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Help me choose which uni to go to (please)

(If anyone has attended Durham or Royal Holloway, especially for English, please help!)

Hi! So I'm currently in Y13 and I've applied to university to study English Literature - I have an offer from Royal Holloway University of London, and I'm waiting to hear back from Durham University. Obviously if I don't get an offer from Durham, then that's case closed. However, I have high grades so there is a chance I'll get an offer, and in the case that I do, I need help making a decision.

I'm currently torn between the two, so I don't know which I'd pick in this situation. I've visited both universities, including staying overnight in Durham accomodation. I absolutely loved Durham as a place as I prefer smaller cities and rural areas. I know that Durham is extremely highly ranked for English in the UK, and that it's a very prestigious university, so I would love to go there. However, it is also 5+ hours from where I live, which is a bit disconcerting as I'm already nervous about going to uni, the weather is miserable all year round apparently, and the course is mostly exam-based, and I prefer coursework because it works better for me. So these factors have made me doubt whether I would actually go to Durham if I got an offer.

On the other hand, I loved the campus at Royal Holloway, and I loved the small towns nearby as it has a cosy feel. It's much closer to where I live (less than 2hrs), and most importantly, the course looks amazing because it can be entirely coursework, which I would much prefer, and you have a lot of choice over modules so I can choose to study things that interest me more. It also looks good for the English department, and has high ratings for employment after degree. However, it is much lower down on rankings at about #23 I think on most league tables for English, and since it's not Russel Group/as prestigious as Durham, I'm worried that the quality of the teaching might not be as good, or that my degree might be worth less when I look for jobs. (For reference, I really want to work in publishing and eventually as an author, so knowing my degree is valuable is important to me).

I want to go somewhere that has high academic caliber and challenges me, but I also know my personal anxiety/health struggles mean I would feel more comfortable closer to home, but I don't want to make the wrong decision out of fear.

If anyone has any suggestions, or has attended either of these unis, any advice would be appreciated! ik this is all dependent on me getting an offer from Durham anyway, but I like to think ahead so I know what decision I will make. Thanks :smile:
You have until JUNE to make this decision. Plenty of time to go to Offer Holder visit days, to look in detail at each course and the units on offer, and to think carefully about your likely grade results. There is no need to rush this decision.
Original post by eleanorreading
(If anyone has attended Durham or Royal Holloway, especially for English, please help!)
Hi! So I'm currently in Y13 and I've applied to university to study English Literature - I have an offer from Royal Holloway University of London, and I'm waiting to hear back from Durham University. Obviously if I don't get an offer from Durham, then that's case closed. However, I have high grades so there is a chance I'll get an offer, and in the case that I do, I need help making a decision.
I'm currently torn between the two, so I don't know which I'd pick in this situation. I've visited both universities, including staying overnight in Durham accomodation. I absolutely loved Durham as a place as I prefer smaller cities and rural areas. I know that Durham is extremely highly ranked for English in the UK, and that it's a very prestigious university, so I would love to go there. However, it is also 5+ hours from where I live, which is a bit disconcerting as I'm already nervous about going to uni, the weather is miserable all year round apparently, and the course is mostly exam-based, and I prefer coursework because it works better for me. So these factors have made me doubt whether I would actually go to Durham if I got an offer.
On the other hand, I loved the campus at Royal Holloway, and I loved the small towns nearby as it has a cosy feel. It's much closer to where I live (less than 2hrs), and most importantly, the course looks amazing because it can be entirely coursework, which I would much prefer, and you have a lot of choice over modules so I can choose to study things that interest me more. It also looks good for the English department, and has high ratings for employment after degree. However, it is much lower down on rankings at about #23 I think on most league tables for English, and since it's not Russel Group/as prestigious as Durham, I'm worried that the quality of the teaching might not be as good, or that my degree might be worth less when I look for jobs. (For reference, I really want to work in publishing and eventually as an author, so knowing my degree is valuable is important to me).
I want to go somewhere that has high academic caliber and challenges me, but I also know my personal anxiety/health struggles mean I would feel more comfortable closer to home, but I don't want to make the wrong decision out of fear.
If anyone has any suggestions, or has attended either of these unis, any advice would be appreciated! ik this is all dependent on me getting an offer from Durham anyway, but I like to think ahead so I know what decision I will make. Thanks :smile:

Hello :elefant:
Firstly, well done for being accepted into Royal Holloway, that’s brilliant news!
I would agree with McGinger’s earlier post- you have plenty of time o hone your decision. Definitely go to offer holder days at the universities and if possible, more than one. We hold them regularly at the University of Chester and they are a super way of finding out more about the specifics of the course you want to study, as well as giving you the chance to ask more questions and find out the more intrinsic details of life at that institution for students. You will also b able to see how you feel in the university, the more you see it the more you get a sense of whether you would be happy there and enjoy it. Ask lots of questions, don’t be afraid to go with a notebook and before the visit make a list in your book or phone of things you want to know. Students will attend and can give you the information from a student perspective which is often better than staff point of view!
You’ve obviously done your research into the content of the modules at Royal Holloway, but how does Durham’s compare? Do you find it as appealing? Have you got as much interest in it as Royal Holloway? Whilst it is great to go to a Russell Group university, if the course doesn’t interest you, you will find it harder to be motivated and might not do yourself so much justice. Similarly, just because one university is higher up the league tables does not necessarily mean the teaching standard is better, league tables are composed of lots of factors, with teaching just one facet.
Proximity to your home is obviously really important to you so don’t discount this factor either, despite the distance is Durham easy to travel to on the train (if you’re using public transport) or road?
Think about the opportunities available at the universities. Does one have more appealing clubs and societies to get involved in, you need to have a life outside your course and the chance to socialise and make lots of friends and have fun.
What about the student support? Is there an academic skills team and a library support? These can often be invaluable outside of your course tutors. (Offer holder days often have these teams around to meet and speak to)
The most important question you need to have answered is where will I be happiest? Which course will you enjoy working and studying on most? If you are more interested/ enjoying one you will do far better than the university that you aren’t enjoying being at.
I hope this helps, if there’s anything else, just ask!
Good luck,
Jess
PhD English
University of Chester
Original post by eleanorreading
(If anyone has attended Durham or Royal Holloway, especially for English, please help!)
Hi! So I'm currently in Y13 and I've applied to university to study English Literature - I have an offer from Royal Holloway University of London, and I'm waiting to hear back from Durham University. Obviously if I don't get an offer from Durham, then that's case closed. However, I have high grades so there is a chance I'll get an offer, and in the case that I do, I need help making a decision.
I'm currently torn between the two, so I don't know which I'd pick in this situation. I've visited both universities, including staying overnight in Durham accomodation. I absolutely loved Durham as a place as I prefer smaller cities and rural areas. I know that Durham is extremely highly ranked for English in the UK, and that it's a very prestigious university, so I would love to go there. However, it is also 5+ hours from where I live, which is a bit disconcerting as I'm already nervous about going to uni, the weather is miserable all year round apparently, and the course is mostly exam-based, and I prefer coursework because it works better for me. So these factors have made me doubt whether I would actually go to Durham if I got an offer.
On the other hand, I loved the campus at Royal Holloway, and I loved the small towns nearby as it has a cosy feel. It's much closer to where I live (less than 2hrs), and most importantly, the course looks amazing because it can be entirely coursework, which I would much prefer, and you have a lot of choice over modules so I can choose to study things that interest me more. It also looks good for the English department, and has high ratings for employment after degree. However, it is much lower down on rankings at about #23 I think on most league tables for English, and since it's not Russel Group/as prestigious as Durham, I'm worried that the quality of the teaching might not be as good, or that my degree might be worth less when I look for jobs. (For reference, I really want to work in publishing and eventually as an author, so knowing my degree is valuable is important to me).
I want to go somewhere that has high academic caliber and challenges me, but I also know my personal anxiety/health struggles mean I would feel more comfortable closer to home, but I don't want to make the wrong decision out of fear.
If anyone has any suggestions, or has attended either of these unis, any advice would be appreciated! ik this is all dependent on me getting an offer from Durham anyway, but I like to think ahead so I know what decision I will make. Thanks :smile:

Hi there

I studied English at university and loved it.

I personally wouldn't put too much emphasis the split between coursework and exams. Most English courses only have exams in first and second year. In first year, the exams won't count towards your overall degree, and in both years, the exams are usually a very small percentage of the overall year grade. I know you say that Durham is mainly exam-based, but it might be worth double checking the percentage that exams account for. It would be unusual for exams to account for a large amount, especially considering that you will have to complete a dissertation.

If you are interested in publishing, I would advise you to look into universities with good links to publishing (e.g modules that run in conjunction with the industry) or with student societies that could give you relevant work experience (e.g. a student-produced anthology). This might mean broadening your search beyond Durham and Royal Holloway. Additionally, because publishing is an incredibly competitive industry, it might be worth going for a university with a stronger national reputation. Employers aren't particularly likely to look at subject rankings, but they will be aware of the university's overall standing.

Hope this helps.

Ella (University of Nottingham Official Rep)
Original post by PG Study Chester
Hello :elefant:
Firstly, well done for being accepted into Royal Holloway, that’s brilliant news!
I would agree with McGinger’s earlier post- you have plenty of time o hone your decision. Definitely go to offer holder days at the universities and if possible, more than one. We hold them regularly at the University of Chester and they are a super way of finding out more about the specifics of the course you want to study, as well as giving you the chance to ask more questions and find out the more intrinsic details of life at that institution for students. You will also b able to see how you feel in the university, the more you see it the more you get a sense of whether you would be happy there and enjoy it. Ask lots of questions, don’t be afraid to go with a notebook and before the visit make a list in your book or phone of things you want to know. Students will attend and can give you the information from a student perspective which is often better than staff point of view!
You’ve obviously done your research into the content of the modules at Royal Holloway, but how does Durham’s compare? Do you find it as appealing? Have you got as much interest in it as Royal Holloway? Whilst it is great to go to a Russell Group university, if the course doesn’t interest you, you will find it harder to be motivated and might not do yourself so much justice. Similarly, just because one university is higher up the league tables does not necessarily mean the teaching standard is better, league tables are composed of lots of factors, with teaching just one facet.
Proximity to your home is obviously really important to you so don’t discount this factor either, despite the distance is Durham easy to travel to on the train (if you’re using public transport) or road?
Think about the opportunities available at the universities. Does one have more appealing clubs and societies to get involved in, you need to have a life outside your course and the chance to socialise and make lots of friends and have fun.
What about the student support? Is there an academic skills team and a library support? These can often be invaluable outside of your course tutors. (Offer holder days often have these teams around to meet and speak to)
The most important question you need to have answered is where will I be happiest? Which course will you enjoy working and studying on most? If you are more interested/ enjoying one you will do far better than the university that you aren’t enjoying being at.
I hope this helps, if there’s anything else, just ask!
Good luck,
Jess
PhD English
University of Chester

Thank you so much, I know there’s a lot for me to think about and I am going to keep thinking about them both and visiting them to see which feels more comfortable.
Original post by eleanorreading
(If anyone has attended Durham or Royal Holloway, especially for English, please help!)
Hi! So I'm currently in Y13 and I've applied to university to study English Literature - I have an offer from Royal Holloway University of London, and I'm waiting to hear back from Durham University. Obviously if I don't get an offer from Durham, then that's case closed. However, I have high grades so there is a chance I'll get an offer, and in the case that I do, I need help making a decision.
I'm currently torn between the two, so I don't know which I'd pick in this situation. I've visited both universities, including staying overnight in Durham accomodation. I absolutely loved Durham as a place as I prefer smaller cities and rural areas. I know that Durham is extremely highly ranked for English in the UK, and that it's a very prestigious university, so I would love to go there. However, it is also 5+ hours from where I live, which is a bit disconcerting as I'm already nervous about going to uni, the weather is miserable all year round apparently, and the course is mostly exam-based, and I prefer coursework because it works better for me. So these factors have made me doubt whether I would actually go to Durham if I got an offer.
On the other hand, I loved the campus at Royal Holloway, and I loved the small towns nearby as it has a cosy feel. It's much closer to where I live (less than 2hrs), and most importantly, the course looks amazing because it can be entirely coursework, which I would much prefer, and you have a lot of choice over modules so I can choose to study things that interest me more. It also looks good for the English department, and has high ratings for employment after degree. However, it is much lower down on rankings at about #23 I think on most league tables for English, and since it's not Russel Group/as prestigious as Durham, I'm worried that the quality of the teaching might not be as good, or that my degree might be worth less when I look for jobs. (For reference, I really want to work in publishing and eventually as an author, so knowing my degree is valuable is important to me).
I want to go somewhere that has high academic caliber and challenges me, but I also know my personal anxiety/health struggles mean I would feel more comfortable closer to home, but I don't want to make the wrong decision out of fear.
If anyone has any suggestions, or has attended either of these unis, any advice would be appreciated! ik this is all dependent on me getting an offer from Durham anyway, but I like to think ahead so I know what decision I will make. Thanks :smile:

Hi there,

It's great to hear you're considering studying at Royal Holloway.

We recommend you speak with one of our current students or staff, as they'll be able to advise you further about your options! You can chat with them here: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/chat/. You may also be interested in signing up for our Online Open Day on Wednesday 15 January to help with your decision. You'll be able to join sessions with staff and students from the department you're interested in, watch a campus tour, take part in a student Q&A, and more! Book your place here.

We hope this helps.

Best wishes,
Royal Holloway, University of London Official Rep

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