Foundation year in a RG Uni or Year 1 in a non RG uni?

I've received offers for Mechanical Engineering*from the University of Nottingham, including a Foundation Year, as well as direct entry offers from the University of Leicester, City University of London, and Aston University.

Given that I'm already a year behind, I'm not sure if it's worth spending another year doing a foundation year at a Russell Group university, or if I should go directly to a non-Russell Group university.

Any advice or guidance on this decision would be highly appreciated. Thank you.

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by user8420

I've received offers for Mechanical Engineering*from the University of Nottingham, including a Foundation Year, as well as direct entry offers from the University of Leicester, City University of London, and Aston University.

Given that I'm already a year behind, I'm not sure if it's worth spending another year doing a foundation year at a Russell Group university, or if I should go directly to a non-Russell Group university.

Any advice or guidance on this decision would be highly appreciated. Thank you.

The Russell Group exists in order to market its members and to drive research funding towards them. It is not a indication of teaching quality, and doesn't even include some of the best universities in the country (St. Andrews and Bath) within its ranks.

Although in some careers the university you attend is important (due to snobbery and prejudice), fortunately Mechanical Engineering isn't one of them.

So skip the foundation year and pick from either Leicester, City or Aston. Look at the course content to see what they teach and how they teach it, to see what would be a better fit for your interests and learning style.

If any of they provide the opportunity to gain real-world experience, then factor that in too. (A placement year at one of those three would be far more relevant to potential employers than a foundation year at Nottingham.)

I would pick Aston with their placement year support over any RG for engineering

Reply 3

dragonlord888

7

What predicted grades you submitted to get foundation offers?

Reply 4

user8420

OP

9

Original post by dragonlord888

What predicted grades you submitted to get foundation offers?

I'm doing btec and was predicted D*DD but after the interview, they recommended me on to the foundation year

(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 5

username6497640

0

3

Foundation year is a waste of money, you are better off resitting if you really wanted to go to a top RG university (1st year entry), or go to Leicester, City or Aston (and get an industrial placement) which are pretty good non-RG universities. Another thing to add, don't worry about being a year behind, it will not matter in 5+ years.

Foundation year in a RG Uni or Year 1 in a non RG uni?

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you