University rankings vs course

8

Ive got my top 2 choices on where i want to go for uni but im a bit worried about some things. I'm leaning towards falmouth for product design as i like the course more than mmu but mmu has a high ranking and ratings overall so i'm doubting myself and unsure on what to firm.

Reply 1

PQ

PS Reviewer

21

Original post by Mialim

Ive got my top 2 choices on where i want to go for uni but im a bit worried about some things. I'm leaning towards falmouth for product design as i like the course more than mmu but mmu has a high ranking and ratings overall so i'm doubting myself and unsure on what to firm.

I find it hard to believe that someone who would be happy and thrive in Falmouth would also be happy and thrive in Manchester.
For creative courses rankings don’t measure much that’s relevant.
What do you consider the pros and cons of each? What did you think when you visited?

Reply 2

Mialim

OP

8

Original post by PQ

I find it hard to believe that someone who would be happy and thrive in Falmouth would also be happy and thrive in Manchester.
For creative courses rankings don’t measure much that’s relevant.
What do you consider the pros and cons of each? What did you think when you visited?

I would say I enjoy the course more at falmouth but I don't really know the area and the 'vibe' of the uni as I couldn't get to the open day and my parents are againts me going due to distance and me living in greater Manchester would reduce costs as I would have to live at home. Honestly I'm really leaning towards falmouth but I wanted to go to then open day this Saturday bit I can't get down and my parents are againts me studying in falmouth all together 😕 sorry if I went off on a tangent

Reply 3

nutz99

19

As a university Falmouth is very much dominated by the Arts so I would guess there is a different vibe from most universities. It's a holiday town so expect to pay more generally than you would in Manchester, Cornwall as a whole tends to be quite expensive. If you are looking for a more relaxed way of life then Falmouth would likely fit the bill.

The biggest drawback would be travelling to and from home as Falmouth is quite isolated and not easy to get to. You're probably looking at 6-7 hours by car or 8-10 hours by train/bus. For the majority of people I think that amount of travelling to get home may put them off. Unless you can drive or your parents would drive you down it would be a logistical nightmare.

Reply 4

Mialim

OP

8

Original post by nutz99

As a university Falmouth is very much dominated by the Arts so I would guess there is a different vibe from most universities. It's a holiday town so expect to pay more generally than you would in Manchester, Cornwall as a whole tends to be quite expensive. If you are looking for a more relaxed way of life then Falmouth would likely fit the bill.
The biggest drawback would be travelling to and from home as Falmouth is quite isolated and not easy to get to. You're probably looking at 6-7 hours by car or 8-10 hours by train/bus. For the majority of people I think that amount of travelling to get home may put them off. Unless you can drive or your parents would drive you down it would be a logistical nightmare.

Tbh some of the mmu accomodation is around the same price/higher. I would also be commuting in for an 1h which compared to falmouth isnt too bad but i doubt id be able to wake uo at 6am to get ready and catch the bus which may be delayed etc. I wouldn't say that I'm a partying/club person as I'm too quiet so I don't think falmouth would be too bad! But yeah I get ur point!
Hopefully if I pass my driving practical then I would be able to get a car but then falmouth is quite sustainable making it harder for me to park but then I could use a bike/bus/train to get to places.

Reply 5

PQ

PS Reviewer

21

Original post by Mialim

I would say I enjoy the course more at falmouth but I don't really know the area and the 'vibe' of the uni as I couldn't get to the open day and my parents are againts me going due to distance and me living in greater Manchester would reduce costs as I would have to live at home. Honestly I'm really leaning towards falmouth but I wanted to go to then open day this Saturday bit I can't get down and my parents are againts me studying in falmouth all together 😕 sorry if I went off on a tangent

That’s really useful.

Were these your only 2 offers or did you have any other choices?

Just because you live near/in Manchester doesn’t stop you from living in halls even if it’s just for first year.

For Falmouth it’s not just the travel there that you need to consider but the smallness of the town. If you’re used to a big city then the lack of shops, cinemas, nightlife, sports facilities etc etc is likely to feel weird and isolating

Reply 6

Mialim

OP

8

Original post by PQ

That’s really useful.
Were these your only 2 offers or did you have any other choices?
Just because you live near/in Manchester doesn’t stop you from living in halls even if it’s just for first year.
For Falmouth it’s not just the travel there that you need to consider but the smallness of the town. If you’re used to a big city then the lack of shops, cinemas, nightlife, sports facilities etc etc is likely to feel weird and isolating

I got offers for Edinburgh, Sheffield hallum and northumbria. Originally I was going to put mmu and northumbria as I didn't consider going to falmouth. But after more research, I felt that the falmouth course was the one I really liked.
The smallness is something that I would hope to get sense of at an open day but yeah I can't get down there. I feel like is enough stuff like societies and shops to reduce the isolating nature of falmouth and I don't go out clubbing for example in Manchester now and I've found falmouth has a swimming club which I would join as a replacement of my current club near home

Reply 7

Mialim

OP

8

Original post by PQ

That’s really useful.
Were these your only 2 offers or did you have any other choices?
Just because you live near/in Manchester doesn’t stop you from living in halls even if it’s just for first year.
For Falmouth it’s not just the travel there that you need to consider but the smallness of the town. If you’re used to a big city then the lack of shops, cinemas, nightlife, sports facilities etc etc is likely to feel weird and isolating

Also if I went to mmu my parents want me to live at home and the accommodation is almost booked up already

Reply 8

Coventry University Student Ambassadors

Official Rep

18

Original post by Mialim

Ive got my top 2 choices on where i want to go for uni but im a bit worried about some things. I'm leaning towards falmouth for product design as i like the course more than mmu but mmu has a high ranking and ratings overall so i'm doubting myself and unsure on what to firm.

Hello there,
Roughly one year ago I was in exactly the same position as you only between University of Bath and Coventry University and I picked the course I knew I would prefer at Coventry because after speaking to people and doing research into the industry a lot of employers are looking for hands on experience and skills not just the university. Also doing the the course you will enjoy more means you will probably put more effort in and hopefully get a higher grade and come out with a better degree that contained knowledge you need for a job in the industry you want a job in. I am 1 year through my degree at Coventry and haven't looked back at Bath since and am loving it here.
Hope this helps
Dan - Student Ambassador

Reply 9

PQ

PS Reviewer

21

Original post by Mialim

I got offers for Edinburgh, Sheffield hallum and northumbria. Originally I was going to put mmu and northumbria as I didn't consider going to falmouth. But after more research, I felt that the falmouth course was the one I really liked.
The smallness is something that I would hope to get sense of at an open day but yeah I can't get down there. I feel like is enough stuff like societies and shops to reduce the isolating nature of falmouth and I don't go out clubbing for example in Manchester now and I've found falmouth has a swimming club which I would join as a replacement of my current club near home

are there any other universities that have a better mix of course content and location for you?

most courses are still open on Extra - if you like falmouth then Leeds Arts or Norwich Arts might be worth a look (I don't know for sure if they've got product design courses though). Or you could look at NTU, BCU or Huddersfield which are all well known for their product design courses.

There's always vacancies opening up in halls - especially if you can hold on until a month or two into term

Reply 10

insidedesigner

7

@Mialim It might be worth you reading my post from 2 years ago that explains more about why rankings aren't a great way to decide where to study creative subjects https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7281793

Reply 11

chloebird

15

Original post by Mialim

Ive got my top 2 choices on where i want to go for uni but im a bit worried about some things. I'm leaning towards falmouth for product design as i like the course more than mmu but mmu has a high ranking and ratings overall so i'm doubting myself and unsure on what to firm.

COURSE COURSE COURSE COURSE COURSE!! I chose rankings and will regret it for the rest of my life. Also, I am currently at the university of Manchester and this city is VERY expensive to live in compared to everywhere else I have lived (Birmingham, Coventry, Newcastle, Liverpool) in all areas including groceries. As you become more independent, for example if you want to buy your own food or get a summer placement, you may regret staying in the city. It's overpopulated. The bus routes for students to the campuses are VERY crowded (lines like a theme park on weekday mornings and many will go past as 'bus full' if you're coming up from the South or going home either way from campus) and it's near impossible to get a dentist, summer internship, GP appointment or be seen in A&E (my latest stays were 12, 14 and 16 hours.) Hundreds of thousands of students are competing for EVERYTHING. This is not to scare you. You might thrive on the party scene/busy vibe and I've heard lovely things about MMU compared to Uni of, but I say go for the course. Rankings mean nothing in the real world, your passion means everything!

University rankings vs course

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