Bath vs Bristol vs Durham vs Exeter for maths
Hello everyone, hope you're having a good day!
I hope this post is allowed, apologies if not.
I have an offer from all for for maths, I do A-Levels in maths, chemistry, and further maths.
In terms of career, I'm not really sure what I'd want to do yet, anything from law to working in the government or the Civil Service to economics to something more scientific or doing something postgraduate and very different (of course many of those requiring further study).
In terms of prestige in certain career fields, which would be the best option?
What is better in terms of the actual study?
Better networking and opportunities?
Nicer to live in?
In terms of extracurriculars, I am interested in musical theatre and in taking up rowing, I also am interested in English, Classics, history, languages and the likes so societies or classes in the area could be cool.
I do like some flexibility in the courses, and it would be cool if there is the opportunity to study something completely different. Also some level of flexibility between changing departments maybe?
If it matters, I do care a bit about the look of the area, I have visited Bath and the city was so pretty, very hot so quite busy at the time though! I have visited Bristol including the university and also thought it was really pretty, including the university buildings.
Sorry for the long, rambling post! Thank you for anyone who takes time to comment.
I hope this post is allowed, apologies if not.
I have an offer from all for for maths, I do A-Levels in maths, chemistry, and further maths.
In terms of career, I'm not really sure what I'd want to do yet, anything from law to working in the government or the Civil Service to economics to something more scientific or doing something postgraduate and very different (of course many of those requiring further study).
In terms of prestige in certain career fields, which would be the best option?
What is better in terms of the actual study?
Better networking and opportunities?
Nicer to live in?
In terms of extracurriculars, I am interested in musical theatre and in taking up rowing, I also am interested in English, Classics, history, languages and the likes so societies or classes in the area could be cool.
I do like some flexibility in the courses, and it would be cool if there is the opportunity to study something completely different. Also some level of flexibility between changing departments maybe?
If it matters, I do care a bit about the look of the area, I have visited Bath and the city was so pretty, very hot so quite busy at the time though! I have visited Bristol including the university and also thought it was really pretty, including the university buildings.
Sorry for the long, rambling post! Thank you for anyone who takes time to comment.
Reply 1
Have you visited them all yet? All lovely places to live🙂 Worth checking the rankings for Maths. Recent Times rankings puts them in this order for Maths:Bristol, Bath, Durham, Exeter.Bristol and Bath both great cities with lots going on.Durham - pretty but smaller town (you can get train to Newcastle if want bigger city)Exeter - not considered as academic as the other three options (still a good Uni and a good back up option)
Reply 2
3
Original post
by Shellfish1Have you visited them all yet? All lovely places to live🙂 Worth checking the rankings for Maths. Recent Times rankings puts them in this order for Maths:Bristol, Bath, Durham, Exeter.Bristol and Bath both great cities with lots going on.Durham - pretty but smaller town (you can get train to Newcastle if want bigger city)Exeter - not considered as academic as the other three options (still a good Uni and a good back up option)
Hello thank you for your reply.
I have visited Bath the city but not the university, and Bristol University. I won't have time to visit Durham or Exeter so relying on photos haha. When you say 'lots going on' what kinda stuff does that refer to? Thank you for that ranking information, that seems to match with other rankings as well, with Bath swapped with Bristol!Reply 3
Original post
by susernameHello everyone, hope you're having a good day!
I hope this post is allowed, apologies if not.
I have an offer from all for for maths, I do A-Levels in maths, chemistry, and further maths.
In terms of career, I'm not really sure what I'd want to do yet, anything from law to working in the government or the Civil Service to economics to something more scientific or doing something postgraduate and very different (of course many of those requiring further study).
In terms of prestige in certain career fields, which would be the best option?
What is better in terms of the actual study?
Better networking and opportunities?
Nicer to live in?
In terms of extracurriculars, I am interested in musical theatre and in taking up rowing, I also am interested in English, Classics, history, languages and the likes so societies or classes in the area could be cool.
I do like some flexibility in the courses, and it would be cool if there is the opportunity to study something completely different. Also some level of flexibility between changing departments maybe?
If it matters, I do care a bit about the look of the area, I have visited Bath and the city was so pretty, very hot so quite busy at the time though! I have visited Bristol including the university and also thought it was really pretty, including the university buildings.
Sorry for the long, rambling post! Thank you for anyone who takes time to comment.
I hope this post is allowed, apologies if not.
I have an offer from all for for maths, I do A-Levels in maths, chemistry, and further maths.
In terms of career, I'm not really sure what I'd want to do yet, anything from law to working in the government or the Civil Service to economics to something more scientific or doing something postgraduate and very different (of course many of those requiring further study).
In terms of prestige in certain career fields, which would be the best option?
What is better in terms of the actual study?
Better networking and opportunities?
Nicer to live in?
In terms of extracurriculars, I am interested in musical theatre and in taking up rowing, I also am interested in English, Classics, history, languages and the likes so societies or classes in the area could be cool.
I do like some flexibility in the courses, and it would be cool if there is the opportunity to study something completely different. Also some level of flexibility between changing departments maybe?
If it matters, I do care a bit about the look of the area, I have visited Bath and the city was so pretty, very hot so quite busy at the time though! I have visited Bristol including the university and also thought it was really pretty, including the university buildings.
Sorry for the long, rambling post! Thank you for anyone who takes time to comment.
Hi susername,
I study Physics at the University of Bath and have lots of friends in the Maths department! When considering these universities, I would start with the location and type of university. Bath is a campus based university, which is self contained and means I have everything I need on campus (shops, cafes, library, study spaces). However, this means that it's harder to come and go throughout the day. Bristol, for example, is a city based university. I applied to Exeter Uni as well, but ultimately declined my offer to firm Bath instead because I loved the city so much.
In terms of career choices, you could look at placement opportunities during your course. Bath Uni have a large emphasis on placement options. You can choose to do a year long placement in something completely different to Maths. I have a friend who did Maths, but spent their placement being an Outreach Officer for the university. There are so many options!
The musical theatre groups at Bath complete lots of shows every year, in the theatre on campus. I don't have personal experience with it, but every university will have so many societies to choose from!
I would advise comparing the course structures: which follows the best path for you?
If you have any questions, let me know!
Many thanks,
Hannah - Bath Uni Rep
Reply 4
Original post
by susernameHello thank you for your reply. I have visited Bath the city but not the university, and Bristol University. I won't have time to visit Durham or Exeter so relying on photos haha. When you say 'lots going on' what kinda stuff does that refer to? Thank you for that ranking information, that seems to match with other rankings as well, with Bath swapped with Bristol!
I have visited Bath the city but not the university, and Bristol University. I won't have time to visit Durham or Exeter so relying on photos haha. When you say 'lots going on' what kinda stuff does that refer to? Thank you for that ranking information, that seems to match with other rankings as well, with Bath swapped with Bristol!Bath is better than Bristol which doesn't have enough accommodation for freshers let alone anyone else!
Durham not recommended and Exeter is a great city but Maths department not as good as it once was.
Reply 5
Original post
by Muttley79Bath is better than Bristol which doesn't have enough accommodation for freshers let alone anyone else!
Durham not recommended and Exeter is a great city but Maths department not as good as it once was.
Durham not recommended and Exeter is a great city but Maths department not as good as it once was.
May I ask why Durham is not recommended?
Reply 6
Original post
by UnisterMay I ask why Durham is not recommended?
It's not that good for Maths
Academically speaking in terms of the breadth of options available and strength of the maths department, Bristol stands far and away from the others. Bristol has conventionally been considered the next strongest maths department after Cambridge/Oxford/Imperial/Warwick for a fair while now as far as I'm aware. Bath has a somewhat narrower range of options particularly in the pure regime, although if you're particularly interested in applied and/or analysis/PDEs might be a good fit.
None of those unis you listed are any better or worse in terms of your future plans in terms of jobs (notably in fact the civil service recruits "blind" so they won't know where you studied at...), for academia depending on the specific area you want to go into any might be good, for "general purposes" Bristol will probably give you the widest range of options to allow you to potentially go any direction.
Bristol is a very expensive city though, as is Bath (and Exeter isn't overly cheap either...although cheaper than either). Not sure how Durham compares for costs due to the collegiate format. I think Durham is big on rowing, not sure about the others.
Note in general in the UK you can't "change department" at the drop of a hat. You would effectively be starting a new degree programme in a different department from scratch if you did that, which they may in fact require a new UCAS application for, and may also impact your student finance entitlements as a UK student (or have visa complications if an international student). Generally degrees in the UK are very focused on the single (or in joint honours courses, two or sometimes three) subject areas named in the degree. There might be the option to take one or two external modules during your degree but this is often at the mercy of timetabling as well.
If you want a course where you can "pick and choose" things including maths you may be better off looking at natural sciences at Durham. Otherwise you should manage your expectations in this regard.
None of those unis you listed are any better or worse in terms of your future plans in terms of jobs (notably in fact the civil service recruits "blind" so they won't know where you studied at...), for academia depending on the specific area you want to go into any might be good, for "general purposes" Bristol will probably give you the widest range of options to allow you to potentially go any direction.
Bristol is a very expensive city though, as is Bath (and Exeter isn't overly cheap either...although cheaper than either). Not sure how Durham compares for costs due to the collegiate format. I think Durham is big on rowing, not sure about the others.
Note in general in the UK you can't "change department" at the drop of a hat. You would effectively be starting a new degree programme in a different department from scratch if you did that, which they may in fact require a new UCAS application for, and may also impact your student finance entitlements as a UK student (or have visa complications if an international student). Generally degrees in the UK are very focused on the single (or in joint honours courses, two or sometimes three) subject areas named in the degree. There might be the option to take one or two external modules during your degree but this is often at the mercy of timetabling as well.
If you want a course where you can "pick and choose" things including maths you may be better off looking at natural sciences at Durham. Otherwise you should manage your expectations in this regard.
Reply 8
Original post
by artful_loungerAcademically speaking in terms of the breadth of options available and strength of the maths department, Bristol stands far and away from the others. Bristol has conventionally been considered the next strongest maths department after Cambridge/Oxford/Imperial/Warwick for a fair while now as far as I'm aware. Bath has a somewhat narrower range of options particularly in the pure regime, although if you're particularly interested in applied and/or analysis/PDEs might be a good fit.
None of those unis you listed are any better or worse in terms of your future plans in terms of jobs (notably in fact the civil service recruits "blind" so they won't know where you studied at...), for academia depending on the specific area you want to go into any might be good, for "general purposes" Bristol will probably give you the widest range of options to allow you to potentially go any direction.
Bristol is a very expensive city though, as is Bath (and Exeter isn't overly cheap either...although cheaper than either). Not sure how Durham compares for costs due to the collegiate format. I think Durham is big on rowing, not sure about the others.
Note in general in the UK you can't "change department" at the drop of a hat. You would effectively be starting a new degree programme in a different department from scratch if you did that, which they may in fact require a new UCAS application for, and may also impact your student finance entitlements as a UK student (or have visa complications if an international student). Generally degrees in the UK are very focused on the single (or in joint honours courses, two or sometimes three) subject areas named in the degree. There might be the option to take one or two external modules during your degree but this is often at the mercy of timetabling as well.
If you want a course where you can "pick and choose" things including maths you may be better off looking at natural sciences at Durham. Otherwise you should manage your expectations in this regard.
None of those unis you listed are any better or worse in terms of your future plans in terms of jobs (notably in fact the civil service recruits "blind" so they won't know where you studied at...), for academia depending on the specific area you want to go into any might be good, for "general purposes" Bristol will probably give you the widest range of options to allow you to potentially go any direction.
Bristol is a very expensive city though, as is Bath (and Exeter isn't overly cheap either...although cheaper than either). Not sure how Durham compares for costs due to the collegiate format. I think Durham is big on rowing, not sure about the others.
Note in general in the UK you can't "change department" at the drop of a hat. You would effectively be starting a new degree programme in a different department from scratch if you did that, which they may in fact require a new UCAS application for, and may also impact your student finance entitlements as a UK student (or have visa complications if an international student). Generally degrees in the UK are very focused on the single (or in joint honours courses, two or sometimes three) subject areas named in the degree. There might be the option to take one or two external modules during your degree but this is often at the mercy of timetabling as well.
If you want a course where you can "pick and choose" things including maths you may be better off looking at natural sciences at Durham. Otherwise you should manage your expectations in this regard.
Sorry you are wrong - Bristol has major issues with accommodation and its Maths department has NVER been recognised as second to Oxbridge etc. Where did you get this false information from?
Bath is a far better choice these days and its placement option is outstanding.
(edited 7 months ago)
Reply 9
Ask anyone this question and you’ll get different answers. All of the universities are good and the various ranking tables attest to that. (And that applies to the Maths courses too)
Ultimately comes down to where you think you would be happiest.
People do have their favourites but companies don’t pick you for the university so much these days, but focus more on you and how good you are and how well you do in the degree.
Ultimately comes down to where you think you would be happiest.
People do have their favourites but companies don’t pick you for the university so much these days, but focus more on you and how good you are and how well you do in the degree.
Reply 10
Original post
by susernameHello everyone, hope you're having a good day!
I hope this post is allowed, apologies if not.
I have an offer from all for for maths, I do A-Levels in maths, chemistry, and further maths.
In terms of career, I'm not really sure what I'd want to do yet, anything from law to working in the government or the Civil Service to economics to something more scientific or doing something postgraduate and very different (of course many of those requiring further study).
In terms of prestige in certain career fields, which would be the best option?
What is better in terms of the actual study?
Better networking and opportunities?
Nicer to live in?
In terms of extracurriculars, I am interested in musical theatre and in taking up rowing, I also am interested in English, Classics, history, languages and the likes so societies or classes in the area could be cool.
I do like some flexibility in the courses, and it would be cool if there is the opportunity to study something completely different. Also some level of flexibility between changing departments maybe?
If it matters, I do care a bit about the look of the area, I have visited Bath and the city was so pretty, very hot so quite busy at the time though! I have visited Bristol including the university and also thought it was really pretty, including the university buildings.
Sorry for the long, rambling post! Thank you for anyone who takes time to comment.
I hope this post is allowed, apologies if not.
I have an offer from all for for maths, I do A-Levels in maths, chemistry, and further maths.
In terms of career, I'm not really sure what I'd want to do yet, anything from law to working in the government or the Civil Service to economics to something more scientific or doing something postgraduate and very different (of course many of those requiring further study).
In terms of prestige in certain career fields, which would be the best option?
What is better in terms of the actual study?
Better networking and opportunities?
Nicer to live in?
In terms of extracurriculars, I am interested in musical theatre and in taking up rowing, I also am interested in English, Classics, history, languages and the likes so societies or classes in the area could be cool.
I do like some flexibility in the courses, and it would be cool if there is the opportunity to study something completely different. Also some level of flexibility between changing departments maybe?
If it matters, I do care a bit about the look of the area, I have visited Bath and the city was so pretty, very hot so quite busy at the time though! I have visited Bristol including the university and also thought it was really pretty, including the university buildings.
Sorry for the long, rambling post! Thank you for anyone who takes time to comment.
Hi susername,
Choosing a university is a very big decision and it is important to have all the information before deciding on the right one for you so continue asking all of these important questions.
I am a University of Exeter student studying a BBL in Business and Law. I can only talk about my experience at this university, but I would really recommend going to as many of the open days as you can as you get a really good feel for a place this way.
As for the quality of education, the University of Exeter is a Russell Group university so you have a very high standard of teaching guaranteed. We also have many networking and career opportunities every year, getting in many amazing companies. I have found our Career Zone to be very helpful with finding internships, work experience, part time jobs and grad jobs after university - not only will they help perfect your CV they will ask help you practice for interviews. They also run an app called Handshake where you can search through all the places hiring, think of LinkedIn but aimed at student opportunities.
We also have a very good range of societies which you can find here: https://www.exeterguild.com/
If you wish to speak to someone more in depth about the course I recommend talking to a current student on UniBuddy: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/life/ask-a-student/?utm_source=studentroom&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=uoe-acquisition-enquiry
Hope that helps.
Klaudia
Uni of Exeter Student Ambassador
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