Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

Ah the choices....

Righty-ho. Need some definitive convincing but am thinking its most likely going to be Geography BSc for 2009 application (also flirting with geog/biol and natural sciences). Surprising results last Thurs, after exceeding the lower expectations and getting AAAC, with the A's in Geog/Biol/Maths and the C being one ums off a B in chemistry. So....I'm looking where to apply. Got 2A* (english lang, geography) and 8 A's at GCSE by the way. Geography is a passion for me, has been since my teacher told me in Year 7 of my 'natural talent' :biggrin:

can't imagine not studying it actually.

Obviously shown by my subjects, I'm a scientist, but I do love my human geog aswell (100% on the paper, woot). So I want to apply somewhere with mainly physical modules, but that lets me do some human stuff too.

Am a Londoner, who doesn't want to live at home, refuses London accommodation prices and wants a change of scenery (and somewhere with an interesting accent).

Have a vague draft of a PS but it needs working on. Have extra curricular stuff through attending geography lectures of my own accord, geography prefect (organizing geographical awareness week as well as usual promoting geography things), year 8 prefect, youth SVP volunteer work, private tutor, as well as job in tuition, helping at charity events, and general school event help. I'm not sure how strong this is compared to other geog applicants in my position.

I think I'd be predicted AAA/AAB but my A's in maths and biology were very weak, as in 247 and 241, and I still haven't decided between dropping maths/chem. Want to apply to good Uni's department wise, saw that KCL is a good Uni but didn't like the look of their department. Went to visit plymouth in June, found that alright, but think perhaps I can aim a little higher now.

I dunno.....advice please? Also, physical geography reading lists, apart from thing on glaciation which I read anyway :P.

Reply 1

trm90

Southampton, Bristol, Sheffield, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Durham, Nottingham, Bham, Loughboro, Leicester are some good choices.

Right, I've probably made it even harder to help you filter it down to five universities, so erm...

Leicester, Lboro, Sheffield and Birmingham all have great departments, and could act as a possible insurance.

The rest are pretty top notch departments (not that the above aren't :wink:

!) with AAA-AAB general requirements.

If you want to filter down these universities, I would suggest you just physically visit them because the differences in reputation between all of the above are a little blurry.

As an avid geographer I'm sure you know that, seeing how diverse the subject is, some departments will have more availability and depth in some subjects than others. For example, if you're really interested in Hydrology and Glaciology, Bristol is second to none. Sheffield and Southampton, for example, have more breadth than depth (excluding GIS at Southampton which is supposed to be excellent, mind you).

Also, keep in mind that some universities have distinctly different BSc and BA programmes, eg Leicester*, while others such as Southampton or Sheffield will always let you keep your options open.

Good luck with your university choices. Choosing a geography course at a good university is always difficult. I think you'll agree with me when I say that it's so hard to not love both types of geography, and unfortunately we can't have it all :p:

*Leicester's BSc is primarily physical geography, however, it does offer a lot of environmental geography (climate change, resources, the usual stuff) which is basically a mix of human and physical geog anyway. Their physical geography course specialises in biogeography, GIS and climate change, by the way.

Reply 2

fn_101

Hmm, I booked on to see Lancaster (not sure what their department is like....anyone know?) but it's all a bit touch and go whether I can make it.

Have had a look at Durham's prospectus/website, but have just found out their open days are full for this year, but I'm welcome to wander around the department myself if I like, so I may try to do that. Only thing is, I hear Durham is really competitive and I'm nto sure of my chance of getting a place - anyone know any more info on this?

Thanks for the advice, hadn't thought about some of those Uni's so will look into it :smile:

Reply 3

TheOneWho

Glasgow has quite a broad course and you have to do both human and physical modules. The entry requirements are a little lower, but that's because your first year is similar to A level, or you can go straight into second year.

Try and narrow down where in the country you want to go, then have a look at universities that interest you and see what their courses are like. Some might only let you do physical, some only human. Try and see the course make up if you can, find out what exactly you'd be doing.

Reply 4

im so academic

You should consider Oxbridge as you are predicted AAA, what about Warwick, Durham, Edinburgh and Glasgow?

Reply 5

River85

im so academic

You should consider Oxbridge as you are predicted AAA, what about Warwick, Durham, Edinburgh and Glasgow?

Don't just list AAA/top unis. As the OP is looking to study geography I don't think Warwick would be a good choice as, as far as I'm aware, they don't even offer it!

OP, yes Durham is very competitive, it's a top uni, but you'll probably be predicted AAA (in great subjects) and it seems you are very passionate about geography. Displays this in your personal statement (in an articulate manner) and you'll have as good a chance as most. References are also important and if your ability/flair for geography (or that you showed great potential for geography from an early age) could be mentioned in the personal statement that may also be helpful. Still, your reference is for the teachers to write, they are the professionals so I wouldn't like to dictate to them what they should put. But, the bottom line is, someone has to get into the course each year - give me a good reason why it can't be you?

Even so, it would be unwise to select AAA/highly competitive unis as all of your options. So although I don't doubt your ability, it would unwise to suggest you only apply to, say, Cambridge, Durham, LSE and UCL.

Bristol is a fine university, easily ranks alongside UCL, Durham etc. They are also quite strong in geography and are, I believe, quite flexible in their offers (AAA-ABB). So if you impress them enough they may give you a slightly lower offer than the typical AAA.

Redbricks such as Sheffield and Newcastle (both interesting accents, both vibrant cities, always highly ranked in terms of nightlife and student cities - Newcastle especially) have quite modest requirements, ABB. They are very solid unis, however, and if you like the course then they may be excellent back ups to the likes of Durham, LSE etc.)

Cardiff offer an interesting course although I'm not sure if it's your thing. Cardiff are very strong in city and regional planning. Although they don't offer a geography degree (certainly not one that's focused on the physical sciences) they do offer a JH planning and geography degree. So it's geography, a fair amount of it human, but mixed with some of the planning modules also. Although it isn't RTPI accredited (this shouldn't be a concern unless you are sure that you want to go into planning as a career - if you do then you can always do a masters). Cardiff is also a fine city, very underrated as a student city. Whilst Newcastle, Liverpool etc. have been receiving international praise for their regeneration, cultural facilities and nightlife Cardiff has done much the same - but without as much fuss or praise. The university is beautiful, it has obtained some of the city's Civic buildings and they are fine examples of Neo-Classical architecture. The Glamorgan building, where the planning department is based, is particularly impressive.

Exeter is also decent in geograhy and are not as strict with grade boundaries as the AAA unis, the Cornwall campus in particular. However, it is Exeter and is only a small place (in comparison to the major cities). It has a reputation of not being the most diverse in student make up (altough if you're thinking of applying to Durham then I don't know if this is too much an issue for you). They are also going to be offering a new degree, a Master of Geography (MGeog) for 2009 entry. It's a four year program whereby the first two years are the normal physical/human geography years from the BA/BSc. The final two years, however, are more specialised and advanced modules.

This could prove to be an interesting course and quite beneficial. Especially if you see yourself in geography as a career (particularly academia).

Reply 6

one2three_abc

Bristol is harder to get into in terms of Applications:Places than Cambridge. 1400:100. Durham is also quite hard to get into meaning that you'd need to be predicted the AAA and have a good reference and personal statement. Not to put you off. Durham wants all round individuals, so lots of extra curriculum.

Other good ones are Southampton, St.Andrews, Leicester, (Royal Holloway), Sheffield.
You really need to decide whether you want to stay south, go north, go far north, city, town...etc. before you can pinpoint certain universities. I mean, some people who would love Durham would hate Bristol. vice versa.

Reply 7

fn_101

Thanks for the help everyone. Have since dropped Chemistry (well dropped it today after a week of agony in trying all four) and got predicted AAA :smile:

. Have been looking at Oxford, done my PS which I don't think is good enough, but basically sped the whole application process along - which is terrifying seeing as it'll be sent off soon and then be out of my hands. Am close to saying I'm definitely applying to Oxford, minds still wavering about it and have had mixed responses on it from teachers but we'll see.

Alongside, thinking Durham and Lancaster and then was wondering if anyone could tell me about Bristol or St Andrews? Am choosing between them two, but as someone mentioned earlier hear that Bristol is extremely competitive.
Then for the fifth, I'm not sure yet....am tempted to put Newcastle as the area looks beautiful but need to do some more research..

Also, anyone know what the best way to do this is - is it unwise to apply to all top uni's, or will the Uni's with slightly lower requirements see the AAA prediction and assume they are a backup and not offer a place? Eh, I worry too much!

Reply 8

River85

fn_101

Alongside, thinking Durham

Woo hoo!

fn_101

Then for the fifth, I'm not sure yet....am tempted to put Newcastle as the area looks beautiful but need to do some more research.

Woo hoo! If you want to know more about Newcastle (as a city) and the surrounding area then send me a PM. I can't really tell you much about the geography department there though.

fn_101

Also, anyone know what the best way to do this is - is it unwise to apply to all top uni's, or will the Uni's with slightly lower requirements see the AAA prediction and assume they are a backup and not offer a place? Eh, I worry too much!

I wouldn't worry or think to much about it. Just apply to the unis you want to go to, maybe have one or two "back ups" if you can. Don't be too worried about unis think they'll only be a back up and then rehecting you. IF they like you chances are they'll give you an offer. They'll be expecting a number of those receiving offers to reject them anyway.

Reply 9

fn_101

Anyone know what York Uni is like for Geog? Well its environmental geography and doesn't seem to be in league tables so is it still well respected?

Also, anyone know much about Exeter as a place and their geog department?

Ditto for St Andrews and Bristol as I can't seem to decide between those two.....

Reply 10

TheOneWho

Personally I wouldn't go for York, but that's because I don't like environmental or ecological subjects. If you want to really specialise in that then it'd be perfect for you.

I don't know anything about Exeter as a place, but the department is fairly good. Has Paul Cloke. You'll probably come across him in lots of human geography books, especially introductory ones.

Bristol and St Andrews are both excellent universities. Which course do you prefer? Which place do you prefer? Bristol will be more bustling that St Andrews.

Reply 11

fn_101

TheOneWho

I like the course in both - Bristol due to its glaciology and climate change and the general department and university is brilliant.
St Andrews because I like that you get to study other modules alongside Geog (eg Earth science) and that the university seems to look like it has that old 'Durham/oxbridge' feel to it....somewhere pretty and cosy.

But I'm hesitant to apply to both due to it being massively oversubscribed at Bristol, and then the likelihood of four rejections y applying to all top uni's (Durham and Oxford too) - is this likely or am I being paranoid?

Have decided against York, and am thinking between Sheffield/Soton/Exeter?

Also, Nottingham says AAB/ABB - any one know which is more likely and what its like? And the competition for a place is 8:1 - reasonable?

Sorry for all the questions, but application is being sent off tomorrow.....