Hello there, I am in a little bit of pickle. I have been invited to study the arts at postgraduate level at both of the aforementioned universities. However, I do not want to disclose where I live, so I shall explain my dilemma whilst keeping some details private.
The trip to UCL is very expensive whereas Leicester is much cheaper. I also am of a very sensitive and delicate disposition so I do not cope well with big crowds, especially during rush hour.
I love the arts and I do think the course at UCL is more intense and I have a larger abundance of choices. However, I have heard UCL is rather cold and impersonal with regards to its student community. Whereas Leicester is meant to have a better relationship with its student population but its module choices are rather limited.
Too, this feels ridiculous but it needs to be said, I am terrified of London. I can cope going up there every few weeks, but it is so crowded and busy that the idea of going up there everyday fills me with anxiety. St Pancreas is huge and I find it very terribly overbearing. Too, the world seems to be becoming a more dangerous place and thus being in the countries capital makes me feel rather uneasy.
The dissertation for Leicester is required to be 20,000 words which plays towards my strengths (I can write for days). However, the week seems to be a little sparse with regards to lectures and I find this rather disheartening given I will be borrowing quite a large amount of money to study there. UCL is much more packed with different and fascinating modules, but then dissertation is only 12,000 words.
Overall, I am very conflicted. I am not asking for anyone to make this decision for me but if anyone has any advice or have been to either universities and can relay their experiences to me, then I would be very grateful.
Thank you,
Louise.