Another question post...

[rurounihime]

This one has nothing to do with HP and everything to do with colleges in the UK.

I am looking into various grad school programs in the British Isles, and I am wondering if you, my lovely f-list, can help me out...

If you do or did attend school at these universities:

Leeds
Sussex
Newcastle
Kingston, London
Bangor, Wales

...what did/do you think? Now's the time to tote your school! Even if you didn't actually attend school there, but you know something about these places, please comment. I want the opinions of my peers because, as much as I love the prospectuses (prospecti?) I've been receiving, of course each university is going to talk itself up. So I want candid opinions on anything: living arrangements, scholarships, financial aid, professors, the cities and areas nearby, travel within town and to other towns, and of course... THE ACADEMICS.

Thanks so much everyone! This will be really, really helpful to me. ♥

Comments

[tipgardner.livejournal.com]

I'd probably want to be in or near London, but I admit I'm biased. I understand the longing for Scotland, having Scottish relatives. I think something to remember, that is often hard for Americans to understand, is how small our country is. You can get anywhere fairly easily/quickly by rail. So I would probably choose someplace where there is a lot going on that you can make use of if you choose, but from which you can go travelling as whim and necessity demand (hence my London preference).

As for the programmes you've mentioned, I'd gone up to Oxford, so I've not got a personal view on those other than to say that you should apply to one of the Oxford colleges and sit for a programme there! :)

[rurounihime.livejournal.com]

I did love living in London, that's for sure. And Kingston really appeals to me in that regard, because it is so very close, yet perhaps far enough removed so as not to break my bank completely. *is still O.o from some of the expenses of living in London*

I agree: I don't think I was putting the size of England into proper context for myself. I have to keep reminding myself that everything is very close, relatively, and easy to travel to. ^__^ I would also be a bit agitated if I got too far away from London, I think, in some respects. I really do love that city, and I like being close to a biggish metropolis, if not quite in it.

I did look into Oxford. The university I went to here in Cali is actually designed after Oxford's college system, so that was a big plus. And I do like Oxford (city) itself a lot, too. Alas, I discovered they do not offer the MA I would like (I'm looking into writing MA programmes).