Help me choose a uni

2

So I've got 5 offers from Leeds, Notts, Bristol, Durham and Exeter to study Bsc Finance at univeristy.
I was initially keen on Durham but I've got my offer so late I doubt I'd get the colleges I really want, which matters to me. However, after doing more research, I read more and more negative things about Durham: It's becoming very expensive, almost impossible to find accomodation after first year, the teaching quality is bad( i dont know about the business school specifically) A lot of people are saying you're only paying for the name of the uni and it's quite dull and boring there. They also mention a lack of opportunities in terms of careers because it's so distant.
I am also really keen on going to Bristol even though the grades i need are AAA compared to AAB of Durham
Am I wrong in saying, Durham's actually just overrated now? and more of the recent students dont actually enjoy it there.
Does anyone have any advice?

Reply 1

Shri808

OP

2

Original post

by Shri808

So I've got 5 offers from Leeds, Notts, Bristol, Durham and Exeter to study Bsc Finance at univeristy.
I was initially keen on Durham but I've got my offer so late I doubt I'd get the colleges I really want, which matters to me. However, after doing more research, I read more and more negative things about Durham: It's becoming very expensive, almost impossible to find accomodation after first year, the teaching quality is bad( i dont know about the business school specifically) A lot of people are saying you're only paying for the name of the uni and it's quite dull and boring there. They also mention a lack of opportunities in terms of careers because it's so distant.
I am also really keen on going to Bristol even though the grades i need are AAA compared to AAB of Durham
Am I wrong in saying, Durham's actually just overrated now? and more of the recent students dont actually enjoy it there.
Does anyone have any advice?

Also, I am adamant in pursuing a high end job in Finance, especially IB and PE and Wealth Management

Reply 2

hallamstudents

Official Rep

18

Original post

by Shri808

So I've got 5 offers from Leeds, Notts, Bristol, Durham and Exeter to study Bsc Finance at univeristy.
I was initially keen on Durham but I've got my offer so late I doubt I'd get the colleges I really want, which matters to me. However, after doing more research, I read more and more negative things about Durham: It's becoming very expensive, almost impossible to find accomodation after first year, the teaching quality is bad( i dont know about the business school specifically) A lot of people are saying you're only paying for the name of the uni and it's quite dull and boring there. They also mention a lack of opportunities in terms of careers because it's so distant.
I am also really keen on going to Bristol even though the grades i need are AAA compared to AAB of Durham
Am I wrong in saying, Durham's actually just overrated now? and more of the recent students dont actually enjoy it there.
Does anyone have any advice?

Hi @Shri808 ,

I know you haven't put Sheffield/Hallam as one of your options but it thought I could just give you some general advice about choosing a Uni and how I ended up choosing my Uni!

I would say that if you haven't already, the first thing I would suggest to do would be to go to an open day. They will most likely have some applicant open days coming up or even just general open days so if you can, I would suggest going to one of these. This is how I decided on Hallam as I just liked the feel of it which I think you can find out best on an open day. Also just looking around the city is a great way of deciding too!

I think that talking to people on here is a great idea too, or look on platforms like "The Ambassador Platform' where you can chat to students from these universities about what it is like to study here. This is a good way of deciding too as it is good to talk to current students as they can give you the best insight into the uni and what it is like to study there.

Some other things I would consider:

•

Nightlife (if you are bothered)

•

Accommodation

•

Cost of living

•

How far away it is from home and if this would bother you (if it is far away)

I think that if you really want to go to Bristol, you should try and do this! You could always put something with lower grades that you would still be happy with as your insurance choice and then just work as hard as you can to get AAA!

I hope some of this helps,

Lucy -SHU student ambassador 🙂

Reply 3

cksiu

Universities Forum Helper

15

Original post

by Shri808

So I've got 5 offers from Leeds, Notts, Bristol, Durham and Exeter to study Bsc Finance at univeristy.
I was initially keen on Durham but I've got my offer so late I doubt I'd get the colleges I really want, which matters to me. However, after doing more research, I read more and more negative things about Durham: It's becoming very expensive, almost impossible to find accomodation after first year, the teaching quality is bad( i dont know about the business school specifically) A lot of people are saying you're only paying for the name of the uni and it's quite dull and boring there. They also mention a lack of opportunities in terms of careers because it's so distant.
I am also really keen on going to Bristol even though the grades i need are AAA compared to AAB of Durham
Am I wrong in saying, Durham's actually just overrated now? and more of the recent students dont actually enjoy it there.
Does anyone have any advice?

Congratulations to your offers. All are very good unis.

Every uni gets good and bad reviews. Most importantly, do the reviews substantiated by facts? Or just personal comments?

You may visit the Durham student operated YouTube channel PalTV, they have high quality episodes on investigations on accommodation and escalating uni costs:
https://youtu.be/p5WcoppuL8w?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/qk-ec2kcAd4?feature=shared

Accommodation in Durham seems relieved, there are still rooms available if you browse student rent or so.

Do your own research and don't just rely on hearsay in making your decision. It is one of your most important lifetime decisions.

Reply 4

UniofExeter Rep

Official Rep

12

Hi Shir808

I hope you have had a chance to visit Exeter for our Offer Holder Visit Days. these have been really popular this year and are a great way to meet our academics and students and get a real taste for student life with us.

If you were not able to do this then there are alternatives like our campus tours, online offer holder day and ask a current student feature: Undergraduate campus tours, Online Open Day, Ask a current student.

The Student Recruitment team are also readily available to take any enquiries from offer holders so if you have a specific question please do get in touch. https://www.exeter.ac.uk/contact/

Chris
University of Exeter, Student Recruitment

Reply 5

University of Bath

Official Rep

14

Original post

by Shri808

So I've got 5 offers from Leeds, Notts, Bristol, Durham and Exeter to study Bsc Finance at univeristy.
I was initially keen on Durham but I've got my offer so late I doubt I'd get the colleges I really want, which matters to me. However, after doing more research, I read more and more negative things about Durham: It's becoming very expensive, almost impossible to find accomodation after first year, the teaching quality is bad( i dont know about the business school specifically) A lot of people are saying you're only paying for the name of the uni and it's quite dull and boring there. They also mention a lack of opportunities in terms of careers because it's so distant.
I am also really keen on going to Bristol even though the grades i need are AAA compared to AAB of Durham
Am I wrong in saying, Durham's actually just overrated now? and more of the recent students dont actually enjoy it there.
Does anyone have any advice?

Hi there,

You've already had some great advice from other reps. Just thought I'd add that a degree in A&F/Finance will likely lead you to your desired field regardless of where you go as long as its a good uni and you aim for a good classification. Your primary focus should be which course you like best and which you're most interested in.

Its also worth looking at what kind of campus/city environment you'd like to be in. Bristol is quite south and is a very big, old uni in a busy, lively city, Durham is a lot further north and is a bit more rural. Notts and Leeds however are more central and are both medium-sized cities which I think provides quite a nice balance - and Exeter is the furthest south and is quite nice because its not too far from the coast or from London. If you've had the chance to visit, where did you feel most at home? What was the vibe like? Its important to put yourself in a place where you'll enjoy being for 3-4 years!

I hope this helps a bit, best of luck 🙂

Holly
University of Bath

(edited 9 months ago)

Reply 6

dzaretsky19

4

Original post

by Shri808

So I've got 5 offers from Leeds, Notts, Bristol, Durham and Exeter to study Bsc Finance at univeristy.
I was initially keen on Durham but I've got my offer so late I doubt I'd get the colleges I really want, which matters to me. However, after doing more research, I read more and more negative things about Durham: It's becoming very expensive, almost impossible to find accomodation after first year, the teaching quality is bad( i dont know about the business school specifically) A lot of people are saying you're only paying for the name of the uni and it's quite dull and boring there. They also mention a lack of opportunities in terms of careers because it's so distant.
I am also really keen on going to Bristol even though the grades i need are AAA compared to AAB of Durham
Am I wrong in saying, Durham's actually just overrated now? and more of the recent students dont actually enjoy it there.
Does anyone have any advice?

Durham has a ranked collegiate system which randomally allocates an accommodation to u so you are not too late.

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