Bath or Bristol for maths?

I went to Bath. Great course. They could possibly use a little more pure maths, that's the only thing.

I was born in Bristol, but I was "born again" in Bath (student years, you probably don't know how it is). So naturally I think either is great.

I'm a Maths Student at Bath University, so heres my breakdown of good and bad points:

+ Arguably one the prettiest cities in the country (a world heritage site). It's welcoming and it feels safe. It's really nice here in Bath and it attracts many tourists for that reason.
+ Large department; reputable for it's high quality research
+ Lots of unit choices in the final year, and the course structure boasts a broad spectrum of mathematics.
+ Most of the lecturers I've seen have been very good and in some cases geniunely hilarious!
+ The course is challenging as you would expect from a reputable maths department. The course structure has supposedly changed over the past few years to "compete" with the top departments.
+ Optional placement year (this was one of the biggest selling points personally) It's not uncommon to be offered a graduate job at the end of your course and relevant work experience is always a big bonus either way. Bath has high Graduate Prospect percentages for a very good reason.
+ Sport facilities are some of the best, probably only second to Loughborough University. Bath is such a great place, if you like your sports.
+ Huge Library open 24hours every day (including holidays!)
+ Quite a good Student Union I think; opinions may differ. Lots of different socities to get involved with.
+ Ducks

-/+ Yes, the campus is a bit ugly, there is no denying that! It is a very practical and convienient campus however: you have your general facilities, campus shops, post office and banks all situated on campus. Everything is compact so you don't have to walk far between lectures!
-/+ I sometimes feel that the department takes on too many undergraduates, especially when you're in the first year. I could be wrong, but I think tutorial groups are larger than other well funded universiites. There are lots of workshops and drop-in sessions to do group studying though!
-/+ The nightlife isn't great, in comparison to the big cities but I think there something here for everyone. Bristol isn't far and I think the Maths Department Society arrange for some good nights out. Bath also has lots of lovely little Pubs. I think it depends on what you want and your background - Bath is one of the smaller cities but you can still have many good night outs.

- Bath is shockingly EXPENSIVE. Pretty much everything is going to be comparatively more expensive here.

I think you'll also find that Bath has quite a reasonable admissions policy and the intake of undergraduates is considerbly higher than Bristols. The entry requirements are obviously quite high, and I believe they are quite strict about meeting the conditions. The admissions is harsh but also fair - I think you will have more chance of getting an offer from the department.

I wouldn't say the course structure is unusual either. You have Analysis modules in the first and second semester alongside Probability and Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Group Theory, Programming and Discrete Mathematics etc. These are all compulsory units because the department wants to give you a broad taste of what mathematics has to offer. The first year is actually pretty standard and it builds onto the second year.

Bristol probably does have a slightly greater reputation for Mathematics, but the difference is not worth considering in my opinion. All I know is that Bath offers a great student experience and I think the relevant work experience increases your employability.

I'm a Maths Student at Bath University, so heres my breakdown of good and bad points:

+ Arguably one the prettiest cities in the country (a world heritage site). It's welcoming and it feels safe. It's really nice here in Bath and it attracts many tourists for that reason.
+ Large department; reputable for it's high quality research
+ Lots of unit choices in the final year, and the course structure boasts a broad spectrum of mathematics.
+ Most of the lecturers I've seen have been very good and in some cases geniunely hilarious!
+ The course is challenging as you would expect from a reputable maths department. The course structure has supposedly changed over the past few years to "compete" with the top departments.
+ Optional placement year (this was one of the biggest selling points personally) It's not uncommon to be offered a graduate job at the end of your course and relevant work experience is always a big bonus either way. Bath has high Graduate Prospect percentages for a very good reason.
+ Sport facilities are some of the best, probably only second to Loughborough University. Bath is such a great place, if you like your sports.
+ Huge Library open 24hours every day (including holidays!)
+ Quite a good Student Union I think; opinions may differ. Lots of different socities to get involved with.
+ Ducks

-/+ Yes, the campus is a bit ugly, there is no denying that! It is a very practical and convienient campus however: you have your general facilities, campus shops, post office and banks all situated on campus. Everything is compact so you don't have to walk far between lectures!
-/+ I sometimes feel that the department takes on too many undergraduates, especially when you're in the first year. I could be wrong, but I think tutorial groups are larger than other well funded universiites. There are lots of workshops and drop-in sessions to do group studying though!
-/+ The nightlife isn't great, in comparison to the big cities but I think there something here for everyone. Bristol isn't far and I think the Maths Department Society arrange for some good nights out. Bath also has lots of lovely little Pubs. I think it depends on what you want and your background - Bath is one of the smaller cities but you can still have many good night outs.

- Bath is shockingly EXPENSIVE. Pretty much everything is going to be comparatively more expensive here.

I think you'll also find that Bath has quite a reasonable admissions policy and the intake of undergraduates is considerbly higher than Bristols. The entry requirements are obviously quite high, and I believe they are quite strict about meeting the conditions. The admissions is harsh but also fair - I think you will have more chance of getting an offer from the department.

I wouldn't say the course structure is unusual either. You have Analysis modules in the first and second semester alongside Probability and Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Group Theory, Programming and Discrete Mathematics etc. These are all compulsory units because the department wants to give you a broad taste of what mathematics has to offer. The first year is actually pretty standard and it builds onto the second year.

Bristol probably does have a slightly greater reputation for Mathematics, but the difference is not worth considering in my opinion. All I know is that Bath offers a great student experience and I think the relevant work experience increases your employability.