The Student Room Group

what uni should I pick

I just want some advice on what the best uni to go to with my options (Finance)
-Durham (BBB 0R ABC)
-Surrey (ABB)
-Lancaster (ABB)
-Reading (BBC)
For Firm and Insurance
I predict I can get a AAB
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 1

Degree subject?
And is this for Firm or Insurance?

Reply 2

Original post by 02_0_20
I just want some advice on what the best uni to go to with my options
-Durham
-Surrey
-Lancaster
-Reading

absolutely 10000% Durham

Reply 3

Original post by McGinger
Degree subject?
And is this for Firm or Insurance?

both

Reply 4

Original post by 02_0_20
both

Degree subject?
What are the offer grades - and what are your realistic grade expectations?

Reply 5

Original post by McGinger
Degree subject?
What are the offer grades - and what are your realistic grade expectations?

I updated it

Reply 6

Original post by 02_0_20
I just want some advice on what the best uni to go to with my options (Finance)
-Durham (BBB 0R ABC)
-Surrey (ABB)
-Lancaster (ABB)
-Reading (BBC)
For Firm and Insurance
I predict I can get a AAB

Hi there,
It's great to hear that your considering the University of Reading for BSc Finance!
At Reading we have a very strong reputation for our finance programmes, particularly through the Henley Business School. Henley Business School has been ranked in the top 25 in the UK for Accounting and Finance 2024 and has a triple-accredited status from the UK, European and US accrediting bodies, which is essential to consider when picking which university you want to study at!

Another great aspect of our BSc Finance course is that you will have the chance to undertake a flexible study pathway/option. After the first year of your degree, you will be able to transfer to a specialist pathway, such as BSc Finance (Investments) or BSc Finance (International Business). More on this can be found here under 'flexible study options'. It is also worth looking at the focus on employability we have at Reading. The BSc Finance course offers a focus on self-development, aiming to prepare you for after your degree.

As a student at Reading, I have experienced the supportive and inclusive atmosphere which is also something to keep in mind when choosing your university. Our academic staff are committed to helping students succeed and there are plenty of opportunities for networking and personal development. There is support via our dedicated careers team which are committed to supporting students throughout their time here at Reading with anything from CV writing to careers after university. More information on our careers service and what they offer can be found here.

Considering your excellent predicted grades, aiming for ABB, the University of Reading could be a great fit for you, academically, personally and in terms of student services and student life. If you have any further questions about Finance at Reading or student life/support services, feel free to ask!

Best of luck with your decision-making!
Millie 🙂
BSc International Development

Reply 7

what is more important to you? Location and university life? Or prestige and connections in Finance world for future employment

Reply 8

Original post by lindseywalsh
what is more important to you? Location and university life? Or prestige and connections in Finance world for future employment

University life is quite important for me but I still want it to have a good finance department

Reply 9

it would be very difficult not to recommend Durham. Its the highest ranking of your choices, not only as a Uni in its own right, but also in Finance; and that's looking at the UK uni league tables as well as the world league tables.
I went to Durham (to study modern languages) almost 40 years ago. Beautiful location, and a memorable experience. Colleagiate, so easy to make friends. Cant say how it is now though. Have you visited for an Open Day?

Given that Durham have made you a low offer, you could take that as your insurance. However, unless you have a burning desire to go to either Lancaster or Surrey, then Reading makes sense as an insurance.

The advantage to Surrey over Durham is probably location - in the South, better weather (Durham is freezing in the winter) and its reputation for finance (and generally) is improving year on year.

Whereabouts in the UK are you from? That might also swing things. If you are from the North, you would enjoy Durham or Lancaster. If from the South, Surrey would make sense.

In conclusion - difficult to turn down an offer from Durham.

Reply 10

I'm from the south

Reply 11

Do you like small towns? Durham and Lancaster stand out here.
Original post by 02_0_20
I just want some advice on what the best uni to go to with my options (Finance)
-Durham (BBB 0R ABC)
-Surrey (ABB)
-Lancaster (ABB)
-Reading (BBC)
For Firm and Insurance
I predict I can get a AAB

Hi @02_0_20
First of all, congratulations on all of your offers! I'll try my best to provide you an insight into studying at Surrey.

Our course is accredited by 5 different financial bodies for exemptions from professional exams. To become a Chartered Accountant, you must sit exams and study towards one of these qualifications after graduating. We provide certain exemptions from exams from:

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland (ICAS)

It's worth checking if other courses offer these exemptions. You can check on their course website or from individual bodies. Here's more information on Surrey's Accounting and Finance course.

One of the advantages of choosing Surrey is that we offer all undergraduates the opportunity to undertake a professional training year in industry. We have partnered with over 2300+ employers, many of whom choose to advertise roles on our dedicated Surrey Pathfinder platform first before anywhere else. With an award-winning Employability and Careers team, they can support you with CVs, cover letters, LinkedIn, interviews and much more. Our compulsory Professional Development module will also cover many of those aspects. 95% of our graduates are in employment or further study!

Our campus location also provides a significant advantage to those wishing to work in London, one of the world's largest job markets. Our Stag Hill campus is just a 10-minute walk from the train station, with direct trains from Guildford to London taking roughly 35 minutes.

Regarding social life, we are ranked in the top 5 for student experience! Our Students' Union run a wide range of clubs and societies for you to join. Generally, there will always be something for you, and if not, you can always create your own!

As a campus university, there is a vibrant community, with lots of places to catch up and socialise with friends. Popular spots on campus include a variety of restaurants and cafés offering a range of prices and cuisines from around the world. The campus features a large, attractive green space with a lake overlooking Guildford. During the warmer months, this area hosts movies and events, making it an ideal spot for picnics and BBQs. We also have two on-campus nightclubs, The Rubix and The Basement, which are favourites among students for their reasonable prices. We also have a new social space called Manor Park Social on our Manor Park campus.

We'd love to see you at one of our upcoming open days! This YouTube video gives you a brief overview of what you'll experience at one of our open days.

Hope that helps. If you have any other questions, please feel free to reply!

All the best,
Daniel
BSc Accounting and Finance
University of Surrey

Quick Reply