Bristol vs. Oxford

I'm going to England as a study abroad student this late spring, for three months, and I'm currently choosing between Bristol and Oxford.

I'd really like to know more about those two cities, and their pros and cons in your opinion.

Thanks :wink:

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Reply 1

sahra-t

Zellie

What are you studying? Purely based on reputation alone, Oxford is a world class institute and studying there will open many doors for you.

Reply 2

Mubsy

I'd say Bristol is also a world class university and is always ranked amongst the top ten institutions in Uk (depending on which league tables you're looking out).

Personall if given the choice between the two I'd go for Oxford.

Reply 3

sahra-t

I don't disagree with you saying that Bristol is also a world class University but you must concede there is a huge difference in how highly regarded each of them are. I don't think you could guarantee people in other countries would have heard of Bristol, you can however guarantee they'd have heard of Oxford. (Global rankings: Oxford 8, Bristol 49). I don't particularly like judging on reputation alone, but there is a reason Oxford is regarded so highly. I expect that whatever the OP will be reading, Oxford will have a 5/5 in it in all aspects. Bristol may too.

To Zellie, Oxford has a collegiate system. Does this appeal? You may also want to look at the programmes for the course you will be undertaking. Depending on the type of course, you may find they cover different things and you find one of them sounds more interesting.

BRISTOL everytime

One thing you might want to look at other than rep is;

do you want to spend at least 3 years with a bunch of loserinos

OR

Do you want to have fun?

Having fun is possible in Bristol, sadly not in Oxford, apparently a lot of the Oxford college bars haven't even heard of sambuca........

Reply 6

Rui

matchu

One thing you might want to look at other than rep is;

do you want to spend at least 3 years with a bunch of loserinos

To be fair, she said she's only gonna be there for three months, so making friends and all that might not be as much as an issue.

Reply 7

suga_fly_77

You should choose Oxford, based on reputation alone. You can drink sambuca any time...

Reply 8

Winnipeg

Choose the place you think you will be the happiest - I think that this is the most important thing. Ok, Oxford may have a brilliant reputation but the courses are known to be extemely challenging...are you prepared to work that hard? If you are, good for you, everyone has different values when it comes to the university experience :smile:

I realised that I wasn't cut out for Oxford after I'd applied, so I was actually relieved when I got rejected :biggrin:

It took away the dilemma of having to be scoffed at by other people for rejecting Oxford!

I'm not saying that it's impossible to have fun at Oxford, it's just that I think the lifestyle would be considerably more stressful. Also, it's important to think about the place you will be studying. I wasn't actually very keen on the city of Oxford itself and I couldn't really imagine myself there...I found the college that I was in extremely claustrophobic as well :s-smilie:

(I don't know if others are different...).

Try to visit both Bristol and Oxford to make a comparison between them :smile:

Reply 9

shady lane

It's just for a 3 month study abroad program. The "world class" aspect of Oxford probably isn't relevant for such a short stay.

Reply 10

Zellie

Yes, I'm taking a language course in English (which could possibly serve as preparation for further studies abroad) and it's only for three months, so I'm more interested in a comparison of the cities, rather than school reputation.

Reply 11

matchu

Then it's Bristol hands down.

Reply 12

Winnipeg

matchu

Then it's Bristol hands down.

I agree - Bristol is much nicer :smile:

Reply 13

sahra-t

matchu

Then it's Bristol hands down.

Thirded.

Reply 14

suga_fly_77

Lol, it's fair to say that everyone on this forum is pretty biased though...

Reply 15

Rui

Bristol does sh*t on Oxford in terms of city life, though.

Reply 16

stepheh

I really like oxford because of the architecture, and the research labs, but oxford itself, as a city, is a bit rubbish compared to Bristol.
The shopping isn't brilliant, not many bars and clubs - just lots of pubs.
Also, it's a pretty small town/city - I mean everything's in walking distance really. So it depends if you want to go to a big place with a great night-life and lots of things to do, or a small city that's so beautiful.. but is a bit boring at times, and has an air of snooty-ness about it.

Reply 17

Rui

stepheh

so beautiful.. but is a bit boring at times, and has an air of snooty-ness about it.

Are you talking about that retirement home Durdham again?

Reply 18

organised_chaos

I'd say if you want to spend 3 months in your room studying solidly or sitting in a common room discussing academia then choose Oxford, if you want to have ome fun and experience a vibrant and beautiful city, choose Bristol.

Reply 19

Zellie

Thanks for your replies. So you would say there is a lot to do and see in Bristol? I come from a medium-sized city, one which is nice and pleasant but perhaps not so lively, so I'm kind of looking for something more dynamic and eventful.