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Leeds v Bristol

Hi,
I am planning to study Politics and Sociology and have conditional offers from both Bristol and Leeds. They're both the same grades so that's not an issue but I'm completely torn. I want to do a year abroad and Bristol are a bit sketchy about it if you want to do joint honours, so I'm not sure. Also at Leeds you can study a third class but I'm worried that means I won't have as much core knowledge. Also do you think the difference in their reputation is MASSIVELY different? It seems that Leeds has more careers fairs etc being bigger, but Bristol more of a prestige.
Please Help!!!
Thanks
Reply 1
Avatar for Vousden
Vousden
8
Original post by hc13
Hi,
I am planning to study Politics and Sociology and have conditional offers from both Bristol and Leeds. They're both the same grades so that's not an issue but I'm completely torn. I want to do a year abroad and Bristol are a bit sketchy about it if you want to do joint honours, so I'm not sure. Also at Leeds you can study a third class but I'm worried that means I won't have as much core knowledge. Also do you think the difference in their reputation is MASSIVELY different? It seems that Leeds has more careers fairs etc being bigger, but Bristol more of a prestige.
Please Help!!!
Thanks


Hi! I live in Bristol (currently doing masters at the Uni) and my undergrad was at Leeds - so I've had a fairly big experience of both!

First of all I would say that Bristol is a much better university, not only for reputation but there also seems a lot more going on here, even though its a smaller university than Leeds. For me, I much prefer living in Bristol as well- I just think its a lot nicer. Leeds blows Bristol out of the water for clubs sure, but Bristol has a lot nicer pubs and their atmosphere is a lot more relaxed in Leeds.


I don't know too much about JHs, but I think if you do a third topic as you say you will just be watering down everything else. Leeds does have a lot of careers fairs I guess, but I never went to any of them so can't comment.

For my degree (Psychology) the study abroad opportunities were really very good. I know a few people that have gone and had an amazing time. One thing it might be worth looking is at the list of partner universities - make sure there are some you would like you go to! This might be the sort of thing you have to email about.

Hope some of that garble is of some use.
Look at the course detail. This might sound obvious but you'd be amazed at the number of people who dont look beyond the general 'this is what the course is about' description. Look at the descriptions of the individual unit/modules etc that make up the whole course - what would you choose? And make sure you look at the 2nd & 3rd year choices as well as this is when you start to specialise. What is the lecture/class balance? What are the assessment methods (exam or coursework?).

How big is the Library - does it specialise in your subject, what are the opening hours (can you study there late into the evening or whizz in and pick up a crucial book as you finish an essay?). It is this sort of thing that will make the difference between you getting a good grade degree or not, not how big the Careers Fair is.
Reply 3
Avatar for Vousden
Vousden
8
Original post by returnmigrant
Look at the course detail. This might sound obvious but you'd be amazed at the number of people who dont look beyond the general 'this is what the course is about' description. Look at the descriptions of the individual unit/modules etc that make up the whole course - what would you choose? And make sure you look at the 2nd & 3rd year choices as well as this is when you start to specialise. What is the lecture/class balance? What are the assessment methods (exam or coursework?).

How big is the Library - does it specialise in your subject, what are the opening hours (can you study there late into the evening or whizz in and pick up a crucial book as you finish an essay?). It is this sort of thing that will make the difference between you getting a good grade degree or not, not how big the Careers Fair is.


I'm not really sure opening hours of a library is going to influence your grade that much - just plan better for an essay - that's the way to do well.

Fair shout about the modules - see http://webprod3.leeds.ac.uk/catalogue/modulesearch.asp?T=S&L=UG for details of all the modues you can do at Leeds and this for Bristol http://www.bris.ac.uk/esu/unitprogcat/RouteStructureCohort.jsa;jsessionid=04F2D4FF7EE0E82665812FFA85C6248B.nAC1004052063?byCohort=Y&ayrCode=12%2F13&programmeCode=9POLI007U
Reply 4
Avatar for redferry
redferry
19
Original post by hc13
Hi,
I am planning to study Politics and Sociology and have conditional offers from both Bristol and Leeds. They're both the same grades so that's not an issue but I'm completely torn. I want to do a year abroad and Bristol are a bit sketchy about it if you want to do joint honours, so I'm not sure. Also at Leeds you can study a third class but I'm worried that means I won't have as much core knowledge. Also do you think the difference in their reputation is MASSIVELY different? It seems that Leeds has more careers fairs etc being bigger, but Bristol more of a prestige.
Please Help!!!
Thanks


Hey, I did my undergrad at Bristol and am now at Leeds for Postgrad! Unfortunately I do Biology not social sciences but if you want to know about cities general uni's I can compare for you :smile:

Bristol definitely holds more prestige, however Leeds definitely has the better study abroad program, at Bristol it is mainly leaving you to sort it yourself from what I have seen and heard!
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 5
Avatar for redferry
redferry
19
Original post by Vousden
x

We swapped cities, how weird :P

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