Physics Applicants 2012

I don't really like Nottingham. Although it could be down to the fact I have lived near it all my life. So, if you have any general questions, then feel free to ask (same for any other Nottingham applicants) . I promise to be truthful

Yeah I want to do physics and theoretical astrophysics at Nottingham.

But I feel like everyone needs to get AA in Physics and Maths, I mean that isn't easy? I mean do people feel the same like me that its not guaranteed and if you get AB you might not get in?

I mean MEI Maths is a bitch. Not my fault if I don't get an A. Where past papers easy compared to real exam :/

Touch wood unis would let us in one grade short. Anyone agree?

So I really need some advice on whether to pick Imperial or Durham as my firm because I'm torn between the two.

I really liked Durham and the collegiate system because it would probably be easier to make more friends this way.

I always read though that Imperial is one of the best for science/engineering and is often compared with Oxford for Physics, and I'd generally be better off with regards to job prospects due to the city, contacts, etc. Although the downsides are the cost and the gender ratio. There are also some complaints about the social life at Imperial but I'm not sure if I'd just be picking Durham for the social life.

Any advice is appreciated

Cheers whats the night life like in nottingham? And is it generally a nice place to live (good transport, shopping, entertainment etc?)

Night life is excellent in Nottingham, rest assured, one of the best in the country apparantly. Nottingham has the most shops/restaurants per square km too in the UK.

Cheers whats the night life like in nottingham? And is it generally a nice place to live (good transport, shopping, entertainment etc?)

The night life?
Well, I love it to be honest. My favourite place for cheap drinks is baa bar! It's like £1 shots and £2 bombs. The have about 60 different shots?
Then if you fancy somewhere a bit gothic there is pit and pendulum! They have the 7 deadly sins as cocktails at about 2 for £6.50, they're lush. Plus the toilets are behind a bookcase.
Then the two places you need to enter at about half past 11 (for cheaper entry) are either rock city or the forum. The drinks are more expensive (so you end your night there) but the atmosphere is ace.

Transport is great. There are two main bus companies NCT and trent barton. NCT has a fixed fare of £1.70, but you can buy a travel card to reduce the costs. Trent barton have mango cards to reduce costs. Trent barton is usually more expensive, but they go further out in nottingham. Taxis are pretty safe. I tend to prefer ringing up and ordering one opposed to just jumping in to one. It's cheaper and safer.

The shopping is alright. It's not brilliant, but if you want better shopping then you can get a bus to derby where they have a massive shopping centre. It's so much better than shopping in nottingham

Entertainment wise, there are several good music venues (rock city, bodega club, rescue rooms and capital fm arena), a nice cinema (cornerhouse) and there are loads of places to eat (nandos, pizza hut, wagamama etc.).

I think my dislike for the city comes from boredom mainly. It's actually quite a nice place. I usually feel quite safe when i'm there in the day and at night.

I think i've answered your questions any more? haha

Thank you so much ill be sure to check out these places as a matter of urgency lol I think thats all i wanted to know thanks

Hmmm, anyone got any thoughts of Birmingham Vs Bristol for insurance (Durham firm)?

Bristol seems better respected overall, and (some of) its halls had a communal college atmosphere which was a big draw for Durham- I like the social aspect. It's also a really nice city, however, I heard it's a very polarised city in that half is really nice, half isn't so much.

Birmingham seems generally higher up for physics, especially research. From what little I saw, I preferred it to Bristol as I loved the idea of a nice looking, chilled campus a quick train ride to a huge city. But I don't really know what the city is like.

One consideration is that as my insurance, neither place would guarantee accommodation. I get the impression Bristol is rather tight for this, as even for firmers, if you live in Bristol itself, it wont give you any even in the first year. So I might have a better chance getting Halls at B'ham.

I'm gonna firm Imperial for physics!! But I can't make up my mind for insurance.. I kind of have decided to put Edinburgh as my insurance. What do you think?? advice, anyone?? I have Royal Holloway, Cardiff, Durham and Edinburgh =D

Also, if you don't mind me asking, what made you choose Durham over Manchester? I'm in a similar dilemma between Durham and Imperial as my firm (in that both Manchester and Imperial have more highly respected departments, although Durham is still excellent for Physics) but I did very much like the collegiate system of Durham. Decisions, decisions, decisions...

If you are confident that you'll get an A* in Maths or Physics, definitely choose Durham as your insurance. I haven't decided which uni I'm going to firm yet but if I choose Imperial I'm going to choose Durham as my insurance.