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I got A*A*A and thinking of adjustment

I talked to Leeds and they would give me an offer for natural sciences- but accommodation wouldn’t be guaranteed.
I’m not sure what I should do. My firm is currently uni of Birmingham for biomed. Is it worth switching at this point?

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Original post by indecisiveel2
I talked to Leeds and they would give me an offer for natural sciences- but accommodation wouldn’t be guaranteed.
I’m not sure what I should do. My firm is currently uni of Birmingham for biomed. Is it worth switching at this point?

Well, which course would you rather do? Natural sciences is pretty different to biomed. I am sure you would be able to find accommodation in Leeds. Is living in uni owned halls important to you?

But I think you need to make the decision based on the course.
Original post by SarcAndSpark
Well, which course would you rather do? Natural sciences is pretty different to biomed. I am sure you would be able to find accommodation in Leeds. Is living in uni owned halls important to you?

But I think you need to make the decision based on the course.

Hi
Yes I kind of see living in halls as kind of a major part of uni life. I don’t know. I think the course matters the most you’re right but I also don’t want to be miserable for 3 years.
Original post by indecisiveel2
Hi
Yes I kind of see living in halls as kind of a major part of uni life. I don’t know. I think the course matters the most you’re right but I also don’t want to be miserable for 3 years.

There are private halls, though, which will offer a very similar experience. Do you think you'd be miserable at Leeds beyond not just living in halls?
I agree with the above. I was in private halls, as were many people I know, and the experience was actually better as you can be social with nicer surroundings! Pick based on the course and what you'd like to do with it.
Original post by SarcAndSpark
There are private halls, though, which will offer a very similar experience. Do you think you'd be miserable at Leeds beyond not just living in halls?

Okay that’s true I won’t know unless I try it. I’ve never actually been to Leeds that’s the thing. It gives me big city vibes and as much as I like that I feel like the crime rates and stuff are higher and it does look a bit depressing as it doesn’t seem very green. I probably shouldn’t be being picky at the moment because it’s my only option right now for Natsci but it is a big decision to make in such little time.
Original post by lozzyhickers
I agree with the above. I was in private halls, as were many people I know, and the experience was actually better as you can be social with nicer surroundings! Pick based on the course and what you'd like to do with it.

Okay thanks! What uni did you attend? Yeah the course is my priority.
Original post by indecisiveel2
Okay thanks! What uni did you attend? Yeah the course is my priority.

I went to University of Lincoln for my BSc, then KCL for my MSc.
Leeds is a great city and a wonderful uni. However, Birmingham is equally strong both as a city and as a uni. As others have written look at the course content, which one interests you more?

The Leeds programme does look interesting - choice of 3 topics from biochemistry, biology, chemistry, environmental science, food science and nutrition, mathematics, and physics, specialising in two of these in years 2 & 3. It means you can still do biochem if that floats your boat but you can delay the decision for a year.
Why are you now considering Leeds? Birmingham is just as good a university..
Original post by mike23mike
Leeds is a great city and a wonderful uni. However, Birmingham is equally strong both as a city and as a uni. As others have written look at the course content, which one interests you more?

The Leeds programme does look interesting - choice of 3 topics from biochemistry, biology, chemistry, environmental science, food science and nutrition, mathematics, and physics, specialising in two of these in years 2 & 3. It means you can still do biochem if that floats your boat but you can delay the decision for a year.

That’s true. I like the flexibility aspect as I did bio chemistry and maths at A level I would be able to continue with all of them and then drop maths and stick to biochem and chem.
Original post by mizzsnazzter
Why are you now considering Leeds? Birmingham is just as good a university..

I’m aware. I just feel like the Leeds course is more competitive so maybe it would be better for me. Although I do like Birmingham- apart from the high crime rate and robbings in the student houses. Although that’ll happen in any city right?
Original post by indecisiveel2
I’m aware. I just feel like the Leeds course is more competitive so maybe it would be better for me. Although I do like Birmingham- apart from the high crime rate and robbings in the student houses. Although that’ll happen in any city right?


exactly - I wouldn’t worry about crime at all, every city has it’s not as nice places you just avoid them!

I live in Birmingham so feel free to ask any questions. I also had a friend who went to Leeds so visited quite a bit too :smile:
Original post by indecisiveel2
Hi
Yes I kind of see living in halls as kind of a major part of uni life. I don’t know. I think the course matters the most you’re right but I also don’t want to be miserable for 3 years.


Then speak to accomm and see if you cna go on a waiting list as welll. People drop out.
Is Leeds really a significant step up from Brum?

That would be enough for an elite, so id even consider a gap and 2021.
Original post by mizzsnazzter
exactly - I wouldn’t worry about crime at all, every city has it’s not as nice places you just avoid them!

I live in Birmingham so feel free to ask any questions. I also had a friend who went to Leeds so visited quite a bit too :smile:

Wow thank you! Could you do a comparison of Leedsvs Birm (city wise and uni if you know about both) How did she find Leeds uni? Is it really busy and just dull or are there green spaces you can go to? I’m not sure if you know but how’s the student support? Is it well regarded?

Original post by 999tigger
Then speak to accomm and see if you cna go on a waiting list as welll. People drop out.
Is Leeds really a significant step up from Brum?

That would be enough for an elite, so id even consider a gap and 2021.

Yes I was thinking of taking a gap year and applying to Cambridge- I would have to do the natsci admissions test and go through the interview but if I concentrate on it for the next two months I feel like I could do it. Also if I appeal my A in biology I can get it put up to an A* and increase my chances.

I feel that Leeds and Birmingham are pretty similar rankings wise. It’s just the flexibility of the course that appealed to me (in Leeds) but it’s not quite as varied as I’d hoped. I do really like biomed though so maybe Oxford biomed would be better- I just feel like I had the potential to do something with higher grade requirements but didn’t go for it.
(edited 3 years ago)
Original post by indecisiveel2
Wow thank you! Could you do a comparison of Leedsvs Birm (city wise and uni if you know about both) How did she find Leeds uni? Is it really busy and just dull or are there green spaces you can go to? I’m not sure if you know but how’s the student support? Is it well regarded?


Yes I was thinking of taking a gap year and applying to Cambridge- I would have to do the natsci admissions test and go through the interview but if I concentrate on it for the next two months I feel like I could do it. Also if I appeal my A in biology I can get it put up to an A* and increase my chances.

I feel that Leeds and Birmingham are pretty similar rankings wise. It’s just the flexibility of the course that appealed to me (in Leeds) but it’s not quite as varied as I’d hoped. I do really like biomed though so maybe Oxford biomed would be better- I just feel like I had the potential to do something with higher grade requirements but didn’t go for it.

Youve done great. I would try and if you dont make it or dont liker it you cna swithc and you will know. If you are happy with Leeds or Birm go for it.
Original post by indecisiveel2
Wow thank you! Could you do a comparison of Leedsvs Birm (city wise and uni if you know about both) How did she find Leeds uni? Is it really busy and just dull or are there green spaces you can go to? I’m not sure if you know but how’s the student support? Is it well regarded?


Yes I was thinking of taking a gap year and applying to Cambridge- I would have to do the natsci admissions test and go through the interview but if I concentrate on it for the next two months I feel like I could do it. Also if I appeal my A in biology I can get it put up to an A* and increase my chances.

I feel that Leeds and Birmingham are pretty similar rankings wise. It’s just the flexibility of the course that appealed to me (in Leeds) but it’s not quite as varied as I’d hoped. I do really like biomed though so maybe Oxford biomed would be better- I just feel like I had the potential to do something with higher grade requirements but didn’t go for it.

A*A*A is really strong- it would put you in good stead for an Oxbridge application next year.

I wouldn't assume your A will go up on appeal, though- it might, but it's not a certainty.

But you could start uni this year, and still apply to Oxford...
Original post by indecisiveel2
Wow thank you! Could you do a comparison of Leedsvs Birm (city wise and uni if you know about both) How did she find Leeds uni? Is it really busy and just dull or are there green spaces you can go to? I’m not sure if you know but how’s the student support? Is it well regarded?


Yes I was thinking of taking a gap year and applying to Cambridge- I would have to do the natsci admissions test and go through the interview but if I concentrate on it for the next two months I feel like I could do it. Also if I appeal my A in biology I can get it put up to an A* and increase my chances.

I feel that Leeds and Birmingham are pretty similar rankings wise. It’s just the flexibility of the course that appealed to me (in Leeds) but it’s not quite as varied as I’d hoped. I do really like biomed though so maybe Oxford biomed would be better- I just feel like I had the potential to do something with higher grade requirements but didn’t go for it.

I wouldn't bank on bio going up to an A*. I don't think it's worth the risk personally, as it could also go down.
Wrt accommodation in Leeds, there is LOADS of private accommodation. I nearly went to Leeds Conservatoire, and their accommodation was full, so I had to look for private stuff and there was loads of it. Leeds is a really lovely city too.
I know York also do natsci if you wanted to look there. There may be some natsci courses that have a biomed aspect (as I said, I'm a music student, so idk exactly), so that'd be worth looking into.
I think it's important in this situation to think about why you chose biomed at Birmingham in the first place, and why you're maybe starting to lean away from it now. Trust me it is NOT nice to get to a uni and realise you've made the wrong decision, so really make sure you think about this, whatever you choose to do.
Original post by SarcAndSpark
A*A*A is really strong- it would put you in good stead for an Oxbridge application next year.

I wouldn't assume your A will go up on appeal, though- it might, but it's not a certainty.

But you could start uni this year, and still apply to Oxford...

I don’t think Oxford allow applications from already enrolled students :/
Original post by indecisiveel2
I don’t think Oxford allow applications from already enrolled students :/

I thought it was Cambridge who didn't like doing this, and Oxford didn't care? I might be out of date/wrong, though!

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