingly improving) Politics Department at York, with york going slowly towards 13/14 from 8/9 previous years ago (on average on league tables for politics and overall departmental standards). Do you know which university has a better reputation overall and in politics? I'm worrying because I've never chosen a choice that seems to be less qualitatively successful e.g. Nottingham is 74th in the world; York, 96th. Do you think York will improve in the years to come? What about Nottingham? I have a feeling that the reason applicants per place is almost double York's receipt at Nottingham is due to the campus, and less related to the course itself (obviously I can't prove it - it's just a hunch). York's ratio is 6:1, Nottingham's is 10:1; with less places at Nottingham (95) and York (141); do you think this says anything about the quality (or concentrative efforts of teaching) as the student base for Politics may be smaller at Nottingham?

The accomodation at York seems to be poor, or can be (to a large extent) if you're put in a college (which apparently you don't choose?), e.g. apparently the rooms are small with really small bathrooms (which would be akward :tongue:), whereas Nottingham has very good accomodation - but en-suites have all been allocated :frown: I wonder what the chances of getting en-suite now may be e.g. some students may not get their predicted grades?

The social scene at York seems poor, but that's a generalisation I suppose, I'm not really a 'clubber' so I shouldn't really care.

I guess this is my biggest concern: which university is more superior in offering political philosophy (particularly in Year 3): York or Nottingham.

Thanks a lot for reading this (it was longer than I had anticipated!).
Original post by TruckBear
No problem.

I do just disagree with the people that you've spoken to at York. Given my (fairly extensive) experience of other universities, I would say York is at the very least in the middle of the range of top universities for ideological position, if not somewhat leftist.

Also, I was somewhat involved in that Women's Officer campaign (on the retain side). It was not fought on left-right grounds, really. I'm afraid that more and more young people believe that formal, structural equality = effective equality, when it so obviously does not. I know of quite a few people generally of the left that campaigned for the position's abolition, or had no strong opinion either way.


PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE READING MY POST: I've already sent an identical post to another person on this thread, I'm just trying to ask this question to both of you to get a more extensive response (I hope you don't mind :smile:).

I don't suppose you could help me out with deciding which university to go to?
I've got an offer for Politics (BA) not Politics with IR, though.

I'm deciding between Nottingham and York university. The former seems more related to practical politics, with some integration into ideology; but the main reason I've selected to do Politics is for political philosophy. I'd really like to study political philosophy in year 3, but the only thing holding me back from going to York is this (and I wonder if you could comment on these?):

York seems to be more focused on political philosophy than Nottingham
BUT York's year 3 modules seem to lack political philosophy, with only 3 modules I could find that interest me. This is the issue: do York provide more modules for year 3 students than it says on the website? For example, I've seen from a handbook that there are modules e.g. Marx and some about feminism; are these offered even though the website says it's not?

York seems to have a worse reputation than Nottingham, particularly for Politics e.g. better research assessment? Nottingham seems to be improving, and York, stagnating at the the same level as the now (seemingly improving) Politics Department at York, with york going slowly towards 13/14 from 8/9 previous years ago (on average on league tables for politics and overall departmental standards). Do you know which university has a better reputation overall and in politics? I'm worrying because I've never chosen a choice that seems to be less qualitatively successful e.g. Nottingham is 74th in the world; York, 96th. Do you think York will improve in the years to come? What about Nottingham? I have a feeling that the reason applicants per place is almost double York's receipt at Nottingham is due to the campus, and less related to the course itself (obviously I can't prove it - it's just a hunch). York's ratio is 6:1, Nottingham's is 10:1; with less places at Nottingham (95) and York (141); do you think this says anything about the quality (or concentrative efforts of teaching) as the student base for Politics may be smaller at Nottingham?

The accomodation at York seems to be poor, or can be (to a large extent) if you're put in a college (which apparently you don't choose?), e.g. apparently the rooms are small with really small bathrooms (which would be akward :tongue:), whereas Nottingham has very good accomodation - but en-suites have all been allocated :frown: I wonder what the chances of getting en-suite now may be e.g. some students may not get their predicted grades?

The social scene at York seems poor, but that's a generalisation I suppose, I'm not really a 'clubber' so I shouldn't really care.

I guess this is my biggest concern: which university is more superior in offering political philosophy (particularly in Year 3): York or Nottingham.

Thanks a lot for reading this (it was longer than I had anticipated!).
theselfacknowledged
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This link might help you.

Given my knowledge of the two universities' Politics Departments, I would say York is stronger on Political Philosophy than Nottingham. That said, my knowledge of Nottingham's department is largely what I've got from their website.

The problem with looking at what's available in terms of third year modules now, is that they have a habit of changing. They've changed to a huge degree during my time at York. It's better to look at the research interests of staff and the structure of the degree. If you looking at the teaching section of the profiles of each of the staff the above link provides, that might give you a better idea of what has been offered by the department recently.

A friend of mine doing Politics & Philosophy at York has been able to do just Political Philosophy in years two and three - avoiding the more empirical side of things entirely. I would be surprised if you had a problem on that front.

In terms of the prestige of the degree - do not worry. There is little between Nottingham and York on the whole, and not anything significant between them on Politics. Just don't take that into consideration.

On the social side of things I'll quote what I've written elsewhere:

Original post by TruckBear
For theatre, cinemas etc - York's very good for its size. Check out this and this for theatre, and this for cinema.

PS The pubs and bars in York are brilliant e.g. this, this, this, this, and this. And that lot just scratches the surface.
(edited 11 years ago)
Original post by TruckBear
This link might help you.

Given my knowledge of the two universities' Politics Departments, I would say York is stronger on Political Philosophy than Nottingham. That said, my knowledge of Nottingham's department is largely what I've got from their website.

The problem with looking at what's available in terms of third year modules now, is that they have a habit of changing. They've changed to a huge degree during my time at York. It's better to look at the research interests of staff and the structure of the degree. If you looking at the teaching section of the profiles of each of the staff the above link provides, that might give you a better idea of what has been offered by the department recently.

A friend of mine doing Politics & Philosophy at York has been able to do just Political Philosophy in year's two and three - avoiding the more empirical side of things entirely. I would be surprised if you had a problem on that front.

In terms of the prestige of the degree - do not worry. There is little between Nottingham and York on the whole, and not anything significant between them on Politics. Just don't take that into consideration.

On the social side of things I'll quote what I've written elsewhere:


Thanks so much for your reply!
Do you know if you can do 'Marx' and other modules that aren't mentioned on the modules offered for the 3rd year but are still in the handbook? Or is the website the ones that are available, and thus imply modules like 'Marx' will only come up when available?

Secondly, I believe the ratio of 2nd to 3rd year degree in terms of credit weighting is 2:3? The issue I have is, I love the 2nd year, but the 3rd year's attractiveness only satisfies me if around 3 of the modules actually stay - plus I'm not sure if the dissertation is a good (mandatory) module :\
Nottingam's first year is poor, 2nd year, OK (not that interesting) and the 3rd year, quite good - but only around 2/6 of the modules (I'd expect to do assuming current availability = future availability) are explicitly what I'm interested in. Whereas in the York, the 1st year is OK (but better than Nottingham), the 2nd year is considerably good, and the 3rd year OK - around 2/5 modules (I'd expect to do assuming current availability = future availability)are explicitly to do with what I'm interested in, and the dissertation (1/5) seems a bit of a worry as I'm unsure on how well I'd do. I would say that the 3rd year at Nottingham > York, however. I dont know if we're allowed to take any mix of modules at York and Nottingham though; I hope you can take any arbitrary mix. BTW, when you specialise, must all the 3rd years modules be related? e.g. I'd specialise in political philosophy yet do criminal law and governing the global economy in the spring semester of the final year.

Also, may I ask: if there is a marginal advantage of York over Nottingham (and it must be significantly low), then, would there be a massive opportunity cost of going to York e.g. due to York have a much worse global reputation, and York is stagnating, if anything declining, whilst Nottingham is rising from a lower position. So: would you go to York if the course structure was marginally better (assuming that all other factors the 2 universities are equal on e.g. environment)?
Thanks again for your advice.
(edited 11 years ago)

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