The Student Room Group

Is uni> course?

For my firm & insurance I’m trying to decide between University of Manchester studying Criminology with Data Analytics or University of Liverpool studying Accounting. I want to go into Accounting so I’m not sure if university matters more than the course?

Reply 1

Original post
by tanha.vqx12
For my firm & insurance I’m trying to decide between University of Manchester studying Criminology with Data Analytics or University of Liverpool studying Accounting. I want to go into Accounting so I’m not sure if university matters more than the course?

course > uni for sure

Both Liverpool and Manchester are very good unis (both are Russell Groupb unis). Liverpool is definitely not inferior to Manchester. So I suggest you firm the course you like more. It will be very difficult to stay with a subject you are not interested in. Good luck.

Reply 2

Original post
by cksiu
course > uni for sure
Both Liverpool and Manchester are very good unis (both are Russell Groupb unis). Liverpool is definitely not inferior to Manchester. So I suggest you firm the course you like more. It will be very difficult to stay with a subject you are not interested in. Good luck.

Thank you!! I’ll definitely take your advice onboard as this is what I was thinking too

Reply 3

Hi!

I'd absolutely agree with the other commenter! Picking the course that is right for you is definitely far more important than the universities standing. The university itself is important too, but it shouldn't be the sole reason you choose it!

Some other things to consider in your decision that helped me make mine though are:

The feel of the university, do you like the campus? Is it a city uni with split buildings or is it all contained on one campus

What is the city like? Is it too big or small for you? Do you want a city with a lot of nightlife or other particular features?

Do you need any support whilst at university? For example, do you have any SPLDs that you might need support with? What does each university offer?

What is the accommodation like?

What modules are there on each course specifically?

What do you want to do post-graduation? Which course leans more into that career path


You can get a feel for these by going to open days as well! Touring the university and school of study, chatting to current students and academics, viewing the city etc can all help you get a better feel for it and what you'd really enjoy!
If you're more interested in accounting, it sounds like that is the better degree to go for, rather than just picking a course you may not enjoy, just because you like the university, you'll get far more out of your degree that way.

I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any questions, or need any more advice!

Jas :smile:
UEA Rep

Reply 4

Hi there,

I agree with the other commenters that the course carries more weight than the university name. There’s very little benefit in committing to a subject you’re unsure about for three or four years, and studying something you’re genuinely interested in will make a huge difference to both your motivation and performance.

If possible, attend applicant or offer-holder days. These are a great opportunity to:

Sit in on subject talks or taster sessions

Speak to lecturers and current students about the course

Get a feel for the campus, facilities, and the city itself

While you’re there, consider:

Does the course content genuinely interest you?

Do the students seem engaged and positive about the degree?

Can you picture yourself living and studying in that city?

After each visit, jot down a few reflections—either in your phone or a notebook. Noting what stood out and how you felt on the day can be helpful when it comes to making a final decision.

Hope this helps, and best of luck with your decision 🙂

Megan (LJMU Rep)

Reply 5

Original post
by tanha.vqx12
For my firm & insurance I’m trying to decide between University of Manchester studying Criminology with Data Analytics or University of Liverpool studying Accounting. I want to go into Accounting so I’m not sure if university matters more than the course?

Hi there,

I'd agree with the above that your course matters more than your university, the only things I'd stress is that the university is still important for many reasons!

How comfortable you are on the campus, (go and visit, see how they are)

How comfortable you are in either city (whilst both universities and cities are excellent, Manchester and Liverpool are very different and both have their perks!)

Look at the accommodation in both and see which suits you best (both comfort-wise and finance)

If the universities do offer holder days they'd be great to attend, it helps you get a feel for either degree!


Hope any of these additions help. Good luck and congratulations on your offers!

Charlie
3rd Year History Student at Edge Hill University

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