The Student Room Group

Universities in/near the Midlands

Hi!

I’ve realised that I don’t think I could handle moving too far away from home (I live in the West Midlands) due to my anxiety. So, I want to look at universities in/close to the Midlands.

I want to do English lang and lit at uni, and, though I’m predicted AAB, I might take some pressure off myself and aim for ABB. Also, I want to become a secondary school English teacher, if that helps with any recommendations.

Does anyone have any suggestions?
Original post by bowlingforsoph
Hi!

I’ve realised that I don’t think I could handle moving too far away from home (I live in the West Midlands) due to my anxiety. So, I want to look at universities in/close to the Midlands.

I want to do English lang and lit at uni, and, though I’m predicted AAB, I might take some pressure off myself and aim for ABB. Also, I want to become a secondary school English teacher, if that helps with any recommendations.

Does anyone have any suggestions?


Hi!
Completely understand the decision you're making, but don't feel like it's a bad move staying at home; there are plenty of amazing unis in the West Midlands. I'd say the top ones for any degrees would be: UoB and Warwick Uni. There are both Russell Group I believe and not too difficult to get into (as long as you get the grades you mentioned) They also have amazing bursary schemes to help out with costs. If you aren't interested in them too, Aston, Wolverhampton, Coventry and BCU are next in line. They wouldn't be hugely difficult to get a spot confirmed for the degree you are interested in.

Any more questions DM at thelegalhijabi on instagram!
Original post by thelegal_hijabi
Hi!
Completely understand the decision you're making, but don't feel like it's a bad move staying at home; there are plenty of amazing unis in the West Midlands. I'd say the top ones for any degrees would be: UoB and Warwick Uni. There are both Russell Group I believe and not too difficult to get into (as long as you get the grades you mentioned) They also have amazing bursary schemes to help out with costs. If you aren't interested in them too, Aston, Wolverhampton, Coventry and BCU are next in line. They wouldn't be hugely difficult to get a spot confirmed for the degree you are interested in.

Any more questions DM at thelegalhijabi on instagram!


Thank you for the suggestions! I’ll look into those options when I get a chance.
Original post by bowlingforsoph
Hi!

I’ve realised that I don’t think I could handle moving too far away from home (I live in the West Midlands) due to my anxiety. So, I want to look at universities in/close to the Midlands.

I want to do English lang and lit at uni, and, though I’m predicted AAB, I might take some pressure off myself and aim for ABB. Also, I want to become a secondary school English teacher, if that helps with any recommendations.

Does anyone have any suggestions?


Hi there!

My name is El and I was exactly like you with choosing my Universities! I knew I wanted to stay close to home (West Midlands) as I have anxiety and at that time I wasn't really able to control it so it was unpredictable and stopped me form doing a lot of stuff.

I looked at:
Worcester University
Wolverhampton University
Birmingham University (BCU)
Coventry University
Warwick University

I was very close to going to Worcester as I used to go there a lot with family and so I knew the place on the back of my hand but I decided not to due to them still moving the art campus around so it was a bit unpredictable at that time... but overall a lovely atmosphere and the lecturers were lovely!

I chose Coventry University for their art campus and how passionate their lecturers were during their presentations. The entire University felt very safe and very accepting of people who had mental health and other disabilities. Due to my anxiety, I was quite nervous moving there as it was still an hour away from my home... But I got in touch with Student Health & Wellbeing due to my disabilities and mental health and was offered the wonderful experience of staying in one of their nicest student accommodations for a weekend with supervisors and other people with disabilities and anxieties!
This was a wonderful experience and truly got me comfortable and excited to move. I went from being terrified to wanting the summer to end so I could move!
I would highly suggest seeing if any of your chosen Universities offer this experience as it helped me so much with getting over the anxieties, learning how to be independent, seeing the city and making friends that I could rely on during our first weeks of Uni.

I hope this helps, you've got this! Uni is truly wonderful and will help you become independent and understand yourself a lot more.

El
Original post by bowlingforsoph
Hi!

I’ve realised that I don’t think I could handle moving too far away from home (I live in the West Midlands) due to my anxiety. So, I want to look at universities in/close to the Midlands.

I want to do English lang and lit at uni, and, though I’m predicted AAB, I might take some pressure off myself and aim for ABB. Also, I want to become a secondary school English teacher, if that helps with any recommendations.

Does anyone have any suggestions?


Hi there,

It's great that you've discovered this now and not later on when you've moved far away from home. The comfort of being close to home, in a familiar city with your support system around you, is always a good idea.

Aston University offers English Language and Literature BSc. The A level entry requirements are:

BBC (standard offer)

BCC (with EPQ or Core Maths minimum grade B)

BCC (contextual offer*)

Recent graduates have gone on to work in roles including Analyst, Digital Marketer, Marketing and Communications Specialist, Project Manager, Recruitment Administrator, Senior Account Executive and Languages Teacher. English at Aston is ranked 1st in the UK for staff/student ratio (Guardian, 2020) so you know you'll always get the staff support you need if you're confused, struggling or need a sounding board.

I hope this has helped

*Ethel