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Don't like any of my offers

I've recieved offers from Loughborough, Bath Spa, Bristol, Oxford Brookes and Bournemouth, but none of them really feel right for me.

I value comfort - being in a comfortable enviornment with a comfortable community, but I also value the quality of education I get.

This has put me in a situation where I've spent days upon days ignoring my options because I can't pick between Loughborough and Bath Spa. The community at Loughborough doesn't seem very LGBTQ+ friendly and quite sporty, two things I despise, but the quality of teaching at bath spa (even though the campus is beautiful and safe) just isn't the best, especially with the dropout rates.

I want a university that's both LGBTQ+ friendly, has a nice, safe campus and has a decent standard of teaching. I'm applying for media and communications which usually is pretty easy to get into for most universities (less popular degree), so I could probably stretch to a russel group university (especially as I got an offer from Bristol, proving I'm capable of that).

Basically, I'm asking if anyone has any suggestions, and if there's a way to turn down my courses, go through clearing, or if there's even a way to apply this late to a specific university. Maybe I'm asking for too much, but as someone who's super sensitive and anxious I really need to make sure I prioritise my own needs over anything so that I'm less likely to drop out.

Thanks!

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You don't need to wait until clearing. If you decline your offers now you''ll be placed into Extra and be able to add an additional choice now

Where do you live now? That might help us understand what you mean by a "comfortable" environment
Original post by Oacio
I've recieved offers from Loughborough, Bath Spa, Bristol, Oxford Brookes and Bournemouth, but none of them really feel right for me.

I value comfort - being in a comfortable enviornment with a comfortable community, but I also value the quality of education I get.

This has put me in a situation where I've spent days upon days ignoring my options because I can't pick between Loughborough and Bath Spa. The community at Loughborough doesn't seem very LGBTQ+ friendly and quite sporty, two things I despise, but the quality of teaching at bath spa (even though the campus is beautiful and safe) just isn't the best, especially with the dropout rates.

I want a university that's both LGBTQ+ friendly, has a nice, safe campus and has a decent standard of teaching. I'm applying for media and communications which usually is pretty easy to get into for most universities (less popular degree), so I could probably stretch to a russel group university (especially as I got an offer from Bristol, proving I'm capable of that).

Basically, I'm asking if anyone has any suggestions, and if there's a way to turn down my courses, go through clearing, or if there's even a way to apply this late to a specific university. Maybe I'm asking for too much, but as someone who's super sensitive and anxious I really need to make sure I prioritise my own needs over anything so that I'm less likely to drop out.

Thanks!

Hi there @Oacio

Here at York St John University, we have a Media and Communications BA (Hons) course that might be perfect for you!
Our campus is small compared to a lot of other universities however that has created a family environment full of welcoming and wonderful people, it's almost impossible to walk to class without bumping into someone you know! I feel like a true part of a family.
We are also dedicated to equality and inclusivity especially within our Student Union. We have LGBTQ+ liberation officers and other student representatives who are dedicated to making you feel welcome and safe. We also have an extensive collection of societies and clubs from LGBTQ+, to course subjects to video games society, to sports. We have proven our dedication to diversity as a university when in 2020 Stonewall names York St John one of Britain’s Top LGBT Employers.
Lastly, York is a wonderfully inclusive and welcoming city with loads of opportunities, Gay pride was always an amazing event to attend while I lived there.

I hope that some of this has tickled your interest and you might consider us in your search for a university you click with!
If you have any further questions please do ask!

Good luck in your search and all the best,
Cat, York St John University Student Ambassador
Ring some unis and see if they'll give you an offer through ucas extra, then you will have to reject all your current ones to accept it.

Do not reject them though until you have confirmation that another offer will be made through extra.
Reply 4
Original post by PQ
You don't need to wait until clearing. If you decline your offers now you''ll be placed into Extra and be able to add an additional choice now

Where do you live now? That might help us understand what you mean by a "comfortable" environment

I currently live in Oxfordshire near the countryside. Honestly I wouldn't mind going to a university in a city (as that's where most are anyway), especially if the city is more traditional and rural (that's what drew me to Bath Spa). Honestly I would've gone for Bath University if it did my course, but media and communications doesn't seem to be that common of a course. The sort of enviornment I'm not comfortable in would be a university in the middle of a cramped city as I get really overwhelmed if places are too crowded or don't have a quick 'escape route' to the countryside if that makes sense.
Reply 5
Original post by Kogomogo
Ring some unis and see if they'll give you an offer through ucas extra, then you will have to reject all your current ones to accept it.

Do not reject them though until you have confirmation that another offer will be made through extra.

Thanks for the advice! :smile:
Original post by Oacio
I currently live in Oxfordshire near the countryside. Honestly I wouldn't mind going to a university in a city (as that's where most are anyway), especially if the city is more traditional and rural (that's what drew me to Bath Spa). Honestly I would've gone for Bath University if it did my course, but media and communications doesn't seem to be that common of a course. The sort of enviornment I'm not comfortable in would be a university in the middle of a cramped city as I get really overwhelmed if places are too crowded or don't have a quick 'escape route' to the countryside if that makes sense.


Media and Communications is a pretty common course. Have you looked into Liverpool? They do this course, and the city is very LGBT+ friendly.
Bath Spa - excellent small Uni for all creative subjects, just outside smaller 'Uni town'. Good arts/culture scene - and LGBT friendly.
I have a family member who is there - who has anxiety and panic issues, and is gay. Recommended.
Original post by Oacio
The sort of enviornment I'm not comfortable in would be a university in the middle of a cramped city as I get really overwhelmed if places are too crowded or don't have a quick 'escape route' to the countryside if that makes sense.

Then don't consider Bristol - its squeezed into part of the centre of Bristol and is very 'urban'.
Bristol is busy and not a great environment for anyone who is wary of crowds.
Ì

Original post by Oacio
I currently live in Oxfordshire near the countryside. Honestly I wouldn't mind going to a university in a city (as that's where most are anyway), especially if the city is more traditional and rural (that's what drew me to Bath Spa). Honestly I would've gone for Bath University if it did my course, but media and communications doesn't seem to be that common of a course. The sort of enviornment I'm not comfortable in would be a university in the middle of a cramped city as I get really overwhelmed if places are too crowded or don't have a quick 'escape route' to the countryside if that makes sense.

I did my undergrad at Keele and they have a nice green campus feel just out of the town so it's less busy, can go for a walk round the woods or sit by the lake whenever. It looks like they have some sort of media course there but not sure how well it's rated or if it's what you want.
Original post by Oacio
I currently live in Oxfordshire near the countryside. Honestly I wouldn't mind going to a university in a city (as that's where most are anyway), especially if the city is more traditional and rural (that's what drew me to Bath Spa). Honestly I would've gone for Bath University if it did my course, but media and communications doesn't seem to be that common of a course. The sort of enviornment I'm not comfortable in would be a university in the middle of a cramped city as I get really overwhelmed if places are too crowded or don't have a quick 'escape route' to the countryside if that makes sense.

I dont know anything about the gay scene at university or your course. Have you thought about Swansea. It is a reasonable size city with a campus about 2 miles out in a huge park and opposite the sea. Fairly easy to get to straight down the M4 and direct on the main London Paddington line through Reading and Swindon. As I say I dont know what it is like for your course or the gay side although there is a gay club/pub in the middle of Swansea
Reply 11
Original post by Kogomogo
Ì


I did my undergrad at Keele and they have a nice green campus feel just out of the town so it's less busy, can go for a walk round the woods or sit by the lake whenever. It looks like they have some sort of media course there but not sure how well it's rated or if it's what you want.

Thanks for suggesting Keele - just put it on my list of unis I might apply for using extra. I looked it up and it definitely has a super rural feel to it. Course looks decent too. Also been looking into the York the past few hours which seems like a super appealing uni.

Original post by McGinger
Bath Spa - excellent small Uni for all creative subjects, just outside smaller 'Uni town'. Good arts/culture scene - and LGBT friendly.
I have a family member who is there - who has anxiety and panic issues, and is gay. Recommended.

Could you ask your friend what the mental health support is like there? I've seen some people say that bath spa has poor student support and I feel like that put me off quite a bit, otherwise it's almost perfect. It genuinely looks so pretty and safe there from what I've seen but the only two things that put me off are low student satisfaction and poor support. If those two factors weren't issues it would almost be a no-brainer.

Original post by swanseajack1
I dont know anything about the gay scene at university or your course. Have you thought about Swansea. It is a reasonable size city with a campus about 2 miles out in a huge park and opposite the sea. Fairly easy to get to straight down the M4 and direct on the main London Paddington line through Reading and Swindon. As I say I dont know what it is like for your course or the gay side although there is a gay club/pub in the middle of Swansea

Thanks! Will add it to my list and look into it. Love the idea of being near the sea so that's definitely a uni I'll do some research into.
You're right in saying that Loughborough is sporty (sports is its specialism, and it's world-leading in that respect), however it is extremely LGBTQ friendly, what gives you the impression it isn't?
Original post by Oacio
I've recieved offers from Loughborough, Bath Spa, Bristol, Oxford Brookes and Bournemouth, but none of them really feel right for me.

I value comfort - being in a comfortable enviornment with a comfortable community, but I also value the quality of education I get.

This has put me in a situation where I've spent days upon days ignoring my options because I can't pick between Loughborough and Bath Spa. The community at Loughborough doesn't seem very LGBTQ+ friendly and quite sporty, two things I despise, but the quality of teaching at bath spa (even though the campus is beautiful and safe) just isn't the best, especially with the dropout rates.

I want a university that's both LGBTQ+ friendly, has a nice, safe campus and has a decent standard of teaching. I'm applying for media and communications which usually is pretty easy to get into for most universities (less popular degree), so I could probably stretch to a russel group university (especially as I got an offer from Bristol, proving I'm capable of that).

Basically, I'm asking if anyone has any suggestions, and if there's a way to turn down my courses, go through clearing, or if there's even a way to apply this late to a specific university. Maybe I'm asking for too much, but as someone who's super sensitive and anxious I really need to make sure I prioritise my own needs over anything so that I'm less likely to drop out.

Thanks!

Hi @Oacio :hello:

I hope you're doing well - I came across your thread and thought I would provide some more information about Loughborough, as a former student and current staff member!

Firstly, Loughborough is a really friendly, close-knit community environment. We're proud to have a huge 440-acre single-site campus to call home, with everything you need as a student and more, including green open spaces, landscape gardens, woodlands and more. Our campus is one of the largest in the UK, meaning there's loads to explore and lots of nice quiet spaces to relax. It's also really nice to see people you know either on campus or in town :smile: It's a safe space too, with regular patrols by our University Security team. You can take a look around campus with our video tour below!



Furthermore, we have a thriving LGBT+ community here at Loughborough, offering a safe and supportive environment. There are several support groups and services, including an LGBT+ group which provides support, advice and events throughout the year. I've included some videos below of our students' experiences and some highlights from the LGBT+ Association.






You are right in saying that Loughborough is well-known for sports, but not everyone here is sporty or has to play any sports to enjoy their time as a student! The University and Students' Union also run campaigns tackling homophobia within sport, such as Play with Pride and Rainbow Laces. Personally, I've never been interested in sport, so didn't play any sport during my time at Loughborough, but still had an amazing student experience as there's loads of other opportunities. I mainly got involved with the Action volunteering section, but there's also Rag charity fundraising, student media, enterprise, societies and much more! There's also the Welfare & Diversity section, home to the award-winning LGBT+ Association!

There's also lots of support services available so that you can enjoy the best university experience possible. These include the Careers Network, Counselling, Disability Support, Mental Health Support, Study Support, Academic and Practical Support, English Language Support, Student Advice and Support, Centre for Faith and Spirituality, Security and more.



I hope this helps! Just let me know if you have any more questions :smile:

All the best,
-Dan
I would say that all universities are very LGBT+ friendly. I would also argue that if a university is very sporty then it is also very lgbt friendly (lesbians like their sport as a general rule). It depends on what you are looking for because you want a rural university but an LGBT scene - this is common in cities and revolves around clubs a lot so what is it that you are actually wanting from your university experience? Because if you are not really getting involved in the scene (which tends to be quite lively) then it shouldn't factor too much into your decision because LGBT are just people and they are everywhere and do normal everyday things.
Original post by Oacio
I've recieved offers from Loughborough, Bath Spa, Bristol, Oxford Brookes and Bournemouth, but none of them really feel right for me.

I value comfort - being in a comfortable enviornment with a comfortable community, but I also value the quality of education I get.

This has put me in a situation where I've spent days upon days ignoring my options because I can't pick between Loughborough and Bath Spa. The community at Loughborough doesn't seem very LGBTQ+ friendly and quite sporty, two things I despise, but the quality of teaching at bath spa (even though the campus is beautiful and safe) just isn't the best, especially with the dropout rates.

I want a university that's both LGBTQ+ friendly, has a nice, safe campus and has a decent standard of teaching. I'm applying for media and communications which usually is pretty easy to get into for most universities (less popular degree), so I could probably stretch to a russel group university (especially as I got an offer from Bristol, proving I'm capable of that).

Basically, I'm asking if anyone has any suggestions, and if there's a way to turn down my courses, go through clearing, or if there's even a way to apply this late to a specific university. Maybe I'm asking for too much, but as someone who's super sensitive and anxious I really need to make sure I prioritise my own needs over anything so that I'm less likely to drop out.

Thanks!


What's wrong with Brookes? Probably the most inclusive and a top 'new' uni.
Original post by McGinger
Then don't consider Bristol - its squeezed into part of the centre of Bristol and is very 'urban'.
Bristol is busy and not a great environment for anyone who is wary of crowds.

I'm a bit surprised about this, my daughter loved Bristol. We looked at the accommodation around Clifton and Stoke Bishop and it seemed to over a really good combination of city enough to be tolerant and on the edges of rural if you need it to. Clifton didn't feel too busy to me, certainly no busier than Bath. We got shown around by a family friend who is a current student and he really showed us how much Bristol has to offer. We really didn't like the City / unite Accommodation we saw, though you choose where you live. She ended up firming Oxford, but is already thinking of ways to get back to!
Original post by Oacio
I've recieved offers from Loughborough, Bath Spa, Bristol, Oxford Brookes and Bournemouth, but none of them really feel right for me.

I value comfort - being in a comfortable enviornment with a comfortable community, but I also value the quality of education I get.

This has put me in a situation where I've spent days upon days ignoring my options because I can't pick between Loughborough and Bath Spa. The community at Loughborough doesn't seem very LGBTQ+ friendly and quite sporty, two things I despise, but the quality of teaching at bath spa (even though the campus is beautiful and safe) just isn't the best, especially with the dropout rates.

I want a university that's both LGBTQ+ friendly, has a nice, safe campus and has a decent standard of teaching. I'm applying for media and communications which usually is pretty easy to get into for most universities (less popular degree), so I could probably stretch to a russel group university (especially as I got an offer from Bristol, proving I'm capable of that).

Basically, I'm asking if anyone has any suggestions, and if there's a way to turn down my courses, go through clearing, or if there's even a way to apply this late to a specific university. Maybe I'm asking for too much, but as someone who's super sensitive and anxious I really need to make sure I prioritise my own needs over anything so that I'm less likely to drop out.

Thanks!

Be grateful that you got offers
Original post by Oacio
I've recieved offers from Loughborough, Bath Spa, Bristol, Oxford Brookes and Bournemouth, but none of them really feel right for me.

I value comfort - being in a comfortable enviornment with a comfortable community, but I also value the quality of education I get.

This has put me in a situation where I've spent days upon days ignoring my options because I can't pick between Loughborough and Bath Spa. The community at Loughborough doesn't seem very LGBTQ+ friendly and quite sporty, two things I despise, but the quality of teaching at bath spa (even though the campus is beautiful and safe) just isn't the best, especially with the dropout rates.

I want a university that's both LGBTQ+ friendly, has a nice, safe campus and has a decent standard of teaching. I'm applying for media and communications which usually is pretty easy to get into for most universities (less popular degree), so I could probably stretch to a russel group university (especially as I got an offer from Bristol, proving I'm capable of that).

Basically, I'm asking if anyone has any suggestions, and if there's a way to turn down my courses, go through clearing, or if there's even a way to apply this late to a specific university. Maybe I'm asking for too much, but as someone who's super sensitive and anxious I really need to make sure I prioritise my own needs over anything so that I'm less likely to drop out.

Thanks!

Why did you apply there if you don't like it??
Original post by Oacio
I've recieved offers from Loughborough, Bath Spa, Bristol, Oxford Brookes and Bournemouth, but none of them really feel right for me.

I value comfort - being in a comfortable enviornment with a comfortable community, but I also value the quality of education I get.

This has put me in a situation where I've spent days upon days ignoring my options because I can't pick between Loughborough and Bath Spa. The community at Loughborough doesn't seem very LGBTQ+ friendly and quite sporty, two things I despise, but the quality of teaching at bath spa (even though the campus is beautiful and safe) just isn't the best, especially with the dropout rates.

I want a university that's both LGBTQ+ friendly, has a nice, safe campus and has a decent standard of teaching. I'm applying for media and communications which usually is pretty easy to get into for most universities (less popular degree), so I could probably stretch to a russel group university (especially as I got an offer from Bristol, proving I'm capable of that).

Basically, I'm asking if anyone has any suggestions, and if there's a way to turn down my courses, go through clearing, or if there's even a way to apply this late to a specific university. Maybe I'm asking for too much, but as someone who's super sensitive and anxious I really need to make sure I prioritise my own needs over anything so that I'm less likely to drop out.

Thanks!

Have you considered Brighton or Goldsmiths? Briton is very diverse and Goldsmith encourage research on LGBTQ rights in education (a friend does a PHD there). I don’t know much about Bath Spa except for it’s being exceptional for education.

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