Cambridge vs Bristol

Hello, I am aware that the debate between going to either Cambridge university or Bristol university is a slight no brainer, however I am very stuck so any help would be great!
I got an offer for Cambridge to study HSPS at Homerton collage. As well as an offer at Bristol to study Politics and sociology.
I go out quite a lot and feel as though I would 'fit in' a lot better at bristol.
If any one has any ideas about this decision, that would be helpful or if anyone has experienced either courses or life at Homerton collage.
Thanks!

Reply 1

Stiffy Byng

19

Most undergraduates at Oxford and Cambridge attended state schools and are typically middle class people, not "people from high wealth backgrounds".

As for finances, accommodation and food at Oxford and Cambridge tend to be cheaper than they are at other universities.

The notion that students at Oxford and Cambridge don't have fun is mistaken - both universities are very sociable and students do all of the usual student things.

Perhaps attend the offer holder days at both universities and then choose whichever course and place you prefer.

(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 2

threeportdrift

Careers Forum Helper

20

Original post

by Anonymous

Hello, I am aware that the debate between going to either Cambridge university or Bristol university is a slight no brainer, however I am very stuck so any help would be great!
I got an offer for Cambridge to study HSPS at Homerton collage. As well as an offer at Bristol to study Politics and sociology.
I go out quite a lot and feel as though I would 'fit in' a lot better at bristol.
If any one has any ideas about this decision, that would be helpful or if anyone has experienced either courses or life at Homerton collage.
Thanks!

I know both universities quite well. Homerton is a very modern, egalitarian College with none of the old-fashioned, academic led rules. If you have class/accent type fears, then Homerton is much more 'normal' in terms of those issues that Bristol is. The funding for students is much better at Cambridge than Bristol. Don't get me wrong, Bristol is a great uni and a great city, but Cambridge is better!

Reply 3

melancollege

Universities Forum Helper

19

Original post

by Insouciant.

Hey!,

I don't have first hand experience but I have definitely heard stories! I would say it depends quite heavily on your lifestyle but unfortunately also your financial situation, many aren't aware but when it comes to oxbridge you aren't allowed to work during term time at all! so if you are from a lower financial background it may not be a viable option- or further put you in debt. People at Cambridge tend to be more academically focused, whilst there is still a night life it is significantly less engaged with and endorsed compared to your "normal unis".

Also with oxbridge again majority of people are from high wealth backgrounds and from what ive heard even my more upper class friends felt ostracised and poor around those people. Me personally if I was struggling to pay my bills at a uni hall and someones complaining about the wrong colour of designer brand id lose it, but that's not to say you won't still get along with these people and the variations in experience won't be plentyful- networking for that reason would be 100x better in cambridge

I also know there are some amazing groups surrounding your degree subject at Cambridge as my friend is in a few, id say go with what feels right for you- one has a fancy title but the degree is the same- you won't get those years back of your life and there's no point struggling through 3 years of hell to get a better name on your CV.

Im sorry if this wasn't helpful and im sure you'll make the right decision- good luck and of course- congratulations!!!

I'm sorry but this is really bad advice and full of misinformation.

The idea that "if you are from a lower financial background [Cambridge] may not be a viable option" is absolutely ridiculous. Whilst it is mostly true that you aren't generally allowed a part-time job during term time, it leaves out the important context that there are three terms that are each only eight weeks long. You can easily get a part-time job outside of term time and a few people tutor a couple of hours per week or other small things like that. However, more pertinently, Cambridge offers some of the most generous financial support of any university in the country with bursaries and other subsidised costs available to many students of lower and middle incomes, often far surpassing that of the amount of money even a part-time job in term could get. Further, the reason that they don't allow part-time jobs is because it isn't practical. The terms are incredibly busy and a lot goes on during them, including night-life, extracurriculars and social events.

Most people are not from high-wealth backgrounds. There certainly are a couple, as with any top university, but most people are from regular backgrounds and the university makes huge strides to ensure that the most capable students are encouraged to apply regardless of family income. I have absolutely no idea where your spiel about designer clothes comes from but that is not at all reflective of reality and I have never once heard anyone even make comments like that or of that ilk in the three and a half years I've been here. Honestly, I think you would get ostracised more for judging someone else's unbranded clothes than you would for anything related to family income.

"[T]here's no point struggling through 3 years of hell to get a better name on your CV" - I ostensibly agree with your point here but the insinuation that Cambridge is "hell" for any of the reasons you've mentioned is just plainly untrue. Ironically, many of the comments you've attributed to Cambridge seem much more aligned with my friends' experiences at other universities. Cambridge definitely can be tough - the workload is huge and it can be daunting being a small fish in a big pond - but there are also many wonderful things about the university and the experience and opportunity is definitely not something to discount because of outdated rumours.

Reply 4

thegeek888

18

Original post

by Anonymous

Hello, I am aware that the debate between going to either Cambridge university or Bristol university is a slight no brainer, however I am very stuck so any help would be great!
I got an offer for Cambridge to study HSPS at Homerton collage. As well as an offer at Bristol to study Politics and sociology.
I go out quite a lot and feel as though I would 'fit in' a lot better at bristol.
If any one has any ideas about this decision, that would be helpful or if anyone has experienced either courses or life at Homerton collage.
Thanks!

One word...Cambridge!!! 🙂

Reply 5

lalexm

16

Original post

by Anonymous

Hello, I am aware that the debate between going to either Cambridge university or Bristol university is a slight no brainer, however I am very stuck so any help would be great!
I got an offer for Cambridge to study HSPS at Homerton collage. As well as an offer at Bristol to study Politics and sociology.
I go out quite a lot and feel as though I would 'fit in' a lot better at bristol.
If any one has any ideas about this decision, that would be helpful or if anyone has experienced either courses or life at Homerton collage.
Thanks!

Cambridge. Both my daughters are there and they are absolutely loving it. The workload maybe higher than other unis, but they seem to be having a better time than their school friends who are at other unis. It is incredibly social, with so much to do outside your academics, in a beautiful student focused town.

Cambridge vs Bristol

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