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Student in the Laboratory, Lancaster University
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Lancaster or Leeds via UCAS Extra?

So I applied way back in October when I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to study for:

Oxford-Biomedical sciences (rejected)
Bath-natural sciences/year abroad
Lancaster-natural science/year abroad/integrated masters
Exeter(Cornwall campus)-animal behaviour
St. Andrews-neuroscience

I visited very few open days and so based my decisions on the courses. However, I now know that I want to study neuroscience which leaves me with only one option - St. Andrews. I visited on Wednesday for the first time and, as lovely as it is, I came away with the gut feeling that I was making a huge mistake. The biggest thing was the atmosphere of the place - it's a seaside town with not much going on. No music scene (I'm into indie/alternative music and gigs and clubbing and art galleries etc.) Not much shopping-wise (NO TOPSHOP!) So now I've decided I do not want to go there!

However, the Lancaster course is quite flexible and has lots of positives but I think I may be compromising slightly as it really is neuroscience that I want to study. I should also add that they have offered me an unconditional offer if I firm them.

On the other hand, I have found that Leeds have a neuroscience/integrated masters course on UCAS Extra. Although Lancaster is higher in the league tables, Leeds seems to be more prestigious due to it being in the Russell group (uni experience is more important to me than prestige btw.) The idea of Leeds excites me more than Lancaster - the nightlife, social scene, shopping, music and art are exactly what I picture when I think about uni but can Lancaster offer me this too? Is it worth rejecting 4 good offers and gambling on just one course? Or is it stupid to reject an unconditional offer? Or will I enjoy uni wherever I am? Any advice would be muchly appreciated!!


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Original post by MinnieD
So I applied way back in October when I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to study for:

Oxford-Biomedical sciences (rejected)
Bath-natural sciences/year abroad
Lancaster-natural science/year abroad/integrated masters
Exeter(Cornwall campus)-animal behaviour
St. Andrews-neuroscience

I visited very few open days and so based my decisions on the courses. However, I now know that I want to study neuroscience which leaves me with only one option - St. Andrews. I visited on Wednesday for the first time and, as lovely as it is, I came away with the gut feeling that I was making a huge mistake. The biggest thing was the atmosphere of the place - it's a seaside town with not much going on. No music scene (I'm into indie/alternative music and gigs and clubbing and art galleries etc.) Not much shopping-wise (NO TOPSHOP!) So now I've decided I do not want to go there!

However, the Lancaster course is quite flexible and has lots of positives but I think I may be compromising slightly as it really is neuroscience that I want to study. I should also add that they have offered me an unconditional offer if I firm them.

On the other hand, I have found that Leeds have a neuroscience/integrated masters course on UCAS Extra. Although Lancaster is higher in the league tables, Leeds seems to be more prestigious due to it being in the Russell group (uni experience is more important to me than prestige btw.) The idea of Leeds excites me more than Lancaster - the nightlife, social scene, shopping, music and art are exactly what I picture when I think about uni but can Lancaster offer me this too? Is it worth rejecting 4 good offers and gambling on just one course? Or is it stupid to reject an unconditional offer? Or will I enjoy uni wherever I am? Any advice would be muchly appreciated!!


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An interesting scenario :smile:

I'm a fresher at Lancaster and I think that it'll give you more or less the same social scene and music than Leeds, but to be honest the shopping might let you down, even if it does have a Topshop (it's a small city, not as big as Leeds - it still has its fair share of high-street shops but probably not to the extent that Leeds has).

Is it stupid to turn down an unconditional offer? No - if you're not completely happy with going there, then it's fine to turn down the offer :yep: but if the course at Leeds is an integrated Masters course, what's to stop you doing an undergraduate degree at Lancaster and then specialising with a Masters in neuroscience elsewhere? (just a suggestion) :smile:
Student in the Laboratory, Lancaster University
Lancaster University
Lancaster
Visit website
Reply 2
I don't think Lancaster will equal leeds at all when it comes to social or music scene, actually. Far from it. Lancaster doesn't have much 'on offer', however what it does have is lots of room for you to make your own scene. It's not too much of a bubble, and it really is what you make of it - if you want a really good night you can probably have it, but if you want a really good city night, you might end up wanting to go to Manchester after a few tries in Lancs. It can be great, but it won't be close to Leeds on that level. But you'll be in the same boat as so many other students wanting a good time, and you will not be at a total loss for that, don't worry. Lancaster is getting a large Primark next year, you may be pleased to read.

As MM said otherwise, though, there's nothing wrong with turning down the unconditional just because it may seem a little bit of a waste, but only if you're sure that you want to go for Leeds. Have you visited Lancaster? It will charm you if you do (if you come in the sun...)! (:
Reply 3
Original post by MalteseMalteser
An interesting scenario :smile:

I'm a fresher at Lancaster and I think that it'll give you more or less the same social scene and music than Leeds, but to be honest the shopping might let you down, even if it does have a Topshop (it's a small city, not as big as Leeds - it still has its fair share of high-street shops but probably not to the extent that Leeds has).

Is it stupid to turn down an unconditional offer? No - if you're not completely happy with going there, then it's fine to turn down the offer :yep: but if the course at Leeds is an integrated Masters course, what's to stop you doing an undergraduate degree at Lancaster and then specialising with a Masters in neuroscience elsewhere? (just a suggestion) :smile:


Original post by awe
I don't think Lancaster will equal leeds at all when it comes to social or music scene, actually. Far from it. Lancaster doesn't have much 'on offer', however what it does have is lots of room for you to make your own scene. It's not too much of a bubble, and it really is what you make of it - if you want a really good night you can probably have it, but if you want a really good city night, you might end up wanting to go to Manchester after a few tries in Lancs. It can be great, but it won't be close to Leeds on that level. But you'll be in the same boat as so many other students wanting a good time, and you will not be at a total loss for that, don't worry. Lancaster is getting a large Primark next year, you may be pleased to read.

As MM said otherwise, though, there's nothing wrong with turning down the unconditional just because it may seem a little bit of a waste, but only if you're sure that you want to go for Leeds. Have you visited Lancaster? It will charm you if you do (if you come in the sun...)! (:


Thank you both for your advice! It's given me some more to think about :smile: I have visited Lancaster a few times because I only live half an hour away (another downside imo)... I'm now considering St. Andrews again... I'm so indecisive!!



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Original post by MinnieD
Thank you both for your advice! It's given me some more to think about :smile: I have visited Lancaster a few times because I only live half an hour away (another downside imo)... I'm now considering St. Andrews again... I'm so indecisive!!



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To me, it sounds like you want to go to Leeds. You said you didn't like St. Andrews because of the location etc. and if you're going to be studying there for 3/4 years then you need to like the place that the University is located in :smile: Plus with the other things that you said in your OP, it might be worth trying to risk the grades for Leeds :smile:
Reply 5
Original post by MalteseMalteser
To me, it sounds like you want to go to Leeds. You said you didn't like St. Andrews because of the location etc. and if you're going to be studying there for 3/4 years then you need to like the place that the University is located in :smile: Plus with the other things that you said in your OP, it might be worth trying to risk the grades for Leeds :smile:


I think you're probably right... It's just scary making such a big decision haha! Thank you!


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Original post by MinnieD
I think you're probably right... It's just scary making such a big decision haha! Thank you!


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Oh I know it is scary, and clicking "Firm" on the UCAS choices pages is huge - and afterwards you wonder if you've made a terrible mistake! But if you've got a solid reason for going to Leeds (which you have done) and you like the look of the course, you like the University and what the city has to offer, then all you have to be scared of is getting the grades :smile:
Reply 7
Original post by MalteseMalteser
Oh I know it is scary, and clicking "Firm" on the UCAS choices pages is huge - and afterwards you wonder if you've made a terrible mistake! But if you've got a solid reason for going to Leeds (which you have done) and you like the look of the course, you like the University and what the city has to offer, then all you have to be scared of is getting the grades :smile:


Very true haha!


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Reply 8
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I live in Leeds and study in Lancaster and it really depends on whether your looking for a city university as prestigious wise they're pretty equal. As a city however coming from someone who has lived in Leeds their life, I prefer Lancaster.


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