Universities

[richart]

My daughter is starting to look at Universities for 2012. She wants to study physics or Astrophysics. No i don't know where she gets her brains from

A lot of the Universities do her courses, but has anyone on the forum any first hand experience of a University that they can recommend. I am pushing her towards St Andrews, as i hear the golf is not bad ! Hoping that Scottish Universities may not be as expensive as English ones, as of course the new increased fees come in the year she starts

Also considering at the moment Nottingham,Warwick,Bath, Edinburgh and Kent (Canterbury) and Surrey (Guildford).

Any feedback on any Universities gratefully received.

Rich

 

[Yerman]

Manchester (home of Jodrell Bank) and Leeds were the places to go but I may be 30yrs out of touch and many light-years wide of the mark

 

[jonadams]

My eldest daughter (primary education) and son (Forensics and Law) went to Canterbury and both have nothing but praise for the staff and courses. Canterbury is expensive for students as it is a tourist trap as well and the rents reflect this.

 

[richart]

My eldest daughter (primary education) and son (Forensics and Law) went to Canterbury and both have nothing but praise for the staff and courses. Canterbury is expensive for students as it is a tourist trap as well and the rents reflect this.

That was one of my worries about Southern Universities. She is a qualified swimming teacher and lifeguard, so hopefully would be able to pick up some work.

Thanks for the personal comments

 

[splashtryagain]

My wife attended Canterbury (languages) and speaks very highly of it, my cousin read physics at Manchester and also loved it. I did psychology at Chester and also loved it. I believe this suggests that she will love it where ever she ends up as Uni is fun! If Astrophysics then, as has been stated, Jodrell bank would be a very useful resource. Rent oop north will be less but you could look into buying a house and renting it out - easily cover costs and provide a step for your daughter to get on the housing ladder at the end of it all.

 

[viscount17]

have you considered Cranfield?

I know 'my' company use them for R&D projects - some of them really on the far edge

http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/students/courses/index.html

 

[Imurg]

Not sure if it's true or not but Nottingham always had the reputation for a 2:1 ratio of Girls to Boys....!!!!!!

Not suggesting anything of course..........

 

[richart]

have you considered Cranfield?

I know 'my' company use them for R&D projects - some of them really on the far edge

http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/students/courses/index.html

Thanks for that, they do some very interesting aerospace courses.

 

[GB72]

I went to Leicester Uni and I always thought that it was the home of the UK space industry.

 

[Potor_36]

Also considering at the moment Nottingham,Warwick,Bath, Edinburgh and Kent (Canterbury) and Surrey (Guildford).

I applied to do physics at Nottingham, Warwick and Bath amoungst others when I went to university (2006). I went to have a look round Bath on an open day - their department seemed fairly good, but to be honest its probably not the place to go for astrophysics. All the research they were keen to tell us about on the open day was based around photonics and opto-electronics, and I got the impression that if this wasn't your thing you might be better off going somewhere else.

I was pleasently surprised by Nottingham though, the course seemed well-structured and had the option of a year of industry placement(s), which in today's jobs climate could prove to be invaluable experience. They also seemed to be a lot more into astronomy than Bath, so probably more suitable (they also had of lot of impressive research in nanotechnology, which nearly presuaded me to go there).

However, of all the universities I looked round, Durham would have to be the best for astrophysics. Their facilities and research were comfortably above those of both Bath and Nottingham, so that would be my recommendation. Its cheaper up north too

 

[richart]

I went to Leicester Uni and I always thought that it was the home of the UK space industry.

Will look into Leicester,thanks for that.

 

[richart]

Also considering at the moment Nottingham,Warwick,Bath, Edinburgh and Kent (Canterbury) and Surrey (Guildford).

I applied to do physics at Nottingham, Warwick and Bath amoungst others when I went to university (2006). I went to have a look round Bath on an open day - their department seemed fairly good, but to be honest its probably not the place to go for astrophysics. All the research they were keen to tell us about on the open day was based around photonics and opto-electronics, and I got the impression that if this wasn't your thing you might be better off going somewhere else.

I was pleasently surprised by Nottingham though, the course seemed well-structured and had the option of a year of industry placement(s), which in today's jobs climate could prove to be invaluable experience. They also seemed to be a lot more into astronomy than Bath, so probably more suitable (they also had of lot of impressive research in nanotechnology, which nearly presuaded me to go there).

However, of all the universities I looked round, Durham would have to be the best for astrophysics. Their facilities and research were comfortably above those of both Bath and Nottingham, so that would be my recommendation. Its cheaper up north too

Very interesting reading. Thanks for that. Sounds like my daughter is on the right tracks with Nottingham, but will certainly look at Durham. Cheaper up North appeals !!

 

[Crow]

My lad is at York doing computing and is very happy with everything.

His girlfriend is at Durham doing physics and says it's great.

 

[surefire]

I studied at Surrey, and actually had a friend who studied nuclear astrophysics, so I will see if I can find out anything about the course or staff there.

There is also the highly regarded Surrey research park, which is right next to the universities sports ground, there are lots of high tech companies here, including Surrey Satelite Technology Ltd (http://www.sstl.co.uk), who could be a good source of work experience, and potential future employment.

In general, Guildford is a pretty nice place, although like Cantebury, it can be a bit on the expensive side.

If you're daughter is a swimming teacher and lifeguard, the spectrum could be a handy place for potential employment, plus there are quite a few smaller gyms with pools, and even the Surrey sports park, which was built to be a training centre for the 2012 Olympics, and so has a 50m length Olympic pool, with all the fancy timing systems, and is also used by Harlequins rugby and a few other local professional sports teams.

 

[mjsw13]

I studied at Durham and loved it - didn't do physics, but a few pals did and they said the teaching / facilities were top drawer.

Did my Masters at Edinburgh, but don't know anybody who's studied Physics there.

Durham / the north east certainly is a lot cheaper than most of the country - it can keep living costs down by loads, and is relatively easy to get to being on the Edinburgh to King's Cross mainline.

 

[richart]

I studied at Surrey, and actually had a friend who studied nuclear astrophysics, so I will see if I can find out anything about the course or staff there.

There is also the highly regarded Surrey research park, which is right next to the universities sports ground, there are lots of high tech companies here, including Surrey Satelite Technology Ltd (http://www.sstl.co.uk), who could be a good source of work experience, and potential future employment.

In general, Guildford is a pretty nice place, although like Cantebury, it can be a bit on the expensive side.

If you're daughter is a swimming teacher and lifeguard, the spectrum could be a handy place for potential employment, plus there are quite a few smaller gyms with pools, and even the Surrey sports park, which was built to be a training centre for the 2012 Olympics, and so has a 50m length Olympic pool, with all the fancy timing systems, and is also used by Harlequins rugby and a few other local professional sports teams.

Thanks for that Surefire. My daughter does know a lecturer at the University of Surrey (boyfriends dad) and has had a look round. I know she was impressed, but the only problem is it is about 12 miles from where we live, and i think she wants to get further away from me !

It would save on accomadation costs, and the new pool looks great. She has competed at the Spectrum in the past, and should have no problems getting some work.

Getting work experience has been a problem, as i think the demand must be very high. It seems to be given to those that know the right people

Definitely a good option, and if you do hear anything back from your mate let me know.

Thanks Rich

 

[richart]

I studied at Durham and loved it - didn't do physics, but a few pals did and they said the teaching / facilities were top drawer.

Did my Masters at Edinburgh, but don't know anybody who's studied Physics there.

Durham / the north east certainly is a lot cheaper than most of the country - it can keep living costs down by loads, and is relatively easy to get to being on the Edinburgh to King's Cross mainline.

I think Durham will now be on her short list. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[sev112]

I studied at Surrey, and actually had a friend who studied nuclear astrophysics, so I will see if I can find out anything about the course or staff there.

There is also the highly regarded Surrey research park, which is right next to the universities sports ground, there are lots of high tech companies here, including Surrey Satelite Technology Ltd (http://www.sstl.co.uk), who could be a good source of work experience, and potential future employment.

In general, Guildford is a pretty nice place, although like Cantebury, it can be a bit on the expensive side.

If you're daughter is a swimming teacher and lifeguard, the spectrum could be a handy place for potential employment, plus there are quite a few smaller gyms with pools, and even the Surrey sports park, which was built to be a training centre for the 2012 Olympics, and so has a 50m length Olympic pool, with all the fancy timing systems, and is also used by Harlequins rugby and a few other local professional sports teams.

Thanks for that Surefire. My daughter does know a lecturer at the University of Surrey (boyfriends dad) and has had a look round. I know she was impressed, but the only problem is it is about 12 miles from where we live, and i think she wants to get further away from me !

It would save on accomadation costs, and the new pool looks great. She has competed at the Spectrum in the past, and should have no problems getting some work.

Getting work experience has been a problem, as i think the demand must be very high. It seems to be given to those that know the right people

Definitely a good option, and if you do hear anything back from your mate let me know.

Thanks Rich

Rich
Another ex-Surrey-ite here
Remember Surrey has the highest graduate recruitment of all UK universities year on year for teh past 20 plus years!

Seriously technically focussed university with practical degrees , but with excellent management and business modules available.

 

[Aztecs27]

I studied at Durham and loved it - didn't do physics, but a few pals did and they said the teaching / facilities were top drawer.

Did my Masters at Edinburgh, but don't know anybody who's studied Physics there.

Durham / the north east certainly is a lot cheaper than most of the country - it can keep living costs down by loads, and is relatively easy to get to being on the Edinburgh to King's Cross mainline.

Aidens?

 

[percy_layer]

I studied at Newcastle and Aberdeen, both great cities to study and live in. No idea if they have the desired course though.

Durham has a great student population and as already mentioned, it's cheaper up north.