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York, Warwick, Loughborough for Biosciences?

Helping my daughter shortlist her Uni choices, there are 3 seemingly quite similar unis (though course content obviously varies)

Would welcome opinions about these three for biomed / biological sciences

What are they really like? Good teaching, good reputation, good labs? Good industry connections, good employability?

(edited 3 weeks ago)

Reply 1

Dr_Jo

Objectively, in the recent QS University rankings, Warwick was at number 69 worldwide, York was 184 and Loughborough was 224. The employability metrics for Warwick outstrip the other 2.
Then non-objectively, my husband is director of undergraduate studies for biosciences at Warwick and he is great so I don't think she could go wrong with Warwick! If you want me to ask him anything specifically to help her in her choice, I'm happy to.

(edited 3 weeks ago)

Reply 2

ChiefBrody

Thanks Dr_Jo

Yes the UCAS data does seem to show Warwick has really good employability, higher starting salaries etc. As a parent I like those things. All three offer placements and have good industry connections, which my daughter really likes. My sense is the order would be Warwick, Loughborough, York for employability - but all pretty good.

I went to Loughborough for my first degree and have friends who went to Warwick and York so do have a good grasp of the settings (though none of us did biosciences). For my daughter York wins this because the city is lovely and close by, the only downside is the nice East Campus accommodation is 30 minutes walk from Biosciences dept. (but that is probably only a year 1 issue). Warwick and Loughborough seem similar but different here. Both nice campuses in slightly dull areas, both have decent Student Unions, decent accommodation choices and decent facilities.

Reply 3

Dr_Jo

I absolutely love York as a city, it's definitely a nicer area than Coventry, although the bioscience campus at Warwick is lovely. What are her other choices like? Could she keep both York and Warwick on the shortlist and see how she gets on with her applications

Reply 4

ChiefBrody

Bristol and Liverpool are also on the list right now, but they both feel rather different to the three I am asking about. They are city unis (which, as risk averse dad, I don't like so much) and will give quite a different UG experience. Bristol has the highest entry requirements, Liverpool the lowest.

FWIW Manchester was on the list but daughter didn't like it. Same with Bath, Lancaster, Nottingham, Sheffield and Leeds. There are some very good Scottish unis, but she doesn't want to go that far. Bristol impressed, but they do put a lot of emphasis on Chemistry (my daughters least favourite A level). Liverpool was lovely at the Open Day and is possibly an insurance option, but doesn't seem as good for placements / work experience.

Which brings me back to these three, each with its own character and strengths. I also suspect each will make a very similar offer too - and suddenly its hard to pick one, hence my question . . .