Which of these unis should I pick?

I'm applying for International Relations and I'm a bit unsure which uni to make my firm and insurance. I was only able to get my predicted grades to ABB (I wanted AAA) so I couldn't apply anywhere better so I'm expecting to get laughed at asking this on TSR of all places but oh well. I'm wondering if it's worth applying next year because I think it might be better to apply somewhere more prestigious with a subject like IR and because my personal life is affecting my grades. Anyway, my offers are:

SOAS AAB
Southampton ABB
Sussex ABB
QMUL BBB (Lowered from ABB and I don't know why)
Essex BBB

I'm personally not to bothered about the location. I'm unsure if I want to accept Southampton's offer as I'm not sure the modules look that interesting to me anymore and their student satisfaction is only at 57% for the course which I thought was worrying. I'm not sure I'm happy about being in Essex anymore either.

Reply 1

McGinger

18

How to Choose Firm and Insurance - https://www.theuniguide.co.uk/advice/ucas-application/the-smart-way-to-choosing-your-first-and-insurance-choices

Reply 2

0le

21

Student satisfaction depends on how many students bother to vote. Whilst useful, I would be wary of placing too much emphasis on them.

You seem to have dismissed "location" when in reality this is quite important. You do not want to end up living in an area for 3-4 years which you do not like. Even if you are not an outgoing person, you still want to feel "safe" and "comfortable" where you live. You should also consider the cost of living in cities such as London compared to other cities such as Southampton.

I would continue, as you have done so already, to look at the modules. I think the combination of modules which you will study and location should help you further narrow down the choices.

Reply 3

swanseajack1

19

Original post by HanShotFirst01

I'm applying for International Relations and I'm a bit unsure which uni to make my firm and insurance. I was only able to get my predicted grades to ABB (I wanted AAA) so I couldn't apply anywhere better so I'm expecting to get laughed at asking this on TSR of all places but oh well. I'm wondering if it's worth applying next year because I think it might be better to apply somewhere more prestigious with a subject like IR and because my personal life is affecting my grades. Anyway, my offers are:

SOAS AAB
Southampton ABB
Sussex ABB
QMUL BBB (Lowered from ABB and I don't know why)
Essex BBB

I'm personally not to bothered about the location. I'm unsure if I want to accept Southampton's offer as I'm not sure the modules look that interesting to me anymore and their student satisfaction is only at 57% for the course which I thought was worrying. I'm not sure I'm happy about being in Essex anymore either.

It is impossible to advise you on which university is right. What is right for one person is the wrong choice for another. You need to make your decision on what is right for you in terms of course and location. Location is important as places are different. How far from home do you want to be. Do you want to be in a big or small city. Would you prefer a campus or city based university. Are you looking at somewhere with lots of nightlife or somewhere much quieter. These will all impact on how happy you will the course content. Only you can come to a judgement that is the right one for you.

Another option is to reject all your current universities and apply through ucas extra. iversities next yearUse ucas course search and enter your choice. Filter on only show courses with vacancies. You will then have a ;list of courses available and their grades. Is there anyone there that interests you. If so check with that university that they still have vacancies. If you meet the entry requirements. If you are a grade below ask whether the university will consider you. If so aplply.

If this doesnt work then you have to come to your decision whether to go to one of your choices or reapply next year. with actual grades to any universities next year. Consider you might not get a better offer so could be back again in the same position next year. Only you can come to a decision. It will be different for every person and you need to take the right choice for you not anybody else.

Reply 4

swanseajack1

19

I have just done a quick check Birmingham, Liverpool and York are showing spaces available at AAB which is slightly above your predicted grades. Many universities make reach offers to students 1 grade above allowing them the chance to reach those grades. If any of these or indeed any others interest you ring the university tomorrow and discuss then decide on your course of action.

Original post by HanShotFirst01

I'm applying for International Relations and I'm a bit unsure which uni to make my firm and insurance. I was only able to get my predicted grades to ABB (I wanted AAA) so I couldn't apply anywhere better so I'm expecting to get laughed at asking this on TSR of all places but oh well. I'm wondering if it's worth applying next year because I think it might be better to apply somewhere more prestigious with a subject like IR and because my personal life is affecting my grades. Anyway, my offers are:

SOAS AAB
Southampton ABB
Sussex ABB
QMUL BBB (Lowered from ABB and I don't know why)
Essex BBB

I'm personally not to bothered about the location. I'm unsure if I want to accept Southampton's offer as I'm not sure the modules look that interesting to me anymore and their student satisfaction is only at 57% for the course which I thought was worrying. I'm not sure I'm happy about being in Essex anymore either.

EDITED: In the previous post, I mistakenly said it was a Russell Group so I removed that. Thanks for picking it up!

Hey! I'm in my final year at SOAS studying International Relations.

While SOAS is a small university and is recognised throughout its specialist fields (IR, development, languages) and it's known very well internationally. I got the same grades as you in my A-Levels and I've found the courses available to be much more nuanced and critical than courses at slightly more prestigious UK universities that some of my friends attend and study IR at.

It really depends on what you want to get out of your degree, however, SOAS is certainly recognised and the actual course content for International Relations I found far more engaging than those elsewhere. Similarly, the SOAS community is super diverse and international, making it a great place to study international relations, and being in London provides so many opportunities as a student in politics too.

I hope this answer helps, if you have any more questions about SOAS let me know, and best of luck in whatever decision you make!

Thanks
Anna

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 6

2022 g

17

Original post by SOAS

Hey! I'm in my final year at SOAS studying International Relations.

While SOAS is a small university, it is Russell group and is recognised throughout its specialist fields (IR, development, languages) and it's known very well internationally.

It is not Russell group though.

Reply 7

2022 g

17

Original post by HanShotFirst01

I'm applying for International Relations and I'm a bit unsure which uni to make my firm and insurance. I was only able to get my predicted grades to ABB (I wanted AAA) so I couldn't apply anywhere better so I'm expecting to get laughed at asking this on TSR of all places but oh well. I'm wondering if it's worth applying next year because I think it might be better to apply somewhere more prestigious with a subject like IR and because my personal life is affecting my grades. Anyway, my offers are:

SOAS AAB
Southampton ABB
Sussex ABB
QMUL BBB (Lowered from ABB and I don't know why)
Essex BBB

I'm personally not to bothered about the location. I'm unsure if I want to accept Southampton's offer as I'm not sure the modules look that interesting to me anymore and their student satisfaction is only at 57% for the course which I thought was worrying. I'm not sure I'm happy about being in Essex anymore either.

You could take a gap year (you’ll be surprised that a lot of students take gap years) to better your grades. If you really want to apply to better unis.
I am currently on a gap year to better my grades (my exams got cancelled last year, and i didn’t really get the best outcome for my grades, hence me resitting). Resitting isn’t too bad, but it does get a bit boring and quite lonely at times. But its 1 year to completely change your grades. The offers you have been given are not too bad as well.
Best to go to a uni where you are 100% certain and sure, that you really want to go there.
Remember the uni you go to, you’ll end up spending 3/4 years of your life there. So you should choose wisely.

Reply 8

tsr_leo

9

Original post by SOAS

Hey! I'm in my final year at SOAS studying International Relations.

While SOAS is a small university, it is Russell group and is recognised throughout its specialist fields (IR, development, languages) and it's known very well internationally. I got the same grades as you in my A-Levels and I've found the courses available to be much more nuanced and critical than courses at slightly more prestigious UK universities that some of my friends attend and study IR at.

It really depends on what you want to get out of your degree, however, SOAS is certainly recognised and the actual course content for International Relations I found far more engaging than those elsewhere. Similarly, the SOAS community is super diverse and international, making it a great place to study international relations, and being in London provides so many opportunities as a student in politics too.

I hope this answer helps, if you have any more questions about SOAS let me know, and best of luck in whatever decision you make!

Thanks
Anna

You guys are NOT a Russell group university.

Which of these unis should I pick?

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