Salford or MMU?

Hi there, going to Manchester in September, got unconditional offers from both Salford and MMU to study Sociology (didn't quite have the grades for Manchester Uni). A question/poll of opinions for anyone who knows the unis - which would be the better choice - Salford or MMU (I know the Alsager campus for MMU is evil, but Sociology is in the city). Thanks.

Reply 1

john williams

15

Neither are that great, but from what it seems (apart from comments from AT7.lol), id say MMU.

Reply 2

AT82

Not sure about about the reputations for that subject, so I would choose the one which has the course structure that suits you better, the one you like the sound of the most, it also depends on what you want to do when you leave. In general Salford has slightly higher starting saleries, has a higher amount of graduates in employment and has better research scores with many 5* departments, Salford is ranked about 42 for this area, where as MMU will be more like 80 or somthing.

So if you want to become an academic choose Salford due to the research scores (depending on that department). I am currently at Salford because the university has a good reputation my subject area (computing) and it is a 5* department. What I like about the place is its very well organised and I like the campus in the city thing, it means you're still right next to Manchester city centre (5 mins on the bus) but you're on an almost self contained (apart from most residences) campus so it is nice and friendly.

The university is also spending £100 million on updating its facilities.

I am very happy here and I am glad I choose this place, but I can't speak for your subject area.

Reply 3

username5154

0

15

It's quite a hard decision to choose. According to the times online league table, MMU is 42nd place while Salford is 47 for sociology. If you want to go to the university and don't mind the course content (maybe it's similar or something), you could choose MMU as it's higher in the subject league table. In the end, it's up to you.

Reply 4

ifisurvive

OP

Yeah, I had a look at the Times and Guardian lists and they both have Salford higher in the general Uni lists but MMU rates higher (in the Guardian a lot higher) for Sociology.

I was just trying to see what the opinions of people who actually know the unis were, get the knowledge behind the black and white facts of the Guardian and Times!

For example Salford seems to get a very mixed reputation of having a nice campus close to the city, but is in a rough area. Sociology at MMU would be at the All Saints Campus, so again having a campus feel but in a better(?) area, near Deansgate etc.

Reply 5

AT82

Salford is probably nearer to Deansgate than MMU (depending on the part) the roughness of Salford is only a problem if you live there, the area around the campus is fine, I have never had any problems, a lot of MMU's student accodmation is in Longsight which is just as rough as Salford.

So unless you're lucky to enough to find decent private accodomation near MMU that can be a problem regardless.

Also crime is down 63% since 2002 in Salford, so there has been major improvements, its as as rough as it used to be however I cannot pretend its a nice area.

If you're moving out then rent is cheaper at Salford, if you're staying at home which university is nearer to where you live? I'm currently living in Chorlton, South Manchester so I have to pass Manchester and MMU to get to Salford, can be pain some times but it still only takes me 30 minutes and thats getting two buses.

Its just a pain if the buses are busy or the traffic is bad, so I always allow an hour.

Reply 6

username5154

0

15

ifisurvive

Yeah, I had a look at the Times and Guardian lists and they both have Salford higher in the general Uni lists but MMU rates higher (in the Guardian a lot higher) for Sociology.

I was just trying to see what the opinions of people who actually know the unis were, get the knowledge behind the black and white facts of the Guardian and Times!

For example Salford seems to get a very mixed reputation of having a nice campus close to the city, but is in a rough area. Sociology at MMU would be at the All Saints Campus, so again having a campus feel but in a better(?) area, near Deansgate etc.

Personally, looking at subject league tables is better than general uni league tables though. If you want a higher rate for Sociology, I guess you could choose MMU as you said.

Salford or MMU?

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