cardiff or exeter uni for modern languages (please help!!)

im really torn on whether going to cardiff or exeter uni to study french - I applied for 2 languages at exeter and then BA linguistics and french at cardiff and have recieved relatively the same conditional offer for both. i visited both open days and preferred the atmosphere and location of exeter as it was much more of a student city but found cardiff to be a lot more affordable accommodation-wise and they also do english language (which exeter didn't offer). im really torn on making a decision between the two!!

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by moo212121

im really torn on whether going to cardiff or exeter uni to study french - I applied for 2 languages at exeter and then BA linguistics and french at cardiff and have recieved relatively the same conditional offer for both. i visited both open days and preferred the atmosphere and location of exeter as it was much more of a student city but found cardiff to be a lot more affordable accommodation-wise and they also do english language (which exeter didn't offer). im really torn on making a decision between the two!!

Then flip a coin and decide that way. If you've drawn-up a pros and cons list, assigned a weighting to each, and then scored both unis - and it's a tie between the two - then they're both equally good. So it doesn't matter which you attend.

Reply 2

rievy

I'd say to check on Cardiff again, which I also need to do. It was going to be my insurance choice until they started experiencing quite bad financial difficulties and announced they might even get rid of the modern languages department as a whole. They said my degree was safe but what happens if they drop it in my second, third or fourth year? I just didn't like the potential instability - not sure what decision they made on it in the end so might have to do some research - also sounds like you like Exeter better as a city which I'd argue is important for somewhere you'll love for 3 years - if it's more expensive, you'll hopefully be able to find a job to help you with the extra funds for the accommodation if needed 🫶

Reply 3

moo212121

OP

6

Original post by rievy

I'd say to check on Cardiff again, which I also need to do. It was going to be my insurance choice until they started experiencing quite bad financial difficulties and announced they might even get rid of the modern languages department as a whole. They said my degree was safe but what happens if they drop it in my second, third or fourth year? I just didn't like the potential instability - not sure what decision they made on it in the end so might have to do some research - also sounds like you like Exeter better as a city which I'd argue is important for somewhere you'll love for 3 years - if it's more expensive, you'll hopefully be able to find a job to help you with the extra funds for the accommodation if needed 🫶

sorry i deleted my previous reply lol as i just saw the email from Cardiff that says if you've applied for MFL to start in 2025, the cuts won't affect your 4 year study, so I think that's a reassuring sign! I've decided to firm cardiff (affordability reasons lol) so hopefully they stick to their word...good luck on your offers !

Reply 4

ExeterStudentRep

Official Rep

12

Original post by moo212121

im really torn on whether going to cardiff or exeter uni to study french - I applied for 2 languages at exeter and then BA linguistics and french at cardiff and have recieved relatively the same conditional offer for both. i visited both open days and preferred the atmosphere and location of exeter as it was much more of a student city but found cardiff to be a lot more affordable accommodation-wise and they also do english language (which exeter didn't offer). im really torn on making a decision between the two!!

Hi moo212121,

Congratulations on your offer, and I'm glad to hear that you really enjoyed Exeter when you visited! The languages degree here is really well regarded, and we do place Top 10 per the Complete University Guide 2025 for each language that we offer, which proves just how good the course is.

In terms of affordability, whilst Exeter is more expensive than where I'm from, I find that it can be affordable. I do have a job, admittedly, which helps, but the university and the Guild are constantly hiring. If you budget well, it's very passable. Equally, if you find that you struggle financially, you can apply for the Success For All bursary from the university, which does not regard parental income, but merely the situation you are in. I have benefitted from this during my time here, and this helps to cover costs I may incur thanks to a medical condition, and travel costs to and from home. However, this money can also help you to cover accommodation. I'm currently in more expensive campus accommodation than I was in last year, but I'm covering it pretty well and still manage to go out and have a life - I went to Athens last week, for instance! I'm by no means well off, but it goes to show that it really isn't as bad as you may think.

If you have any queries, do let me know!

Grace
University of Exeter Student Ambassador

cardiff or exeter uni for modern languages (please help!!)

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