University

[MC Prussian]

My mate did his degree at Luton University, it was film production based, he now works on Hollyoaks and some kids tv programme!!

According to my NUS, I study at Brighton University!!

Is that the Bedford campus? It's actually pretty close to Leicester - more than Bournemouth, Falmouth, Ravensbourne and Leeds will ever be!!!

[Dr The Singh]

Is that the Bedford campus? It's actually pretty close to Leicester - more than Bournemouth, Falmouth, Ravensbourne and Leeds will ever be!!!

I'm not sure Alexie, I think it's not even called Luton university anymore, it's called university of bedfordshire or something!! Research it mate, i'm sure you will find the solutions\info!!

[MC Prussian]

I'm not sure Alexie, I think it's not even called Luton university anymore, it's called university of bedfordshire or something!! Research it mate, i'm sure you will find the solutions\info!!

Yup, that's the one! Will look into it. Mille grazie, amico.

[Katy]

It's less than 4 weeks until I go to University, this year has flown by

[Benji]

For what it's worth i'll put my experience down, hopefully someone might take something from it.

I studied at Groby and I don't know whether it's still the same now or not but I got very little help with regard to universities, I think I remember getting one careers advice session but that was literally 'what do you like', how about you do this.

When it came to applying to UCAS I remember knowing things about Oxbridge but other than that, I was literally picking names out of the air and going on reputation. I look back now and maybe wish I'd have applied elsewhere but to be honest some places I'd never heard of when I was applying, so I'm content.

I got 7A*s, 2As and 2Bs at GCSE, decided I wanted to do law and so took on 4 A Levels, getting AACC (although 1 'C' was fked up by my college and has been accepted as mitigating circumstances).

I received offers from City Uni in London, Warwick (a top law uni) and Hull. Eventually I chose City.

London

To anyone unsure where they want to go, I'd definitely, definitely recommend London. There are some great universities: UCL, Kings and City to name a few. Having spent my life in Leicester, the opportunity to live independently in the capital is FANTASTIC, even just getting on the tube or bus everyday is enhancing and a great chance to mature as a person, (although you hate public transport after 6 months). Student nights-out really are uncomparable to anywhere in the country, a lot talk of Leeds, Sheffield and Brighton however London has a complete mix, anything you like they have, hundreds of clubs that suit your needs. Me and my main group of friends detest hip-hop and the like, so we find our own Indie rock clubs with student prices, excellent music and a great night out. Vice Versa, there are plenty of garage events, r'n'b, pop, rave nights, everything. Some of the greatest attractions include Ministry of Sound, Tiger Tiger, Fabric and then all your live events at Brixton Academy, Hammersmith Apollo, the o2 arena and the Astoria.

It's a great great experience especially if your 17, 18 or 19 and you'll soon find out if you love it or hate it. Plus, it's very easy to get back to Leicester when you need to, 1 Hour and a half on a good day, and when the expansion around Luton is complete maybe shorter!

City University

The uni is very subject based, I would only reccommend coming for: Law, Business (e.g. management, business studies), Optomotry, Music and a couple more. A lot goes into the City Law School and Cass Business school, I know the music students also use the London Guild Hall a lot. The facilities aren't the best, your usual university but they're investing and each department gets better every year. For me though the teaching has been ace, the lecturers are either qualified lawyers or key legal academics, I know the Post-grad scheme pays for top academics to travel down to the law school for GDL and LPC students. One thing to note, most London uni's do not have a campus similar to non-London uni's, buildings are in the same area but not joining buildings, it's purely a space thing and the student atmosphere probably suffers, there are also a lot of international students and you find in halls they concentrate a lot more on their work than socialising (although considering their higher fees it is unsurprising).

To get a degree or not...

From my point of view there are two reasons to go to university: either you know what you want from your career or you want a social experience with a good qualification.

1. Some careers REQUIRE a degree, even if not in the same subject (law firms heavily employ non-law degree students) so if you know what you want to do, make sure you research what you need. You don't want to get to a stage in 5 years thinking 'I can't do what I want because of a qualification formality'.

I know my girlfriend for one chose a degree for names-sake, hates her course and is now wanting to do another profession but it requires a degree and specific A Levels that she does not have, and so will take another 3 years from her youth.

2. For the latter, a degree is not the be all and end all, a solid degree in anything and anywhere is beneficial for your CV; it shows a lot especially initiative and independence. The social experience is fantastic, personally I don't think it compares with anything and you'll make so many great friends with some staying in your lives for a long time. You'll make friends who will get you through your degree and tough times if you come across them.

And of course, in the first year most degrees don't count so it's an excuse to get pissed all day every day in the first year :D:D

But at the end of the day you do not need to do one. Some of the most successful people in the world have no qualifications to name. I take what TommyG says about social skills. Believe me I've had assessment days recently against people from Oxbridge but they cannot string 2 sentences together, needless to say they get thrown out on their arses irrelevant of academics.

A degree you enjoy

It is imperative you enjoy your degree and are happy, I've personally loved mine, the course has been great. People ask if it's hard but it really isn't, it just requires a lot of effort, a lot of reading and is very competitive. So I take it quite personally and as an insult when people say they mean nothing, are reasons to just avoid getting a job and that 'people are better than me for getting a job at 16'. The degree for me will set me up for a massive career if I put my mind to it and have a little bit of luck with my training contract applications.

But please do not do one for the sake of it, at least have some passion for it and if you get a year in and know it's not for you, starting again is no embarrassing choice if it benefits you in the long run.

Well done if you bothered to read that, but good luck everyone it is no easy process and there are a lot of important decisions to make at such a relatively young age, just do your research!!

EDIT

There was something I forget to mention which is very important in your decision; finances.

I'm sure most are aware but the loan you get is greater in London but that's because accommodaton is around twice as high as elsewhere.

Also a general note on Loans, they say it is interest free, don't let this fool you into thinking you pay what you receive, at the minute it is about 4.8% so while they say they are receiving less than a bank would, you still get pretty fooked as the interest increases.

[Katy]

Great post Benj, some good advice there

[Tabou]

Students haveee wayyyyy too much time on their hands!

[Benji]

Great post Benj, some good advice there

Thanks, I remember the daunting year and it doesn't help when you haven't got a clue

Students haveee wayyyyy too much time on their hands!

Yes

[MC Prussian]

Thanks for the great and elaborate post, Benji. Some really good writing there - no txtspeak speaks for a higher education, I guess.

Anyway, I'll let the decision-making creep up on me in the next few weeks and months, as I know I won't start it this fall. Need to get some funds together and should be able to make a definite decision comes spring 2009. Although I already have a degree in Film Production (albeit only in a one-year program), I'd like to go deeper into the materia and also, use the time abroad to gain some new perspectives. I can't really stand living here forever, I need the occasional challenge and a new environment in order to prove myself.

[The Reverend]

Thanks for the great and elaborate post, Benji. Some really good writing there - no txtspeak speaks for a higher education, I guess.

Anyway, I'll let the decision-making creep up on me in the next few weeks and months, as I know I won't start it this fall. Need to get some funds together and should be able to make a definite decision comes spring 2009. Although I already have a degree in Film Production (albeit only in a one-year program), I'd like to go deeper into the materia and also, use the time abroad to gain some new perspectives. I can't really stand living here forever, I need the occasional challenge and a new environment in order to prove myself.

How old are you Alexie if you dont mind me asking?

[Steven]

It's less than 4 weeks until I go to University, this year has flown by

Which one?

[Katy]

Which one?

Lincoln, finally decided to finish my degree albeit a slightly different course.

[MC Prussian]

How old are you Alexie if you dont mind me asking?

Below 30 still.

[The Reverend]

Below 30 still.

Ah right i thought so, its just for a moment there i thought you were a youngster thinking about going Uni, instead of a sort of mid-20's slightly older person i thought you were!

[Finchy]

Only 4 weeks til freshers!!!! Ayyyyy It's gonna be top!

[MC Prussian]

Meh. I just found out that Northampton Uni offers a two-year Digital Filmmaking course. Smashing! And also close to Leicester. Hmmm...

[Alexikokopops]

Meh. I just found out that Northampton Uni offers a two-year Digital Filmmaking course. Smashing! And also close to Leicester. Hmmm...

But you'd be dangerously close to Fez.

[The People's Hero]

Meh. I just found out that Northampton Uni offers a two-year Digital Filmmaking course. Smashing! And also close to Leicester. Hmmm...

Fez would eat you alive mate. Alive.

Eat.

Alive.

(you).

[MC Prussian]

But you'd be dangerously close to Fez.

Fez would eat you alive mate. Alive.

Eat.

Alive.

(you).

Yah, well. No risk, no fun.

And by the time I'd start, he could've completed his course.

Fez?

[Alexikokopops]

Yah, well. No risk, no fun.

And by the time I'd start, he could've completed his course.

Fez?

Fez doesn't go to the University, he just lives about 5 minutes away from it

[MC Prussian]

Fez doesn't go to the University, he just lives about 5 minutes away from it

He should, then.

Imagine us two and NorthamptonFox invading the place with our LCFC massive.

Btw, Fez and NorthamptonFox - any info on that U?

[Alexikokopops]

He should, then.

Imagine us two and NorthamptonFox invading the place with our LCFC massive.

Btw, Fez and NorthamptonFox - any info on that U?

My ex-girlfriend went there, she enjoyed it. That's the most information I can give you I'm afraid!

[MC Prussian]

I also heard the British University rankings are pretty much overrated, since manipulated.

Anyone there to enlighten me?

[Alexikokopops]

I also heard the British University rankings are pretty much overrated, since manipulated.

Anyone there to enlighten me?

They give you a gist I always thought. If you look here you can see the individual scores for each category (it works better in IE than Firefox). You can also choose a subject and see the league tables for that.

[Daggers]

I also heard the British University rankings are pretty much overrated, since manipulated.

Anyone there to enlighten me?

I went to Nene when it was Nene College. It's a college. Me, a bloke who wrote a book about his diary and the seminal Goth band Bauhaus all went to Nene College. Did Business and Marketing, me. Wish I'd done 'being in a goth band' as I'd probably not have to work anymore. Ever.

Rankings are pretty much what you make of them, does the course itself offer you what you want to take from it? Do you want to go to a small and familiar ex-college University or would you prefer a large, old school red-brick establishment with a bit of kudos to its name?

I remember when the whole Moulton Park campus was nothing but fields. It reminds me of Worcester Uni in the way the halls of residence are conveniently next to the student bar. Cosy.

I like Northampton, we may live there again one day.