Quoting Post Archived Topic: It will not be bumped to the top of the forum. Topic How important are university league tables? Membername   Not a member? Sign Up Free (takes 20 seconds) Password   Forgotten your password? Post Font: Verdana Arial Black Georgia Comic Sans Impact   Size: Tiny Normal Big Huge   Color: Default Dark Red Red Orange Brown Green Olive Cyan Blue Dark Blue Indigo Black [ Check Spelling ] [ Post Preview ] [ LiveTags ] Quote: from [m]osmoticdespair[/m] at 7:59 am on June 10, 2008[quote]By which I mean, if I want to do a postgrad after, how much of an impediment would it be to have gone to a uni very low in the tables? also help, what do you think you'd pick? [b]Lampeter good points:[/b] Good strong focus on medieval period. Connections between theology, classics and history department and freedom to choose units from all. Small (<2000 students) old university with some nice buildings in a semi rural area (town population doubles during term time) Reputation for attracting geeks 1 and a bit hours bus ride from home Better research output than Aberystwyth My favorite fish and chip shop and ice cream shops are there I can take classical languages like latin and greek there [b]Lampeter bad points:[/b] Dissertation is only 8000 words Most league tables rank it lower than Aberystwyth and the internet seems to suggest it has a reputation for corruption Away from home Ancient and Medieval rather than Medieval and Early Modern - Some aspects of early modern do interest me. In the literature they sent me all their dissertation titles seem a bit lefty. Now I guess thats true for universities everywhere but... eh... No debate society Obviously they scrimp on their promotional materials - they're not the richest in the world (in fact they came near to closing at one point - on the other hand they are the 3rd oldest university in England and Wales and it would be good to support their continued existance) [b]Aberystwyth good points:[/b] A broader range of historical topics to choose from (but no classics and minimal church history). Better staff student ratio More spent on equipment and facilities By the sea Don't need to move Better league table results (still not brilliant though) More "arts and culture" activities The "National Library of Wales" Longer dissertation than Lampeter Best debate society in Wales Already applied for student loans as though I were staying at home Best friend is here Train station - i.e. access to the rest of the world [b]Aberystwyth bad points:[/b] Lived here since I was 8, maybe its time I see somewhere else Too many studenty drinkingholes No ancient history, no latin or greek No pretty buildings[/quote] FAQ Keyword Search: Post Options Favorites Manager Notify me of new replies to this topic by email Notify me of new replies to this topic by private message Original Post osmoticdespair Posted at 7:59 am on June 10, 2008 By which I mean, if I want to do a postgrad after, how much of an impediment would it be to have gone to a uni very low in the tables? also help, what do you think you'd pick? Lampeter good points: Good strong focus on medieval period. Connections between theology, classics and history department and freedom to choose units from all. Small (<2000 students) old university with some nice buildings in a semi rural area (town population doubles during term time) Reputation for attracting geeks 1 and a bit hours bus ride from home Better research output than Aberystwyth My favorite fish and chip shop and ice cream shops are there I can take classical languages like latin and greek there Lampeter bad points: Dissertation is only 8000 words Most league tables rank it lower than Aberystwyth and the internet seems to suggest it has a reputation for corruption Away from home Ancient and Medieval rather than Medieval and Early Modern - Some aspects of early modern do interest me. In the literature they sent me all their dissertation titles seem a bit lefty. Now I guess thats true for universities everywhere but... eh... No debate society Obviously they scrimp on their promotional materials - they're not the richest in the world (in fact they came near to closing at one point - on the other hand they are the 3rd oldest university in England and Wales and it would be good to support their continued existance) Aberystwyth good points: A broader range of historical topics to choose from (but no classics and minimal church history). Better staff student ratio More spent on equipment and facilities By the sea Don't need to move Better league table results (still not brilliant though) More "arts and culture" activities The "National Library of Wales" Longer dissertation than Lampeter Best debate society in Wales Already applied for student loans as though I were staying at home Best friend is here Train station - i.e. access to the rest of the world Aberystwyth bad points: Lived here since I was 8, maybe its time I see somewhere else Too many studenty drinkingholes No ancient history, no latin or greek No pretty buildings

Replies Fauna Posted at 4:13 pm on June 14, 2008 I don't think much of league tables. (Look at where Bristol is placed in this year's guardian as opposed to this year's times - 8 & 32?!?!) still, I would say that aberystwyth has a much better reputation than lampeter. I'd go to aber, and live in uni housing. have you looked your course up on unistats? the employment statistics might change your opinion. TheatreMinelli Posted at 7:06 am on June 11, 2008 Even with the plethora of different league tables...I would trust the Times one with my life. Arguia Posted at 6:43 am on June 11, 2008 Quote: from osmoticdespair at 10:19 pm on June 10, 2008 Quote: from Arguia at 9:09 pm on June 10, 2008 I was talking to a college history teacher who went to Lampeter and loved it.    Looking at the Times Good University Guide, Lampeter is ranked 57th out of 133 and Aberystwyth is ranked 39th. Not that low.    Have you visited both of them? Which do you feel more comfortable at?    Have you tried asking a university about post graduate? Pick a high ranking uni and ask them if you would be able to study post graduate if you went to Lampeter/Aber, and what degree you would need to do this. Most of the universities I have approached have been very helpful with admissions queries.    From what you have posted, it seems like Aber has more good points and less bad points for you. I don't know which I would personally chose (although Lampeter and Aber are two universities I am looking at). http://www.thegooduniversityguide.org.uk/single.htm?ipg=6605 that one puts Lampeter at the bottom... But yeah I am pretty torn... And Aber quite a long way up... Guess that shows that you have to a look at a selection of tables. For history though Lampeter is 45th out of 89 and Aber  only one place ahead at 44th. lizdarocker Posted at 4:52 pm on June 10, 2008 i feel the most comfortable at Lampeter osmoticdespair Posted at 2:19 pm on June 10, 2008 Quote: from Arguia at 9:09 pm on June 10, 2008 I was talking to a college history teacher who went to Lampeter and loved it.   Looking at the [url=http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/gug/gooduniversityguide.php[Times Good University Guide[/url], Lampeter is ranked 57th out of 133 and Aberystwyth is ranked 39th. Not that low. Have you visited both of them? Which do you feel more comfortable at? Have you tried asking a university about post graduate? Pick a high ranking uni and ask them if you would be able to study post graduate if you went to Lampeter/Aber, and what degree you would need to do this. Most of the universities I have approached have been very helpful with admissions queries. From what you have posted, it seems like Aber has more good points and less bad points for you. I don't know which I would personally chose (although Lampeter and Aber are two universities I am looking at). http://www.thegooduniversityguide.org.uk/single.htm?ipg=6605 that one puts Lampeter at the bottom... But yeah I am pretty torn... Arguia Posted at 1:09 pm on June 10, 2008 I was talking to a college history teacher who went to Lampeter and loved it. Looking at the [url=http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/gug/gooduniversityguide.php[Times Good University Guide[/url], Lampeter is ranked 57th out of 133 and Aberystwyth is ranked 39th. Not that low. Have you visited both of them? Which do you feel more comfortable at? Have you tried asking a university about post graduate? Pick a high ranking uni and ask them if you would be able to study post graduate if you went to Lampeter/Aber, and what degree you would need to do this. Most of the universities I have approached have been very helpful with admissions queries. From what you have posted, it seems like Aber has more good points and less bad points for you. I don't know which I would personally chose (although Lampeter and Aber are two universities I am looking at). Micus Posted at 10:01 am on June 10, 2008 Quote: from osmoticdespair at 12:01 pm on June 10, 2008 Quote: from Micus at 4:18 pm on June 10, 2008 Lampeter seems the better choice. Postgrad! Let's get away from home hehe. Another problem I found with lampeter is the worst staff student ratio in the country. But I don't know if it includes the part time and distance students - if it does its not a big deal, if it doesn't... ehhhhhh... :( Ugggh. My school is nice... all my non-lecture classes have about six or seven students. osmoticdespair Posted at 9:01 am on June 10, 2008 Quote: from Micus at 4:18 pm on June 10, 2008 Lampeter seems the better choice. Postgrad! Let's get away from home hehe. Another problem I found with lampeter is the worst staff student ratio in the country. But I don't know if it includes the part time and distance students - if it does its not a big deal, if it doesn't... ehhhhhh... :( Micus Posted at 8:18 am on June 10, 2008 Lampeter seems the better choice. Postgrad! Let's get away from home hehe. All 9 previous replies displayed.