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University of Nottingham vs Aberystwyth University

Hey all!

I've recently received offers from both the University of Nottingham and Aberystwyth to study German and Beginners Spanish....

Problem is I've now been to both visit days and simply cannot decide between the two....

Nottingham is usually famed for its beautiful campus, which is definitely true, but that is usually (in my opinion) when comparing it to other city campus based uni's and not rural ones like Aber which lies on some beautiful coastline...

The two are just complete opposites the more i think about it. Notts is almost three times the size of Aber but has the better reputation, whilst some claim this means Nottingham gives less personal student support......

Last but not least, many with whom I've talked have said that in terms of student living expenses (accomodation, nights out etc) that Nottingham will be MUCH more expensive than aber, but as i've not lived in either place i do not know how much credence to give to this...

Has anyone had experience of either that could give me a few pointers?

Any help is much appreciated...
James

Reply 1

Minerva

17

Original post by temjam99

Hey all!

I've recently received offers from both the University of Nottingham and Aberystwyth to study German and Beginners Spanish....

Problem is I've now been to both visit days and simply cannot decide between the two....

Nottingham is usually famed for its beautiful campus, which is definitely true, but that is usually (in my opinion) when comparing it to other city campus based uni's and not rural ones like Aber which lies on some beautiful coastline...

The two are just complete opposites the more i think about it. Notts is almost three times the size of Aber but has the better reputation, whilst some claim this means Nottingham gives less personal student support......

Last but not least, many with whom I've talked have said that in terms of student living expenses (accomodation, nights out etc) that Nottingham will be MUCH more expensive than aber, but as i've not lived in either place i do not know how much credence to give to this...

Has anyone had experience of either that could give me a few pointers?

Any help is much appreciated...
James

Best thing to do is to check out the uni specific forums. It sounds as if there isn't a great deal to choose between the courses themselves? See also the stickied thread at the top of the forum.

(edited 14 years ago)

Reply 2

jcockerill1

Bit of a strange course, but I'd go for Notts as it is absolutely incredible. I'd also go wherever is best for your course, seeing as you are struggling to decide.

Reply 3

The-Wi$e-One

2

Aber is a lovely place, especially in the Sun...but a few words of warning.

1) It is remote, 2 hours away from anywhere noteworthy really
2) If clubbing is your thing, Aber is probably not the place for you
3) There isn't a great deal to do here, but there are plenty of bars etc
4) Its wales, so in the winter it gets pretty bleak, it was about -10c for a week solid this year.

Any other questions, ask and I will try and answer!

Reply 4

lovehearts_x

8

Original post by temjam99

Hey all!

I've recently received offers from both the University of Nottingham and Aberystwyth to study German and Beginners Spanish....

Problem is I've now been to both visit days and simply cannot decide between the two....

Nottingham is usually famed for its beautiful campus, which is definitely true, but that is usually (in my opinion) when comparing it to other city campus based uni's and not rural ones like Aber which lies on some beautiful coastline...

The two are just complete opposites the more i think about it. Notts is almost three times the size of Aber but has the better reputation, whilst some claim this means Nottingham gives less personal student support......

Last but not least, many with whom I've talked have said that in terms of student living expenses (accomodation, nights out etc) that Nottingham will be MUCH more expensive than aber, but as i've not lived in either place i do not know how much credence to give to this...

Has anyone had experience of either that could give me a few pointers?

Any help is much appreciated...
James

I guess it depends what you're looking for in a university. If it's prestige, I'd go for Notts; however, Aber is absolutely beautiful as a seaside town, the people are so friendly, and I believe it's quite cheap to go to university there. I used to live in Aber, so obviously I'm pretty biased :tongue:

but the happiest memories of my life are set in Aberystwyth so I'd recommend it to anyone. Aber has the beach, the pier, the castle (home to Castell Rock, a day of music held in the castle grounds annually), the Arts Centre (definitely worth checking out if you're into theatre, art, music, photography etc.) which is situated very close to the university, pretty good nightlife for a small town and the gorgeous cliffs which are lovely to sit on top of in the summer, especially if you want to go for a drink with some friends.

Incidentally- I know it's a different course- but my grandfather used to be head of the French department and I believe the language department was really well reputed. Like I said, it depends on what you're looking for in a university but Aber is pretty well-rounded so give it some thought :smile:

Reply 5

Iorek

13

Original post by temjam99

Hey all!

I've recently received offers from both the University of Nottingham and Aberystwyth to study German and Beginners Spanish....

Problem is I've now been to both visit days and simply cannot decide between the two....

Nottingham is usually famed for its beautiful campus, which is definitely true, but that is usually (in my opinion) when comparing it to other city campus based uni's and not rural ones like Aber which lies on some beautiful coastline...

The two are just complete opposites the more i think about it. Notts is almost three times the size of Aber but has the better reputation, whilst some claim this means Nottingham gives less personal student support......

Last but not least, many with whom I've talked have said that in terms of student living expenses (accomodation, nights out etc) that Nottingham will be MUCH more expensive than aber, but as i've not lived in either place i do not know how much credence to give to this...

Has anyone had experience of either that could give me a few pointers?

Any help is much appreciated...
James

I will try to answer you as best as I could, I did my 2nd undergrad (LL.B) at Aber and now doing my MBA at Nottingham.

I lived in the student accommodation while at Aber, but for the MBA I commute. But I've seen the accommodation of Nottingham quite extensively.... can tell you upfront that Aber's is many times better and cheaper.

Campus food, this one without contest, Aber is better, and there's a reason they keep winning awards for their food services. MUCH cheaper as well.

Convenience factor, Aber also wins as most of the halls are located within 5-10 minutes walking distance to your classes except the Brynderw which is in town... would be about a 20 minute walk to campus or if you're a lazy bum there's a bus which cost £30 for a year (may go up this year) Most of your classes would most likely be at the Hugh Owen Building, so it's very easy to get around. Supermarkets, there is the CK store just 2 minutes from the student residential area, otherwise there is a Morrissons and Lidls or Iceland. Never had any issues in terms of convenience. Things are definitely cheaper as well.

Non-academic services, Aber is many times better, almost every office I had to deal with had been very efficient and almost everyone I spoke to never let me down. One thing that does need getting used to is the Welsh and their work standards.... *looks behind to see if my Welsh lady is standing there or not* but the Welsh can be quite lazy and un industrious as a whole.

Academics, this one unless you're going to one of the departments Aber is very good at, then Nottingham will be a way better place. No contest here. Having said that, it's not as if Aber is rubbish academically.

The biggest problem you will find in Aber is for your 2nd year, it's difficult to find suitable housing and good ones do get snapped up rather quickly and loads of dodgy landlords. But it isn't expensive... Notts is definitely more expensive in this respect.

Campus facilities, Notts is better as a whole, but things at Aber is cheaper to use as are a lot of societies and sporting clubs.

Nightlife, This one no contest, Notts is way better...... the secret behind having the best experience at Aber is not about what you're doing, but who you're doing it with....... hence if you do go to Aber it's very important that you get to know people and develop good relationships, else you'll be quite miserable.

The other thing to consider is if you are in need of a part time job during your academic year... Notts is fairly easy to get industrial placements or jobs that are suited to certain disciplines of study, Aber on the other hand as surprising as this is going to sound is much easier to get jobs that most students could generally do.... just gotta keep a lookout for it. A plus if you aren't Welsh..... they will love to hire you as I found out :biggrin:

Notts on the other hand, competition for unskilled jobs will make it difficult to find jobs, but having said that both Boots and RR have recruitments for placements all the time.

If I were in the position all over again to do it all over again would I choose Aber or my other choices........ it will be Aber of course... I met my wife there :biggrin:

Reply 6

temjam99

OP

Thanks for the advice, I'm abit balanced in terms of my requirements really, as I'm traditionally a city dweller but love the countryside. And with regards to nights out, i love hangin out with friends anywhere really, but do occasionally enjoy a night in a 'big' club.....

Academically the departments are surprisingly close, (aber 19th, notts 12th) i expected notts to be considerably better than aber, but aber's language department is apparently well reputed also.

Im also concerned that as my route into both universities is a little 'untraditional' (I'm doing an Access course and have spent a short time in Germany teaching myself German) that one Uni might be considerably easier to settle into and be more accommodating....Though i dont seem to have anyway of finding this out until ive actually begun studying at the Uni itself.

Thanks again.

Reply 7

Navya k

1

which one is good for bsc agriculture course?? Iam planning to comming with my family

University of Nottingham vs Aberystwyth University

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