Exeter vs KCL HELP

I desperately need help choosing what university I want to firm my choice in for History and I'm stuck between Exeter and Kings College.
I've done a list a pros and cons for both and I'm still so undecided 😭

Reply 1

username2638907

13

Exeter obviously because I applied there :u:

Just kidding, but London would be more expensive to live in. But it would also have more to do I imagine. Exeter is such a stunning place though!!

Reply 2

pippamartha

OP

3

Original post by Barryl

Exeter obviously because I applied there :u:

Just kidding, but London would be more expensive to live in. But it would also have more to do I imagine. Exeter is such a stunning place though!!

I agree Exeter is beautiful but I've heard that the city is very small and there's not much to do. At the same time Kings isn't very campusy so I guess it wouldn't be more difficult to socialise and it's also very expensive! AHH

Reply 3

username2638907

13

Original post by pippamartha

I agree Exeter is beautiful but I've heard that the city is very small and there's not much to do. At the same time Kings isn't very campusy so I guess it wouldn't be more difficult to socialise and it's also very expensive! AHH

What are your pros and cons for each one?

Both are good, personally I think it comes down to where you'd prefer to live.

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 4

pippamartha

OP

3

Original post by Barryl

What are your pros and cons for each one?

Both are good, personally I think it comes down to where you'd prefer to live.

Well with Kings it's an internationally known university and it's very well regarded at the same time it also offers a great history course with a term abroad which I'm exited about. I wouldn't wanna turn down such an opportunity. I've lived in London my whole life and I love the diversity, the city, everything! However Kings is spread across London and It's not campus like at all so I feel like I'd be missing out on the whole social uni experience. I've also heard that being so spread around it's a lot harder to make friends. It's also extremely expensive and commuting each day would cost a fortune!

Exeter I fell in love with when I went to visit it. It was beautiful and in general It had a great feel. Also it actually ranks higher that Kings for history on the league tables but it's not as well renound internationally. I also prefer the assessment style (no January exams and a lot more balance beateeen coursework and exams whilst Kings has the majority of its exams all within the first year and then the second and third years are mainly coursework). My impression of Exeter central however was a bit disappointing and very different from London. I've also been told that Exeter is where people go to retire lol. Overall I think Exeter is a perfect place to study but I'm not sure about nightlife etc

Reply 5

undergrad999

3

Exeter is a much stronger university and it is more highly respected in the UK than King's. If you do a Master's, perhaps apply for King's then. But you'd definitely be better off at Exeter due to the teaching quality.

Reply 6

username2638907

13

Original post by pippamartha

Well with Kings it's an internationally known university and it's very well regarded at the same time it also offers a great history course with a term abroad which I'm exited about. I wouldn't wanna turn down such an opportunity. I've lived in London my whole life and I love the diversity, the city, everything! However Kings is spread across London and It's not campus like at all so I feel like I'd be missing out on the whole social uni experience. I've also heard that being so spread around it's a lot harder to make friends. It's also extremely expensive and commuting each day would cost a fortune!

Exeter I fell in love with when I went to visit it. It was beautiful and in general It had a great feel. Also it actually ranks higher that Kings for history on the league tables but it's not as well renound internationally. I also prefer the assessment style (no January exams and a lot more balance beateeen coursework and exams whilst Kings has the majority of its exams all within the first year and then the second and third years are mainly coursework). My impression of Exeter central however was a bit disappointing and very different from London. I've also been told that Exeter is where people go to retire lol. Overall I think Exeter is a perfect place to study but I'm not sure about nightlife etc

So am I right in saying that if you studied at KCL you wouldn't move out? Because if so, that's a lot of money saved right there. I mean, surely travelling would still be cheaper than moving out to London/Exeter?

As for "missing out on the social side of uni", as you say, I thought it would be the complete opposite? You're in London, so surely you won't be far from great places to go to?! And the same with Exeter, from what I can tell from their messages there's plenty to do. I think in terms of socialising you will be fine whichever one you go to.

On the flip side, you might benefit from moving away from home to somewhere new? And also at Exeter you have a lot of different accommodation to choose from, all near the campus, you're on the coast, it's a really nice area, it's considered the most beautiful uni in the country apparently. If it was me I would choose Exeter to be honest.

As I've mentioned before, both are renowned universities, so really I think it would work out cheaper at Exeter, unless maybe if you travelled each day to KCL. Also surely you can do a year abroad at Exeter too?

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 7

RadiantElemental

11

Original post by pippamartha

I desperately need help choosing what university I want to firm my choice in for History and I'm stuck between Exeter and Kings College.
I've done a list a pros and cons for both and I'm still so undecided 😭

Hi there!
Im not sure if youve made up your mind yet but I feel like I can help as I live in Exeter and want to attend KCL.

For prestige there is no doubt KCL is better. Exeter is still extremely good though, and it comes down to what area you prefer more. Both will be respected by employers but KCL will have a definite edge and will have a massive edge abroad.

Exeter is a small city. I have lived here for 3 years now, but I must say it does get boring. Its a really nice beautiful city but there is not much to do and I imagine the night life is not great. London is a much bigger city that will cost you MUCH more money and will have less of a student experience but it is probably the only chance you will have to ever live in central London, which may be a good or bad thing.

Employment wise Exeter is full of low income unskilled jobs while London is much different. There are more firms moving into Exeter because of the uni but not many. This may not be a problem if you move away afterwards. I guess you would be at the Penryn campus which I use the library of occasionally which is a fairly large campus and you get that great 'campus' experience. Its fairly central too. History at Kings would be on the strand campus which im sure is the most central campus in London and is amazing. The waterfront bar looks fantastic.

Depends what you want really.

Reply 8

HarryScotchy

11

Original post by pippamartha

Well with Kings it's an internationally known university and it's very well regarded at the same time it also offers a great history course with a term abroad which I'm exited about. I wouldn't wanna turn down such an opportunity. I've lived in London my whole life and I love the diversity, the city...

Exeter I fell in love with when I went to visit it. It was beautiful ...

I've heard that unless you accept Exeter as first choice, you won't get accommodation - don't really understand this fully because haven't looked into it. Both unis are great.
I live in London and even though i love it, the socialising aspect might be important to you.

Also, if you think that you'll work in london in later life you may want a change of place and experience.
Just some thoughts.

Reply 9

quail00

3

hey i'm in the same boat and i can't decide! I want to study history as well!! what did you decide in the end?

Reply 10

Anaximenes

2

Original post by undergrad999

Exeter is a much stronger university and it is more highly respected in the UK than King's. If you do a Master's, perhaps apply for King's then. But you'd definitely be better off at Exeter due to the teaching quality.

King’s College London is a much stronger university and is much more respected internationally than Exeter.

On which metrics are you basing your claim to the contrary?

While entry requirements are broadly similar, Exeter’s research output pales in comparison to KCL’s. King’s has also produced substantially more Nobel Prize winners, and ranks 6/7 in the UK in most global rankings. Exeter, meanwhile is nowhere to be seen.

Exeter vs KCL HELP

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