Bristol or Exeter

10

Hi! I've gotten an offer from both for neuroscience and I'm curious on people's perspectives on them! I plan to go to an offer holder day for each (when the time comes), but I've only been to Bristol on an open day. I'd like to know how people view the unis/cities/etc.

Reply 1

Insouciant.

15

Original post

by Sammyishumannn

Hi! I've gotten an offer from both for neuroscience and I'm curious on people's perspectives on them! I plan to go to an offer holder day for each (when the time comes), but I've only been to Bristol on an open day. I'd like to know how people view the unis/cities/etc.

Id look into peoples experience yes, but also consider these:

Communication with them so far- was it quick, were they polite, did they answer any questions properly?

If moving- what is the cost of living in both cities- how will this affect you during your studies?

What support do they offer for extenuating circumstances- this can happen to anyone at any time and some institutions are a LOT more helpful than others

do they have good connections for internships, placement years and work experience?

do they both offer the same type of learning eg more classroom based, applied, assessment times, grading types- and what suits you?

Its a lot I know, but honestly these will be a lot more useful and personal to you in the long run than others opinions!

Reply 2

McGinger

20

Look for Open Day and Campus Tour films on YouTube - and its also worth looking at the tourist films for each city as well.

Reply 3

d.eborah

12

what are your predicted grades if you don’t mind me asking?

Reply 4

Sammyishumannn

OP

10

Original post

by d.eborah

what are your predicted grades if you don’t mind me asking?

3A*

Reply 5

StudentBea

10

I don't know enough about Exeter's course, but I did Neuro at Bristol (graduated in 2024). Happy to answer any questions you have about the course, the uni and the city :smile:

Reply 6

Scotney

20

Original post

by Sammyishumannn

Hi! I've gotten an offer from both for neuroscience and I'm curious on people's perspectives on them! I plan to go to an offer holder day for each (when the time comes), but I've only been to Bristol on an open day. I'd like to know how people view the unis/cities/etc.

I think Exeter is a love it or hate it Uni.Go and visit and see how you feel about it.It is very different from Bristol and has a country town vibe.Personally could not get over the expensive halls being at the top of the hill and the poorest at the bottom!Just a personal reaction.Not much life in town certainly compared to Bristol ,but horses for courses as they say.

Reply 7

Muttley79

20

Original post

by Scotney

I think Exeter is a love it or hate it Uni.Go and visit and see how you feel about it.It is very different from Bristol and has a country town vibe.Personally could not get over the expensive halls being at the top of the hill and the poorest at the bottom!Just a personal reaction.Not much life in town certainly compared to Bristol ,but horses for courses as they say.

The cheaper hall like Lafrowda at not at the bottom of a hill - I think maybe you missed half the uni campus!

At least with Exeter you won't end up living in halls in Wales.

Reply 8

Physician

21

Academically speaking, Bristol is superior, especially in STEM. But employers won't distinguish between the two, as Exeter is also very good. It comes down to which campus set up you prefer. I see Bristol as a mini-Oxbridge in the way it looks. Exeter is much more leafy and spacious.

Reply 9

Muttley79

20

Original post

by Physician

Academically speaking, Bristol is superior, especially in STEM. But employers won't distinguish between the two, as Exeter is also very good. It comes down to which campus set up you prefer. I see Bristol as a mini-Oxbridge in the way it looks. Exeter is much more leafy and spacious.

I don't agree - what evidence are you basing this statement on?

Reply 10

Physician

21

Original post

by Muttley79

I don't agree - what evidence are you basing this statement on?

Bristol is ranked much higher in the QS and THES World rankings. Although these rankings only give a glimpse of the academic standards of a university, they have improved significantly in their reliability thanks to the corrections applied towards making adjustments for the size of an institution, as well as the disparity in the volume of research between STEM and Arts subjects.

Bristol has a much higher annual income over Exeter, and has among the best medical, veterinary and dental schools in the UK. I would also argue that traditionally the law school at Bristol has been regarded as a top 10 school in the UK, or certainly very close to that.

The gap between Bristol and Exeter is more notable at postgraduate level and beyond, and research is the cornerstone of what makes a university prestigious or not. Bristol has been regarded as one of the best alternatives to Oxbridge for decades by the media and private schools, even though Exeter also has a high private school intake.

Reply 11

Muttley79

20

Original post

by Physician

Bristol is ranked much higher in the QS and THES World rankings. Although these rankings only give a glimpse of the academic standards of a university, they have improved significantly in their reliability thanks to the corrections applied towards making adjustments for the size of an institution, as well as the disparity in the volume of research between STEM and Arts subjects.
Bristol has a much higher annual income over Exeter, and has among the best medical, veterinary and dental schools in the UK. I would also argue that traditionally the law school at Bristol has been regarded as a top 10 school in the UK, or certainly very close to that.
The gap between Bristol and Exeter is more notable at postgraduate level and beyond, and research is the cornerstone of what makes a university prestigious or not. Bristol has been regarded as one of the best alternatives to Oxbridge for decades by the media and private schools, even though Exeter also has a high private school intake.

All League tables are scientifically flawed and cannot be replicated mathematically. No-one should rely on them for anything useful.

Please don't rely on secondhand inaccurate data.

Exeter is also a top 10 school for Law - I disagree with all your points.

Exeter's medicine degree is rated higher than Bristol now: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate-degrees/bmbs-medicine/

Exeter's campus is far nicer than Bristol's and as for comparing the cities - well crime etc is much lower in Exeter.

Accomodation is more varied and abundant in Exeter - you won't end up living in Wales like Bristol students did.

Reply 12

Physician

21

Original post

by Muttley79

All League tables are scientifically flawed and cannot be replicated mathematically. No-one should rely on them for anything useful.
Please don't rely on secondhand inaccurate data.
Exeter is also a top 10 school for Law - I disagree with all your points.
Exeter's medicine degree is rated higher than Bristol now: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate-degrees/bmbs-medicine/
Exeter's campus is far nicer than Bristol's and as for comparing the cities - well crime etc is much lower in Exeter.
Accomodation is more varied and abundant in Exeter - you won't end up living in Wales like Bristol students did.

Sounds like you are jealous of Bristol. It belongs to a league of universities a notch above that of Exeter, Sheffield, Queen Mary etc. Glasgow and Warwick would also be right next to Bristol.

Reply 13

Muttley79

20

Original post

by Physician

Sounds like you are jealous of Bristol. It belongs to a league of universities a notch above that of Exeter, Sheffield, Queen Mary etc. Glasgow and Warwick would also be right next to Bristol.

Above Exeter - only geographically that it's nearer the North Pole! In everything else except crime and drug use it's just about the same if you believe League table nonsense.

I wouldn't touch Bristol with a bargepole - my students now avoid it as it has a reputation for over offering and people having nowhere to live except in Wales - who'd want that! Far better options available for my top students.

I also note you don't answer any of my points - do ou work at Bristol?

Reply 14

ExeterStudentRep

Official Rep

13

Original post

by Sammyishumannn

Hi! I've gotten an offer from both for neuroscience and I'm curious on people's perspectives on them! I plan to go to an offer holder day for each (when the time comes), but I've only been to Bristol on an open day. I'd like to know how people view the unis/cities/etc.

Hiya!

I’m a second year student at Exeter - I’m studying Natural Sciences so can’t give personal insight on the Neuroscience course itself but I’m really enjoying my time at Exeter and would love to share what I think of the uni and city to help your decision.

I also went to an open day at Bristol uni but the main advantage that Exeter had for me was that it’s a campus rather than a city university. I loved the strong community feel and how sociable it seemed, and it makes travelling to and from lectures, accommodation, and town quick and easy. My course is on Streatham campus while Neuroscience might be based at or partly taught at St Luke’s campus. St Luke’s is further into the city but still conveniently placed, and has a more green, historic feel than Streatham - I go there sometimes for a cosier, quieter study space when Streatham is busy. Of course, my preference for a campus uni is one that you may not share but it was definitely the biggest difference between Bristol and Exeter in my eyes so something to consider - attending the offer holder days are a great way to feel which is more your vibe. Another thing that was important to me when considering universities was being able to access support when I needed it and I really have found the student support team at Exeter to be very understanding and accommodating with any struggles I’ve brought to them.

Exeter itself is a great city to live in with plenty to do. It’s smaller and less bustling than Bristol, so if you prefer a more rural feel I would definitely recommend choosing Exeter. I find that most places I go are close enough to walk to which makes going out with friends or attending my society’s socials easy and accessible. It’s also only a 20-30 minute train journey away from various beaches which is a great way to destress after any summer exams or deadlines!

Feel free to have a look at our virtual campus tours or find out any more information about student life or the uni in general here: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/chooseexeter/?utm_source=studentroom&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=uoe-acquisition-enquiry

Let me know if you have any more questions at all!
Bella
University of Exeter Student Ambassador

(edited 2 days ago)

Bristol or Exeter

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