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Britain’s best university cities
Which place offers the best student experience?
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Leave the boring courses and modules stuff to your careers advisor - when it comes to finding out which city offers the best student experience (and this includes everything from drinking games to ultimate Frisbee), who better to ask than other students? The 2012 list from the Times Higher Education (THE) student experience study has just come out, having surveyed over 14,000 students, asking questions in a wide number of categories including life and accommodation.
It's regarded as being one of the definitive guides to the top 10 universities that offer the best experience. Read our countdown to find out which one came first.
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28Comments
28/04/2012 12:29
28/04/2012 01:59
I'm very happy to see that Aberystwyth made the top 10! I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, both socially and academically. It's a beautiful place to be, particularly when the sun is shining (which doesn't happen often enough, I'm afraid to say!). If there are any prospective students reading, don't be put off by the above line 'The town might not have a reputation for nightlife or avant-garde culture...', as it certainly had a thriving nightlife when I was there (I moved away in 2008 after graduating in 2003). There are plenty of late-licensed pubs, bars and clubs, and a small cinema for those who aren't into drinking. The beaches are lush, and if you like hill-walking, there are a few around to keep you active. This is starting to sound like an advert for Aber, so I'll stop now!
28/04/2012 10:32
Once you've chosen, what the 'Psychos' call 'positive reinforcement' comes into it. In plain speak, you big up the place because it was your choice. How many people ever say there holiday choice was wrong? When you've spent loads, planned, put in the time and dreamed of the moment, you HAVE to convince yourself it's good.
Also, if you ever worked in one, you'll know all Unis now are smart to the power of League Tables. They encourage all the most positive students led by their most positive lecturers to fill in the questionnaire, and are less forward about asking those wthye know will be negative. RESULT? A smiley, rose-tinted PARTIAL picture.
28/04/2012 14:59
Chris Williams and Matt are right, Manchester should be on the list, it's got everything the other more pretentious university towns have, great night life with some of the best bars and clubs anywhere, culture - alternative or otherwise, history, a great sporting tradition and all kinds off great foreign cuisine on your doorstep,
if you like shopping, there are markets, the Arndale, Afflek's Palace and all kinds off shops for all tastes and budgets.
I feel insulted that a great city like Manchester isn't on the list.
28/04/2012 12:43
Who takes note of these pointless job justifying studies!?
(Who wants to keep their job? ME ME ME!! Write a silly article about University cities and make sure its completely different to the last one on here or you're in the dole queue on Monday. Facts!? FACTS!?!? Who give a tiddle about facts! Just make sure that the cities are different, tell you what, just put them into a hat and pick them out)
(Who wants to keep their job? ME ME ME!! Write a silly article about University cities and make sure its completely different to the last one on here or you're in the dole queue on Monday. Facts!? FACTS!?!? Who give a tiddle about facts! Just make sure that the cities are different, tell you what, just put them into a hat and pick them out)
Why is so much time in the world WASTED on writing stuff like this and then shaving it off my life as my curious mind leads me places I often don't need to go.
And finally I've wrote this to begrudge my wasted time.. SHIZZLE!!
28/04/2012 13:07
28/04/2012 21:46
The city I live very near to is always on top 10 lists. Not saying where it is or if it's on this list, but those of us living there resent the students because there are just too many of them.
They are mainly from middle or upper class families ( or celebrities, yes we have many here )who buy property for their kids while they live here for 4 years.
This doesn't affect me as we have a paid for house, but for young people it's a nightmare.
Rental properties are ridiculous prices too for the same reason.
So, if your favourite Uni city isn't on the list be thankful lol.
28/04/2012 08:52
28/04/2012 11:53
28/04/2012 20:32
29/04/2012 00:37
I do have to say, a 14,000 poll out of a roughly 500,000 student population - not really bang on, is it? In fact it's pretty much BS. I'm at Salford which is a centre of excellence for my particular course (more 1st class honours degrees than anywhere else!) and is where the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen have recently been, to open Media City, with state of the art facilities; where the BBC and ITV have moved to! AND in addition - it is five minutes from the most amazing city of Manchester!!! Funny how the poll wasn't circulated through all Universities and offered to all students to respond - in fact Poorna Bell, how was this poll conducted?? Hardly Evidence Based Research, is it?
28/04/2012 22:36
28/04/2012 16:47
25/01/2013 05:01
28/04/2012 18:41
28/04/2012 21:06
30/04/2012 19:18
Is this article supposed to allude to the fact that prospective uni students actually base their future study/graduate achievement career, on the high times a city has to offer? Surely not true ... is it?? Students may rate a place entertainment wise but that is all ...isn't it?....... wondering
"boring courses ..." ???
"boring courses ..." ???
07/05/2012 15:33
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