The Warwick Accommodation Thread (+Guide in Post#1)

Ah, the post made it sound as if there was something really wrong that was mentioned at the open day. I'm between Rootes and Bluebell for my 1st choice and the social side is swaying me towards Rootes over the comfort of an ensuite.

PPE won't be in adjustment. It's one of the most popular/oversubscribed courses in the country.

Do take a gap year if you fancy it, mind.

I figured that the combination was most popular at Oxford and subjects such as Economics were normally done as single degrees. So basically I have no chance of getting an adjustment place even if I get three A*?

A gap year is something that I'm seriously considering but I just don't know what I'd do with myself and I want to get to university so badly. Argh, damn this application process.

Nope, they received about 1200 applications for 80-100 places. There is absolutely no chance PPE will be in adjustment.

Also getting 3 A*s might not be good enough, depending on your subject profile. They also look at your GCSEs and expect strong ones - mostly A*s and As.

I think on another thread I saw that you had Psychology, Film and Philosophy as your three A-levels. I would hazard a guess that they would view the first two as weak A-level choices.

If you do take a gap year, finish off your English Lit AS and do Maths A-level for a good chance at PPE.

I am going to be doing PPE at Warwick next year and everyone I have spoken to so far that has firmed it, basically had 2/3 A* predictions and straight A*s and As at GCSE.

Hmm well I can see that some unis may see film as a weak A level but I've been told by most that Psychology is not thought of in the same way. It's an oversubscribed subject but it is difficult. I've looked at the entry requirements and I definitely fit the bill when it comes to all other aspects. Maths A level is important for Economics as a sole subject but PPE is a BA not a BSC, the maths isn't as central to the degree.

The requirements are A at GCSE maths and A*AA. I have an A in IGCSE maths which is better. Although my overall GCSES may let me down because I have mostly A's and only 1 A* and a couple B's. It should also be noted that I did extended project and general studies (although these are both pretty useless, they may help). Such a degree is largely essay based and so are all my A levels, I've been told that I shouldn't be tossed aside for a maths student. I already have a offers for PPE at other universities so I find this to be a little inaccurate. Also have you considered people who do PPE at oxford? If I was going to apply to Oxford I would be sure to put Warwick is my second choice.

The difference between people doing PPE at Warwick, York, Durham and Oxford in terms of grades is minimal. For Oxford, TSA and Interview are the main. You need to do well on both, I missed Oxford by a few places (after feedback) and though my TSA was one of the highest, my interview was below average. So you need to do well on both. Anyway, everyone applies to the same universities. I know quite a few people who got into Oxford PPE but were rejected from Warwick, Durham, etc.

If you have Maths A-level, I am pretty sure it will make your application stronger than not having it. It's just advice man, you don't need it to take it. It's also not a BA, it's BA/BSc, depending on what you specialise in so if you want to do more Economics, it would be a good idea anyway.

It doesn't really work like if you have the grades, you will get a place. Otherwise, I would have got 10/10 offers. I only got offers for 3/10 over the course of two years. So your GCSEs mostly being As, I can't see a problem, anyone has a chance if they are decent grades.

Also whoever told you that Warwick PPE is largely essay based isn't completely right. Depending on how you choose your modules, it can easily be similar to a pure Economics degree making it very mathematical.

Basically, if you have good grades at A-level and GCSEs and very good luck, you will get a place anywhere.

Hi Im thinking of applying for following accommodation (in order of preference)

Arthur Vick
Cryfield
Bluebell
Rootes
Whitefields

I am a bit confused as whether to choose Rootes above Bluebell. My family does not earn a lot of money so my worry with Bluebell is that I could be with people who are all a lot posher than me, as well as the issue of isolation that a lot of people seem to bring up on this thread. However with Rootes I worry that everyone is going to be very loud and partying all the time; I am not a heavy drinker and would prefer to be in a somewhat quieter area (this doesn't mean I dont want to go out at all, just not constantly). Which do you think would be the better option for me? Any help would be hugely appreciated.

Can someone spare me a bit of advice?

I'm joining the Uni as a postgrad this October and the only 50 week options I have (my course is 12 months) are Lakeside and Heronbank.

Just wondering if someone can be kind enough to answer a few questions:

1) Is there any particular advantage one holds over the over?

2) People mention the distance as a con, is it really that far away from the main campus? How long would it take me to walk there?

3) Is there any parking whatsoever? I'm not looking to drive around town, its just that I'd like to drive to and fro London every other weekend so I just want a place where I can store my car.

4) How sociable are they?

Thanks in advance.

They are quite similar but the differences between them are:

Location (slight difference here)
Lakeside will have some final year undergraduates there
Lakeside is a bit more expensive
Lakeside has a phone in the bedrooms (that will let you make free calls to university phones) but Heronbank has communal phones like these
Lakeside provides blankets for the beds instead of duvets (according to the official table, I can't verify if this is true) but in any case you can bring your own bedding anywayI would estimate you could get to main campus in about 5-7 minutes if you walk fast. The maths building would be a tiny bit further and if you have anything in Westwood/Gibbet Hill then it might take up to 15-20 minutes to get there.Parking is difficult but an alternative way to get to London is to go to Canley station (about 30 mins walk or you could cycle there) then get on the train towards Euston. Depending on the timings, you would either get a slow train all the way there or you would change at Coventry (one stop down the line) then get another train the rest of the way. Another option (saving walking) is to get the 12 bus to Coventry station then get the train to Euston from there.They don't have much of a reputation for being really noisy, and also you'll be with other post graduates so you could probably expect it to be fairly quiet.

I appreciate the quick response!

Yeah, I should have mentioned that I'm spending half my time in the Business school and the other half all the way down in Gibbet Hill .

I also just realised that Clayfroft is another option for me, how does it compare to the other two?

I hear its more centrally located to the main campus amenities as well as being more conveniently located next to shops and transport links

. I'm guessing that the distance between it and Gibbet hill shouldn't be that much different from Lakeside/Heronbank?

Also, is parking really that impossible in any of those 3 accommodations? The train links are more than good enough but I'd really prefer the convenience in being able to drive home at any time I wish instead of being bound to ticket times, as well as the comfort of carrying stuff in my car instead of wrestling commuters on the train with heaps of carrier bags. (Sounds like first world problems I know, but hey can't help but try).

When should the new uni rider bus passes become available for 2012/2013?

Also, is there any real alternative?

Does anyone know why there is a single-sex-area option in the application? What kind of people would go for a single-sex area? I believe religion or having a strict moral code could be some good reasons but ... what else? Are these areas made e.g. for studs with certain sexual preferences? I don't wanna look provocative at all! I'm just curious!

I also just realised that Clayfroft is another option for me, how does it compare to the other two? I hear its more centrally located to the main campus amenities as well as being more conveniently located next to shops and transport links. I'm guessing that the distance between it and Gibbet hill shouldn't be that much different from Lakeside/Heronbank?

I was in Claycroft in first year. Loved it. Several friends of mine have lived in Lakeside so I've seen it every now and then, and honestly I don't think it is worth it. Claycroft is closer to main campus (although tbh given you're WBS/Gibbet Hill then it won't make any practical difference for you), closer to Tesco (v. important unless you fancy just ordering online and getting shopping delivered), and cheaper. Plus you get a proper full bathroom rather than ensuite which you only share with one other person.