Leeds or Birmingham?

1998Ruby1998

我尋日收到Leeds同Birmingham unconditional emails，Leeds嘅course係 English, Language and Education，Birmingham 就 English Language，兩個都係3年制。Birmingham就有親戚，Leeds就遠咗啲。兩個course我都好鍾意，我想徵詢下意見。本來冇諗過入到Russell Group， 諗住入中大英文系，依家只有兩日時間決定。

siumiu2010

已大個, 有親戚已不是考慮因素

1998Ruby1998

回覆 siumiu2010 的帖子

我都知，不過親戚呢個係父母要求，我唔想令佢哋擔心。

亮燈

恐怕相見好，同住難！

1998Ruby1998

回覆 亮燈 的帖子

我會住campus，放假會返香港，只係父母唔想我隻身係英國，touch wood有事都唔知懵然不知，想有親戚係附近而已。
不過呢啲只係好小事，主要都係睇返大學，但係兩個course一樣咁好，唔識揀。

ANChan59

原帖由 1998Ruby1998 於 16-07-19 發表
我尋日收到Leeds同Birmingham unconditional emails，Leeds嘅course係 English, Language and Education，B ...

The DSE exam results are announced last week, it's a confirmed offer and not unconditional offer.

I guess one is your priority and the other is your insurance, why you stuck right now? Anything changed?

In my good old days, Birmingham had a biggest Chinese population behind London and Manchester. Is it a plus or minus for you?

If I were you I will send individual emails to both Us and ask them what's the difference between two programs and universities. You may find something interesting!

I cant search the internet right now, my gut feeling, they are comparable in terms of university.

elbar

1998Ruby1998 發表於 16-7-19 19:43
我尋日收到Leeds同Birmingham unconditional emails，Leeds嘅course係 English, Language and Education，B ...

Birmingham 英國以外名氣係較 Leeds 響   

1998Ruby1998

回覆 ANChan59 的帖子

I went to the education fair and the agent to see the representatives, giving them my email address and DSE results, then this morning I received both of their emails saying that they would unconditionally take me once I agree. I didn't expect them to really take me in since my results are a little off scale. I did not apply for them in UCAS (Back then, I didn't think of applying to Russell Group since my school results can only get me a foundation at most.) so it's not conditional.
I have asked some opinions on The Student Room, some prefer Leeds because of her tranquil and more country-side atmosphere, some prefer Birmingham due to her academic atmosphere. I didn't have the chance to take a tour around the two universities so I really have no idea on which is better based on the superficial information on the internet. I wouldn't mind having a bunch of Chinese there, though.

Thanks for your suggestions, perhaps I would send emails to them later.

ANChan59

回覆 1998Ruby1998 的帖子

I see. You didn't apply UCAS ....

skIII

我一向主張愈近倫敦愈好，以交通計，Birmingham 算幾方便，Heathrow有巴士直去，約兩個至三個鐘，Leeds就好遠，要多一倍時間，呢個不單是你去個程，你仲會落倫敦玩，Birmingham去可以即日來回，Leeds就較難。兩者都有口音問題，但愈北就愈難聽。有親戚是另一個好處，當然你不是去投靠佢地，但萬一要搵人幫忙，都有人可以幫下手。

MC1128

原帖由 1998Ruby1998 於 16-07-19 發表
我尋日收到Leeds同Birmingham unconditional emails，Leeds嘅course係 English, Language and Education，B ...

我建議Birmingham

HHHR

回覆 1998Ruby1998 的帖子

First, you should consider the nature of your degree programme. The one offered by Leeds is a bit mixed, with 'education' and 'language'. The one by Birmingham is solely 'English'. I did not read the prospectus in details, but it looks like the one by Leeds is less specific and more practical in nature, while the one by Birmingham is more academic. So you need to make up your mind which one do you prefer. This is very important, because if you don't like the course, you won't study well.

Second, you should consider which city you prefer to live in for three years. This is not a short period of time, and whether you enjoy it will affect your study for sure. Birmingham is a large city, mixed with people from different countries, and the crime rate is a bit higher comparatively speaking. Leeds is also a large city, more 'England' like, with less entertainment and night-life. So you want a more exciting large city in the south, or a quiet city in the north? Also consider the weather. Leeds will be colder in winter.


Third, you should also think about your future career. If you intend to come back to work in Hong Kong, mainland China or other Asian countries, Birmingham seems to be a bit more advantageous as it is a bit more well known than Leeds. Both are RG universities, but the overall ranking of the university, as well as the ranking in 'English', Birmingham seems to be a bit better.


Last but not least, you should also consider the tuition fee, the accommodation fee and other expenditure. Also try to find out if the university can guarantee first year accommodation for international student. Most international students will stay in university halls for the first year as this saves a lot of time and trouble.


One last word. Once you have decided to go to study in UK, start applying for student visa without any delay. The process takes time. Good Luck!

manning2014

回覆 1998Ruby1998 的帖子

Did you receive any offer in HK? Which U and program? This is also important factor in your decision.

1998Ruby1998

回覆 HHHR 的帖子

Thanks for your suggestions.

Judging by the course, I think Birmingham would suit me more, and surely the reputation is one of the factors of consideration. I don't really mind if there's entertainment or night-life since I am not a very sociable person. As for weather, both are okay, I do enjoy temperatures around 5°C.


The tuition fee for both courses are the same, both universities guarantee accommodation for international students regardless of their years.


Fortunately, I do not have to apply for student visa.

1998Ruby1998

回覆 manning2014 的帖子

I don't think anyone I know have received offers at this stage, the announcement of JUPAS would be released on 8th August, and the two universities ask for a response within two days. So once I make up my mind on Leeds or Birmingham, my ultimate decision would be UK or HK.

manning2014

回覆 1998Ruby1998 的帖子

Judging "amount" these 2, Birmingham will be better choice. But I would suggest you to stay and study in HK if any of HK big 3 (HKU, CU, UST) give you offer in the end. By this, in my opinion, HK big 3 is far far better than those 2 UK uni., in term of local reputation,  financial reason.

siumiu2010

經濟能力許可, 出外見識一下

HHHR

回覆 1998Ruby1998 的帖子

I am writing in response to the comments of manning2014 and siumiu2010.

Both have their points that worth serious consideration.


My personal view is since 1998Ruby1998 is going to study 'English', the local factor does not count too much. If you can afford it, an overseas study experience should give you something more than you can get from local universities.

manning2014

回覆 HHHR 的帖子

Yes, I totally agree with you. I strongly encourage my kids to study oversea, even good local uni program already accepted them. Having said that, one should still look at  where they are going to and what is their study plan  carefully, in order to make their parents' money well spent, or their own time not wasted.