How important is it for me to firm the best uni I have applied for?

Hi, so basically i'm torn between UEA and Oxford brookes. I know that UEA is a better university so in that case I feel like i should pick UEA, and although I did like UEA I am also really drawn to Oxford Brookes but whenever I think of a reason to go to Brookes I always just cancel it out as it's not a better uni.

Moved it for you!

Which course?

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Thanks :P I've applied for media studies, the course is a little different for each uni but basically theoretical and academic media instead of more practical stuff.

You have until May to decide, there's no rush.

There's plenty of time to visit both (again if necessary) and carefully check the courses (that's more important that the university).

... however what i'm concerned about is going to a uni that isn't statistically better than the other as my degree may be worth less?

Nope. Employers don't care. They care about you and the skills and experiences you have, not your university.

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The difference between Oxford Brookes and UEA is marginal, if not non-existent. No one will make a distinction between them. Most people won't have heard of either tbh. You can afford to go where you want.

I don't really want to put 'league tables debate' into here, but could it not be argued that on a perceptional basis UEA is classed as 'better' purely down to the fact it is significantly higher in the league tables (a top 15 university UK wide)? I'm not saying either of the two is better but there is quite some significance between the two in league tables.

At the end of the day OP, whatever university you most feel happy at I would recommend. I agree that league tables aren't everything and graduate prospects even at ex-polys are higher than some of the overall top 20 unis. A first class honors will stand out a lot more than what uni you went to.

I don't think UEA is more regarded than Oxford Brookes. It's definitely not top 15. The truth is that 95% of people see no difference between the 100 or so universities outside the Russell Group. No one takes league tables seriously.

I would take Oxford Brookes for the location, and the chance that someone will think you went to Oxford.

I can certainly work out that Bath, Lancaster, Surrey and St Andrews are better than many (yawn) RG unis. Does that put me in the top 5%??? ☺

Otoh love the snob value!!! ☺

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No one knows the difference between UEA, Oxford Brookes, Chester, Hull, Roehampton, Portsmouth, Bradford, Huddersfield, Derby, Northampton, Edge Hill, Bangor, Bournemouth, Brighton, Anglia Ruskin, Falmouth, etc.

They're all the same!

The best university to go to is the one which is best for you.

The difference between Oxford Brookes and UEA is marginal, if not non-existent.

I don't think UEA is more regarded than Oxford Brookes. It's definitely not top 15.

Hi, so basically i'm torn between UEA and Oxford brookes. I know that UEA is a better university so in that case I feel like i should pick UEA, and although I did like UEA I am also really drawn to Oxford Brookes but whenever I think of a reason to go to Brookes I always just cancel it out as it's not a better uni.

So basically what I wanted to ask is that if I did pick Brookes over UEA how much would it effect my future career (Media) and the legitimacy of my degree?

Also, so you probably could tell that the unis I have applied for arent anything too high ranking (UEA is my highest by far) and I feel as if now that i've applied and got my offers i've been way too safe and most of the universities I have applied for are actually lower than what my predicted grades are. I got a D* in ICT (I know it's a BTEC so it's not as valuable) and i'm predicted BB for my 2 A levels i'm currently taking, so do you think if I did get a higher grade like AA as my teacher thinks I can get it would I be able to go through the adjustment system and go to a better uni? Asking because i'm not familiar with the adjustment system well and not sure what the chances are of actually getting a place at a better uni.


Thanks!


EDIT: Posted this in the wrong place, sorry!

I would go for Brookes - much better location than UEA - easy travel to London and good theatres/concert venues.

You are guaranteed halls if you firm Brookes

Based on that I feel I should fight UEA's corner now! We also guarantee halls here at UEA for those who firm the university. We also have a great music scene here in Norwich, with weekly music gigs on campus, as well as comedy gigs, club nights, political debate, literary festivals, and so on. Coldplay, Muse, 5SOS, and others have all played our campus music venue. We also had Radio 1's Big Weekend on our doorstep last year, Foo Fighters and Taylor Swift used our beautiful Law school building for the grounds of their dressing rooms.

Speaking on a personal level what I love about Norwich is it's a city with real character but you'll find the cost of living isn't as significant as some major cities. If you use a site like Unistats you'll see our campus accommodation can often work out cheaper than those in the bigger cities, and the private accommodation costs are often lower too (depending where you choose!). And we're only 2 hours by train from London, half an hour from the coast, and we're a good shopping destination here too!

As others have pointed out, we're a Top 15 University, we've consistently had high levels of student satisfaction (Top 5 ever since the National Student Survey began - Top 3 this year), and Leiden rankings place UEA in world's top 100 universities for research.

And if you're studying media here you're going to love working with some of our inspiring academics. Having studied a similar course here they really fueled my interest in this field, and they're regularly in the news talking about the theoretical aspect particularly with regards to politics and all that's happened this year, so they're respected for their work too

Good luck wherever you choose, Sakisaka, but let us know if we can give you any further insight.