Discussion for current and prospective students about social life at university, city life, societies and everything above living away from home. Keep accommodation, finance and university specific discussion in their own forums.
I plan on studying physics at one of these two universities, and obviously I cannot decide.
Now Warwick obviously has a better reputation, but not that much better, and at the end of the day, I hear that if you get a first it wont make that much difference unless its somewhere like Cambridge.
However, Exeter is better to me in alot of other categories. For example, the area is much nicer, its alot easier to get to, they seem to have a large interest in Rugby which is important to me (can hardly find much about it in Warwick) and the gym looks very good compared to Warwicks (although I never actually went inside Warwicks gym, but it didnt look as good from the outside)
And then theres small differences, for example I didnt like the lack of width, the colour scheme and legroom in Warwicks physics lecture rooms whereas in Exeter the lecture room was very comfortable with a much nicer scheme going on.
I think the student/teacher ratio is smaller in Exeter, as I recall Exeter having sessions with 2 to a teacher against Warwicks 5 to a teacher. The phd students I spoke to at Exeter spoke about how the teachers and students knew each other very well and it was a closely knit community. Even though Warwick supposedly is better for teaching, I feel I might do better in such an environment.
Now on the other hand, Warwicks physics department looked to be better equipped, and since it has a higher ranking, I assume the teachers there are better in their field than the teachers at Exeter. It is also harder tog et into, and perhaps this means better job prospects? I don't know how much weight to put there.
Then theres the matter on nightlife. We've all heard about Conventry and Leamington spa lacking in this department and how the "bubble" doesnt work for some people (or at least thats what I keep hearing) Although there will be a new students union opening and maybe that will combat this big time. Now I haven't heard the same things of Exeter, but from what I understand its not much better, with only 9 pubs in the local town and 2 night clubs? but the students union gets alot of big name bands in. Finally, however important this is, the male to female raito in Exeter is 45-55 and in Warwick it is 50-50 xD.
One other major issue is finance. In Warwick they have plenty of bursuries on offer which require no exceptional grades, and I'm quite likely to receive them for reasons I wont go into. In Exeter the bursuries are only available if you get 3 As at A level, and obviously thats not easy but they total to around the same amount.
Ok now you can clearly see I've been over thinking this but it is the next 4 years of my life! Help me decide!
I'd choose Exeter, personally. From what you've described it sounds like Exeter would suit your tastes. I know they're big on Rugby and the gym is indeed very good.
I don't think either will offer better job prospects than the other - they're both top universities.
Exeter's campus is wonderful and the city is fantastic - I love the setup they have down there . It really feels like a small, closeknit community. Warwick is a dump.
In Exeter the bursuries are only available if you get 3 As at A level
Ehh?? Unless they have changed the system for next year alot of people are entitled to an 'Access to Exeter' bursary which is open to everyone, depending on income it can be up to £1500 a year (IIRC).
I applied to do physics at Exeter, got an offer but I wanted it as an insurance but the grades were higher than my first choice so rejected it. Was very impressed with the department though and it was the only other course I seriously considered doing. From the sound of it though you seem to be pulling towards Exeter, its important to consider all aspects of Uni life (you mention your keen on rugby) not just look at it from a purely academic viewpoint.
the gym looks very good compared to Warwicks (although I never actually went inside Warwicks gym, but it didnt look as good from the outside)
And that's where the flaw lies. The building doesn't look very nice but Warwick's sports facilities are excellent. Shame you didn't go in you would have had a very different opinion.
Warwick will also have a brand new Student's Union by september 09 which has been deemed to be the best SU in the country. Somehow I think it will be attracting bigger names than Exeter.
Warwick is a good university but it's a concrete jungle in the middle of nowhere. Unless, that is, you think Coventry is a nice place!
So many people on TSR bumlick the LSE and Warwick! People should broaden their outlook and go to a place they actually like, rather than harp on about league tables, reputation and employment prospects all the time. OP you are correct, if you get a first from a decent university you are doing well. F*** the reputation; both are good institutions but go to the place you like the most.
Warwick is a good university but it's a concrete jungle in the middle of nowhere. Unless, that is, you think Coventry is a nice place!
So many people on TSR bumlick the LSE and Warwick! People should broaden their outlook and go to a place they actually like, rather than harp on about league tables, reputation and employment prospects all the time. OP you are correct, if you get a first from a decent university you are doing well. F*** the reputation; both are good institutions but go to the place you like the most.
Warwick is a good university but it's a concrete jungle in the middle of nowhere. Unless, that is, you think Coventry is a nice place!
So many people on TSR bumlick the LSE and Warwick! People should broaden their outlook and go to a place they actually like, rather than harp on about league tables, reputation and employment prospects all the time. OP you are correct, if you get a first from a decent university you are doing well. F*** the reputation; both are good institutions but go to the place you like the most.
What many people fail to realise is that some people actually LIKE Warwick as a place to study and to live.
i have this same dilemna, I have applied for exeter and received an offer but i may trade up if i get better gades to go to warwick
You would be foolish to do so if the only reason is an unfounded notion of 'prestige'. They are both fantastic universities.
I'm a current graduate and I've been through many selection processes for top graduate roles. Let me tell you now that your skills and experiences are far more important than where you studied. I hear so many people argue that "in an interview, university x will give you the edge over university y." This is rubbish, particularly when comparing two of the country's top universities. A Warwick degree will not 'give you the edge in an interview' over an Exeter degree.
I'd go for Warwick and not just because I'm biased
The gym here is good - you really can't tell from the outside and there are loads of activities going on.
But if you really preferred Exeter, go there, but Warwick has a better overall reputation in my opinion which will help you later for jobs. But not much.
You would be foolish to do so if the only reason is an unfounded notion of 'prestige'. They are both fantastic universities.
I'm a current graduate and I've been through many selection processes for top graduate roles.
That would depend on what sort of job you're going for. Obviously, the interview comes down to how good YOU (as an individual) are for the given job. But some of the most competitive (and the highest paying) jobs in Investment Banking/Consultancy have screening processes before the interview stage that reject/accept you based on the university you attended. It's a shame, but that's how things are.
Given that Warwick is a "target university" by such employers and Exeter isn't, Warwick may give you a slight edge for these sort of jobs. Especially when the job market is as bad as it is now.
For the vast majority of other jobs out there, this wouldn't matter though as they don't have such strict screening processes if any.
I'll add this - Im interested in an RAF career, so I'm pretty sure they are more interested in things like social skill and leadership ability than where you got a degree (which you don't neccesarily need) so that makes the prestige even less important. I'm leaning more towards Exeter at the moment, although more opinions are strongly encouraged!
Also, you Warwick people, can you elaborate on your responses please?
Well, I also got identical offers from both of them and my decision landed on Warwick. Here were my reasons:
- Notable difference in prestige (for a course like Law it's crucial to take into account)
- A year abroad, which is a fantastic opportunity to learn a new language and experience the culture of another country
- The vast availability of extra modules, I could take up f.e Japanese - in Exeter that's not possible
- The lack of catered accommodation. If I picked Exeter I'd probably go catered, which would create potential difficulties after the 1st year on campus.
- The location suits me a lot more. Warwick is closer to many more places and coming from abroad I can't wait to see them all.
- The sociological approach to my subject, more liberal etc.
- The cosmopolitan feel and the international character of the university
- More recognition abroad than Exeter. In Poland few of my friends have heard of Exeter, whilst Warwick is becoming a prime destination for prospective uni students here
Discussion for current and prospective students about social life at university, city life, societies and everything above living away from home. Keep accommodation, finance and university specific discussion in their own forums.
Warwick vs Exeter... Cannot Decide
