5 Responses

1. JRH

   November 23rd, 2009 at 10:58 am

   1

   Hey – I’m American, but studied in London during my law degree, and recently completed a masters in York, and I also did research for my master in Edinburgh. Here is my honest opinion:
   London is awesom. It is one of those cities you can’t appreciate until you live there, but for a long term stay/study experience, I only recommend it if you have a serious amount of cash at your disposal and can live in a really awesom neighbourhood (zone 1!). There are numerous university options and resourses at your disposal, and a ton of things to do in the city, but i never felt like the students there interacted with each other as much. You can easily take the Eurostar and trains out of London. there are numerous airports but it can be expensive to get back and forth if you are just trying to take student weekend trips to europe. London is on par with the other major cities of the world.
   Edinburgh is a really awesom city. Very eclectic (sp?). Great university. It is definitely more mellow and a bit calmer. A good balance. Despite the hills, you can definitely walk around. But it is crazy cold and it can feel a bit “grey”. trains are really cheap in and out of Edinburgh, but can take a while to get anywhere. Unless you are really into all things Scottish or want more of the balance, I would say visit Edinburgh a lot, but maybe not study there. Edinburgh reminds me of Boston or Melbourne in Australia.
   Oxford/Cambridge – Let’s face it, you get a heck of a name on your resume that any employer in the States will know and all my friends who have went to them or live there rave about both. (Personally I prefer Cambridge over Oxford.) But as an American student studying abroad, I say go somewhere else. Not sure the students will be what you are expecting, and these are still small towns. Oxford is bigger than Cambridge but I feel like it loses its history. Plus, to get anywhere else by train you generally have to go back through London which can be very annoying. Definitely visit both, or I would say Cambridge for a short summer course, but try somewhere else.
   York is a really unique place. It is definitely small, but has a lot of unique history (so sorry there are always tourists). It is far more affordable than the other major cities in the UK. The University is located about 25 minutes walk from the city, contrary to the typical university in England, and is fairly modern (and most say ugly), but the city makes up for it. It is right on the main train line between London and Edinburgh (equadistance), is only 25 minutes or so from Leeds, and has easy access to Leeds airport and Manchester airport for cheap flights to the rest of Europe. Less chain restaurants in the city and more unique eateries, and lots of shopping options. Every weeknight one of more of the clubs/bars in town offer a student night and then on weekends when the city is full of hen parties, there are events on campus. the university is currently working on an expansion campus as well. It is good value for your money, it is a top ranked school, with lots going on, a good community feel on campus with a good mix of students from all over, and has easy access to the rest of the UK/Europe.
   Leeds is the closest major city to York and the reputation of their university has really come far. thanks to banking and commercial endeavors, the city has come far too. I would equate it a typical small US city or town. Fairly modern, not a ton of history but it has all your modern conveniences like chain store shopping and restaurants. Fairly good night life and a really nice central university venue. easy access to rail and air options. a little too modern for me.
   Bristol – i don’t know much about Bristol but my boyfriend did his undergrad there and raves about it. The uni is supposedly really good and has a lot of money and resources. he finds york boring when he compares it to bristol and says there was always something going on. the university also maintains the traditional university/college structure and traditions that you think of when you think of oxford, with formal meals on fridays and old historical buildings. the negatives, he found a lot of the students to be rich oxford rejects and bristol is removed, stuck at the bottom west of the country.
   this was most likely too much info but i hope it helps. There are alot of other uni (sorry to all my friends from Durham, Newcastle, UEA, Lancaster, Stirling, Plymouth, and others), but personally i wouldnt even consider another area than the few I highlighted.
   Edinb

2. Tyler

   November 23rd, 2009 at 4:17 pm

   2

   London, go to London Richomend University its a tube station after Kew Garden.

3. Elizabeth Dreams

   November 23rd, 2009 at 10:48 pm

   3

   somewhere pretty close to London for the best experience.

4. burn

   November 24th, 2009 at 3:54 am

   4

   It depends on what you want to study.
   London is good but very expensive.
   I have two sons currently at university. One at Wolverhampton and one at Southampton.
   Both city’s have different things to offer, but neither of my boys would want to change where they are based.
   Once you have made your mind up for your course and University just go for it and join in.

5. Russell B

   November 24th, 2009 at 5:53 am

   5

   probably Oxford or Cambridge