Exeter vs Lancaster

Lancaster isn't a RG but it's been top 10 in UK for a long time now, still a good reputation.

I say read each module and choose the course you'll enjoy because different courses with similar module titles may be focused on different topics. Think about the type of content you'll cover such as Human Geography, Physical Geography, Society etc and whether you like a practical based course or mainly theory.

I would look into finding any background on the lecturers and see what they've published. Imagine if they were your lecturer/tutor/mentor, will their expertise or specialised field help you in what you want to do during or after university. Also think about the city and where you'll enjoy living because you'll be living there for 3 years+.

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 2

Original post by therosielea

therosielea
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I have just recieved offers for Bsc Geography from both with the same grades for each but I am having trouble deciding which one to firm.Below are my list of pros/cons

Exeter
Pros
Reputable and prestigious university and well known as quite old
Russel Group
Likeable course modules
Good employement rate after uni - not sure whether affected by being in CC so
Cons
Cornwall Campus so worried about social side as well as isolation, also quite worried about standard of teaching not quite as good as main and wont have same opportunties as main campus
Not as good field trips - course is geography so quite important for me personally

Lancaster
Pros
Absolutely love course modules and amazing range of field trips
Easier to access
Good social scene
Cons
Not as reputable
Not Russel Group
Not sure about employability after uni

I know being a RG uni isnt be all and end all but at my school it is quite a big thing. I just want advice/info from current students or just anybody who has been in a similar/same situation and would like to just give me their input. I really would like any help whatsoever.

Thank you all so much!!!!

I think Lancaster destroys Exeter on every league table. Russell group only means the university has an increased research grant. It is a false symbol of prestige. Real prestige comes from your alumni, and their achievements for humanity and the university, IMO. G5 Universities don't need a RG banner for them to be know as good.

Pick what you want, I just don't think it's a conincidence how for every course, Lancaster usually has higher entry requirements. It's a bit of an unknown university, but it's among the best.

I'm aware Exeter is a good place for social life activities; I always see Exeter friends posting party pictures.

Reply 3

I agree, Lancaster doesn't need the RG title is show it's a good uni, you can look different subjects on league tables by different websites and Lancaster is usually in the top 10. The tables are based on research power, research quality, teaching, student satisfaction and employment rate - so Lancaster is doing really good without the title.

However, it's all up to you because this is your future. At first I only wanted to go to RG universities (coming from a family that pretty much wants to show off to relatives :/) but then I realised that RG isn't everything so I actually decided to compare universities and read each modules to see what interests me because I'm the one going to be studying it for 3 years not my family.

Also look into accomodation and living costs. How much would it be living in Cornwall or Lancaster, how's the city life, will there be places you want to go to - nightclubs/bars, restaurants, entertainment. You could read what Exeter/Lancaster students have posted about their experience or go to an open day if you haven't already done.

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 4

Actually 74% of Exeter students have a AAB+ versus 32% for Lancaster.

Reply 5

Original post by Film

Actually 74% of Exeter students have a AAB+ versus 32% for Lancaster.

1. No one ever mentioned anything about student' grades, it was for courses.

2. Do you have a source?

3. What's significant about AAB?

Reply 6

therosielea

OP

1

Original post by GradeA*UnderA

I think Lancaster destroys Exeter on every league table. Russell group only means the university has an increased research grant. It is a false symbol of prestige. Real prestige comes from your alumni, and their achievements for humanity and the university, IMO. G5 Universities don't need a RG banner for them to be know as good.

Pick what you want, I just don't think it's a conincidence how for every course, Lancaster usually has higher entry requirements. It's a bit of an unknown university, but it's among the best.

I'm aware Exeter is a good place for social life activities; I always see Exeter friends posting party pictures.

I dont really mind that its not near the city its just the reputation bit as at my school its more where you rather than what you are going to do with it so just needed a little reassurance ahaha :smile:

thank you though!!

Reply 7

therosielea

OP

1

Original post by RedLight27

I agree, Lancaster doesn't need the RG title is show it's a good uni, you can look different subjects on league tables by different websites and Lancaster is usually in the top 10. The tables are based on research power, research quality, teaching, student satisfaction and employment rate - so Lancaster is doing really good without the title.

However, it's all up to you because this is your future. At first I only wanted to go to RG universities (coming from a family that pretty much wants to show off to relatives :/) but then I realised that RG isn't everything so I actually decided to compare universities and read each modules to see what interests me because I'm the one going to be studying it for 3 years not my family.

Also look into accomodation and living costs. How much would it be living in Cornwall or Lancaster, how's the city life, will there be places you want to go to - nightclubs/bars, restaurants, entertainment. You could read what Exeter/Lancaster students have posted about their experience or go to an open day if you haven't already done.

Thats what I was thinking and it has a good Geography department as I have a coworker who goes there but I didnt get a chance to speak to her much as she was just there for a couple of days which was annoying but hey ho.

Thats pretty much the same with my family and my school, anybody who doesnt apply for Oxbridge/London Unis is kind of seen as lesser but life ahaha

Thank you for the advice/help though I guess I am just a worrier so needed a little reassurance :smile:

Reply 8

Original post by therosielea

Thats what I was thinking and it has a good Geography department as I have a coworker who goes there but I didnt get a chance to speak to her much as she was just there for a couple of days which was annoying but hey ho.

Thats pretty much the same with my family and my school, anybody who doesnt apply for Oxbridge/London Unis is kind of seen as lesser but life ahaha

Thank you for the advice/help though I guess I am just a worrier so needed a little reassurance :smile:

No worries haha I was in the same boat a few months back. Be confident in your decision and good luck with your application! 😄

Reply 9

tedhat

Original post by therosielea

Thats what I was thinking and it has a good Geography department as I have a coworker who goes there but I didnt get a chance to speak to her much as she was just there for a couple of days which was annoying but hey ho.

That's pretty much the same with my family and my school, anybody who doesn't apply for Oxbridge/London Unis is kind of seen as lesser but life ahaha

Thank you for the advice/help though I guess I am just a worrier so needed a little reassurance :smile:

I completely understand your concern. My daughter is facing the same decision - 2 unconditional offers (Lancaster and UEA) and 2 other offers (Exeter and Bristol) and cannot decide which to go for. Lancaster and Exeter are the two she seems to generally be trying to decide between and we've had exactly the same discussions here (Russell Group or not, higher in league tables or not). Her school (and I guess... we!) think there might be some benefit in going for RG but,equally, are really impressed by Lancaster and sort of loathe the snob value attached to the RG unis..... She's going to go back and look (even though Lancaster in particular is basically the opposite end of the country!) and try to decide.... still think she'll end up flipping a coin (or being swayed by the unconditional offer!)...

Reply 10

thenationalhealth

1

Original post by tedhat

I completely understand your concern. My daughter is facing the same decision - 2 unconditional offers (Lancaster and UEA) and 2 other offers (Exeter and Bristol) and cannot decide which to go for. Lancaster and Exeter are the two she seems to generally be trying to decide between and we've had exactly the same discussions here (Russell Group or not, higher in league tables or not). Her school (and I guess... we!) think there might be some benefit in going for RG but,equally, are really impressed by Lancaster and sort of loathe the snob value attached to the RG unis..... She's going to go back and look (even though Lancaster in particular is basically the opposite end of the country!) and try to decide.... still think she'll end up flipping a coin (or being swayed by the unconditional offer!)...

Cannot see any value in a Russell Group university, I honestly don't think employers really pay any attention to that in this day and age. UEA and Lancaster are both good punts. I think if it was down to me I'd rather go somewhere where there are proven good student experiences (the surveys suggest both the unconditional offer unis do that) than a RG university where they care more about prestige. Plus the unconditionals are certainly going to take the stress away later this year, whereas going to RG unis will make it considerably tougher!

Reply 11

Original post by GradeA*UnderA

1. No one ever mentioned anything about student' grades, it was for courses.

2. Do you have a source?

3. What's significant about AAB?

You had mentioned you thought that Lancaster had higher entry requirements insinuating that they had a higher level of students. This was to demonstrate that the Exeter students have better grades.

Reply 12

Original post by GradeA*UnderA

I think Lancaster destroys Exeter on every league table. Russell group only means the university has an increased research grant. It is a false symbol of prestige. Real prestige comes from your alumni, and their achievements for humanity and the university, IMO. G5 Universities don't need a RG banner for them to be know as good.

Pick what you want, I just don't think it's a conincidence how for every course, Lancaster usually has higher entry requirements. It's a bit of an unknown university, but it's among the best.

I'm aware Exeter is a good place for social life activities; I always see Exeter friends posting party pictures.

"

You said that Lancaster destroys Exeter in the rankings. Really, "destroys "? See enclosed the Table of Tables, which combines the 3 main U.K. Rankings.

Reply 13

Original post by Film

"

You said that Lancaster destroys Exeter in the rankings. Really, "destroys "? See enclosed the Table of Tables, which combines the 3 main U.K. Rankings.

I think you've based too much on assumption and misinterpreted, that's why you've used "insinuated". I'm also skeptical to believe something that's 2.5 years old, and uses some arbitrary grade threshold as a standard. What about A*AA? Don't recall Exeter having any courses that high.

About the rankings, it seems that Exeter has overtaken Lancaster in 2016 in a few tables. I'll be back on here in 2017.

Reply 14

There are unis that raise their grade requirements just to look prestigious but will accept results slightly below the requirement. Grade reqs isn't a good way to determine which uni is better than another.

RG or not, Exeter and Lancaster are both really good

Reply 15

Original post by GradeA*UnderA

I think you've based too much on assumption and misinterpreted, that's why you've used "insinuated". I'm also skeptical to believe something that's 2.5 years old, and uses some arbitrary grade threshold as a standard. What about A*AA? Don't recall Exeter having any courses that high.

About the rankings, it seems that Exeter has overtaken Lancaster in 2016 in a few tables. I'll be back on here in 2017.

As a matter of fact, they have a number of courses at A*AA

Reply 16

Original post by Film

As a matter of fact, they have a number of courses at A*AA

They also have large grade ranges for every course. It's like they want to make it seem academic, and easy to get into at the same time.

You also have to consider that Katie Hopkins went there...

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 17

atleticoram

Original post by GradeA*UnderA

They also have large grade ranges for every course. It's like they want to make it seem academic, and easy to get into at the same time.

You also have to consider that Katie Hopkins went there...

The grade range is purely for contextual offers, same as Bristol but Bristol just state the lower offer is contextual while Exeter don't. Competitive courses have high offers which sometimes go above the range, eg I have an A*A*B offer to study Economics and Politics

Reply 18

Original post by atleticoram

The grade range is purely for contextual offers, same as Bristol but Bristol just state the lower offer is contextual while Exeter don't. Competitive courses have high offers which sometimes go above the range, eg I have an A*A*B offer to study Economics and Politics

Is that offer based on your predicted grades? Why wouldn't it be A*AA?

Reply 19