The Student Room Group

Difficulty choosing a university

I have been offered an conditional offer at Lincoln, Derby and Northumbria, all studying psychology. Lincoln offered me 112 ucas points, Derby 120 and Northumbria 96. I would commute to Lincoln and accommodate at Derby and Northumbria. If anyone has any knowledge or has studied here in general, even if not psychology, please may you help me with the pros and cons of each, I have been to all 3 and been at an offer holder day for Lincoln and Northumbria. I am so torn and I like them all equally for there reasons.

Reply 1

Original post
by Anonymous
I have been offered an conditional offer at Lincoln, Derby and Northumbria, all studying psychology. Lincoln offered me 112 ucas points, Derby 120 and Northumbria 96. I would commute to Lincoln and accommodate at Derby and Northumbria. If anyone has any knowledge or has studied here in general, even if not psychology, please may you help me with the pros and cons of each, I have been to all 3 and been at an offer holder day for Lincoln and Northumbria. I am so torn and I like them all equally for there reasons.

Hi @Anonymous

I do not have experience with any of those universities, however these are some things that I considered when choosing which uni to study at:

Whether to live at home or in accommodation. Both have benefits so it is very much a personal choice. For me, I chose to move away to uni because I wanted to experience a new city and live independently, however this can be more expensive.

What modules are included in each course as this might be different. Do any of the unis have modules that you are more interested in?

What research is taking place at the uni, which might be particularly important for psychology. You might want to consider whether their research focus aligns with your own.

The course structure - including how many modules are taught at once and how you are assessed for each module. You might want to consider whether your would prefer exams or assignment based assessments.


It is ultimately your decision for which uni you think you will be happiest at and will support you with developing academically. It is great that you have already been to visit all of your choices, as this can be really helpful for finding which one feels like the best fit.

Hope that helps!

Sophie.
BCU Student Rep.

Reply 2

Original post
by BCU Student Rep
Hi @Anonymous
I do not have experience with any of those universities, however these are some things that I considered when choosing which uni to study at:

Whether to live at home or in accommodation. Both have benefits so it is very much a personal choice. For me, I chose to move away to uni because I wanted to experience a new city and live independently, however this can be more expensive.

What modules are included in each course as this might be different. Do any of the unis have modules that you are more interested in?

What research is taking place at the uni, which might be particularly important for psychology. You might want to consider whether their research focus aligns with your own.

The course structure - including how many modules are taught at once and how you are assessed for each module. You might want to consider whether your would prefer exams or assignment based assessments.


It is ultimately your decision for which uni you think you will be happiest at and will support you with developing academically. It is great that you have already been to visit all of your choices, as this can be really helpful for finding which one feels like the best fit.
Hope that helps!
Sophie.
BCU Student Rep.


Thankyou so much for your advice, it is very helpful! I will have a think and look at those points 👏

Reply 3

Original post
by Anonymous
I have been offered an conditional offer at Lincoln, Derby and Northumbria, all studying psychology. Lincoln offered me 112 ucas points, Derby 120 and Northumbria 96. I would commute to Lincoln and accommodate at Derby and Northumbria. If anyone has any knowledge or has studied here in general, even if not psychology, please may you help me with the pros and cons of each, I have been to all 3 and been at an offer holder day for Lincoln and Northumbria. I am so torn and I like them all equally for there reasons.


Hi,

That’s definitely a difficult decision, but it sounds like you’ve done all the right things by visiting all three universities and attending offer holder days.

To help narrow it down, it may be useful to think about which factors will matter most to you day-to-day. For example, consider whether you’d prefer commuting or moving away. Cost of living and accommodation is another big factor, as well as how manageable the UCAS offers feel for you.

You could also compare the psychology courses more closely by looking at the modules, teaching style, assessment methods, and any placement or research opportunities. Sometimes one course stands out once you look at the detail. Student support services, facilities, and how comfortable you felt on campus are also important.

If you’re still torn, try ranking what matters most to you (e.g. course quality, finances, social life, location) and see which university ticks the most boxes. There isn’t a wrong choice here, it’s about what will suit you best.

Hope this helps,

Tayba
Student Rep

Reply 4

Original post
by LJMUStudentReps
Hi,
That’s definitely a difficult decision, but it sounds like you’ve done all the right things by visiting all three universities and attending offer holder days.
To help narrow it down, it may be useful to think about which factors will matter most to you day-to-day. For example, consider whether you’d prefer commuting or moving away. Cost of living and accommodation is another big factor, as well as how manageable the UCAS offers feel for you.
You could also compare the psychology courses more closely by looking at the modules, teaching style, assessment methods, and any placement or research opportunities. Sometimes one course stands out once you look at the detail. Student support services, facilities, and how comfortable you felt on campus are also important.
If you’re still torn, try ranking what matters most to you (e.g. course quality, finances, social life, location) and see which university ticks the most boxes. There isn’t a wrong choice here, it’s about what will suit you best.
Hope this helps,
Tayba
Student Rep


Thankyou for your help😊
Original post
by Anonymous
I have been offered an conditional offer at Lincoln, Derby and Northumbria, all studying psychology. Lincoln offered me 112 ucas points, Derby 120 and Northumbria 96. I would commute to Lincoln and accommodate at Derby and Northumbria. If anyone has any knowledge or has studied here in general, even if not psychology, please may you help me with the pros and cons of each, I have been to all 3 and been at an offer holder day for Lincoln and Northumbria. I am so torn and I like them all equally for there reasons.

Hey!
Huge congratulations on getting all three offers! I’m not as familiar with the specific locations for Derby or Northumbria, but I can give you some solid advice on how to break down the decision. I chose Manchester Met primarily because I knew the area well, and the convenience was a huge factor for me, so I’m a big believer in picking what works for you.
Here is how I’d recommend weighing up your options:

Commuting vs. Living Away: This is your biggest decision. I’ve commuted since the start of college and throughout uni, so I know it’s a brilliant way to save money and stay in a familiar routine. However, living in accommodation offers a totally different kind of independence. Think about whether you’re ready for a big move or if the comfort of home is more your vibe.

Course Content: Even though all three are for Psychology, every uni teaches it differently. Dig into the specific modules for each—one might focus more on the biological side, while another might offer more on social or child psychology. Pick the one that actually matches the career path you’re interested in.

My best advice is to weigh out the pros and cons of the daily reality for each. Think about what will be most convenient for you over the next three years. There’s no "wrong" choice here since you liked them all, so focus on which one fits your personality and goals the best.

Hope this helps!😊
Rachel
(Third Year)
Undergraduate Multimedia Journalism

Reply 6

Original post
by Manchester Met - Student Rep
Hey!
Huge congratulations on getting all three offers! I’m not as familiar with the specific locations for Derby or Northumbria, but I can give you some solid advice on how to break down the decision. I chose Manchester Met primarily because I knew the area well, and the convenience was a huge factor for me, so I’m a big believer in picking what works for you.
Here is how I’d recommend weighing up your options:

Commuting vs. Living Away: This is your biggest decision. I’ve commuted since the start of college and throughout uni, so I know it’s a brilliant way to save money and stay in a familiar routine. However, living in accommodation offers a totally different kind of independence. Think about whether you’re ready for a big move or if the comfort of home is more your vibe.

Course Content: Even though all three are for Psychology, every uni teaches it differently. Dig into the specific modules for each—one might focus more on the biological side, while another might offer more on social or child psychology. Pick the one that actually matches the career path you’re interested in.

My best advice is to weigh out the pros and cons of the daily reality for each. Think about what will be most convenient for you over the next three years. There’s no "wrong" choice here since you liked them all, so focus on which one fits your personality and goals the best.
Hope this helps!😊
Rachel
(Third Year)
Undergraduate Multimedia Journalism


thankyou for taking your time to reply to me, this is really helpful advice. I do like a routine but im comfortable with making a new one, I would say that I can live on my own well, but I don’t know if I would want to. Thankyou for your reply! I will create a list of the pros and cons 🙏😊

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