Would I be stupid to turn down Durham for Birmingham?
Posted this on reddit but posting it here too to see if the responses differ.
Basically I have offers from Durham (A*AA) and Birmingham (ABB because of EPQ) to study History and I’m stuck which one to firm.
I like the atmosphere and environment of Birmingham more, plus it’s like less than half the distance from home. I think I would generally have a better time there. Also in my recent mocks I only got A*AB, and I would rather not have to depend on my insurance as that would put me at the back of the line for accommodation etc.
However, I also know that Durham is slightly more prestigious than Birmingham especially for History. So I was just wondering if this gap in prestige (and the impact on future employment) would be worth both the risk with grades, distance from home, and a potentially worse uni experience.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏
TLDR: do I turn down a better ranked university for one I like more and is more convenient
Basically I have offers from Durham (A*AA) and Birmingham (ABB because of EPQ) to study History and I’m stuck which one to firm.
I like the atmosphere and environment of Birmingham more, plus it’s like less than half the distance from home. I think I would generally have a better time there. Also in my recent mocks I only got A*AB, and I would rather not have to depend on my insurance as that would put me at the back of the line for accommodation etc.
However, I also know that Durham is slightly more prestigious than Birmingham especially for History. So I was just wondering if this gap in prestige (and the impact on future employment) would be worth both the risk with grades, distance from home, and a potentially worse uni experience.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏
TLDR: do I turn down a better ranked university for one I like more and is more convenient
Reply 1
Original post by Bethlong27
Posted this on reddit but posting it here too to see if the responses differ.
Basically I have offers from Durham (A*AA) and Birmingham (ABB because of EPQ) to study History and I’m stuck which one to firm.
I like the atmosphere and environment of Birmingham more, plus it’s like less than half the distance from home. I think I would generally have a better time there. Also in my recent mocks I only got A*AB, and I would rather not have to depend on my insurance as that would put me at the back of the line for accommodation etc.
However, I also know that Durham is slightly more prestigious than Birmingham especially for History. So I was just wondering if this gap in prestige (and the impact on future employment) would be worth both the risk with grades, distance from home, and a potentially worse uni experience.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏
TLDR: do I turn down a better ranked university for one I like more and is more convenient
Basically I have offers from Durham (A*AA) and Birmingham (ABB because of EPQ) to study History and I’m stuck which one to firm.
I like the atmosphere and environment of Birmingham more, plus it’s like less than half the distance from home. I think I would generally have a better time there. Also in my recent mocks I only got A*AB, and I would rather not have to depend on my insurance as that would put me at the back of the line for accommodation etc.
However, I also know that Durham is slightly more prestigious than Birmingham especially for History. So I was just wondering if this gap in prestige (and the impact on future employment) would be worth both the risk with grades, distance from home, and a potentially worse uni experience.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏
TLDR: do I turn down a better ranked university for one I like more and is more convenient
Hi Beth,
Thanks for reaching out, this is a dilemma faced by a lot of students in your position so you're not alone here.
At the end of the day it is entirely your decision which you firm because you are the best judge of what will be best for you. However one thing I would say is that there is a lot more factors to consider when picking a uni other than prestige or league table position. If you write a pros and cons list for Birmingham VS Durham and Birmingham is emerging as a clear winner, then it sounds like you should seriously consider Birmingham. Because uni is about more than getting a degree - its about learning your way to independence, making memories, taking opportunities, having fun and working your way towards your future, and its really important that you give yourself the best experience.
So which has the course you like better and you think will interest you more? How far do you want to be from your family so you can visit regularly? Which city did you like better? Which uni's atmosphere and vibe did you prefer? Where could you better see yourself and feel more at home? If there is one choice which is answering all or most of those questions then that is a good indicator of which would be a better fit for you 🙂
I hope some of this helped, best of luck with your next steps!
Holly
University of Bath
Reply 3
Original post by Bethlong27
Posted this on reddit but posting it here too to see if the responses differ.
Basically I have offers from Durham (A*AA) and Birmingham (ABB because of EPQ) to study History and I’m stuck which one to firm.
I like the atmosphere and environment of Birmingham more, plus it’s like less than half the distance from home. I think I would generally have a better time there. Also in my recent mocks I only got A*AB, and I would rather not have to depend on my insurance as that would put me at the back of the line for accommodation etc.
However, I also know that Durham is slightly more prestigious than Birmingham especially for History. So I was just wondering if this gap in prestige (and the impact on future employment) would be worth both the risk with grades, distance from home, and a potentially worse uni experience.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏
TLDR: do I turn down a better ranked university for one I like more and is more convenient
Basically I have offers from Durham (A*AA) and Birmingham (ABB because of EPQ) to study History and I’m stuck which one to firm.
I like the atmosphere and environment of Birmingham more, plus it’s like less than half the distance from home. I think I would generally have a better time there. Also in my recent mocks I only got A*AB, and I would rather not have to depend on my insurance as that would put me at the back of the line for accommodation etc.
However, I also know that Durham is slightly more prestigious than Birmingham especially for History. So I was just wondering if this gap in prestige (and the impact on future employment) would be worth both the risk with grades, distance from home, and a potentially worse uni experience.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏
TLDR: do I turn down a better ranked university for one I like more and is more convenient
Which course do you prefer? Look at all the compulsory modules at each uni, then the options - what would you choose in an ideal world? Does one course stand out???
Original post by Bethlong27
Posted this on reddit but posting it here too to see if the responses differ.
Basically I have offers from Durham (A*AA) and Birmingham (ABB because of EPQ) to study History and I’m stuck which one to firm.
I like the atmosphere and environment of Birmingham more, plus it’s like less than half the distance from home. I think I would generally have a better time there. Also in my recent mocks I only got A*AB, and I would rather not have to depend on my insurance as that would put me at the back of the line for accommodation etc.
However, I also know that Durham is slightly more prestigious than Birmingham especially for History. So I was just wondering if this gap in prestige (and the impact on future employment) would be worth both the risk with grades, distance from home, and a potentially worse uni experience.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏
TLDR: do I turn down a better ranked university for one I like more and is more convenient
Basically I have offers from Durham (A*AA) and Birmingham (ABB because of EPQ) to study History and I’m stuck which one to firm.
I like the atmosphere and environment of Birmingham more, plus it’s like less than half the distance from home. I think I would generally have a better time there. Also in my recent mocks I only got A*AB, and I would rather not have to depend on my insurance as that would put me at the back of the line for accommodation etc.
However, I also know that Durham is slightly more prestigious than Birmingham especially for History. So I was just wondering if this gap in prestige (and the impact on future employment) would be worth both the risk with grades, distance from home, and a potentially worse uni experience.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏
TLDR: do I turn down a better ranked university for one I like more and is more convenient
Congratulations to your offers.
Don't take prestige or rankings too seriously. Both Birmingham and Durham are very good unis and would prepare you for the unknown future equally well. Each uni has its own fans defending their favorite uni, and may "defaming" the other. Maybe you could look into their respective course modules to see which uni attracts you more.
If their course structures are equally appealing to you, I would suggest firming Birmingham because you are already leaning towards it a bit.
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 5
Original post by Bethlong27
Posted this on reddit but posting it here too to see if the responses differ.
Basically I have offers from Durham (A*AA) and Birmingham (ABB because of EPQ) to study History and I’m stuck which one to firm.
I like the atmosphere and environment of Birmingham more, plus it’s like less than half the distance from home. I think I would generally have a better time there. Also in my recent mocks I only got A*AB, and I would rather not have to depend on my insurance as that would put me at the back of the line for accommodation etc.
However, I also know that Durham is slightly more prestigious than Birmingham especially for History. So I was just wondering if this gap in prestige (and the impact on future employment) would be worth both the risk with grades, distance from home, and a potentially worse uni experience.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏
TLDR: do I turn down a better ranked university for one I like more and is more convenient
Basically I have offers from Durham (A*AA) and Birmingham (ABB because of EPQ) to study History and I’m stuck which one to firm.
I like the atmosphere and environment of Birmingham more, plus it’s like less than half the distance from home. I think I would generally have a better time there. Also in my recent mocks I only got A*AB, and I would rather not have to depend on my insurance as that would put me at the back of the line for accommodation etc.
However, I also know that Durham is slightly more prestigious than Birmingham especially for History. So I was just wondering if this gap in prestige (and the impact on future employment) would be worth both the risk with grades, distance from home, and a potentially worse uni experience.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏
TLDR: do I turn down a better ranked university for one I like more and is more convenient
Go for Birmingham
Birmingham - great city with plenty to do and its cheaper than many other Uni cities.
Just make sure that the course has enough to interest you in all years of the course.
University of Birmingham drone campus tour
Just make sure that the course has enough to interest you in all years of the course.
University of Birmingham drone campus tour
Go where you will be happiest. You do not want to spend your time miserable in a ‘prestigious' University. If Birmingham appeals more than opt for there. A degree is the first step so you can always choose to go somewhere else for your Master’s. It depends what you would like to do with your history degree but generally employers care what your degree classification is not where you studied.
Reply 8
Original post by Bethlong27
Posted this on reddit but posting it here too to see if the responses differ.
Basically I have offers from Durham (A*AA) and Birmingham (ABB because of EPQ) to study History and I’m stuck which one to firm.
I like the atmosphere and environment of Birmingham more, plus it’s like less than half the distance from home. I think I would generally have a better time there. Also in my recent mocks I only got A*AB, and I would rather not have to depend on my insurance as that would put me at the back of the line for accommodation etc.
However, I also know that Durham is slightly more prestigious than Birmingham especially for History. So I was just wondering if this gap in prestige (and the impact on future employment) would be worth both the risk with grades, distance from home, and a potentially worse uni experience.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏
TLDR: do I turn down a better ranked university for one I like more and is more convenient
Basically I have offers from Durham (A*AA) and Birmingham (ABB because of EPQ) to study History and I’m stuck which one to firm.
I like the atmosphere and environment of Birmingham more, plus it’s like less than half the distance from home. I think I would generally have a better time there. Also in my recent mocks I only got A*AB, and I would rather not have to depend on my insurance as that would put me at the back of the line for accommodation etc.
However, I also know that Durham is slightly more prestigious than Birmingham especially for History. So I was just wondering if this gap in prestige (and the impact on future employment) would be worth both the risk with grades, distance from home, and a potentially worse uni experience.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏
TLDR: do I turn down a better ranked university for one I like more and is more convenient
Hi Beth,
I'm a student ambassador at the University of Birmingham, currently doing my postgraduate degree at UoB (AI and Government), however I did my undergraduate degree at Durham (Philosophy and Psychology), so I've got a pretty good idea of what studying at each University is like. Like you, Durham was much much further from my home.
The teaching quality at both institutions is excellent, and you'll generally be getting passionate lecturers and industry experts across many courses. I understand the appeal of prestige, however in my graduate job hunt I'm yet to see prestige translate to actual employability benefits. In each assessment centre, a person's ability to demonstrate their suitability for a job is less so about the prestige of their degree but the skills they've learned from it and how they've used those to their advantage. Furthermore, UoB was ranked as the first choice university for top grad employers in 2024, so that's further food for thought to aid you in your decision making.
I hope my message has helped a little, good luck with your future educational endeavours.
Marjan
University of Birmingham
Article about employer desirability (https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2024/university-of-birmingham-first-choice-for-leading-graduate-employers)
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