Birkbeck v Greenwich

I have an offer to study either Financial Economics BSC at Birkbeck or Business & Finance BA at Greenwich.I am still undecided although course wise I am leaning to Financial Economics.

Below are some of the possible pros and cons I have noted.

Birkbeck:

Pro's:
Course
Location
Flexibility to work
Better reputation for teaching
Graduate employment prospects

Cons:
Classes only held in the evening no daytime option, initially I do not have a job lined up what do I do all day.
Social Life? do people just turn up to lecturers and go there own way after it ends?.
Average age will most people be alot older than me? I am 22 so not exactly the youngest but I would like to socialise with people outside class that are not to far apart age wise.

Greenwich:

Pro's:
Traditional University atmosphere
Social Life
Campus architecture looks great, open green spaces not as congested as Central London

Cons:
Course not totally sold on
Employment statistics are among the lowest in the country which is worrying.
Location quite far from central

Note: I will be staying at independant halls with a mixture of students from other universities so the social aspect of Birkbeck should be made up for I think.

In regards to it only being in the evening I guess I can make my way up to the University a few hours before to study in the library etc so it feels like I am at University in the daytime to.

As of right now I am leaning to Birkbeck 65-35. I think my main concern are will I miss out on the University experience of a traditional university and the possiblity of having made a tighter knit of group of friends.

Maybe my decision would of been easier if I had an offer from a higher university but I am not sure in choosing Greenwich mainly for the uni experience over the other benefits that Birkbeck offers.

Any opinions? I hope you can convince me which option is best so I can make a decision asap.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 1

kingoftheting

12

I'm 28 and starting at Birkbeck next month.

I don't know anything about Greenwich but I haven't even started at BBK yet and there seems to be loads of societies you can join and there does appear to be a social scene, it's just up to you to seek it out.

I think evening lectures are great. You can either work during the day just for money or, as I am doing, do a little part time work 9-12 midday or 9-12 midnight and have lined up some degree-related work experience at various times in the next year. Aside from that, free time during the day is great. Use it to read around your subject, immerse yourself in it. Or just play video games and watch Netflix :smile:

whatever!

The age of students will skew older but I'm part of a few freshers Facebook groups and WhatsApp convos and there seems to be a lot of people in the 21-30 bracket. You'll be fine.

Your cons list for Greenwich and Birkbeck just don't compare. From what you've written, I'd go Birkbeck.

Reply 2

tealites

5

I personally would choose Birbeck.It is part of the University of London, so since you're staying in collegiate halls, you'll meet people attending all the different unis under UoL (goldsmiths, UCL, etc.) so I don't think you'll be missing out on the experience too much. The location of Birkbeck is also at quite a convenient location also. I don't know, you might watch to try attending a few of the open afternoons/campus tours/whatever and start feeling out the two places before you make any final decision :smile:

Reply 3

mcavill94

2

I don't go to Birkbeck but a close friend of mine currently does. I remember she was really worried about the social aspect too but then it pretty much came down to "I'm here to get a degree, not improve my social life" and it turns out she actually got a decent social life too. Apparently most people on their full time undergrad courses are in their early to mid twenties with only part time jobs/internships, and during the day they all hang out and study together. It's pretty much the same as a traditional university environment except in reverse, they hang out and THEN go to lectures afterwards.This is probably different for part time courses which are more geared towards people in full time work or families etc. She's not the type of person to go out drinking/clubbing though so I have no idea how it is in that regard of socialisation but I'm guessing the university of london as a whole has events for that stuff?

I'm not sure about how it is for economics but she's sung the praises of the psychology department. She got in through clearing and it was apparently a blessing in disguise, whether she's just saying that to save face I don't know but I doubt it.

As for Greenwich I don't know anyone who went there but if you're not sold on the course and the university itself then it's a pretty clear decision because at the end of the day that's what you should be going to uni for.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 4

zzinah

2

Original post by kingoftheting

I'm 28 and starting at Birkbeck next month.

I don't know anything about Greenwich but I haven't even started at BBK yet and there seems to be loads of societies you can join and there does appear to be a social scene, it's just up to you to seek it out.

I think evening lectures are great. You can either work during the day just for money or, as I am doing, do a little part time work 9-12 midday or 9-12 midnight and have lined up some degree-related work experience at various times in the next year. Aside from that, free time during the day is great. Use it to read around your subject, immerse yourself in it. Or just play video games and watch Netflix :smile:

whatever!

The age of students will skew older but I'm part of a few freshers Facebook groups and WhatsApp convos and there seems to be a lot of people in the 21-30 bracket. You'll be fine.

Your cons list for Greenwich and Birkbeck just don't compare. From what you've written, I'd go Birkbeck.

Hi, I just wanted to ask you around what time do lectures at Birbeck start? I'm thinking about going there, but if it's late at night, that might be inefficient.

Thanks

Reply 5

kingoftheting

12

Original post by zzinah

Hi, I just wanted to ask you around what time do lectures at Birbeck start? I'm thinking about going there, but if it's late at night, that might be inefficient.

Thanks

From 6pm to 9pm.

Birkbeck v Greenwich

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