Help me to chose my 5 unis

Marketing,
• Bath
• Bristol
• Surrey
• Southampton
Reading
• City
•Portsmouth
• Royel Hollarry
• Brunel

Reply 1

Not Portsmouth 😭!
Definitely Bristol as one of them. It’s prestigious, the city life is amazing it’s diverse the uni is great and I really enjoyed every open day I’ve been to there. I’ve also lived in Bristol and it’s great.

Reply 2

UoL Students

Official Rep

Original post

by Anonymous

Marketing,
• Bath
• Bristol
• Surrey
• Southampton
Reading
• City
•Portsmouth
• Royel Hollarry
• Brunel

Hello,

This is ultimately your choice so firstly have you visited them all in person? Different universities have different atmospheres and so you need to pick the ones which feel right to you. Pick the University where you wouldn't mind calling that location home for three years or more.

Secondly, although many universities offer the same courses such as history, psychology etc, each university may offer different modules. You should therefore take a look at what modules you may be studying and pick the universities which offer modules which are of the most interest to you.

Finally, providing that you have visited them all and checked their courses and that they teach what you are interested in, use your gut instinct. I learnt when I was applying that this was not easy but it ultimately led to the right decision. This is a big decision but have confidence in yourself.

I hope this helps, if you have any further questions please do let me know.

Charlie
Law LLB Student

Reply 3

BrunelStudentUG

Hey!

If you’re thinking about studying marketing, I’d definitely recommend Brunel. They’ve got a really solid course that mixes theory with practical stuff, so you’re not just learning but actually preparing for the real world. They offer placements too, which is amazing for building experience (and your CV!).

Plus, it’s in London, so you’re right in the middle of one of the biggest marketing hubs in the world – loads of networking opportunities and access to top agencies. The campus vibe is great, super diverse, and the facilities are modern. If you’re into digital marketing, branding, or market research, you’ll find something that really clicks with you. Definitely worth checking out! 😊

Let me know if you have any qs!

Sophie
Brunel London Student Rep

Reply 4

Uni of Southampton Students

Official Rep

Hello!

I know this can be a tricky decision to make, but try to research into your options as much as possible, and visiting is a great way to see if a university could be for you.

The modules for the marketing course at the University of Southampton can be found here, and the societies offered by our student union here - I hope this information can help you come to a decision. Marketing BSc at Southampton is also highly accredited, being ranked in the UK top 10 in the complete university guide.

Feel free to ask me any questions,
Rachel (UoS student rep)

Reply 5

UniofReading

Official Rep

Original post

by Anonymous

Marketing,
• Bath
• Bristol
• Surrey
• Southampton
Reading
• City
•Portsmouth
• Royel Hollarry
• Brunel

Good Evening!

I’m currently studying Business at the University of Reading, so I just wanted to share a bit about my experience in case it helps with your decision!

Studying here has honestly been a great experience — the Henley Business School (which offers the Marketing course too) is really well-respected and triple-accredited, which looks great to employers. The modules are super engaging and there’s a good mix of theory and practical application. I’ve also had the chance to work on real-life business case studies and group projects, which really helps build confidence.

One thing I’ve really appreciated is the support available, both academically and career-wise. We have amazing placement and careers teams who are always there to help, and a lot of students go on to do a placement year, which is something I’d definitely recommend looking into!

The campus itself is really beautiful and green, with loads of space to relax — and it’s only a short walk or bus ride to town. There’s a great student community here, with loads of clubs, societies, and events going on all the time.
If you’re thinking about studying Marketing or Business, I’d definitely say Reading is worth considering — it’s helped me grow so much already!When I was applying to the university, I found it very helpful to attend an Open Day; however, for students who live far away or do not have access to an Open Day, there is a Virtual Tour, which prospective students can look at from their homes. I highly recommend you have a look at the Virtual Tour; it provides an insight to the campus.
Let me know if you have any questions at all — happy to help! 😊

Ronnie
Business Management

Reply 6

AGUoS

Official Rep

Original post

by Anonymous

Marketing,
• Bath
• Bristol
• Surrey
• Southampton
Reading
• City
•Portsmouth
• Royel Hollarry
• Brunel

Hey there!

Choosing which universities to apply to can be a very hard decision to make. I would strongly recommend you to go to as many open days as possible as they will give you a real sense of the university environment, the vibe of the city, and what student life is actually like. Speaking to current students and seeing things firsthand might make it so much easier to figure out which universities feel right for you. If you can, definitely try to attend a few, it honestly makes such a difference!

It's awesome to hear that you are considering the University of Southampton for your studies. As a current Business Management student here, I am happy to share my insights to help you make an informed decision.

The University of Southampton is ranked 87 on the QS World University Rankings 2026 and has a highly ranked and reputable Marketing Course. Personally, I found the business management course to be incredibly rewarding as it has a well-rounded approach, combining theoretical knowledge with practical cases and real-world applications. The coursework and exams are designed in a way to help students gain practical knowledge and experience. The lectures are taught by seasoned professors that carry a wealth of experience. This always makes me excited to attend lectures, knowing I will leave with new insights and perspectives.

The marketing course offers a diverse range of module choices, allowing students to personalise their module selection and learn about topics that interest them. You can find detailed information about the module choices for each year here. Additionally, you can also consider the study abroad or placement degree options as these opportunities can greatly enhance your CV and provide valuable work experience, which will strengthen your employability prospects.

Beyond academics, the university provides students access to a wide range of opportunities and activities that can help them gain work experience and develop essential skills. Whether it’s on-campus jobs, enterprise events, recruiter fairs, training programs, or internships, there is something for everyone! I was a student ambassador during my first year, and I found it to be a great way to make some amazing new friends and earn money, all while balancing it with academics.

Personally, I am really enjoying my time here as the student life is extremely fun and exciting. Southampton is a lively and student-friendly with good connectivity to London and other cities. The university has a vibrant campus with green spaces and beautiful gardens. During my first year, I felt that there was always something happening that I could get involved in! There are plenty of events taking place on the campus, and there are also many pubs and places you can go out to with friends.

Southampton University Students' Union is extremely active and offers students numerous events, clubs and societies (over 400), ranging from academic clubs to ones related to sports, hobbies or culture. I am a part of many different societies, namely Women in Business, Fish on Toast, Indian Society and Kickboxing. Joining such societies helped me gain confidence, develop new skills and also expand my social circle.

In terms of student support, students are assigned a Personal Academic Tutor, there is the Student Hub which can be contacted 24/7 and the advice centre in the Student Union. The university also provides fantastic facilities such as modern libraries, a startup incubator, a sports centre and much more! The Hartley Library was like my second home during the first year, as I would spend most of my time working in the study pods there.

Please let me know if you have any other questions and I would be happy to answer them!

I hope this helps!

All the best,
Akshita
(University of Southampton Student Rep)

(edited 6 months ago)

Reply 7

McGinger

1) Look at the courses in detail - for instance, the course at Bath is 'Management with Marketing' which means majority Management and only a little bit of Marketing.
2) Which courses include a work placement - this adds heaps to your degree context and also puts vital 'relevant experience' on your graduate CV.
3) Grades. The usual advice for your 5 UCAS choices is to have 1 choice just above your predicted grades (1 grade and not in a vital subject), 3 choices at your predicted grades (these are your most likely offers), and at least 1 choice well below your predicted grades (potential Insurance choice, and may even become your Firm choice once the reality of Year13 starts to bite).
4) Check for any required GSCE grades - typically Maths and English - these are not negotiable or flexible, and applying without these required grades is the easiest way to get a rejection.
5) Go to Open Days. Look around, listen to course presentations etc, ask questions and then think about the reality of being there for 3 or 4 years.

Reply 8

City UoL Rep 4

Official Rep

Original post

by Anonymous

Marketing,
• Bath
• Bristol
• Surrey
• Southampton
Reading
• City
•Portsmouth
• Royel Hollarry
• Brunel

Hey! 😊

You’ve got some great unis on your list. I’m currently studying at City, St George’s, University of London, so just thought I’d share a bit in case it helps.

If you’re applying for Marketing here, it’s taught at Bayes Business School, which is one of the top business schools in the UK. It has a strong reputation and lots of alumni working in major companies all over the world. Plus, being based in central London means you’re right in the heart of the city, surrounded by career fairs, networking events, guest talks and placement opportunities. I’ve worked at some of these events and there’s always something going on.

I know choosing between unis can be really tough. One thing I found helpful is looking at the course modules at each uni. That gives you a better idea of what you’ll actually be studying and whether it matches your interests, since the content can vary a lot even if the course titles sound the same.

It also really helps to attend open days, ask questions, and speak to current students and professors. Platforms like Unibuddy are great for that and can give you a better feel for the course and student life.

Let me know if you have any questions about Bayes or what it’s like studying at City. Happy to help! 😊

Reply 9

LancashireRep4

Official Rep

Original post

by Anonymous

Marketing,
• Bath
• Bristol
• Surrey
• Southampton
Reading
• City
•Portsmouth
• Royel Hollarry
• Brunel

Hi Anon,

That's an excellent list of universities! I currently study business and management at the University of Central Lancashire and I feel it was an excellent fit for my goals. So I'd love to share a bit about techniques I used to choose the right university for myself. ☺️

Choose for yourself 🧍*♀️
Make sure you are the one who makes the final decision. Personally when I was applying I had lots of people at my sixth form swaying me in different directions. From this experience my biggest tip is to take advice of guidance into account but make sure you're making the choice because you will be happy there, not everyone else.

Modules 📚
Head onto each universities websites and look into the modules available on the course, including optional ones. Prioritise universities which cover content you are more passionate about alongside being most beneficial to your career.

Distance 🛣️
Does distance from home matter? Alongside how often would you like to head back home. When looking into distance also look into the nearest and easiest transport routes.

Cost of living 📈
This was a massive factor for me personally as it influenced my decision to be at UCLan because of the amazing low cost of high quality accommodation. To research into this further, I recommend heading onto the universities official, alongside private, accommodation pages and comparing prices across universities.

Placement year 🗓️
On the course page, it will specificy if a placement year is available. This is a great opportunity to get work experience, network and experience a new culture.

Course quality ✨
Look at the various opinions, ratings, awards, etc that the course has received. Focus on reliable sources when looking into this.

I hope this helps, please feel free to ask me any questions,
-Sophia (University of Central Lancashire)

Reply 10

stevemarkovick

Original post

by Anonymous

Marketing,
• Bath
• Bristol
• Surrey
• Southampton
Reading
• City
•Portsmouth
• Royel Hollarry
• Brunel

Choosing five unis is stressful, but spreading risk helps more than chasing one “perfect” option. I’d mix one ambitious choice, a couple realistic ones, and at least one safety that you’d genuinely be happy attending. Course content, not just rankings, deserves a close look. Location, cost of living, and campus vibe end up mattering way more once term actually starts.

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