What do Oxbridge students think of other universities' philosophy course?

I applied to cambridge for philosophy, but seeing that I would most likely be rejected, which other universities would you say have an "almost comparable" philosophy course?
On a university guide list I have, LSE, Warwick, Edinburgh, Nottingham etc. are mentioned. What do you think/

Reply 1

Niccolo

candystrippa

apparently notts does a quality philosophy course. Out of those, you could never really go wrong with warwick. It excels in pretty much everything.

Reply 2

Reema

Warwick is good. York is also excellent for a philosophy course. Really, it depends what you're looking for as well - if you want a mix of continental with analytic Manchester might be a good suggestion too. I just met someone here at Cam doing Phil at Manchester and she seemed to really like it.

I should warn you, although you probably know, that Cambridge is overwhelmingly "analytic" in its approach, so check you like that sort of thing before you go in for it..!

Reply 3

ProzacNation

Hmm, I'm concerned that you're asking us because of some mistaken impression that our opinions actually matter....go wherever you feel most comfortable and where you think you'll be happy - thats the most important thing! (I mean, seriously, haven't you read enough posts on here from people from Oxbridge that show life their isn't all peachy).

But since you ask, those are definitely some high quality establishments you've chosen in terms of how they're regarded...

LSE - the London unis are pretty much regarded to come above Russel group universities, by virtue of being in London (I dont mean all London unis, just LSE, KCL and UCL). Of these, LSE is definitely the top, educating probably around as many foriegn prime ministers as Oxbridge, give or take. It is extremely well looked upon, and if you don't come from London, London will blow your mind.

Warwick - a very well regarded Philosophy course which a friend of mine seems to love and all the people on it are very friendly. Be aware that its campus contained though, and tiny.

Edinburgh - Again, one of the best regarded universities after Oxbridge. Very difficult to get into actually, they ask for high grades, but the city itself is wicked.

Nottingham - for many arts subject has higher application ratios than Oxbridge (i,e 11 people to a place) but is a great student town and very well respected.

All the above is merely subjective and you should probably ignore it and go and visit some unis for yourself.

PS - Leeds is wicked! (And no, I dont come from there, it was my second choice and I loved it).

Reply 4

RxB

LSE's philosophy department is good but seems very specialised in philosophy of science and logic etc... otherwise, all these places are good. I seem to remember Essex being surprisingly good as well.

Reply 5

wanderer

ProzacNation

Nottingham - for many arts subject has higher application ratios than Oxbridge (i,e 11 people to a place) but is a great student town and very well respected.

There are quite a few places with higher ratios than Oxbridge aren't there? The whole self-selecting applicants thing.

Reply 6

groovy_moose

Warwick's excellent and the tutors there seemed really switched on to living life, as well as academic work - i looved warwcik. Have you considered UCL as well? Thaat has a pretty good course for philosophy. Or Bristol - that's good too. Very academic though. (in the stuffy sense, rather than the intelligent working sense).

Reply 7

candystrippa

hmm.. i am torn between Edinburgh and LSE at the moment!!!!!
does LSE offer supervised studies?
does anyone have friends there who know their teaching method?? (ok, maybe i should go to the LSE thread now)