Birmingham City University VS Liverpool Hope University

Hey everyone, so I have just applied to 5 unis to study English Language (with Foundation Year) and my top 2 choices are Birmingham City and Liverpool Hope so I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on either or both of the unis that could help me decide which to go to.

I have received an unconditional offer from Birmingham City but am still waiting for a response from Liverpool Hope (meaning this thread could be rendered entirely useless but hey ho). I'm currently studying Korean in my spare time so if anyone has any idea on the Korean culture/language presence in either of the cities then let me know!

Specifically, I'm looking for insight into:
- Course
- City/Uni life
- Korean Language/Culture

Thank you, dearly!

Hi Besseu13,

Congrats on your unconditional offer to study English Language with a Foundation Year with us!

The course has been designed to develop your knowledge about key authors and periods, as well as literature from around the globe. Your foundation year will combine the study of literature, drama, language and creative writing and over the duration of the course you’ll have the opportunity to go on work placements and a variety of trips to support your learning.

Our School of English has an amazing community atmosphere and before classes start you’ll have the opportunity to meet your classmates during Welcome Week. Our tutor’s doors are always open if you need a chat and there’s also a range of student clubs for you to get involved with, such as Write Club and the English Studies Society.

Speaking of societies, we also have a Korean Entertainment Society, which is open to anyone with an interest in Korea. Members listen to Korean music, watch films, do quizzes and have multiple socials throughout the year, usually including karaoke and a trip to a Korean Restaurant located in Chinatown.

Birmingham itself is also a great place to live and study, there’s something for everyone! Take a look at our student life in Birmingham page to see the types of things you could be getting up to.

If you haven't been here before, I'd recommend coming to one of our Applicant Taster Days next year. They're a great way to find out more about the course, get involved with some taster classes and meet staff and students. You'll also get a copy of our Book Club novel!

Hope that helps!

Thanks,
Kiran

I'm currently studying at Liverpool Hope University and I would not recommend it unless you're wanting to study teaching or performing arts. There is no language department at Hope and there is no option to study a language alongside your course like there is at most other universities. Hope has a beautiful campus, is very religious and very small. I'm not studying English, so I can't comment on that. Students at Hope are very disenfranchised with most things - they aren't likely to turn up to events because it's not "cool" to do that. That being said, the city of Liverpool is absolutely wonderful, there is so much to see and do and it's gorgeous. The people in Liverpool are generally very friendly and just lovely people. I visit Birmingham quite a bit and I don't like the city as much, it's quite claustrophobic in a way (especially during the Christmas markets) but similarly to Liverpool, there is always something going on.

EDIT: In terms of societies, there aren't too many societies at Hope. The ones that do run aren't particularly fun and/or don't meet regularly. I have friends that are trying to change this but it'll be a slow process.

Thank you so much for replying!

You wouldn't recommend? Tbh, I'm hearing that a lot about Liverpool Hope Uni. I've visited Liverpool quite a few times and I really love it there, LHU is outside of the city centre though, isn't it?

I haven't been to Birmingham at all yet but I've lived near the city centre of Manchester almost all my life so busy and claustrophobic is fairly normal for me. I'm thinking it's best to go with BCU and take a possible downgrade in city life in exchange for better teaching, which your opinion and others would suggest BCU will have.

I really want a good uni life as well as good teaching though so this is why I'm a little conflicted!

Thank you again for your reply!

No problem! I hope I can help.

Yeah, the thing is that it’s really good but only for a few particular courses. The classes are extremely small because it’s such a small university and I find that that isn’t too great because it’s much easier to make friends in a bigger environment when there are more people to be interested in a larger range of things. LHU has three campuses, Hope Park, Aigburth and Creative. The main campus, Hope Park, is where most courses are and where a majority of events are held, it’s about four miles from the city centre and over an hour’s walk. The free university shuttle bus doesn’t run on weekends. I live on the Creative Campus (didn’t choose to, it was assigned to me) which is a ten minute walk from the city centre, but as my course is based at Hope Park I have to take the bus which is a 45 minute journey each way. So if I have a 9am class, I have to get the bus at 7.55am which isn’t too great, especially living in halls where it’s difficult to get much sleep. Aigburth is in between the two teaching campuses and is just for living on.

Birmingham is really quite an interesting city, even if it isn’t as good as Liverpool - but I do agree, I would recommend going to BCU over LHU as you’d have so many more options. Someone correct me if I’m wrong but I think BCU students are allowed to get involved with some of the UoB societies

Ugh, that sounds so annoying, having to travel 45 mins for a class. I would love to have my accommodation in the city but then, as you said, there's a massive travel to get to classes/lecture. To be honest, I think I'll go with BCU. As much as I love Liverpool as a city, the fact that you're already switching (I've actually come across quite a few people doing that) just tells me that it's probably not the best uni. I'm also really not a big fan of quiet places and classes, busier the better for me, lmao.

I've spent 2 years out of education so I really do not want to mess this decision up! So thank you so much for replying to me, you've been really helpful