A great dilemma - which uni to choose?

Original post by Rhaella

Hey guys, I am an EU applicant and I have received all my offers, which I am really happy about, but on the other hand, I find it extremely difficult to decide where to go. I would appreciate every bit of help I could get!

Unis and offers (I am doing the IB diploma, 44 points predicted)
UCL - Law with German Law - 39 points, 766 HL
Warwick - Law with German Law - 38 points, 6 in HL German
Queen Mary - English and European Law - 37 points, 666 HL
Nottingham - Law with German and German Law - 36 points, 6 in HL German
Birmingham - Law with German Law - 32 points, 666 HL

My preferences:
- high employability (would choosing Birmingham over UCL influence this?)
- interesting course (tbh UCL course seems the least interesting, especially the optional modules in Y4, Birmingham has the most interesting ones by far, Nottingham has elements of German culture in the course which I like)
- cost (I would be on a tight budget in London)
- part-time job opportunities, preferably career-related (I think London would be best for this and I worry about Warwick)
- nightlife (I think I would prefer to be in a city)
- the possibility to go to Berlin in Y3 which is spent abroad (Birmingham, Warwick, QMUL offer this)

I have not been to any of the unis, but I am planning to go visit, when I narrow this down to 2 or 3. I am really stuck, was actually hoping not to receive the UCL offer, which I received after an interview that went horribly. It has the best reputation, but at the same time I worry about the cost of living in London and I consider Y4 modules quite boring. Birmingham seems to be really interesting, it is in a city, had interesting modules and Berlin, but it seems such a waste to have worked so hard to achieve the predicted (and hopefully actual) grades.. And firming it would leave me with no insurance. Should I worry about the ranking? Help!

Thanks for any advice and I am sorry this is so long :colondollar:

My son went to Nottingham and my daughter went to UCL. I liked Nottingham but it is a bit ... well ... it is known as the gun capital of the UK - although my son has never had any problems.

London is great - loads of work - but they will probably work you fairly hard at UCL. Don't bother with QMUL.

Yes I would worry about ranking - although I see you don't have the usual suspects - O and C. UCL is a great university and has loads of international students. My daughter really loved it. Yes London is expensive ( flat in Nottingham costs about £130000, flat in London cost £350000 ) don't know about rents but you can be assured that it will be expensive there - however, my son paid a small fortune to rent a flat in Nottingham - so maybe there is not much difference.

Reply 5

pvdlstlp

2

This is all my opinion which has been swayed from my personal priorities and research:

I would firm UCL and insurance Nottingham (assuming you can realistically obtain your predicted score of 44!). This is because UCL has a great reputation internationally, which I think is important assuming also that your decision to study German Law comes from your desire to perhaps practice law in Germany as well. London, albeit expensive, would provide great career-related internships and job opportunities as you have mentioned, but the fact that there are doubts regarding how interested you are on the course is what makes or breaks it, honestly. If you go into a course thinking "Ahh, this isn't going to be that interesting", then you might want to think about that a wee bit more... Nottingham, on the other hand, would be insurance since their offer consists of 36 points (not the sole thing one should look at when making the insurance/firm decision, admittedly), but also the city as I have seen and heard is beautiful and the students seem to be relatively happy there when looking at some league tables. I also have a friend studying straight Law there and he seems pretty happy!

Good luck, tell us what you decide!

Reply 6

Rhaella

OP

3

Thank you all so much for your advice!

I decided to rule out QMUL, because UCL is the obvious choice out of the two London unis.

I am currently looking at flights to the UK to go see UCL, Warwick and Birmingham (I think I wont manage Nottingham, as it is further away). Maybe seeing the actual places will help me decide :h:

Reply 7

Muttley79

Original post by Rhaella

Thank you all so much for your advice!

I decided to rule out QMUL, because UCL is the obvious choice out of the two London unis.

I am currently looking at flights to the UK to go see UCL, Warwick and Birmingham (I think I wont manage Nottingham, as it is further away). Maybe seeing the actual places will help me decide :h:

Personally - going on your references - I'd rule out Warwick [too remote] and look at Nottingham - it is not that far from Birmingham.

Going to uni in London is very different as there is no 'campus' experience -

Reply 8

999tigger

19

Reading your post it seems that Birmingham ticks your boxes. Do go and visit all of them and it will quickly give you a feel for where you want to be.
Just do a pros and cons for each uni. UCL is obviously higher on the prestige list, but do your cost of living calculation and look at how affordable it will be for you. They are all good unis.

Reply 9

LeapingLucy

19

In terms of future employability and international reputation, UCL and Warwick are by far your best options.

In terms of getting a part-time job, there are lots of opportunities at Warwick to work for the university, even in your first year.

Reply 10

Original post by squeakysquirrel

I liked Nottingham but it is a bit ... well ... it is known as the gun capital of the UK .

Says who?

Reply 11

STEMisSuperior.

2

UCL is the safest option there alongside Nottingham.

Reply 12

Original post by Muttley79

Going to uni in London is very different as there is no 'campus' experience -

And this is something that many applicants never think about - and then regret. London can be a very lonely experience, despite the supposed 'glamour'.

Reply 13

username1177050

their all top unis and i think all of them will stand you in good stead if you want to pursue a legal career, provided you have all the other prerequisites. Birmingham is a good uni and so if you prefer the modules there, then i would select that. The other 3, with the exception of nottingham, will i think have a different ethos, which isnt always a bad thing, its just that London unis can be an accquired taste, so maybe if you wanted a more "tpical student experience", a provincial law school would be better. nights out will be cheaper and although people still want to work hard, the atmosphere is a bit more laid back. UCL in particular is very international and diverse and whilst its a top uni, it might not provide the student life you seek, if that requirement is high on your priority. London can be quite intense and expensive for students and if you want to work there in future, then its good to explore another part of the country you might not have otherwise exposed yourself to.

Reply 14

Original post by neal95

their all top unis.

Which school do you go to?

Reply 15

cambio wechsel

Original post by returnmigrant

Which school do you go to?

lad writes a paragraph of considered advice, and you'll pull him up on a slip?

Reply 16