Warwick or Durham Economics

Hi, my daughter has got conditional offers for Bsc Econ from Warwick (AA at adv higher) and Durham (AAA at adv higher). We live in Glasgow. She is undecided about which to pick. She is predicted A1A1A1 at adv higher.

She loved both depts at the applicant open days last year. She attended the offer holder day at Durham last week and loved it. She chose to go there because both offer holder days were on the same date. This is closer (3.5 hour drive vs 5.5 hour drive).

What does she need to consider before deciding on her firm and insurance? Thinking from her heart..its Durham because it’s closer!

Both Unis seem to be ranked similar. Course content also similar. We have heard Warwick is a target uni for companies while Durham is a semitarget.

Thanks for any suggestions and advice.

Reply 1

cksiu

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by Anonymous

Hi, my daughter has got conditional offers for Bsc Econ from Warwick (AA at adv higher) and Durham (AAA at adv higher). We live in Glasgow. She is undecided about which to pick. She is predicted A1A1A1 at adv higher.
She loved both depts at the applicant open days last year. She attended the offer holder day at Durham last week and loved it. She chose to go there because both offer holder days were on the same date. This is closer (3.5 hour drive vs 5.5 hour drive).
What does she need to consider before deciding on her firm and insurance? Thinking from her heart..its Durham because it’s closer!
Both Unis seem to be ranked similar. Course content also similar. We have heard Warwick is a target uni for companies while Durham is a semitarget.
Thanks for any suggestions and advice.

It's your daughter's lifetime decision, let her decide.

Both Durham and Warwick are very good unis. Your daughter won't be wrong giving up one for the other.

Warwick is a very good uni, it has been very successful in promoting its image, particular on business, economics and finance related subjects. Durham falls far behind Warwick in image building, but academically it is also very good and definitely not behind Warwick.

Employment prospects etc are mostly hear-says. Graduate employment statistics change every year. So don't take that so seriously. Your daughter's future is determined by her capabilitie, not the uni she graduated from.

I can see from your post that you have very strong family tie. You and your daughter have very good relation. Distance to home is a critical factor. Not only to give her support in-time, but also for you to visit her when you need her.

Reply 2

Anonymous #2

Durham Student here - currently in 3rd year studying a STEM degree, it pains me to say it but I would think twice about coming to Durham.

The university is declining financially, yet again this year staff are striking due to job cuts and have announced a marking and assessment boycott which will affect the graduations of 100s of students like me. I don't regret coming to Durham, it hasn't stopped me from achieving what I want and more, but I can't wait to close this chapter and complete my postgrad elsewhere.

Warwick is an excellent uni, by almost all measures I would say it's on par with Durham or slightly better. The one area I would say Durham tops is the university experience: Durham's colleges, the student life and the city itself. However, I'm not sure if this is worth choosing Durham for, as the university is undoubtedly on decline. I do think Warwick's proximity to London helps, both unis are heavily targeted by top companies but I think Warwick takes a slight edge here.

That isn't to say if your daughter chooses Warwick she won't have to deal with staff strikes; this is unfortunately a real issue across all of the UK's higher education institutions. However, the situation at Durham appears to be uniquely worse and I'm not sure what the future holds.

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

Thank you both for your insights. Points are well taken. Ultimately it’s her decision and we are grateful that she has offers from both. She will finish her exams by the end of May and is going to do some more research into the course, accommodation and place. She has about a week after her last exam, before she has to confirm. Thank you both again and wish you all the best.