Choosing a University

Bucket

Bucket

Bucket

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20 Sep 2008
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Hi Guys,

I'm currently in my first year of a National Diploma in Graphic Design.
It's nearing the end - but we are being pushed to look into Universities already - I'm not atall worried about this and i'm pleased to be told to look already.

Now I really, really, want to go to University in London. It isn't essential, but that's what I'd like.
Not just for the degree, but I also have a lot of friends in London and surrounding areas, I'm involved with a lot of Music promotion and have a lot of friends in the Industry up there, so I'd like be around them and that too.

However, having looked at a few threads recently - London is far more expensive than I ever imagined.

My parents would have to pay for most things, due to income. However the flaw I always find with the income based grants etc, it doesn't take into account the outcome of the household either.

Anyway,

Really just looking for some advice on what to look for in a university etc.
My problems are really looking at 2nd and 3rd years in London will be so incredibly expensive.

The main places i'm interested in are:

Kingston, Norwich, Ravensbourne(Moving to Grenwich), LCC, Falmouth.

Those are the main Uni's i'm looking at.

Any advice atall would be greatly appreciated!
 
the BEST thing to do, is look at what they offer you on the course. See what modules you will study, and how they examine you, be it assignments or exams etc.

If yuo are using UCAS, and they dont show the course you want to do at the Uni you want to go to, then speak to the university! I cannot stress that enough

I wanted to do Marketing Management at Northumbria, but according to UCAS they didn't do it, so I settled for Business with Marketing. Turns out I could have done Marketing Management!
 
Goldsmiths is an excellent univeristy for design.
It's also in Lewisham which is a dump and as a result, cheap :p

Brighton also has a good art college, and London isn't far away at all.
 
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Personally I'd say stay clear of London unis, everything is stupidly expensive.

If you are really set on London, definately avoid Kingston. It really is not a nice place after dark (if ever?).
 
Thanks guys,

Great advice so far.

I already have a few friends at Kingston, and they are in their first year, it seems that they are doing OK but have had a few bits of trouble.

Brighton I haven't looked into much, but likewise to London I have friends there and stuff that I'd like to be around, thanks. I'll look at their site etc now!

I'm just looking at what the course does, and what the students have been producing etc.
 
Come see the University of Ulster and see a whole different world.....

Yeah actually best thing to do is just do a visit to the place's one afternoon or something just to see what you think :)
 
I see what you mean but I'm of the opinion that maybe going somewhere you don't know anyone forces you to meet more people and be more social, I've certainly found that this year, as opposed to falling back on friends you already have.

Also yeah check the course is actually what you want to be doing. Mine certainly isn't but meh, can't be changing now.

Good luck ;)
 
Yeah - these people aren't people I've been friends with for years sort of thing.

It's mainly people from bands and stuff, and other agents and promoters I know.

I like the music side of things I do - It's my hobby, so I'm sortof looking to accomdate that too!
 
As much as I like falmouth I wouldnt recommend it, for a student. Cornwalls a bit out of the way. Not the most lively of places for music either.
 
I live in the Devon area - The reason I say Falmouth is because I know it is a good Design college that is really picking up now - all be it being so far out of the way.

It also has a music scene thats currently starting to grow a lot, too! A new venue down there is sparking things up a lot.

But it is really my last choice, as it's so far out of the way, and I'm not a major fan of Cornwall!

Thanks for the advice, I don't mean to shoot you down or anything like that! Just it's great to get so many opinions, really does make a good deal of difference.
 
no idea, im not a student, from what iv read the SU is the cafeteria isnt it? :p
Stick to the citys for the music scene mate!
 
It seems you're more interested in your social life rather than the academic side of university.
However, if you want a decent job in your field of study then i recommend checking out the best universities for the subject you want to study.
 
Nono.

That really is not atall how it is, sorry for implying that!

I am interested in Kingston mainly due to it's reputation and the amount of lecturers and industry people I know that have said to check it out. The same with Ravensbourne, and I love typography and it's known for that. Norwich is also known as one of the best.

The social parts come second. All of the Uni's listed are picked on the merit of the course, it just so happens most are in good places.

After reading my posts, it does seem as you say, however that is secondary.

I'm mainly just worried about the costs of London, because it's unfortunate to say it's going to influence my decision. I wish it didn't have to.
 
mjt said:
It seems you're more interested in your social life rather than the academic side of university.
However, if you want a decent job in your field of study then i recommend checking out the best universities for the subject you want to study.
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meh, hes only listed the ones with decent courses, its about a balance and its not exactly a bad thing to shortlist the best you can, and then pick 1 on cost and social.

mOdO said:
Kingston isn't that bad, oceana and slutskies.....
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theres oceanas everywhere.. theyr not the be all and end all of nightclubs!
 
StewartMG said:
If you are really set on London, definately avoid Kingston. It really is not a nice place after dark (if ever?).
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That's non-sense. Kingston town centre is fine... There a far worse places, Kingston area is actually quite good. not IMO either, it actually is. No I don't live in Kingston either.
 
Bucket said:
The main places i'm interested in are:

Kingston, Norwich, Ravensbourne(Moving to Grenwich), LCC, Falmouth.
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I go to the exeter campus that has Falmouth sharing with it. I know it is one of, if not the best university for what it does but the situation leaves quite a bit to be desired. There's no massive clubs or anything, night life can get a bit repetitive with a choice of three places to go to but if that's not your thing then it's not a worry.

Plenty of lovely pubs and quite a few nice bars.

If you have any other questions about the campus feel free to ask.
 
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