City St George’s vs Exeter

I currently hold an offer to City St George’s but it was originally a safety school but I got rejected from my first choice uni and don’t really want to go to city anymore. I’m thinking of applying to Exeter through ucas extra but that requires me to reject my other offers.
On rankings for psychology bsc Exeter is top 10 and city is around 30 so with A*A*A grades I’m leaning more towards Exeter.
But could anyone give me some more insight into whether Exeter really is better, as it would also involve me having to move far from home, but city would not.

Reply 1

Anonymous #2

Exeter is a lot more prestigious, and with your grades, you will definitely get in, but it depends on whether they have any places left for psychology, which they probably will, but there is no guarantee. However, if you really don't want to go to City, go for Extra because at the end of the day, you have to spend at least 3 years there.

Exeter is a nice campus uni, and the city is nice; however, the rumours about the nightlife being worse than other places are true to a degree. All in all, go for where you will be happier because you do have to live there, but Exeter is by far more prestigious, so do take that into account too!

Good luck with your A-levels

Reply 2

Anonymous #1

OP

Thank you! I think for Exeter I’m not too worried about the nightlife but the downside is more the debt it would be in after uni as it would be double the amount compared to if I went to City. However it’s more the quality of teaching that I’m concerned with at City as I know that psychology isn’t their best subject.

Reply 3

ExeterStudentRep

Official Rep

12

Original post by Anonymous

I currently hold an offer to City St George’s but it was originally a safety school but I got rejected from my first choice uni and don’t really want to go to city anymore. I’m thinking of applying to Exeter through ucas extra but that requires me to reject my other offers.
On rankings for psychology bsc Exeter is top 10 and city is around 30 so with A*A*A grades I’m leaning more towards Exeter.
But could anyone give me some more insight into whether Exeter really is better, as it would also involve me having to move far from home, but city would not.

Hi Anonymous,

I'm glad to hear that you are considering Exeter! Our psychology course is quite prestigious, and there's a few reasons why:

Firstly, you will have access to some amazing resources. Some of the facilities you will have access to include animal labs, a number of MRI scanners, and the training centre for the MSci integrated programme.

Secondly, I've also heard that the lecturers are brilliant for psychology. My friends have spoken highly about their lecturers for research methods and/or stats, and have said that they are easy to understand - though all lecturers across the department are super friendly and available to support you at any and all points.

There are also support classes run by the department certain modules, and in your second year, lots of lecturers offer work experience in the form of taking on research projects, which is an invaluable opportunity.

If you have any questions about Exeter itself, do drop a message - but I promise you it's a super nice area, and has amazing direct transport links so you can easily get home (we have multiple train stations, an airport, a bus station, etc.).

Grace
University of Exeter Student Ambassador.

Reply 4

Muttley79

20

Original post by Anonymous

I currently hold an offer to City St George’s but it was originally a safety school but I got rejected from my first choice uni and don’t really want to go to city anymore. I’m thinking of applying to Exeter through ucas extra but that requires me to reject my other offers.
On rankings for psychology bsc Exeter is top 10 and city is around 30 so with A*A*A grades I’m leaning more towards Exeter.
But could anyone give me some more insight into whether Exeter really is better, as it would also involve me having to move far from home, but city would not.

Don't go to a uni you aren't keen on.

How will you have more debt at Exeter? Surely London unis get more SFE maintenance?

Reply 5

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post by Muttley79

Don't go to a uni you aren't keen on.
How will you have more debt at Exeter? Surely London unis get more SFE maintenance?

For Exeter I would have to live out but I wouldn’t for City. So just the accommodation and other living costs.

Reply 6

Muttley79

20

Original post by Anonymous

For Exeter I would have to live out but I wouldn’t for City. So just the accommodation and other living costs.

? What do you mean?

Reply 7

y.u.mad.bro?

21

Original post by Muttley79

? What do you mean?

Poster probably lives in London so therefore can commute to university. That's just my guess based on what they've said.

Reply 8

Muttley79

20

Original post by y.u.mad.bro?

Poster probably lives in London so therefore can commute to university. That's just my guess based on what they've said.

But saying 'just the accommodation and living costs' makes no sense.

Reply 9

y.u.mad.bro?

21

Original post by Muttley79

But saying 'just the accommodation and living costs' makes no sense.

Yeah I think it's a case of they wouldn't have to take a loan out for living in London but for Exeter they would need to take a maintainance loan.

Again, just what I think they are trying to say but let's wait for the poster to clarify what they meant.

Reply 10

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post by y.u.mad.bro?

Yeah I think it's a case of they wouldn't have to take a loan out for living in London but for Exeter they would need to take a maintainance loan.
Again, just what I think they are trying to say but let's wait for the poster to clarify what they meant.

Sorry, yes I live in London so if I go to city then I won’t need a maintenance loan as I can commute instead so I’d only have to pay back the tuition loan. But if I go to Exeter I’d have to get a full support loan to help cover the costs of living out.

Reply 11

Muttley79

20

Original post by Anonymous

Sorry, yes I live in London so if I go to city then I won’t need a maintenance loan as I can commute instead so I’d only have to pay back the tuition loan. But if I go to Exeter I’d have to get a full support loan to help cover the costs of living out.

Travel costs money and you'll still need money.

SFE isn't 'debt' in the normal sense - go too Exeter don't go somewhere you 'don't really want'

Reply 12

Anonymous #1

OP

Thanks for all the advice! I’m thinking of applying to Exeter tomorrow.

Reply 13

Sandy CityUniRep

Official Rep

6

Original post by Anonymous

I currently hold an offer to City St George’s but it was originally a safety school but I got rejected from my first choice uni and don’t really want to go to city anymore. I’m thinking of applying to Exeter through ucas extra but that requires me to reject my other offers.
On rankings for psychology bsc Exeter is top 10 and city is around 30 so with A*A*A grades I’m leaning more towards Exeter.
But could anyone give me some more insight into whether Exeter really is better, as it would also involve me having to move far from home, but city would not.

Hey, not sure if you've already made your decision by now, but I saw your post and thought I'd share my experience as someone currently at City studying Sociology With Psychology and Data Analytics.

First of all, I totally get where you're coming from. Exeter is a great uni with a strong reputation, especially for Psychology, and with your grades, you're clearly in a strong position. Ranking-wise, yeah, Exeter does sit higher- It's more established in the research space and has that traditional "Russel Group" rep that can matter depending on what you want to do after uni. That said, I wouldn't write off City completely just because it started as your safety. I know City isn't everyone's first pick, but from my experience, and a lot of others I've spoken to, it actually offers more then you might expect, especially once you get stuck into the course and take advantage of what London has to offer.

The psychology department is growing, and one of City's biggest strengths is its location. Being based in central London means you're surrounded by a huge range of placements, guest lectures, and research opportunities, everything from NHS partnerships to charities. Exeter also has strong connections with NHS and offers a professional placement year, so both unis definitely provide good hands-on experience. It just comes down to what kind of setting you want that in. City has a more independent urban feel, and it's ideal if you're career focused and want to start building connections while you study.

You also mentioned cost, which I think is a really valid thing to think about. Since you're based in London, staying at City could help you save quite a bit by avoiding the cost of moving out, paying rent, or travelling long distances. Exeter might offer a more traditional uni vibe, but it does come with extra living and travel costs, so it's just about weighing what kind of experience you want against what makes the most sense for you financially.

If you've already gone with Exeter, fair enough, it's a great choice, and will definitely offer a solid academic experience. But if you're still considering things, just know that City has a lot going for it too, especially if staying close to home, keeping costs down, and building career connections early on are priorities for you 😊.

City St George’s vs Exeter

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