Bangor, Hull or Keele?
12
I have offers from those 3 as well as Portsmouth, which I have kind of decided against because it isn't as good for the subject(s)
Anyway, I've visited all 3 and am having trouble deciding which I want to firm, I'm thinking Hull or Bangor, both are reasonably good for psychology but I don't know which I'd prefer as a place to live, as Bangor doesn't seem to have a lot going on and I think hull would be a good place for social life, plus I liked the uni campus itself.
Any advice on which to go for, anyone?
Anyway, I've visited all 3 and am having trouble deciding which I want to firm, I'm thinking Hull or Bangor, both are reasonably good for psychology but I don't know which I'd prefer as a place to live, as Bangor doesn't seem to have a lot going on and I think hull would be a good place for social life, plus I liked the uni campus itself.
Any advice on which to go for, anyone?
Reply 1
The research rating of the Psychology department at Hull is relatively poor (3aC) and almost as bad as Portsmouth (3aD), when compared the research rating for Bangor, which is outstanding (5A*, the highest possible mark).
I think the RAE is an excellent measure of how well a department is doing. It measures the quality of research produced by the department, and generally speaking, if department is producing excellent, world-leading research, then they are likely to have people working for them who are outstanding in terms of their subject area. This is obviously crucial when studying at degree level as these are going to be the people who are teaching you. I find a poor research rating extremely concerning, and if I was considering going to a department who had failed to achieve a high RAE score, I would want to know why. Obviously, teaching quality is extremely important too, so you should try to find out what both of these departments have scored on the TQA as well.
I've never visited Bangor, but I have been to Hull numerous times, and I have to say I don't find it an attractive place at all. However, you should bear in mind that I've not been to the university, I'm just speaking about the city and the surrounding areas (but bear in mind, you'll probably only be living on campus for your first year). If you are coming from Cambridge (where I am also from), I would be surprised if you didn't find Hull considerably less attractive and more run-down in comparison.
If I was in your position, I would choose Bangor, but obviously you need to weigh up all of the factors, decide which factors are most important to you, and make the choice that you feel most comfortable with.
I think the RAE is an excellent measure of how well a department is doing. It measures the quality of research produced by the department, and generally speaking, if department is producing excellent, world-leading research, then they are likely to have people working for them who are outstanding in terms of their subject area. This is obviously crucial when studying at degree level as these are going to be the people who are teaching you. I find a poor research rating extremely concerning, and if I was considering going to a department who had failed to achieve a high RAE score, I would want to know why. Obviously, teaching quality is extremely important too, so you should try to find out what both of these departments have scored on the TQA as well.
I've never visited Bangor, but I have been to Hull numerous times, and I have to say I don't find it an attractive place at all. However, you should bear in mind that I've not been to the university, I'm just speaking about the city and the surrounding areas (but bear in mind, you'll probably only be living on campus for your first year). If you are coming from Cambridge (where I am also from), I would be surprised if you didn't find Hull considerably less attractive and more run-down in comparison.
If I was in your position, I would choose Bangor, but obviously you need to weigh up all of the factors, decide which factors are most important to you, and make the choice that you feel most comfortable with.
Reply 2
Laura182
OP
12
Thanks for your input. Good point about the research, however I did notice that Hull has better Graduate employment prospects and student satisfaction than Bangor.
Its hard to decide since they are so different, I didn't think Hull was bad as a city and there is definately a lot more going on there than in Bangor which I imagine could be slightly boring, but i suppose I shouldn't really base it on that. Ahh its so hard to decide, lol.
Its hard to decide since they are so different, I didn't think Hull was bad as a city and there is definately a lot more going on there than in Bangor which I imagine could be slightly boring, but i suppose I shouldn't really base it on that. Ahh its so hard to decide, lol.
Reply 3
18
I have no idea about any of them; but not so long ago my teacher, who is very enthusiastic, so must have been exaggerating so some extent, said how wonderful hull was...in terms of the warm atmosphere or something...her son had an offer from warwick but was reconsidering it..
Reply 4
Bangor because (I hope) I will be there 
Bangor will be as fun as you make it i guess; if you're a boring person, then it will be boring.
It's pretty much what you're looking for though; for example with myself I want to move away from a big busy city so Bangor seemed ideal for me. (as well as its good department/staff/facilites and consistent high rankings).
Obviously, you need to just think what you REALLY want.
Also, your choices are exact same as mine, excpet I also have UEA.
Bangor will be as fun as you make it i guess; if you're a boring person, then it will be boring.
It's pretty much what you're looking for though; for example with myself I want to move away from a big busy city so Bangor seemed ideal for me. (as well as its good department/staff/facilites and consistent high rankings).
Obviously, you need to just think what you REALLY want.
Also, your choices are exact same as mine, excpet I also have UEA.
Reply 5
Laura182
OP
12
Bangers+Mash
Bangor because (I hope) I will be there
Bangor will be as fun as you make it i guess; if you're a boring person, then it will be boring.
It's pretty much what you're looking for though; for example with myself I want to move away from a big busy city so Bangor seemed ideal for me. (as well as its good department/staff/facilites and consistent high rankings).
Obviously, you need to just think what you REALLY want.
Also, your choices are exact same as mine, excpet I also have UEA.
Bangor will be as fun as you make it i guess; if you're a boring person, then it will be boring.
It's pretty much what you're looking for though; for example with myself I want to move away from a big busy city so Bangor seemed ideal for me. (as well as its good department/staff/facilites and consistent high rankings).
Obviously, you need to just think what you REALLY want.
Also, your choices are exact same as mine, excpet I also have UEA.
After some more thought I'm pretty sure I will be firming Bangor as it is a nice area and so good for the subject. I also really like that everything is within walking distance
Good choices hehe. I'm pretty sure I saw you at the Bangor open day actually!
Reply 6
Laura182
After some more thought I'm pretty sure I will be firming Bangor as it is a nice area and so good for the subject. I also really like that everything is within walking distance
Good choices hehe. I'm pretty sure I saw you at the Bangor open day actually!
Good choices hehe. I'm pretty sure I saw you at the Bangor open day actually!
wooo!
and wow! seriously, thats cool.
If I was the scruffy looking guy sitting on his own then it was probably me.
I felt like I was the only person without parents on that day.
Reply 7
Laura182
OP
12
Bangers+Mash
wooo!
and wow! seriously, thats cool.
If I was the scruffy looking guy sitting on his own then it was probably me.
I felt like I was the only person without parents on that day.
and wow! seriously, thats cool.
If I was the scruffy looking guy sitting on his own then it was probably me.
I felt like I was the only person without parents on that day.
Haha, I was without parents too, I brought 2 friends with me instead lol xD
Reply 8
Laura182
Haha, I was without parents too, I brought 2 friends with me instead lol xD
haha aww. I got talking to a guy from bradford when i was there so i wasnt on my own for all of it.
none of my friends fancied the trip to Bangor I can see why, It was really uncomfortable on the train (well the way there was ok i guess) :/ was worth it though in the end.
Have you definitely decided Bangor as you firm, where are you putting for your insurance?
Reply 9
Laura182
OP
12
Bangers+Mash
haha aww. I got talking to a guy from bradford when i was there so i wasnt on my own for all of it.
none of my friends fancied the trip to Bangor I can see why, It was really uncomfortable on the train (well the way there was ok i guess) :/ was worth it though in the end.
Have you definitely decided Bangor as you firm, where are you putting for your insurance?
none of my friends fancied the trip to Bangor I can see why, It was really uncomfortable on the train (well the way there was ok i guess) :/ was worth it though in the end.
Have you definitely decided Bangor as you firm, where are you putting for your insurance?
Yeah, its a pretty long journey for me too, which is a slight drawback. I'll be driving there and it takes about 4 and a half hours. Probably worth it though, since i wouldn't have to do it often
I haven't decided for certain yet, but I think it is most likely I will end up choosing Bangor as my firm. I think my insurance would probably be Hull, but i could decide on Keele instead
Its all so confusing haha. There's not a lot of point in me having an insurance anyway, as the conditions of my offers are all the same, i just have to pass my access course. So the only reason I'd use my insurance would be if for some reason I decide I don't want to go to my firm anymore, which is rather unlikely.
Reply 10
Laura182
Yeah, its a pretty long journey for me too, which is a slight drawback. I'll be driving there and it takes about 4 and a half hours. Probably worth it though, since i wouldn't have to do it often
I haven't decided for certain yet, but I think it is most likely I will end up choosing Bangor as my firm. I think my insurance would probably be Hull, but i could decide on Keele instead Its all so confusing haha.
There's not a lot of point in me having an insurance anyway, as the conditions of my offers are all the same, i just have to pass my access course. So the only reason I'd use my insurance would be if for some reason I decide I don't want to go to my firm anymore, which is rather unlikely.
I haven't decided for certain yet, but I think it is most likely I will end up choosing Bangor as my firm. I think my insurance would probably be Hull, but i could decide on Keele instead
Its all so confusing haha. There's not a lot of point in me having an insurance anyway, as the conditions of my offers are all the same, i just have to pass my access course. So the only reason I'd use my insurance would be if for some reason I decide I don't want to go to my firm anymore, which is rather unlikely.
ah riight,makes sense.
I have put Keele as my insurance, but I hope I will get my grades for Bangor.
Only a disaster in May/June exams can stop me now.
To be honest i'm getting rather impatient now with a levels. I want to start uni nowQ
Reply 11
Keele has a great community , village-type atmosphere and feeling . You feel you belong there . Everyone very friendly. Lecturers very helpful and approachable.
Great on-campus accommodation, and facilities.
Both Keele and Hull suffer in ratings/rankings from being near or in unfashionable cities, Stoke on Trent and Hull. But the people in both cities are real diamonds, and people make cities.
Both cities have very cheap off-campus accommodation (cheapest in UK?).
Both get very high student satisfaction ratings. Best to visit both universities to think where you'd fit in best. My personal preference would be Keele.
Bangor much different. Quite high % of students and staff are Welsh speakers. Language difference can be quite a shock at first!
Everything is very Welsh...not in any way a criticism!...but something to embrace if you choose to go there.
Great on-campus accommodation, and facilities.
Both Keele and Hull suffer in ratings/rankings from being near or in unfashionable cities, Stoke on Trent and Hull. But the people in both cities are real diamonds, and people make cities.
Both cities have very cheap off-campus accommodation (cheapest in UK?).
Both get very high student satisfaction ratings. Best to visit both universities to think where you'd fit in best. My personal preference would be Keele.
Bangor much different. Quite high % of students and staff are Welsh speakers. Language difference can be quite a shock at first!
Everything is very Welsh...not in any way a criticism!...but something to embrace if you choose to go there.
Reply 12
13
Original post
by eaglestoneKeele has a great community , village-type atmosphere and feeling . You feel you belong there . Everyone very friendly. Lecturers very helpful and approachable.
Great on-campus accommodation, and facilities.
Both Keele and Hull suffer in ratings/rankings from being near or in unfashionable cities, Stoke on Trent and Hull. But the people in both cities are real diamonds, and people make cities.
Both cities have very cheap off-campus accommodation (cheapest in UK?).
Both get very high student satisfaction ratings. Best to visit both universities to think where you'd fit in best. My personal preference would be Keele.
Bangor much different. Quite high % of students and staff are Welsh speakers. Language difference can be quite a shock at first!
Everything is very Welsh...not in any way a criticism!...but something to embrace if you choose to go there.
Great on-campus accommodation, and facilities.
Both Keele and Hull suffer in ratings/rankings from being near or in unfashionable cities, Stoke on Trent and Hull. But the people in both cities are real diamonds, and people make cities.
Both cities have very cheap off-campus accommodation (cheapest in UK?).
Both get very high student satisfaction ratings. Best to visit both universities to think where you'd fit in best. My personal preference would be Keele.
Bangor much different. Quite high % of students and staff are Welsh speakers. Language difference can be quite a shock at first!
Everything is very Welsh...not in any way a criticism!...but something to embrace if you choose to go there.
This thread is from 11 years ago. The poster is probably married with kids now 😊
Reply 13
Original post
by FilmThis thread is from 11 years ago. The poster is probably married with kids now 😊
....but still worth giving an opinion with a year 2020 perspective, as it might, just might, give yet another viewpoint to current applicants!!! (possibly to the kids of the original poster!!).
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