The Student Room Group

Southern Accent

So I’m applying to study at Uni of Newcastle next year as I love the sound of the course and have heard great things about the uni. However, I’m a little nervous about some things I’ve heard.

I’m from the south, Hampshire/Berkshire border but grew up with the Reading/Tadley lot. I have a strange family dynamic, a lot of the family I spent a lot of time with growing up are wealthy and have a bit of poshness to them. My mum, sisters and I aren’t wealthy (dad’s from Birmingham but not in the picture). I’ve gotten free school meals my whole life, we’ve had to budget a lot etc. My sister and I both work and earn our own money.

One of the things that drew me to the North was that my sister’s best friend are her family (who I am very close with) are from York, and my sister (who has went up with them to visit many times) has always said how friendly the north is compared to the south. Friendliness is one of the most important things for me when choosing unis because I’m so nervous about not making friends.

However, I’ve heard many southerners on social media talking about how they’re treated badly in the north because of their southern accent, which is regarded as ‘posh’ and ‘snobby’. Multiple have said it even drew them to drop out of Uni of Newcastle, Northumbria etc because of the bullying.

There’s absolutely no way in hell I’m going to a uni in South/Midlands with posh people stereotypes (I won’t name any but you can probably tell which I mean) as I’d claw my eyes out at the entitlement and 100% wouldn’t fit in there. But now I’m nervous that I won’t fit in in the north either. I was recently told by an old friend I reconnected with that my accent has gotten posher (I think spending so much time around family during Covid caused this) so this makes me really nervous.

Is what I’ve been hearing true? Should I change my uni choices?

Sorry about the long post. I’m physically unable to summarise.

Thank you!
Reply 1
Original post by Anonymous
So I’m applying to study at Uni of Newcastle next year as I love the sound of the course and have heard great things about the uni. However, I’m a little nervous about some things I’ve heard.
I’m from the south, Hampshire/Berkshire border but grew up with the Reading/Tadley lot. I have a strange family dynamic, a lot of the family I spent a lot of time with growing up are wealthy and have a bit of poshness to them. My mum, sisters and I aren’t wealthy (dad’s from Birmingham but not in the picture). I’ve gotten free school meals my whole life, we’ve had to budget a lot etc. My sister and I both work and earn our own money.
One of the things that drew me to the North was that my sister’s best friend are her family (who I am very close with) are from York, and my sister (who has went up with them to visit many times) has always said how friendly the north is compared to the south. Friendliness is one of the most important things for me when choosing unis because I’m so nervous about not making friends.
However, I’ve heard many southerners on social media talking about how they’re treated badly in the north because of their southern accent, which is regarded as ‘posh’ and ‘snobby’. Multiple have said it even drew them to drop out of Uni of Newcastle, Northumbria etc because of the bullying.
There’s absolutely no way in hell I’m going to a uni in South/Midlands with posh people stereotypes (I won’t name any but you can probably tell which I mean) as I’d claw my eyes out at the entitlement and 100% wouldn’t fit in there. But now I’m nervous that I won’t fit in in the north either. I was recently told by an old friend I reconnected with that my accent has gotten posher (I think spending so much time around family during Covid caused this) so this makes me really nervous.
Is what I’ve been hearing true? Should I change my uni choices?
Sorry about the long post. I’m physically unable to summarise.
Thank you!

Honestly - no-one cares what accent you have.
Unis are a total melting-pot of people from every background, and you will hear a hundred different accents around you.
Newcastle is amazing Uni, and once you get there and get going on your course, you will wonder what you were so worried about - promise.
Original post by Anonymous
So I’m applying to study at Uni of Newcastle next year as I love the sound of the course and have heard great things about the uni. However, I’m a little nervous about some things I’ve heard.
I’m from the south, Hampshire/Berkshire border but grew up with the Reading/Tadley lot. I have a strange family dynamic, a lot of the family I spent a lot of time with growing up are wealthy and have a bit of poshness to them. My mum, sisters and I aren’t wealthy (dad’s from Birmingham but not in the picture). I’ve gotten free school meals my whole life, we’ve had to budget a lot etc. My sister and I both work and earn our own money.
One of the things that drew me to the North was that my sister’s best friend are her family (who I am very close with) are from York, and my sister (who has went up with them to visit many times) has always said how friendly the north is compared to the south. Friendliness is one of the most important things for me when choosing unis because I’m so nervous about not making friends.
However, I’ve heard many southerners on social media talking about how they’re treated badly in the north because of their southern accent, which is regarded as ‘posh’ and ‘snobby’. Multiple have said it even drew them to drop out of Uni of Newcastle, Northumbria etc because of the bullying.
There’s absolutely no way in hell I’m going to a uni in South/Midlands with posh people stereotypes (I won’t name any but you can probably tell which I mean) as I’d claw my eyes out at the entitlement and 100% wouldn’t fit in there. But now I’m nervous that I won’t fit in in the north either. I was recently told by an old friend I reconnected with that my accent has gotten posher (I think spending so much time around family during Covid caused this) so this makes me really nervous.
Is what I’ve been hearing true? Should I change my uni choices?
Sorry about the long post. I’m physically unable to summarise.
Thank you!

Hi there,

I can relate to having a different accent than others. I've moved around a lot (Midlands, South, and abroad), so it's like a mixture of everything!

However, I don't think you have to be worried about this. I don't go to Newcastle, but I can imagine they have students from all over, including abroad. It's a great thing to go to university and be surrounded by people different to yourself, and I'm sure people will be interested in meeting you too.

I'd just say go in with an open mind. I can imagine some people don't and are judgemental, which is where a lot of this bullying and distaste comes from. Even in the UK there are differences, so learn to embrace them and the people that live there, and you'll be fine!

Best of luck,

Isabella
Fourth-Year Geography with a Year Abroad Student
My son is going next year from Guildford. He is no way posh .. parents from Birmingham / blackburn. His mate is in newcastle now and she is loving it and she is from Surrey
Original post by Anonymous
So I’m applying to study at Uni of Newcastle next year as I love the sound of the course and have heard great things about the uni. However, I’m a little nervous about some things I’ve heard.
I’m from the south, Hampshire/Berkshire border but grew up with the Reading/Tadley lot. I have a strange family dynamic, a lot of the family I spent a lot of time with growing up are wealthy and have a bit of poshness to them. My mum, sisters and I aren’t wealthy (dad’s from Birmingham but not in the picture). I’ve gotten free school meals my whole life, we’ve had to budget a lot etc. My sister and I both work and earn our own money.
One of the things that drew me to the North was that my sister’s best friend are her family (who I am very close with) are from York, and my sister (who has went up with them to visit many times) has always said how friendly the north is compared to the south. Friendliness is one of the most important things for me when choosing unis because I’m so nervous about not making friends.
However, I’ve heard many southerners on social media talking about how they’re treated badly in the north because of their southern accent, which is regarded as ‘posh’ and ‘snobby’. Multiple have said it even drew them to drop out of Uni of Newcastle, Northumbria etc because of the bullying.
There’s absolutely no way in hell I’m going to a uni in South/Midlands with posh people stereotypes (I won’t name any but you can probably tell which I mean) as I’d claw my eyes out at the entitlement and 100% wouldn’t fit in there. But now I’m nervous that I won’t fit in in the north either. I was recently told by an old friend I reconnected with that my accent has gotten posher (I think spending so much time around family during Covid caused this) so this makes me really nervous.
Is what I’ve been hearing true? Should I change my uni choices?
Sorry about the long post. I’m physically unable to summarise.
Thank you!

Hi!

I have moved around a lot and so have experienced both sides of the accent stereotype scale. However, I have found that going to university so many people are from so many different places that although you may stand out in some groups, it is never too isolating or alienating.

Hope this helps! Faye 🙂
Original post by Anonymous
So I’m applying to study at Uni of Newcastle next year as I love the sound of the course and have heard great things about the uni. However, I’m a little nervous about some things I’ve heard.
I’m from the south, Hampshire/Berkshire border but grew up with the Reading/Tadley lot. I have a strange family dynamic, a lot of the family I spent a lot of time with growing up are wealthy and have a bit of poshness to them. My mum, sisters and I aren’t wealthy (dad’s from Birmingham but not in the picture). I’ve gotten free school meals my whole life, we’ve had to budget a lot etc. My sister and I both work and earn our own money.
One of the things that drew me to the North was that my sister’s best friend are her family (who I am very close with) are from York, and my sister (who has went up with them to visit many times) has always said how friendly the north is compared to the south. Friendliness is one of the most important things for me when choosing unis because I’m so nervous about not making friends.
However, I’ve heard many southerners on social media talking about how they’re treated badly in the north because of their southern accent, which is regarded as ‘posh’ and ‘snobby’. Multiple have said it even drew them to drop out of Uni of Newcastle, Northumbria etc because of the bullying.
There’s absolutely no way in hell I’m going to a uni in South/Midlands with posh people stereotypes (I won’t name any but you can probably tell which I mean) as I’d claw my eyes out at the entitlement and 100% wouldn’t fit in there. But now I’m nervous that I won’t fit in in the north either. I was recently told by an old friend I reconnected with that my accent has gotten posher (I think spending so much time around family during Covid caused this) so this makes me really nervous.
Is what I’ve been hearing true? Should I change my uni choices?
Sorry about the long post. I’m physically unable to summarise.
Thank you!

Hi Anon,

I'm at Lancaster with a "posh" southern accent and I've never been made fun of - no one cares and honestly there's such a range of accents at every university you'll blend right in.

Rebecca (Lancaster Student Ambassador)
Original post by Anonymous
So I’m applying to study at Uni of Newcastle next year as I love the sound of the course and have heard great things about the uni. However, I’m a little nervous about some things I’ve heard.
I’m from the south, Hampshire/Berkshire border but grew up with the Reading/Tadley lot. I have a strange family dynamic, a lot of the family I spent a lot of time with growing up are wealthy and have a bit of poshness to them. My mum, sisters and I aren’t wealthy (dad’s from Birmingham but not in the picture). I’ve gotten free school meals my whole life, we’ve had to budget a lot etc. My sister and I both work and earn our own money.
One of the things that drew me to the North was that my sister’s best friend are her family (who I am very close with) are from York, and my sister (who has went up with them to visit many times) has always said how friendly the north is compared to the south. Friendliness is one of the most important things for me when choosing unis because I’m so nervous about not making friends.
However, I’ve heard many southerners on social media talking about how they’re treated badly in the north because of their southern accent, which is regarded as ‘posh’ and ‘snobby’. Multiple have said it even drew them to drop out of Uni of Newcastle, Northumbria etc because of the bullying.
There’s absolutely no way in hell I’m going to a uni in South/Midlands with posh people stereotypes (I won’t name any but you can probably tell which I mean) as I’d claw my eyes out at the entitlement and 100% wouldn’t fit in there. But now I’m nervous that I won’t fit in in the north either. I was recently told by an old friend I reconnected with that my accent has gotten posher (I think spending so much time around family during Covid caused this) so this makes me really nervous.
Is what I’ve been hearing true? Should I change my uni choices?
Sorry about the long post. I’m physically unable to summarise.
Thank you!



Please stop thinking in stereotypes. Tribalism is daft.

By the way, Oxford etc are nothing like the absurd depictions of them in fiction.

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