Have I made a mistake going to an ex-poly? With really good A level grades?

Re-apply again to other places then.

I do want to go uni this year. Just to add.

I had the choice of Kent or Brookes to do Politics and History and I chose Oxford Brookes in the end, mainly because of it's location, the fact that it wasn't in the middle of nowhere, had a good emphasis on transferable skills to the workplace, for instance the history course gives me a chance to go on a placement at a school/museum etc, while Sussex and Kent don't. and it was near all the major cities in the country.

For me having experience is crucial more than good academic qualifications. Which is funny considering I got A*AB at A level.

But a part of me feels like I should go to somewhere really prestigious, so that my good grades worked for something, but I had a very specific choice of university in mind, i.e had to be near London, not to have too much emphasis on exams, and good work experience opportunities.

So in that respect, it only left Brookes, Kent and Sussex to compete

Sussex currently has vacancies for Politics and History am I am tempted, the course looks better too, but the university seems to have a strong left wing political culture, which might make me feel uncomfortable given my views. Plus it doesn't have the work-based emphasis like Brookes and isn't near all the major cities, just London.

I just feel like because I'm going to an ex-poly I am selling myself short, but another part of me just tells me to grow up, and it doesn't matter where you go, it's what you do there that matters to employers. My best mate got A*A*A for A level and he is going to Swansea, again like my course asking for BBC.

Is it bad that despite being someone who is good academically, I want to go to a university where it's practice for working life, rather than pure prestige?

Fine, go to an ex-poly, it ain't my problem. It will stay with you forever. I don't think you will be the next Barrack Obama at such a low profile university. And it will be harder to get onto MA and PhD programmes and better unis in future.

Hey OP

I'd say if you don't want to take a year out reapply and these are your options then definately go with where you are happiest.

I was in a similar position choosing between prestige and where I thought I'd be happiest. I got into Durham to study Classics and was told I'd have a very good chance of Oxbridge if I applied but I turned them both down to go to Manchester (which is much lower on the league tables). The thing is is that as I was happy, I developped myself as a person and my passions a lot more so now feel in a much better position to gain employment than if I'd gone somewhere more "prestigious", had a miserable time and not gained any confidence/ work experience. Hope this helps

Just to add, Manchester is prestigious, it's been around a lot longer than some of these modern universities. It's also higher up than Durham on international league tables. If you're interested in international politics, it's well worth checking out the THE world rankings for an idea of which universities are prestigious internationally, not just in the UK.

Just to add, Manchester is prestigious, it's been around a lot longer than some of these modern universities. It's also higher up than Durham on international league tables. If you're interested in international politics, it's well worth checking out the THE world rankings for an idea of which universities are prestigious internationally, not just in the UK.

This is a good point. Some unis rank very differently on the international league tables as they are based on different criterea. I'm just never sure which tables employers in the UK pay more attention to (if they pay any attention at all)?
Maybe OP could try and get into Manchester this year then? It's not near London but Manchester is an amazing city in itself I'd say. Also I have some experience of both the history and politics departments there (though that's not my main degree) and they both seem very good.
Do you go to Manchester katearch?

same here A*A*B vere middle university , but in london and I loved my interview and the atmosphere and I know they will allow me to do things outside the uni as they clearly stated that we can negotiate and try to find the compromise to satisfy as all. And that's what I like about it , i can get into career while still being at uni. Not spend 3 years in top one without getting any other experience.

This is a good point. Some unis rank very differently on the international league tables as they are based on different criterea. I'm just never sure which tables employers in the UK pay more attention to (if they pay any attention at all)?
Maybe OP could try and get into Manchester this year then? It's not near London but Manchester is an amazing city in itself I'd say. Also I have some experience of both the history and politics departments there (though that's not my main degree) and they both seem very good.
Do you go to Manchester katearch?

Thank you for backing me up! I'm starting at Manchester in September to do Politics and Philosophy, it's also where my brother went who is doing extremely well now. Employers don't pay a lot of attention to league tables, but they do focus on reputation. A lot of top employers want you to have a 1st these days for CEO/CFO type jobs (I've been told this by the employers themselves.)

Thank you for backing me up! I'm starting at Manchester in September to do Politics and Philosophy, it's also where my brother went who is doing extremely well now. Employers don't pay a lot of attention to league tables, but they do focus on reputation. A lot of top employers want you to have a 1st these days for CEO/CFO type jobs (I've been told this by the employers themselves.)

But I think it's unfair to say that quality of institution is not important when so many on here have really strived to go to such places.

I thought this wasn't about which subjects are better, I thought this was about whether prestige matters in terms of having a career in politics? Short answer, yes it does.

I'm just going to un-watch this thread now as it's getting a little volatile and off-topic...