New topic
Printable| Author | Message |
Calling all British orgers... As some of you may know, I'm going to be applying to study abroad in England for next year. I'll be gone from September to June, so I want to make sure I choose a university I'll really like and be happy at.
This is where I need your help - I know next to nothing about England. So I would appreciate any and all feedback anyone could give me about the following schools. Some questions to keep in mind - which ones are the 'good' schools? (  ) Which ones have strong literature/writing programs (as that is what I'll be studying)? How are the cities they're located in - busy, large, small, quaint, quiet, culturally-wise...? And which schools should I forget about now, because I won't get accepted into them, and even if I do I'll get my ass kicked by my studies when I arrive?
But truly, ANYTHING you know or have even heard about these schools would be great. I'm starting with a clean slate here, people! My application is due November 13th, so hurry hurry hurry! Thank you all in advance, you don't know how much I appreciate it! And who knows... maybe in a year I'll be meeting some of you! 
University of Birmingham University of Bristol University of Durham University of East Anglia University of Essex University of Exeter University of Kent at Canterbury University of Lancaster University of Leeds University of London, King's College University of London, Queen Mary University of London, Royal Halloway University of Manchester University of Sheffield University of Sussex University of Warwick University of York I mean, like, where is the sun? | |
- E-mail - orgNote -  Report post to moderator |
Can't comment on the Universities themselves as I never went to Uni, but for culture, history (definitely), picturesqueness and all round British loveliness, York is the best place on your list. Other people may disagree, though. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
They are all good schools Natsume. I would say that any of the London University's you have on your list are very good choices. Studying in London will be fun, but it can be expensive as the cost of living here is higher. If I was to go back and choose my University again, I would pick London King's College. It is located in the Centre of town (depends if you study at that campus) So you will always find things to do in your spare time. All the University's you have chosen have excellent academic reputations. Durham University in particular. Will you be studying for an English Literature Degree? I am not sure which one has the best teaching facilities, but I can find out for you. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
As above, I can't comment particularly on the Universities themselves, but Durham is renowned as the best outside of Oxford and Cambridge.
For the true student life, being a mixture of learning and some real fun, you should look no further than London/Manchester/Leeds. As Haystack says, York is where you go for that "typical England" thing. Although, living close by, I'd say thats the place I'd least suggest as the charm of York wears off quickly and you're left with a boring little city. Of the ones you have listed, Manchester or Durham would get my vote. ----------------------------------------- | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
scribbling like mad
On a side note... When I went to Japan two summers ago, I adored Nagoya and detested Tokyo... if that helps any. Lleena - My major is literature with a creative writing emphasis. So I'll be mainly studying literature when I go over to England - I don't really have a choice if it's English lit or not.  The schools are a bit limited, as are the majors in each university... which, for example, is why I cannot study at Nottingham.
Thank you, everyone, for the comments so far... the help you are giving me is incredible! I mean, like, where is the sun? | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I know you said England, however, how about some of the other universities in Scotland, Wales and Ireland?
Being from Scotland, I know how good a name universities like... Glasgow Strathclyde Caledonian Edinburgh St. Andrews ...have and I'm sure other areas would have them aswell. Have you had a look at these universities? Do they do the course you're interested in? Anyway, sorry if this is no help to you, but I just thought I'd help and remind you of some other good uni's in the UK. One thing I'd like to add is no matter where you go, I'm sure you'll have a great time. I know for a fact that it's great student life here up North and if you decide on a uni up here, you never know, I might even buy you a drink*. 
* = Will probably not buy you a drink as he's a poor student 
Damn edit! [This message was edited Tue Oct 15 17:00:18 PDT 2002 by npgsmfc] _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
"And when the show is finally finished I be taking my bow, my name is Young and yo I got know how, you know what I'm sayin'?" | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
npgsmfc said: I know you said England, however, how about some of the other universities in Scotland, Wales and Ireland?
Being from Scotland, I know how good a name universities like... GlasgowStrathclyde Caledonian Edinburgh St. Andrews ...have and I'm sure other areas would have them aswell. Have you had a look at these universities? Do they do the course you're interested in? Anyway, sorry if this is no help to you, but I just thought I'd help and remind you of some other good uni's in the UK. I would love to go other places in the UK, but unfortunately my school is pretty strict about their overseas programs. For Wales/Ireland/Scotland, they make you jump through a bunch of hoops first. Plus the selection of schools is much more narrow and EXTREMELY difficult to be accepted in, as there are tons of students wanting to study there.
But the schools they offer in Scotland include University of Edinburgh University of Glasgow University of St. Andrews University of Stirling Thanks for your suggestion, though! Maybe I'll consider it...  I mean, like, where is the sun? | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Natsume said: npgsmfc said: I know you said England, however, how about some of the other universities in Scotland, Wales and Ireland?
Being from Scotland, I know how good a name universities like... GlasgowStrathclyde Caledonian Edinburgh St. Andrews ...have and I'm sure other areas would have them aswell. Have you had a look at these universities? Do they do the course you're interested in? Anyway, sorry if this is no help to you, but I just thought I'd help and remind you of some other good uni's in the UK. I would love to go other places in the UK, but unfortunately my school is pretty strict about their overseas programs. For Wales/Ireland/Scotland, they make you jump through a bunch of hoops first. Plus the selection of schools is much more narrow and EXTREMELY difficult to be accepted in, as there are tons of students wanting to study there.
But the schools they offer in Scotland include University of Edinburgh University of Glasgow University of St. Andrews University of Stirling Thanks for your suggestion, though! Maybe I'll consider it... Argh, you quoted my pre-edit message 
I didn't know about how strict they are. As I said in my previous post (after the edit ) I'm sure you'll have a great time and meet some really nice people no matter which area you go to. _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
"And when the show is finally finished I be taking my bow, my name is Young and yo I got know how, you know what I'm sayin'?" | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
npgsmfc said: Argh, you quoted my pre-edit message
I didn't know about how strict they are. As I said in my previous post (after the edit ) I'm sure you'll have a great time and meet some really nice people no matter which area you go to. Haha, you quoted it too!
I'm really excited to go. I've wanted to visit England ever since I was a little girl. I'm also going to try my best and see more of Europe while I'm up there. My biggest fear is that I'll eventually change my major from lit to whatever else... it's not something I like to dwell on. Makes me nervous as hell! Thanks for the encouraging words! I mean, like, where is the sun? | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Natsume said: etc etc
DUDE, I second this question. I too will b studying abroad there next year from October 2 June. I've been looking at Essex, Natsume, if u go there u can meet me. Delightful.
Yet I wonder if that is a good college. 
U can also meet Sexlovely. (Can u guess what I'm going 2 do? heh heh...) ANYwho....  ...I will b double majoring and I'm not sure how that would work out "over there". Political Science and History, probably...or P.S. and Communications.
Haven't decided. 
. [This message was edited Wed Oct 16 12:19:42 PDT 2002 by Nep2nes] | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Nep2nes said: Natsume said: etc etc
DUDE, I second this question. I too will b studying abroad there next year from October 2 June. I've been looking at Essex, Natsume, if u go there u can meet me. Delightful.
Yet I wonder if that is a good college.
U can also meet Sexlovely. (Can u guess what I'm going 2 do? heh heh...) ANYwho... ...I will b double majoring and I'm not sure how that would work out "over there". Political Science and History, probably...or P.S. and Communications.
Haven't decided.
. [This message was edited Wed Oct 16 12:19:42 PDT 2002 by Nep2nes] Now this is weird... I'm going to Essex next year to do Psychology!! Heh, hope to see you there Nep!! | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
King's College, Durham or York. Some people are like Slinkies...
They're good for nothing but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Nep2nes said: DUDE, I second this question.
I too will b studying abroad there next year from October 2 June. I've been looking at Essex, Natsume, if u go there u can meet me. Delightful.
Yet I wonder if that is a good college.
U can also meet Sexlovely. (Can u guess what I'm going 2 do? heh heh...) ANYwho... ...I will b double majoring and I'm not sure how that would work out "over there". Political Science and History, probably...or P.S. and Communications.
Haven't decided. This weekend I'm going to devote to getting my shit together - the application process is long and involved. Plus I do not even find out if I'm accepted until May or June 
Essex... hmm. I'm afraid King's College would beat me and leave me senseless... people have been scaring me and telling me how much more advanced the British school system & students are. I hope I don't make myself out to be a dumbass. Nep - have you started on applying yet? How is that going for you? I'm interested in comparing notes and all that jazz... makes me feel less alone! Only one of my friends is for sure applying for France next year, but she'll only be there a semester 
My biggest fear is that I'll get to England and decide I don't want to be a lit major anymore. Then I'll be royally screwed. So overwhelming.  I mean, like, where is the sun? | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
The University of York has a wonderful faculty in English literature. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
2the9s said: The University of York has a wonderful faculty in English literature.
Because some of them are Americans. heh heh | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Natsume said: I'm afraid King's College would beat me and leave me senseless... I say go for King's College, if you're going to do something, then do it properly. Natsume said: people have been scaring me and telling me how much more advanced the British school system & students are. Don't you bet on it. Some people are like Slinkies...
They're good for nothing but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Well it's not in England (who wants to go there anyway?  ) but I highly recommend Trinity College Dublin, my old uni.
Check out http://www.tcd.ie | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
ian said: Well it's not in England (who wants to go there anyway?
) but I highly recommend Trinity College Dublin, my old uni.
Check out http://www.tcd.ie C'mon now. UCD kicks Trinity's ass. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
2the9s said: C'mon now. UCD kicks Trinity's ass.
Uhh... which UCD are you talking about?  I mean, like, where is the sun? | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Natsume said: 2the9s said: C'mon now. UCD kicks Trinity's ass.
Uhh... which UCD are you talking about? http://www.ucd.ie/  | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I mean, like, where is the sun? | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
2the9s said: ian said: Well it's not in England (who wants to go there anyway?
) but I highly recommend Trinity College Dublin, my old uni.
Check out http://www.tcd.ie C'mon now. UCD kicks Trinity's ass. How dare you mention The Other University in my presence, you riff-raff It's TCD or nothing dammit | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Natsume, UEA (University of East Anglia) has the best Creative Writing course in the country. It is headed by the Poet Laureate Andrew Motion and is run by novelist, Paul Magyrs, both absolutely amazing lecturers and fantastic writers. It also has the Arthur Miller Centre for Creative Writing. The course has churned out a lot of very successful writers including Ian McEwan, and has a really good student support network for people who want to develop their talents. The Literature department also has a very good rep and the courses are structured so that you basically choose your subjects and can mix and match with other faculties if you so wish.
The uni is based in Norwich and whilst the campus itself looks like a conrete jungle, the surrounding countryside is really beautiful. The city is only ten minutes by bus away and has a different pub for every day of the year...need I say more. They have also revamped the student union since I was there. I go back every year for the media careers fair and really love it. It's a great place. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Well, I went to Leeds Uni 10 years ago. I studied Business and don't know anything about the English course. The student life was excellent, lots of different clubs with different music. The city centre has been regenerated, lots of cafe's, restaurants and shopping. There's also the Yorkshire moors, a place of natural beauty.
I live in London, which of course kicks arse so you might want to study there. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
adoreme said: etc etc
Thanks for the tips, adoreme! I'll be definitely checking out UEA now... their creative writing program sounds almost too good to believe I mean, like, where is the sun? | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Natsume, Queen Marys and Westfield college, London is very good for English literature. It's typically rated in the top 20 universities in the UK.
Nep2nes, London School of Economics is very good for Political Science and History. This usually ranks at number 4. An excellent midway between the two would be my choice for both of your subjects, Kings College London. It's often top 10 and houses a healthy mix of well minded and off the wall students. Plus, it's in London and nothing else compares if you like cool cities. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
oops [This message was edited Thu Oct 17 13:53:54 PDT 2002 by Zthe9s] _________________________________________
"Every morning when I awake, the greatest of joys is mine: that of being Zthe9s... " | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Natsume said: As some of you may know, I'm going to be applying to study abroad in England for next year. I'll be gone from September to June, so I want to make sure I choose a university I'll really like and be happy at.
This is where I need your help - I know next to nothing about England. So I would appreciate any and all feedback anyone could give me about the following schools. Some questions to keep in mind - which ones are the 'good' schools? ( ) Which ones have strong literature/writing programs (as that is what I'll be studying)? How are the cities they're located in - busy, large, small, quaint, quiet, culturally-wise...? And which schools should I forget about now, because I won't get accepted into them, and even if I do I'll get my ass kicked by my studies when I arrive?
But truly, ANYTHING you know or have even heard about these schools would be great. I'm starting with a clean slate here, people! My application is due November 13th, so hurry hurry hurry! Thank you all in advance, you don't know how much I appreciate it! And who knows... maybe in a year I'll be meeting some of you!
University of Birmingham< very good school, good night life, big city centre University of Bristol< bristol is good but it all depends on what you want to study, like media there isnt good. but the nightlife is wicked. University of Durham<-- v.good University of East Anglia University of Essex University of Exeter<<< my brother went to this one, he really loved it, a lot of american kids go here. University of Kent at Canterburythis is really near me!!! University of Lancaster the lancs arent nice, dont go here, my ex is a lanc. University of Leeds University of London, King's College wicked University of London, Queen Mary no idea University of London, Royal Halloway University of Manchester University of Sheffield University of Sussex University of Warwick University of York you must be a really good student, lol, you're looking at some of the best schools in england. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
1KissAtATime said: you must be a really good student, lol, you're looking at some of the best schools in england.
lol, I am a good student, but these are also the only schools that my university offers for the study abroad program. Thanks for the link, Lleena! I'll look at it more thoroughly when I get home tonight. I'm a tad worried about the cities. London may be too big/busy/impersonal for me. But then again, I love the nightlife, and don't want to be stuck in a small, boring town. Jesus fucking Christ this is difficult. I dislike knowing I hold the fate of my happiness for nine months in my hands.I mean, like, where is the sun? | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |