29yo, been out of education for while, don't know how to choose a uni

Hi all. Want to do a degree in maths. I have no previous degree. I will be applying with my record and reference from taking OU modules.

I'm led to believe that any university is possible if i do well enough in the ou modules, but I *think* the most competitive universities will take me a little longer as they might not accept credit transfer, or might ask me to take more OU modules to get in.

My priorities - teaching quality, friendly and down to earth atmosphere, at least a few other mature students, opportunity to get involved with research (or at least to meet people involved with research)

Not important- prestige, league tables, nightlife, links to high powered careers

Look, I am aware that reverse snobbery is a thing, and something I may be susceptible to given my experiences, but I really want to avoid phonies, sycophants, prestige whores, nepotism, gossip kings and queens and social climbers. If I am wrong to think that the most prestigious universities will have too many of those types, then I am happy to be told I'm wrong.

Longer term I'm interested in using applied maths possibly to research fields in life sciences, rather than researching pure maths.

I have half an eye on Dundee (heard about small class sizes and highly regarded for life sciences) and Lancaster (seems "nice" and friendly).

Thanks

Hi and thanks for that useful reply. Looking back at my post it does seem neurotically judgemental lol. But as you rightly say there will be people who I get along with well and less well at every place. And yes lol I did consider avoiding the oxbridge reject unis. But the problem with doing that is that I would be avoiding lots of intelligent students who are perfectly decent people. So I do not want to be on a high horse about this. I will stay open minded at least until I've been to open days.

As for going to a university that is a similar level to me, I would have thought that anywhere where I would be out of my depth would reject me.

Thanks though that does help me narrow it down. Oh and there is one thing I'm trying to figure out, which is how I can be in a place that is relatively sunny. I do not do well without sunlight. There is Sussex and Southampton on the south coast. Not sure what theyre like for maths. Exeter is quite far south but I don't know if it's sunny and again that would be another place where I'm not sure if I would fit in.

Exeter is one of the rainiest cities in the UK. If you are looking for sunnier cilmes look at the east side. Have you looked at East Anglia. Exeter is a gorgeous campus but dont expect it to be sunny.

Hi and thanks for that useful reply. Looking back at my post it does seem neurotically judgemental lol. But as you rightly say there will be people who I get along with well and less well at every place. And yes lol I did consider avoiding the oxbridge reject unis. But the problem with doing that is that I would be avoiding lots of intelligent students who are perfectly decent people. So I do not want to be on a high horse about this. I will stay open minded at least until I've been to open days.

As for going to a university that is a similar level to me, I would have thought that anywhere where I would be out of my depth would reject me.

Thanks though that does help me narrow it down. Oh and there is one thing I'm trying to figure out, which is how I can be in a place that is relatively sunny. I do not do well without sunlight. There is Sussex and Southampton on the south coast. Not sure what theyre like for maths. Exeter is quite far south but I don't know if it's sunny and again that would be another place where I'm not sure if I would fit in.

Exeter is one of the rainiest cities in the UK. If you are looking for sunnier cilmes look at the east side. Have you looked at East Anglia. Exeter is a gorgeous campus but dont expect it to be sunny.