The Student Room Group

Should I go Oxford?

I just got an offer for engineering science at keble college and now I am starting to wonder if I'd actually enjoy it at oxford, could some students/former students lmk how the nightlife is and if the workload prevents you from having a social life? Also what are the actual advantages of taking engineering at Oxford rather than Bristol, does the prestige really help with employment that much?

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I am having similar thoughts about my offer for medicine at Cambridge, especially as it is so different to medicine elsewhere! Would also appreciate and advice
Original post by chloebird
Outsiders perspective: I do not respect you if you go to oxbridge. It indicates to me that you’re a pretentious **** who cares more about reputation, staying posh and what mummy and daddy think than the quality of the teaching and opportunities there. They’re all adult babies.

You must have been rejected by Oxbridge.
Original post by seabasssss
I am having similar thoughts about my offer for medicine at Cambridge, especially as it is so different to medicine elsewhere! Would also appreciate and advice


Depends if you have other offers elsewhere as to what you do as if you do you have some leeway to pick based on preference and if not whether you would risk giving up any medicine place to try again
Reply 4
Original post by seabasssss
I am having similar thoughts about my offer for medicine at Cambridge, especially as it is so different to medicine elsewhere! Would also appreciate and advice

Where else are u applying other than Oxford?
Reply 5
I’m an offer holder for Oxford but I’m quite scared honestly.I really love the look of my course but I keep reading about how the workload at Oxbridge is insane, even compared to other ‘top’ unis. I’m not too bothered as I’m not someone who planned on going out and stuff, but I can be quite lazy and procrastinate.
I think you should go if you think you will be happy there. Do research and read articles about the things that matter most to you at uni and see if Bristol or Oxford seems more appealing.
I think Bristol might provide a better party-social lifestyle (which I’m not interested in), whereas the socialising at Oxford would probably be a bit more formal with their large dinner halls and all (again, I’m not too interested in formal socialising, so I’m picking based on prestige and cause my parents would be mad if I turned it down lol).

Edit: the other uni I was considering has actually looked quite disappointing as I merely picked it based on the place (Edinburgh). Student reviews are terrible even though it ranks high globally in QS rankings. The Oxford course also looks awesome too.
(edited 4 years ago)
Original post by Kaspar Ambühl
you're just jelly because you ended up in ****hole Manchester. meanwhile I got rejected by Oxford but I'll go to bath or imperial instead.


Manchester is gorgeous, high ranking and fun as hell. Bath is dope as ****, hate imperial but that’s just cause I hate London. But no, that’s fine, I can respect those choices. Oxbridge, on the other hand, I just can’t. Those people need to wake up and gain some independence. I’m sure you’ll be happier in the long run this way-trust me!
Wait your other option is Bristol?! Dude go to Bristol! It’s ****ing amazing man like focused enough that the dorms are quiet at night and there are good places to study but also the nightlife is as good as the next town. Students are great though, real atmosphere of ‘**** yeah!’ Know what I mean? Everyone’s full of life-plus the shared bathrooms are kept clean as all hell. If I wanted to go south I DEFINITELY would have put it down everyone I know who goes there sings it’s ****ing PRAISES
Original post by FC2912
I just got an offer for engineering science at keble college and now I am starting to wonder if I'd actually enjoy it at oxford, could some students/former students lmk how the nightlife is and if the workload prevents you from having a social life? Also what are the actual advantages of taking engineering at Oxford rather than Bristol, does the prestige really help with employment that much?

I went to Oxford a long time ago. But I can certainly say that it has opened doors all my life. It gives you a confidence which I did not have before going. For me college life was at the heart of what was good about it- everything on your doorstep and something for everyone. There is certainly nightlife! I found it easier than sixth form in some ways because I was doing the one subject I loved. You are unbelievably pampered yes- which frees you to work and play. You will meet people from all walks of life. I spent my time doing plays- 2 or 3 a term and mixed with people from all colleges. My son is facing the same thoughts: would I have more fun at Manchester. The problem is you can never know really but it’s a brave person who turns it down. Rightly or wrongly we live in a hierarchical society and Oxbridge has kudos throughout the world. You also know how hard you had to work to get in there and how few people do get in. Take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back.
Reply 9
Original post by Brightonmama
I went to Oxford a long time ago. But I can certainly say that it has opened doors all my life. It gives you a confidence which I did not have before going. For me college life was at the heart of what was good about it- everything on your doorstep and something for everyone. There is certainly nightlife! I found it easier than sixth form in some ways because I was doing the one subject I loved. You are unbelievably pampered yes- which frees you to work and play. You will meet people from all walks of life. I spent my time doing plays- 2 or 3 a term and mixed with people from all colleges. My son is facing the same thoughts: would I have more fun at Manchester. The problem is you can never know really but it’s a brave person who turns it down. Rightly or wrongly we live in a hierarchical society and Oxbridge has kudos throughout the world. You also know how hard you had to work to get in there and how few people do get in. Take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back.


Cheers, glad to know there's some social scene at Oxford because I don't think I could handle going to my lectures then going to my room on my own over and over again for 4 years! What course is ur son taking?
Original post by FC2912
Where else are u applying other than Oxford?

I have applied to Nottingham, Birmingham and Leicester too. Already have an offer from Birmingham but Nottingham is the one I am torn between with Cambridge. Hopefully get an offer then just need help deciding 😂
Original post by chloebird
Outsiders perspective: I do not respect you if you go to oxbridge. It indicates to me that you’re a pretentious **** who cares more about reputation, staying posh and what mummy and daddy think than the quality of the teaching and opportunities there. They’re all adult babies.


Original post by chloebird
Nope, never wanted to go there and never will, I’m going to Manchester like someone with a thinking capacity above ‘it’s number 1 so it must be the best!’ 😂😂 Frankly, everyone I’ve ever met that wanted to go to oxbridge was a rich, self stroking, insufferable ****

Edit: And yes, I’m basing that entirely off my own experience. One girl who didn’t have a personality outside studying and two guys who wore waistcoats to school for attention and see philosophy and psychology as a legitimate degrees we’re enough to make me decide they’re all mentally handicapped.


To be honest I think it’s quite clear who the adult baby is- there’s no need to be as inflammatory as this when giving advice, maybe the points you’re making are fair but the way you word them are insulting and rude. There’s no need to put down psychology and philosophy as subjects and no need to be insulting to others. You need to be careful because university admissions do watch student room chats and also just be nice to others!!!
Reply 12
Original post by seabasssss
I have applied to Nottingham, Birmingham and Leicester too. Already have an offer from Birmingham but Nottingham is the one I am torn between with Cambridge. Hopefully get an offer then just need help deciding 😂

There is no need to rush into a decision, I think you have until May, or later if your decisions are not all in. Medicine is the one subject for which prestige is really not an issue. Cambridge course is very different with little patient contact in the first 3 years, so you need to decide which course suits you better. Cambridge may be better if you are interested in research, but for hospital jobs candidates are ranked by their position in their medical school - I assume it is more difficult to be in the top 25% at Cam than at Nottingham.

Choosing between great offers is a nice problem to have!
Reply 13
Some of the answers here haven’t answered your question and instead seemed to be an angry outburst.
Engineering science at Oxford is meant to be really theoretical so if you want a more practical side go Bristol. Personally, I think if you want to stay in engineering either is very good and like you said you can benefit from a reduced workload.
Original post by seabasssss
I have applied to Nottingham, Birmingham and Leicester too. Already have an offer from Birmingham but Nottingham is the one I am torn between with Cambridge. Hopefully get an offer then just need help deciding 😂

Hi, my son wanted to apply to Oxford but I persuaded him otherwise as the two major flaw that I see with the Oxbridge course is that they are more research based rather than clinical based i.e you do not see patients in your first three years of training another flaw with Oxford is that after 3 years, you have to apply to be put into the clinical course so it is not automatic. Cambridge on the other hand is a hard course to get into as the entry requirements are the highest 2A* A. I instead advised him to apply to Imperial. My wife went to Nottingham for pharmacy and she loved the ethos of the university
(edited 4 years ago)
Original post by FC2912
Cheers, glad to know there's some social scene at Oxford because I don't think I could handle going to my lectures then going to my room on my own over and over again for 4 years! What course is ur son taking?

Physics!
Original post by FC2912
I just got an offer for engineering science at keble college and now I am starting to wonder if I'd actually enjoy it at oxford, could some students/former students lmk how the nightlife is and if the workload prevents you from having a social life? Also what are the actual advantages of taking engineering at Oxford rather than Bristol, does the prestige really help with employment that much?

Don’t waste your time going to oxford, you will have a miserable life and be under so much pressure, come deal with me and Ldog and you can be our accountant. You’ll make way more money and be bunning spliffs everyday, living the life am I rite? All you sad nerds are going to spend years sucking off books whilst I’m getting the big batty galdem. In conclusion, don’t miss out on these big opportunities, come work with me and you’ll be much better off. Xoxo
Original post by seabasssss
I have applied to Nottingham, Birmingham and Leicester too. Already have an offer from Birmingham but Nottingham is the one I am torn between with Cambridge. Hopefully get an offer then just need help deciding 😂


Well done on ur Cam offer! For medicine it’s worth recognising that ur job prospects will be equal wherever you go. Cambridge is brilliant ofc, lots of opportunities to get involved in research and some love the teaching method, but there are downsides too. A lack of patient contact for the first couple of years, very very heavily research and science based with the first 2 years almost mirroring a biochemistry degree I believe. And of course, it’s going to be 10x harder to keep up compared to other medical schools, meaning maybe less time to enjoy student life?
I too got an offer from Bham, and chose not to apply to oxford as I thought I wouldn’t get in for medicine. In hindsight, I’m not too miffed that I didn’t apply, I’ve got my sights set on KCL, amazing city, expensive but worth the while imo. I’d just say pick the place you’d feel most comfortable in as it’s the next 6 years of your life. However let’s be honest, oxbridge medicine is insanely competitive and to get in means they think you’re one of the best out there, people don’t like others going there for prestige but that’s nonsense, most would if they could.
Original post by chloebird
Outsiders perspective: I do not respect you if you go to oxbridge. It indicates to me that you’re a pretentious **** who cares more about reputation, staying posh and what mummy and daddy think than the quality of the teaching and opportunities there. They’re all adult babies.

What are you basing this stereotype on? Have you ever been to Oxford and met students? They come from a wide range of backgrounds. Whilst there are some obnoxious rich ones, it's not that many, from my direct (but old - it will have got better) experience over several years.
Original post by chloebird
Nope, never wanted to go there and never will, I’m going to Manchester like someone with a thinking capacity above ‘it’s number 1 so it must be the best!’ 😂😂 Frankly, everyone I’ve ever met that wanted to go to oxbridge was a rich, self stroking, insufferable ****

Manchester would be better for you, but please stop talking rubbish about a place that you know NOTHING about.

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