Reapply to Edinburgh or go to Bristol??

I suspect you'll like whichever university you go to!

Look at it like this -- you're paying GBP 2300 less a year to go to Bristol, so you could spend some of that on visiting other parts of the UK when you have free time. Perhaps day trips to local cities like Bath or Cardiff; perhaps a few days away during university vacations to Edinburgh, London, etc. (You can fly direct from Bristol to Edinburgh; I've done it myself for a day trip(!))

If you withdraw and reapply, it's an additional year of your life before you get your degree.

I wouldn't worry too much about league tables. When you apply for a job, I don't think it's very likely that employers will immediately reach for the latest league tables to see how good the University was that you studied at.

I feel so stupid for not factoring in accommodation cost which is considerably more than Edinburgh and would ultimately work out the same in terms of total cost at both unis..

You're not really going to get an unbiased opinion in the Bristol forum! However, both are excellent universities.

I was actually hoping a Bristol student will come in and say something really positive about the uni that will reassure me of my decision haha..

my only option is to take a gap year and reapply again as I have already paid for my visa for Bristol uni

Well, speaking as someone with an extraordinary fondness for Edinburgh, I have to say that Bristol is very highly thought of and the weather is a whole lot better!

aww you went to Edinburgh, must have been like a fantasy. no help that I am currently rereading harry potter

I had offers from both universities but for different subjects. I am an international student and made my decision purely based on cost of tuition fees. Bristol being GBP17,750 per annum and Edinburgh GBP20,050 per annum.

I am starting to regret my decision as I prefer the ancient city of Edinburgh compared to the modern buildings of Bristol. This would be my first time coming to Europe and as a child I have always dreamed of castles and old stone shops and houses. I know this all sounds very silly.

Also Edinburgh is much higher on the international league tables compared to Bristol, which seems to be slipping each year..

I don't feel as excited about going to uni anymore, i'm not sure if i'm just being silly and feel stupid reading back this thread year later..

what do you guys think?

Have you actually visited Bristol and Edinburgh? Bristol has its fair share of grand old buildings and romantic cobbled streets, but these idealistic visions are a poor reason to choose a university. As are league tables, though I'm not sure which ones you're looking at because from the ones I've seen Bristol is often either above or below Edinburgh by negligible percentage points, while every table where one is significantly higher than the other is matched by one in reverse. Have you studied the methodology of these tables before valuing them so highly? They probably include many factors which will be unimportant or totally irrelevant to your studies, and it is often the case that when these are removed the positions are exchanged. Students at both of these universities will receive world class education and their employment prospects will not vary at all purely on the basis of university name. Perhaps you should reconsider going to a UK university at all if the factors influencing your extremely expensive life choice are league tables and rosy-eyed preconceptions about the environments.

I'm a bit confused about the "modern buildings of Bristol" comment. Have you actually visited Bristol? Bristol and Edinburgh are both historic cities with attractive city centres. Edinburgh has its castle, Bristol has the waterfront, the suspension bridge and a warmer climate. They're both lovely.

I feel so stupid for not factoring in accommodation cost which is considerably more than Edinburgh and would ultimately work out the same in terms of total cost at both unis..

I was actually hoping a Bristol student will come in and say something really positive about the uni that will reassure me of my decision haha..

my only option is to take a gap year and reapply again as I have already paid for my visa for Bristol uni

Hi Birkenhead,
I know this thread sounds very childish, and yes it will be my first time going to the UK. I have never been to Europe before so my perception from it is only from tv and pictures. This thread is not meant to be entirely serious. I though I was making a wise decision choosing the less expensive university. However at that time I did not factor in cost of living (very stupid of me) and only recently worked out that it would cost around the same for both unis. The only source I have to compare the universities and locations are league tables and internet forums. I was satisfied with my decision until my parents mention that I should have gone to Edinburgh, far more well known in asia, and much prettier architecture if I might add although I know its not an important factor. Yes I will be paying for uni out of my own pocket through loans so I will surely work very hard when term begins. My only regret is not thoroughly researching the finances of studying at both places before I had made the decision.

You seem to be suggesting that the cost of living in Bristol will be around £2300 more than in Edinburgh. Where is your evidence for this? You can very easily live cheaply in Bristol. It sounds like you are rationalising sophistically to justify re-applying. Any employer worth working for in Asia will be impressed by Bristol just as much - but will you even be working in Asia? League tables, internet forums and google earth are not good ways of choosing a university. Both are excellent universities with equal prestige and prospects and beautiful surroundings - you have accepted Bristol and obtained a visa, so go to Bristol.

PS What are the courses you applied for?

You won't find 'forests or caves' anywhere near suburban Edinburgh.