Application mess up; York or Shef.?

Dear TSRers,

I'm turning to you because of your unparalleled university wisdom with the hopes of that you could help me figuring my problem out.

Basically, I have made my application, firmed a conditional offer from Sheffield (BSc ITMB, basically IT and business management)

Being a non-UK student, I disregarded lots of great universities, basicalt because I hadnt really heard much about them. But post-application I found a great programme at York, which is similar to the one at Sheffield, but is a year longer for a masters and work experience is also included. I phoned their (extremely friendly) department and they said they could take me if my Swedish academic qualifications suffice, which they most likely will, and if UCAS allowed me.

I phoned UCAS and they said it was possible to still apply for York, but I'd have to cancel all my offers including the one from Sheffield.

I now ask you what you think I should do.
From what I know, York is regarded better academically (Both in Guardian, The Times, and Times Higher Education, internationally), the town doesn't seem so industrialised; much nicer, and they have the collegiate system (?).

Sheffield on the other hand is Russell Group, had a better position in the new reputation rankings, better employer prospects according to unistats, I've heard the accommodation is good and cheap, and the student union is among the best in the UK.

Sorry for the long post, but that's it, really.
Now if anyone had any advice, I'd appreciate it greatly! Thanks :smile:

Reply 1

TheSownRose

16

You sound like you prefer the course at York and York itself, as a place. Be aware that the uni is a little outside the main city, but it's not like it's miles away.

The rankings don't mean much at all, and the Russell Group is just a group of research-heavy unis, it's not the British equivalent of the American Ivy League.

Reply 2

thrifty1992

I'm at York and the uni is excellent, as is the city....

BUT

Sheffield is nice too.

Overall, I doubt that you will regret it either way, both are good in their own ways and while Sheffield may be cheaper and more studenty, York is a nicer city and slightly higher ranked.

Reply 3

Kt.b

12

Sheffield used to be industrialised but that has pretty much gone now, the area where the uni is is really nice. It does sound like you prefer York but don't go by the picture of York Minster on Wikipedia to judge your entire perception of the place!

Reply 4

refreshse

OP

Original post by Kt.b

Sheffield used to be industrialised but that has pretty much gone now, the area where the uni is is really nice. It does sound like you prefer York but don't go by the picture of York Minster on Wikipedia to judge your entire perception of the place!

Original post by thrifty1992

I'm at York and the uni is excellent, as is the city....
BUT
Sheffield is nice too.
Overall, I doubt that you will regret it either way, both are good in their own ways and while Sheffield may be cheaper and more studenty, York is a nicer city and slightly higher ranked.

Original post by TheSownRose

You sound like you prefer the course at York and York itself, as a place. Be aware that the uni is a little outside the main city, but it's not like it's miles away.

The rankings don't mean much at all, and the Russell Group is just a group of research-heavy unis, it's not the British equivalent of the American Ivy League.

Thank you so much for the input. I really am not biased towards any of them, frankly I'm just getting more and more puzzled by the hour.

By saying "studenty", does that mean Sheffield's environment is more student friendly? Is the price differences between the two cities very high? Does York feel like a really small city?

The main perception my family has of York and Sheffield is that Sheffield is industrialised (which doesn't really hold true anymore, obv), and that York is a bit of a "finer" place, if you know what I mean. Are there lots of Snobs/Rahs there as opposed to Shef?

Thanks again.

Reply 5

Kt.b

12

Original post by refreshse

Thank you so much for the input. I really am not biased towards any of them, frankly I'm just getting more and more puzzled by the hour.

By saying "studenty", does that mean Sheffield's environment is more student friendly? Is the price differences between the two cities very high? Does York feel like a really small city?

The main perception my family has of York and Sheffield is that Sheffield is industrialised (which doesn't really hold true anymore, obv), and that York is a bit of a "finer" place, if you know what I mean. Are there lots of Snobs/Rahs there as opposed to Shef?

Thanks again.

I can only comment on Sheffield as have only been to York as a city, not the uni, but Sheffield has a very student friendly feel, the city centre is dominated by students as two massive unis with over 50,000 students combined are both right by it. It is a very cheap city to live in. There aren't many rahs at Sheffield Uni, although they appear quite frequently on some courses eg. geography, history.

Reply 6

Jarexi

As a student at Sheffield i felt like i should contribute. As someone said, the league tables are guide - and so i wouldn't worry massively about it.

Concerning Sheffield as a city - it's fantastic. The centre beautiful (but yes there are obviously bad parts!), the night life is great, and so are the people i've met.

I really wouldn't choose to go anywhere else now i'm here - just food for thought. Best year of my life so far :smile:

York.

Both are very good universities. Sheffield is a city university, only 10 minutes walk from the town centre, and the buildings are on the streets rather than on a campus like York. Sheffield has an excellent students union, known as one of the very best and the city is cheap and student friendly, as you say. The accommodation is in 2 large 'student villages' which are almost brand new about 20 minutes' walk from the university in green Victorian suburbs. Everyone I know who has any connection with Sheffield (studying there or visiting friends seems to absolutely love it).
York is a beautiful very touristy town/city with an ancient Tudor centre and lots of beautiful old buildings. The campus is a few miles away from the centre and has a huge lake and lots of green areas (unlike Sheffield). The older part of the campus is 60s architecture and very typically concrete everywhere. The collegiate system means that you live in colleges/halls which were built mainly in the 60s and are therefore much older than Sheffield's accommodation, although there are some newer blocks. From what I've heard people tend to socialise more in the colleges, so the students union isn't at the centre of student life the same as in Sheffield.
I'm sure you'll love whichever you choose, although the experiences may be very different, but just make sure the offer from York is pretty much guaranteed before you pull out of your Sheffield offer. I can't advise too much on prices either.

Reply 9

thrifty1992

Original post by refreshse

By saying "studenty", does that mean Sheffield's environment is more student friendly? Is the price differences between the two cities very high? Does York feel like a really small city?

By studenty I mean Sheffield has a much larger student community and the university is generally regarded to have a more social atmosphere.

Reply 10

refreshse

OP

Okay, thanks a lot once more for all the answers and comparisons!
I decided to stick with Sheffield. Less hassle, I don't need as good grades, and it's a larger city. (Bearing in mind I've lived in a capital all my life). Aaand it's still a decent uni. hehe.

Application mess up; York or Shef.?

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