Unsure on what to Firm

Have 5 offers just not sure on what uni to firm would like to choose one soon so I can apply for accommodation hope I can get some help with it.
Newcastle University - Politics and IR (BBB)
Warwick - Politics and IS (ABB)
Exeter - Politics and IR (ABB)
Loughborough - PPE (AAB)
Bath - Politics and Economics (ABB)

Reply 1

University of Bath

Official Rep

Hi there GoodAsdaManager (love that user ID by the way!)

Huge congrats on all of your offers, its great to hear you've got offers from those 5 very strong unis!

I would first ask yourself which has the course which best fits your interests? Have you looked in detail at the modules and what you will be learning? If so, then what do you think you would be happiest studying? This is an important factor to consider as this is what you'll be doing for the next 3-4 years. To help with this, perhaps have a think about what you might like to do in the future. You don't have to have it all worked out yet, but a few ideas as to where you might want to get to may be helpful in choosing a course.

Also, which uni and city do you like best? If you went to the open days/offer holder days, which uni made you feel most at home? Where could you genuinely see yourself having a good time?

Its generally wise to have your insurance as the one which asks for a few grades lower than your PGs. On this basis Newcastle would be a good option for this if you'd 100% be happy going there if things didn't quite go your way on results day. Of the others, its about thinking about which would be the best option to give you the uni life you want.

How about a pros and cons list for each of your choices? What do your loved ones think - can they offer any insight? If you want to speak to/message our student ambassadors to ask their opinion of Bath, we have TAP as an online chat platform: here! Its likely your other choices will have something similar if you wanted to hear from current students.

I hope this helps you and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch!

University of Bath

Reply 2

McGinger

Which course do you prefer?

Check the optional units for all three years of each course and think about what you would choose if you went there. Also, prioritise any course that includes study abroad or a work placement. This address enormously to your student experience and to your graduate CV - employers always prefer graduate recruits 'with relevant experience' not just a degree.

How important is the Economics element? Or, are you more interested in Politics - or in the connections between these subjects? How important is organised sport to you - Loughborough and Bath have the best sports facilities of any UK Unis.

How confident do you feel about your grades? Be realistic.
And what would you choose as your Insurance choice?

Reply 3

UniLancashire

Official Rep

Hi there,

Congratulations on your offers from all 5 of your chosen universities, this is something you should be really proud of 🎉Choosing which university to firm and which to have as your insurance is a really bid decision so it's great you're taking time to really think about your options. Here are a few things to consider that might help you decide:

Entry requirements

•

Firm choice: Aim for the university or course you most want to go to, even if you feel the offer is slightly ambitious.

•

Insurance choice: Choose a university with lower entry requirements than your firm. This is wise - don't pick an insurance with the same or harder conditions. In this case, Newcastle may be the smartest decision as a backup option.

Course content - Look at the modules, teaching style, contact hours (lectures and seminars vs self-study), and assessment methods to work out which best suits your learning style and interests. Choose courses you're genuinely excited about, think about which modules you'd really want to learn and go from there! Consider extra things such as study abroad schemes or placements - do any of them offer extra experiences that you'd be interested in?

University reputation & graduate prospects - This may not be important for yourself, however a lot of people take in to consideration league tables and course ratings, in comparison to other institutions. I'd also recommend looking at graduate employment stats for your subject, not just overall rankings.

Location - Your chosen universities are spread out across the country, but it's worth considering do you want to be close to home or easily accessible by public transport? This may not be an issue for yourself but it's still useful to think about. Have you been and visited all the universities, if so, is there a campus you could picture yourself living in more than others? Consider the cost of living in the city (for example, Newcastle may be cheaper for rent than Exeter).

Student life & support - What are you looking to get out of uni, do you want to live in a vibrant city like Newcastle or are you more suited to a smaller town such as Loughborough? I'd suggest having a look at the clubs and societies on offer. As mentioned above, Loughborough, Bath, and Exeter are known for there sports facilities - is this something that is a passion of yours? Consider the student support packages, accommodation options, and general facilities - is there a university that stands out for you?

Open days & trusting your gut feeling - If you've visited open days, think about where excited you most, or where you felt most comfortable. Sometimes it really comes down to that initial instinct.

Backup plan - As much as you don't want this to happen, think about what you'd do if you miss out on your firm choice - would you be happy going to your insurance?

I hope this helps and good luck with your decision making!
Best wishes, ^Hannah 🙂