Managed to get myself a place at Manchester. Leave Oxford?

Hi guys,
I'm particularly interested to hear from those of you who have either:

- Had experience of Manchester uni, in particular the Physics dept, and if you could tell me some pros and cons?
- Dropped out of a uni or changed course to go elsewhere
- Been to Oxbridge and not really enjoyed it

though of course, any replies are warmly welcomed and appreciated! :smile:

TSR is probably familiar with my little nightmare by now lol, but for those of you who don't yet know: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=26215448&highlight=leaving+oxbridge#post26215448

Anyway, all that aside: I have been offered a place at Manchester to study Physics with Philosophy which sounds like an amazing course. I know that I'd definitely enjoy it and I have a strong grounding and ability in Physics so I do believe I'd be able to cope with it too.

My problem is this. I sort of have an obligation to take it up, which is completely understandable, as I would be denying somebody else of a place on this course (which is pretty hard to get into) if I were to take my resits and possibly stay at Oxford.

I know for sure I don't want to study Engineering at Oxford anymore, for one. I also know there's a chance I won't pass resits, or be allowed to change subjects in which case I would withdraw anyway and be in an even worse position than I'm in now (with no uni place).
I don't want a gap year if I can help it. I really am keen to just progress with my studies. It's just frustrating how resits are so late in Oxford :mad:

so I can't make as well informed a decision as I'd have liked.

weighing up the pros and cons, the pros of Oxford are obviously its prestige and the fact i am settled so well into college life, but there are plenty of cons. My heart is telling me to go to Manchester. The feeling i got when i received this offer was amazing, as if there was some sort of hope for me out there. I also know that I'd rather go to Manchester, have a really good time, work hard and get time to relax as well and get a good degree class than go to Oxford and slog it out (and the intense lifestyle and intimidating atmosphere really didn't suit me) and get a 2:2 or less.

I realise i'm rambling, but wondered if any of you had anything to say; I'm resorting to this as I need to get back to the uni with my decision ASAP so I don't have a lot of time.

Hopefully you'll be able to help me as well as you all have in the past :smile:

Thank you!

x

Reply 1

Kitty Pimms

17

Do you want me to move this to the Manchester forum? I don't think you'll have much luck in UCAS today!

Reply 2

Bella Occhi

16

From your post, it sounds like you've mostly already made up your mind! I'd say go to Manchester. It's still a well respected uni and it seems like you have a real passion for the course you've been offered a place on. Good luck in whatever you decide to do :yep:

Reply 3

Minerva

17

me, myself and I

Hi guys,
I'm particularly interested to hear from those of you who have either:

- Had experience of Manchester uni, in particular the Physics dept, and if you could tell me some pros and cons?
- Dropped out of a uni or changed course to go elsewhere
- Been to Oxbridge and not really enjoyed it

though of course, any replies are warmly welcomed and appreciated! :smile:

TSR is probably familiar with my little nightmare by now lol, but for those of you who don't yet know: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=26215448&highlight=leaving+oxbridge#post26215448

Anyway, all that aside: I have been offered a place at Manchester to study Physics with Philosophy which sounds like an amazing course. I know that I'd definitely enjoy it and I have a strong grounding and ability in Physics so I do believe I'd be able to cope with it too.

My problem is this. I sort of have an obligation to take it up, which is completely understandable, as I would be denying somebody else of a place on this course (which is pretty hard to get into) if I were to take my resits and possibly stay at Oxford.

I know for sure I don't want to study Engineering at Oxford anymore, for one. I also know there's a chance I won't pass resits, or be allowed to change subjects in which case I would withdraw anyway and be in an even worse position than I'm in now (with no uni place).
I don't want a gap year if I can help it. I really am keen to just progress with my studies. It's just frustrating how resits are so late in Oxford

so I can't make as well informed a decision as I'd have liked.

weighing up the pros and cons, the pros of Oxford are obviously its prestige and the fact i am settled so well into college life, but there are plenty of cons. My heart is telling me to go to Manchester. The feeling i got when i received this offer was amazing, as if there was some sort of hope for me out there. I also know that I'd rather go to Manchester, have a really good time, work hard and get time to relax as well and get a good degree class than go to Oxford and slog it out (and the intense lifestyle and intimidating atmosphere really didn't suit me) and get a 2:2 or less.

I realise i'm rambling, but wondered if any of you had anything to say; I'm resorting to this as I need to get back to the uni with my decision ASAP so I don't have a lot of time.

Hopefully you'll be able to help me as well as you all have in the past :smile:

Thank you!

x

As Ilex says, things are a little.... er... focused in UCAS today.

However, for what it's worth, having followed your story a little, if you were my daughter I'd encourage you to go for this. I think the bottom line is that even if you passed your resits you are still left with a course you hate, little or no chance of switching to something else, and a tutorial system that seems to me to have let you down very thoroughly. A fresh start in a uni like Manchester doing a course that really grabs you sounds spot on to me. To hell with so called 'prestige' - a solid 2:1 from Manchester together with a positive confidence building experience will do far more for your employment prospects than a scraped 2:2 from Oxford together with three or four years spent feeling out of kilter with the people who are supposed to be teaching you, not grinding you down.

There. That's my 0.02. Hope it helps :smile:

Reply 4

me, myself and I

OP

1

IlexAquifolium

Do you want me to move this to the Manchester forum? I don't think you'll have much luck in UCAS today!

Ooh actually, yes please. That's a good point. Thanks v much :smile:

Reply 5

Favourite Worst Nightmare

2

me, myself and I

Hi guys,
I'm particularly interested to hear from those of you who have either:

- Had experience of Manchester uni, in particular the Physics dept, and if you could tell me some pros and cons?
- Dropped out of a uni or changed course to go elsewhere
- Been to Oxbridge and not really enjoyed it

though of course, any replies are warmly welcomed and appreciated! :smile:

TSR is probably familiar with my little nightmare by now lol, but for those of you who don't yet know: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=26215448&highlight=leaving+oxbridge#post26215448

Anyway, all that aside: I have been offered a place at Manchester to study Physics with Philosophy which sounds like an amazing course. I know that I'd definitely enjoy it and I have a strong grounding and ability in Physics so I do believe I'd be able to cope with it too.

My problem is this. I sort of have an obligation to take it up, which is completely understandable, as I would be denying somebody else of a place on this course (which is pretty hard to get into) if I were to take my resits and possibly stay at Oxford.

I know for sure I don't want to study Engineering at Oxford anymore, for one. I also know there's a chance I won't pass resits, or be allowed to change subjects in which case I would withdraw anyway and be in an even worse position than I'm in now (with no uni place).
I don't want a gap year if I can help it. I really am keen to just progress with my studies. It's just frustrating how resits are so late in Oxford :mad:

so I can't make as well informed a decision as I'd have liked.

weighing up the pros and cons, the pros of Oxford are obviously its prestige and the fact i am settled so well into college life, but there are plenty of cons. My heart is telling me to go to Manchester. The feeling i got when i received this offer was amazing, as if there was some sort of hope for me out there. I also know that I'd rather go to Manchester, have a really good time, work hard and get time to relax as well and get a good degree class than go to Oxford and slog it out (and the intense lifestyle and intimidating atmosphere really didn't suit me) and get a 2:2 or less.

I realise i'm rambling, but wondered if any of you had anything to say; I'm resorting to this as I need to get back to the uni with my decision ASAP so I don't have a lot of time.

Hopefully you'll be able to help me as well as you all have in the past :smile:

Thank you!

x

I see...well Manchester is an amazing city for going out and living life, much better than Oxford. And the course is what you want so you are more likely to get a 2.1/1st. Saying that, a 2.2 from Oxford still holds more weight in some ways but Manchester is the most recruited from uni in the country.

Reply 6

creative_

2

me, myself and I

My problem is this. I sort of have an obligation to take it up, which is completely understandable, as I would be denying somebody else of a place on this course (which is pretty hard to get into) if I were to take my resits and possibly stay at Oxford.

I know for sure I don't want to study Engineering at Oxford anymore, for one.
x

You don't need our help. Doesn't the above summarise what you will be doing anyway? Just go to Manchester if that's what you want...

Reply 7

Minerva

17

Favourite Worst Nightmare

I see...well Manchester is an amazing city for going out and living life, much better than Oxford. And the course is what you want so you are more likely to get a 2.1/1st. Saying that, a 2.2 from Oxford still holds more weight in some ways but Manchester is the most recruited from uni in the country.

Like what, exactly, compared with a 2:1 from a highly respected university? Some graduate schemes have an absolute cut-off of a 2:1 minimum requirement, regardless of which uni you went to.

Reply 8

Arya

I switched from Economics at Nottingham to Manchester Uni for the course I've yearned to do ever since I (stupidly) didn't put it down on my UCAS forms- LAW! :biggrin:

I couldn't be happier.

Reply 9

prospectivEEconomist

16

2.1 from Manchester > Oxford 2.2 anyday of the week, unless your dad is the MD of the company you want to work at.

Reply 10

sam.day

12

Go to Manchester... live the life, enjoy yourself and welcome to the real world :biggrin:

You can still say you went to Oxford, pretige box ticked. Getting in is proof enough that you've got something about you.

Now for the business of socialising, partying and having memories to remember, which is done to a tee in northern unis like Mancs, Leeds, Nottingham, Sheffield, Liverpool, Newcastle etc.

Go for it :smile:

Reply 11

bourney

12

I still can't believe how utterly spineless your tutor was.

If I was you I'd seriously consider going to Manchester, as others have said, a solid 2.1 from Manchester would certainly equal, perhaps even better a low 2.2 or third from Oxford. And it's about where you'd be happier as well, if my tutor had said that to me I'd have probably gone spare, then gone off the rails, I can't see how telling you that so close to your exams would have anything but an extremely negative effect on you.

Reply 12

bwfcchick

I switched from UClan where I was studying Music Practice (hated every minute) to Salford to do English and Creative Writing. I've recently graduated with a strong 2:1 and it was a fantastic experience, loved it! I'd switch to Manchester... One of the most important things with university is that you enjoy it :smile:

Reply 13

0404343m

17

me, myself and I

Hi guys,
I'm particularly interested to hear from those of you who have either:

- Had experience of Manchester uni, in particular the Physics dept, and if you could tell me some pros and cons?
- Dropped out of a uni or changed course to go elsewhere
- Been to Oxbridge and not really enjoyed it

though of course, any replies are warmly welcomed and appreciated! :smile:

TSR is probably familiar with my little nightmare by now lol, but for those of you who don't yet know: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=26215448&highlight=leaving+oxbridge#post26215448

Anyway, all that aside: I have been offered a place at Manchester to study Physics with Philosophy which sounds like an amazing course. I know that I'd definitely enjoy it and I have a strong grounding and ability in Physics so I do believe I'd be able to cope with it too.

My problem is this. I sort of have an obligation to take it up, which is completely understandable, as I would be denying somebody else of a place on this course (which is pretty hard to get into) if I were to take my resits and possibly stay at Oxford.

I know for sure I don't want to study Engineering at Oxford anymore, for one. I also know there's a chance I won't pass resits, or be allowed to change subjects in which case I would withdraw anyway and be in an even worse position than I'm in now (with no uni place).
I don't want a gap year if I can help it. I really am keen to just progress with my studies. It's just frustrating how resits are so late in Oxford :mad:

so I can't make as well informed a decision as I'd have liked.

weighing up the pros and cons, the pros of Oxford are obviously its prestige and the fact i am settled so well into college life, but there are plenty of cons. My heart is telling me to go to Manchester. The feeling i got when i received this offer was amazing, as if there was some sort of hope for me out there. I also know that I'd rather go to Manchester, have a really good time, work hard and get time to relax as well and get a good degree class than go to Oxford and slog it out (and the intense lifestyle and intimidating atmosphere really didn't suit me) and get a 2:2 or less.

I realise i'm rambling, but wondered if any of you had anything to say; I'm resorting to this as I need to get back to the uni with my decision ASAP so I don't have a lot of time.

Hopefully you'll be able to help me as well as you all have in the past :smile:

Thank you!

x

Seems like you've made your mind up, and to me it looks like a good decision.

I've studied at and soon will have degrees from both Oxford and Glasgow universities. The latter is probably very similar to Manchester: big and old university, big city, great nightlife, good departments and students, respected, but not with the global brand or appeal of Oxford. I can see why the Oxford system is not everyone's taste and people fit in in different places.

On TSR you usually have a load of people with no university experience that say the Oxford degree trumps all. It doesn't. Most employers will take the higher classification any day of the week in my experience, even the same classification if they have something extra on their CV to set them apart. Only when two candidates are equal in all respects will the university name be a decider- and that probably happens one time in a thousand. You won't be the first or last not to fit in somewhere and go somewhere else and love it. At the end of the day, it's not worth depression for, so if you're sure, then I think it's the right decision. Take from my opinion what you will, but people on this thread (Minerva, Ilex and I) have at least a bit of experience- so don't let the "you're better with the Oxford degree crowd", assuming there are any, influence you unduly.

Reply 14

Kreuzuerk

3

I think you know you want to go to Manchester (a very good uni for an excellent course) and I think you'll also have both a great time there and gain highly useful degree.

Reply 15

miniaturexhero

me, myself and I

Hi guys,
I'm particularly interested to hear from those of you who have either:

- Had experience of Manchester uni, in particular the Physics dept, and if you could tell me some pros and cons?
- Dropped out of a uni or changed course to go elsewhere
- Been to Oxbridge and not really enjoyed it

though of course, any replies are warmly welcomed and appreciated! :smile:

TSR is probably familiar with my little nightmare by now lol, but for those of you who don't yet know: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=26215448&highlight=leaving+oxbridge#post26215448

Anyway, all that aside: I have been offered a place at Manchester to study Physics with Philosophy which sounds like an amazing course. I know that I'd definitely enjoy it and I have a strong grounding and ability in Physics so I do believe I'd be able to cope with it too.

My problem is this. I sort of have an obligation to take it up, which is completely understandable, as I would be denying somebody else of a place on this course (which is pretty hard to get into) if I were to take my resits and possibly stay at Oxford.

I know for sure I don't want to study Engineering at Oxford anymore, for one. I also know there's a chance I won't pass resits, or be allowed to change subjects in which case I would withdraw anyway and be in an even worse position than I'm in now (with no uni place).
I don't want a gap year if I can help it. I really am keen to just progress with my studies. It's just frustrating how resits are so late in Oxford :mad:

so I can't make as well informed a decision as I'd have liked.

weighing up the pros and cons, the pros of Oxford are obviously its prestige and the fact i am settled so well into college life, but there are plenty of cons. My heart is telling me to go to Manchester. The feeling i got when i received this offer was amazing, as if there was some sort of hope for me out there. I also know that I'd rather go to Manchester, have a really good time, work hard and get time to relax as well and get a good degree class than go to Oxford and slog it out (and the intense lifestyle and intimidating atmosphere really didn't suit me) and get a 2:2 or less.

I realise i'm rambling, but wondered if any of you had anything to say; I'm resorting to this as I need to get back to the uni with my decision ASAP so I don't have a lot of time.

Hopefully you'll be able to help me as well as you all have in the past :smile:

Thank you!

x

Having had a year's experience of Manchester, I'd say go for it. Manchester is a brilliant university, pastoral support is good and the city is awesome. :smile:

Reply 16

me, myself and I

OP

1

I am considering heading to Manchester today to meet the Prof myself - don't know if this is a good idea and he might be busy etc. I'm a bit paranoid that he thinks i'm a bit of a waste as the only impression he has got is from my emails and from my Oxford tutor's reference!

having said that, the fact ive got the offer implies the ref can't have been that bad...

Thanks to all replies so far btw. All your support and honesty is really appreciated

Reply 17

MarknSpark

Favourite Worst Nightmare

I see...well Manchester is an amazing city for going out and living life, much better than Oxford. And the course is what you want so you are more likely to get a 2.1/1st. Saying that, a 2.2 from Oxford still holds more weight in some ways but Manchester is the most recruited from uni in the country.

No. Most graduate programs have a 2:1 requirement. A 2:2 is nowhere near as useful as a 2:1, regardless of where it comes from. Never mind that Manchester is a good university in its own right.

Go to Manchester.

Manc it up and enjoy life again.

Managed to get myself a place at Manchester. Leave Oxford?

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