Exeter, Bristol or York?

Hi, so I'm really torn between these 3 unis after cutting out Edinburgh and Durham, can anyone please offer some advice? So the things I'm most interested in are:
- Best for languages
- Best for nightlife
- Nicest environment
- Best rep/ most prestigious (everyone say different)
- Just generally most enjoyable for an outgoing, sporty and friendly girl!
Thank you!!

Reply 1

Fembot

Hi,

I can't answer all of your questions, sorry, but I'll have a go. I work at Exeter University and have spent time in Bristol and York (not much, mind).

If you are outgoing, sporty and friendly, you will have a great time anywhere. Those universities have large enough student numbers and student unions for you to find friends and sports to suit your interests.

York and Exeter are both campus universities, so it can be like living in a student bubble. Bristol is a civic university so the departments are spread around the city. It depends what you prefer I suppose.

Exeter University campus has got to be the most beautiful in the country. The architecture isn't all that, but it's seriously like being in a national park: it is an actual registered Botanic Garden. There are so many spots of natural and cultivated beauty. I love it. The city is nice enough (walkable from campus), with a generic High Street, a few interesting independent areas, plenty of parks, a lovely Cathedral and Quay, a somewhat bizarre museum, and, for some reason, about 6 train stations with links to everywhere. Places in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset are all within easy reach.

In terms of nightlife, bear in mind that Exeter is really a glorified town, with a population of about 120 000, with a social scene to reflect that. There are club nights on campus and obviously the students make it more vibrant than a non-university town, but it's fairly tame and limited (personally I don't care but I am old!). There are a few theatres, small + medium music venues and loads of pubs and restaurants.

York is a bit bigger so there's probably a bit more going on (I don't know much about it to be honest). York the city is absolutely lush. It's a bit touristy but that's because it is so blimming gorgeous.

Bristol is the only one that really feels like a 'proper' city with about 420 000 population size. It's very pretty, on a grander scale than the other 2, with impressive architecture, a funky harbour and the spectacular suspension bridge in Clifton. I think it's probably the best for diversity of nightlife and it has a great vibe: a bit alternative and arty, but with something for everyone.

I think all unis have good reps, and are all much of a muchness. Bristol is traditionally the Oxbridge alternative, York has been near the top of most league tables for donkeys' years, and Exeter is the new kid on the block for being in the higher echelons, league table-wise. I've heard that some departments are a bit snotty and too big for their boots, but I don't know about languages. I think they attract really good students. For language departments (it depends which ones you're doing), check out subject tables.

Personally, if I had my time again, I'd choose Bristol for its vibrance, but it depends on your taste. I'd have to say that from my perceptions of Exeter students (I studied at Nottingham and Leeds, by the way), they seem a bit less culturally diverse, a bit more traditional-ish, if you know what I mean, but everywhere I go there's someone clutching sports equipment or in their club kit, so I think it's a very sporty place with a big sports-oriented social scene.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 2

daisyfid

Fembot- thanks so much, really helpful!

Reply 3

isabelle12

Hi,
based on my personal experience and what many think, I’d avoid Bristol as teaching is poor : lazy and incompetent lecturers (some can hardly speak the language), poor organisation, incomprehensible marking and feedback for boring coursework. I guess it used to be good but has really gone downhill.

Reply 4

daisyfid

Original post by isabelle12

Thanks for this as I'm going through choices at the moment! Are you at Bristol then? As I had decided to put that as my first..

Reply 5

widmnd

Original post by daisyfid

Heya, I can only speak from my own experience really, having never been to neither Bristol or Exeter, but York is an amazing place to study. I have studied there and in Edinburgh, which supposedly has a much higher ranking, but the teaching was just so much better in York. York is quite small, but it really has everything you need in terms of nightlife, restaurants, days out...It's just such a beautiful place (as you can tell I am very in love with it! I feel super nostalgic about not living there anymore). I have never met anyone (which is weird but really true) who has said they were not happy with York. The campus is lovely (there is a lake, lots of ducks and other birds, some new and older buildings...), but most of all it's the cohesion and group spirit I felt there that's the most important. Many unis that aren't "campus unis" don't have that (take Edinburgh for example, it's all spread out and it just isn't the same feeling of belonging). Also if you're sporty, York has a brand new sports center and lots of sport societies, and in general it's the uni with the most societies in the UK. I really loved that about it because there is something for everyone, even me who at first didn't think I'd be involved in anything! Obviously some people might not agree with all this, but I really think there is not much bad things you can say about York, except it being not a big city, but Leeds is 20 mins by train and I think that Exeter is even smaller. Good luck choosing!