Clearing or Ucas Extra

9

I firmed Queen Mary and insured City for Economics. But I just realised that Manchester is a better uni for econ and I would have been offered the same offer as Queen Mary. I want to go Manchester because of it being a target uni and have a better reputation but I’m worried to apply through clearing on results day if I get the results, because of sorting out accomodation. If i applied in January I would have had time to sort out accom, and manage finances. Or shall I just decline my QM and City offers and apply to Manchester through Ucas Extra now? Only issue is is that I might not get an offer. Or I can just stick with Queen Mary and use the saved money from not living in accom, bills, food etc. to transfer to a year abroad degree and spend the year abroad. I’m so stuck! My a levels start next week Monday as well

Reply 1

GeneticsNerd

8

In my experience, as an adult it has never once been discussed what rank a uni was for their course. Also since rankings change an employer would have to go and find what ranking it was when you were there and I would put money on that they do not have the time or inclination for that. You could have gone to the best uni ever but if you're no good at the job that doesn't help them. Interview performance matters farrrrr more than your exact uni.

When you say Manchester is better for economics do you mean the course content is more what you want or the rankings are better?

If I were you I'd stick with your choice and live at home to save dosh if that was your original intention.

Reply 2

jkjjhj

OP

9

Original post

by GeneticsNerd

In my experience, as an adult it has never once been discussed what rank a uni was for their course. Also since rankings change an employer would have to go and find what ranking it was when you were there and I would put money on that they do not have the time or inclination for that. You could have gone to the best uni ever but if you're no good at the job that doesn't help them. Interview performance matters farrrrr more than your exact uni.
When you say Manchester is better for economics do you mean the course content is more what you want or the rankings are better?
If I were you I'd stick with your choice and live at home to save dosh if that was your original intention.

Thank you, what field do you work in? Im planning on working within the finance sector, so I thought target unis would really matter. Apparently Manchester is better for economics as they are ranked 6th in the uk for econ whereas queen mary is ranked 20th. And ive seen a lot of reviews and opinions that queen marys student services are horrible, they dont reply to emails, the economics department is bad with professors who can’t teach properly and can’t answer simple questions related to the content. But again I’ll be able to commute and save money which is also important for me as I want to invest and start a couple business of my own in the future. It’s all so much to worry about

Reply 3

AliI3051

7

its a risk rejecting your current offer and applying to machester through clearing, you may not get an offer, i would only do that if you really wanted to go manchester

Reply 4

cksiu

Universities Forum Helper

15

Original post

by jkjjhj

I firmed Queen Mary and insured City for Economics. But I just realised that Manchester is a better uni for econ and I would have been offered the same offer as Queen Mary. I want to go Manchester because of it being a target uni and have a better reputation but I’m worried to apply through clearing on results day if I get the results, because of sorting out accomodation. If i applied in January I would have had time to sort out accom, and manage finances. Or shall I just decline my QM and City offers and apply to Manchester through Ucas Extra now? Only issue is is that I might not get an offer. Or I can just stick with Queen Mary and use the saved money from not living in accom, bills, food etc. to transfer to a year abroad degree and spend the year abroad. I’m so stuck! My a levels start next week Monday as well

Don't rely on rankings, they are not always objective and reliable.

Manchester and Queen Mary are equally good. It's OK giving up one for the other. But you are not debating which to firm. Extra is all different, you give up Queen Mary and may end up with nothing, Manchester is not obligated to make an offer even though you meet their requirements.

If I were you, I would wait until Clearing.

Reply 5

GeneticsNerd

8

Original post

by jkjjhj

Thank you, what field do you work in? Im planning on working within the finance sector, so I thought target unis would really matter. Apparently Manchester is better for economics as they are ranked 6th in the uk for econ whereas queen mary is ranked 20th. And ive seen a lot of reviews and opinions that queen marys student services are horrible, they dont reply to emails, the economics department is bad with professors who can’t teach properly and can’t answer simple questions related to the content. But again I’ll be able to commute and save money which is also important for me as I want to invest and start a couple business of my own in the future. It’s all so much to worry about

I'm not in finance, but my husband is. I'd still put money on rankings not mattering in most if not all industries. University is a very small fraction of your life when you're still very young. It doesn't take long before your experience in the industry far outweighs education and even then it would be how well you did at uni that an employer would look at over a ranking.

Also in my experience (certainly in genetics) what I learnt at uni was very interesting but not very applicable to real life and experience gained on the job is more desirable.

Reply 6

PQ

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

21

Speak to Queen Mary and ask if they would accept you back through Extra if you change your mind or don’t get an offer from Manchester. They may be able to reassure you.

Whether you apply now or in Clearing you need to give up your QM offer. Using Extra is like clearing but lower risk because there’s more time.

Have you spoken to Manchester about the vacancies listed in Extra to find out what they’re looking for?

Reply 7

sophtsr

3

Original post

by jkjjhj

I firmed Queen Mary and insured City for Economics. But I just realised that Manchester is a better uni for econ and I would have been offered the same offer as Queen Mary. I want to go Manchester because of it being a target uni and have a better reputation but I’m worried to apply through clearing on results day if I get the results, because of sorting out accomodation. If i applied in January I would have had time to sort out accom, and manage finances. Or shall I just decline my QM and City offers and apply to Manchester through Ucas Extra now? Only issue is is that I might not get an offer. Or I can just stick with Queen Mary and use the saved money from not living in accom, bills, food etc. to transfer to a year abroad degree and spend the year abroad. I’m so stuck! My a levels start next week Monday as well

I agree with cksiu . The rankings are not reliable, They all say different. It depends which rankings you look at too. The complete university guide gives them both the same overall score for economics. The way that these figures are put together is far from an exact science.

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