Help~offers from Bristol and Durham

Hello!I'm an international student and recently I've got offers from University of Bristol and Durham University. They're both Msc programmes in Finance and Accounting. I've read some posts about these two unis but haven't seen any discussion about Finance courses in these two unis. I wonder which one is considered more prestigious in terms of my course? And which one has a better reputation overall among employers? Any suggestion would be appreciated. Thank you! :smile:

(edited 11 years ago)

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Reply 1

Sol1dShot

Dont worry so much about which one employers look at, look at where you'd be happier.

On that note, Bristol is a FANTASTIC city and i miss it dearly.

Reply 2

username941859

I'd choose Durham (unless it's stockton campus). It's just a beautiful city and has great graduate prospects and gah. Durham<3

Bristol is great too mind

Reply 3

vivi1

Original post by Sol1dShot

Dont worry so much about which one employers look at, look at where you'd be happier.

On that note, Bristol is a FANTASTIC city and i miss it dearly.

Thank you! Have you studied there? I know it's a great city but how are the facilities within the university? And how's the career service?

Reply 4

Sol1dShot

Original post by vivi1

Thank you! Have you studied there? I know it's a great city but how are the facilities within the university? And how's the career service?

I studied IN bristol... :ninja:

But my ex was at bristol and they were super with her? Best thing to do is go up, spend a day in each and see what you prefer.

There is definitely more to life than just uni though, so you have to like the city too.

Reply 5

vivi1

Original post by Calllu-m

I'd choose Durham (unless it's stockton campus). It's just a beautiful city and has great graduate prospects and gah. Durham<3

Bristol is great too mind

Yes Durham is beautiful, I'm just a little worried about the cold weather :s-smilie:

Reply 6

LivingInLyrics

Original post by vivi1

Yes Durham is beautiful, I'm just a little worried about the cold weather :s-smilie:

The weather isn't going to be much different whether you chose Durham or Bristol :smile:

Reply 7

vivi1

Original post by LivingInLyrics

The weather isn't going to be much different whether you chose Durham or Bristol :smile:

Oh really? cause one of my tutors told me that Durham and Newcastle are the coldest places in England? :confused:

I can't visit them cause I'm outside the UK. But as long as it doesn't keep snowing for weeks in winter I could get along with that haha

Reply 8

Klix88

Anywhere in the UK could experience weeks of snow I'm afraid - and there are some winters when large parts of the country get none. Durham's probably going to be slightly more inclined to snow than Bristol, but the British weather is never that predictable! Anywhere in the UK is going to routinely have temperatures which drop below zero during the winter. I live right on the south coast and we've had snow during the winter for the past few years.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 9

threeportdrift

Careers Forum Helper

Original post by vivi1

Thank you! Have you studied there? I know it's a great city but how are the facilities within the university? And how's the career service?

The careers service at Bristol is excellent, central, well resourced and gets a lot of direct support from employers and alumni, as well as having very well trained staff. Don't know anything about Durham to compare I'm afraid.

Reply 10

TheRandomer

Original post by vivi1

Hello!

I'm an international student and recently I've got offers from University of Bristol and Durham University. They're both Msc programmes in Finance and Accounting. I've read some posts about these two unis but haven't seen any discussion about Finance courses in these two unis. I wonder which one is considered more prestigious in terms of my course? And which one has a better reputation overall among employers?

Any suggestion would be appreciated. Thank you! :smile:

Durham is fantastic, both academically and as a city. I spent 4 years there and would go back in a heartbeat :smile:

Weather really isn't that bad, it might be on average 1 or 2 degrees colder than down south, but it rains a little bit less, and it's basically just English weather. No crazy blizzards or whatever.
I would say both Universities are great, but perhaps Durham is seen as a little more prestigious because it's older.
Bristol will be a lot bigger as a city, busier, more lively.. but Durham is dominated by students during term time, and there's tons of societies, pubs, bars etc. The college environment is also a big plus, and much of your socialising happens here.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 11

vivi1

Original post by TheRandomer

Durham is fantastic, both academically and as a city. I spent 4 years there and would go back in a heartbeat :smile:

That was very helpful :smile:

one more question, how's the graduate prospect of Durham? I've heard that some large employers like investment banks and consulting firms have certain 'target universities', although no one really knows the exact list of unis, I'm wondering which Uni could give me better chance to land such a job? ( I know it largely depends on the person him/herself, but the power of alumni is quite important nowadays)

Reply 12

darkknight9090

Original post by vivi1

That was very helpful :smile:

http://www.allaboutcareers.com/features/article/125/which-universities-do-the-top-employers-target

Reply 13

TheRandomer

Original post by vivi1

That was very helpful :smile:

No problem :smile:

I'd say there wouldn't be much between them in terms of employment prospects.. they're both very good universities - I'd say certainly they're both top 10. It depends on your specific career interests though. I've found that the Durham name always gets a good 'ooh yes! Durham!' when I mention it to Professors etc. but my field is obviously just a really specific example.
I don't think you can go wrong really, whichever you decide! They're both fantastic Unis - Bristol was my insurance Uni I think (it was a while ago but I remember I really liked it anyway). Just choose whichever feels right for you :smile:

Feel free to ask anything more about Durham and I'd be happy to try and answer!

Reply 14

poohat

They are more or less equal, neither are among the best in the UK for finance nor are they the main target schools for investment banks but they are perfectly respectable universities and if you do well at either there's no reason why you wouldnt be able to get a job afterwards.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 15

poohat

Original post by vivi1

I'm wondering which Uni could give me better chance to land such a job? ( I know it largely depends on the person him/herself, but the power of alumni is quite important nowadays)

If you want to get into investment banking then LBS/Oxford/Cambridge/LSE/Warwick and maybe Imperial/UCL would probably be better, those are the main target schools and are strong in finance/econ. However its not impossible to break into the industry from other strong Russell Group universities, which Bristol and Durham certainly are. Also if you want to work abroad, LBS/Oxbridge/LSE have more brand name recognition than anywhere else in the UK.

Bear in mind that if you want to travel to London for networking events, Bristol is a bit closer.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 16

T4toni

You should read "Which University" guide or google it online it will tell you how several students who have studied at these Universities in terms if facilities, night life, culture, teaching and many other categories. You should use this together with "University league tables" which you can also google online to search for a prestigious University - the higher the rank the more prestigious and recognised by employers - like it or not this is what opens doors but unless you are happy you may not do well or even stay so its good to find a balance. Many universities offer "tasters" or " orientation" days where you can go and find out what the University is like first hand. If they do t offer this - ask if you can sit in on a class and then after the class talk to some if the students about their experiences, talk to the tutor/ what is your gut instinct? Look at how the class was taught - does this match your learning style? We're students encouraged to participate? Explore the facilities - is there a good library or one close by at another Uni you can use? And so on. Write down a list of questions important to you. Bristol is a quiet city if you are used to London life - it has little pockets of activity, depending on what you are into and is beautiful though Bath is much more beautiful. It is easy to build a life in Bristol as it is not as large AA d as intimidating as Lindon, but Bristol gets very quiet when the students leave. It depends on what you like you should visit both and use the advice I have given above, anywhere can be a great place if its what you are looking for.

Reply 17

kingylam5

Original post by vivi1

Halo, I wonder whether 2:1 is a must for the entry of Uni of Bristol since I have a 2:2 degree in HK. Will they also concern other factors? I have some finance-related industry working experience for one year and passed CFA level one exam. Do those two aspects help me to attain the offer?
Thanks.

Reply 18

vivi1

Original post by kingylam5

Hi, Im not sure but personally I think they will consider other factors such as working experience etc. If you have good marks for finance modules i guess that would be a big plus. They require 2:1 usually but maybe you can email the department to explain your situation. Anyway, it all depends. Good luck with your application :smile:

Reply 19

prospectivEEconomist

Durham has more business school graduates in exclusive city jobs. But its further away. Your choice on whether to go to a marginally better school or live nearer to London for interviews.