Leicester University (loan, school, landlord)

[blackrabbit]

You should have taken a photo of Leiceaster after dark showing the gangs fighting on the highstreet!

[sleeptodream138]

Whoa.. haha.

Okay, so Oxford Brookes is the most recommended out of my choices, correct? I read their Wikipedia page and their official page. I like it. I like the various photos you guys have put up of the town. I can kind of feel the higher price tag of the place but, with the dollar being virtually nonexistent right now with the currency exchange, I was expecting to pay at least double for everything no matter where I went. Hopefully it'll strengthen in a year.

I appreciate the response to Keele, but it's really too far from where I would like to be. I've been to England before and I really want to be near London since I didn't see much of it when I went. I'm also planning on doing insane amounts of traveling while there. I'm planning on doing the EuroRail and, for some reason, I've been assuming that you get on the Chunnel from London (to get to France to board the EuroRail). I have no idea why. I don't even know if that's accurate. Obviously, I need to research it.

So Essex is in the middle of nowhere and Leicester is fair. Honestly, Colchester doesn't look very impressive from that photo.

You guys have really helped! I've certainly revamped my thinking. Ideally, I know I should physically visit these campuses but I cannot afford it. This will help me talk to my study abroad person, though. I'm so excited! Thanks!!

Additional info: I was originally planning on being there for a year (starting January 2010) but have cut it down to one semester for academic reasons (no guarantee of having additional required classes, etc.). I was considering filling the summer in with an internship, but that raises a whole new set of questions. I am also planning on doing graduate school in England so wherever I choose now may impact that in my future.

[Chatter]

Originally Posted by sleeptodream138

Whoa.. haha.

Okay, so Oxford Brookes is the most recommended out of my choices, correct? I read their Wikipedia page and their official page. I like it. I like the various photos you guys have put up of the town. I can kind of feel the higher price tag of the place but, with the dollar being virtually nonexistent right now with the currency exchange, I was expecting to pay at least double for everything no matter where I went. Hopefully it'll strengthen in a year.

I appreciate the response to Keele, but it's really too far from where I would like to be. I've been to England before and I really want to be near London since I didn't see much of it when I went. I'm also planning on doing insane amounts of traveling while there. I'm planning on doing the EuroRail and, for some reason, I've been assuming that you get on the Chunnel from London (to get to France to board the EuroRail). I have no idea why. I don't even know if that's accurate. Obviously, I need to research it.

So Essex is in the middle of nowhere and Leicester is fair. Honestly, Colchester doesn't look very impressive from that photo.

You guys have really helped! I've certainly revamped my thinking. Ideally, I know I should physically visit these campuses but I cannot afford it. This will help me talk to my study abroad person, though. I'm so excited! Thanks!!

Additional info: I was originally planning on being there for a year (starting January 2010) but have cut it down to one semester for academic reasons (no guarantee of having additional required classes, etc.). I was considering filling the summer in with an internship, but that raises a whole new set of questions. I am also planning on doing graduate school in England so wherever I choose now may impact that in my future.

The other pic was Leicester, Colchester is actually not a bad looking town, although it's not Oxford and is a bit out on a limb. Colchester is also full of Army Paratroopers, who aren't student friendly and who frequent some of the city nightspots.

As for travel buy a student Eurail Card or go to easyjet, ryanair and other budget airlines - Here's a few useful links - All the Best.

http://www.studentpasses.com/

http://travel.susu.org/?page=europe&sid=5

http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/eu...en_voucher.htm

http://www.easyjet.com/

http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/

Colchester -

[impala666]

Originally Posted by chilaili

Oh those pictures! The Radcliffe Camera, the Bodleian, the Sheldonian, Broad Street, St Mary's, The High . . . Exactly why my parents moved there and why I fly back to UK every couple of years to get my fix of the city. Thanks so much for that!

Yes and "The Bear","The KA Kings Arms,"Turf Tavern","Queens Lane coffee shop".
No contest Oxford every time!!

[chilaili]

Originally Posted by impala666

Yes and "The Bear","The KA Kings Arms,"Turf Tavern","Queens Lane coffee shop".
No contest Oxford every time!!

Ah, the Turf. Fond memories of freezing my butt off sitting around a brazier drinking mulled wine in the dark during the Winter months. If only it wasn't so freaking expensive to live there! If I moved home now I'd have to live with my parents - AAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!

[blackrabbit]

BTW the pound is tanking. Probably in 6 months it will be back to 1:50 against the dollar.

[welwynrob]

Leicesters growing reputation has been firmly cemented by being placed 12th and 14th in the broadsheet newspapers rankings. ABOVE Nottingham, Bath and Essex. I recieved top A levels from a school of high reputation and decided to go there on the advice of my headteacher (The reputation for Law is seen to be very good).
Leicester as a city is very green and leafy. The halls of residents are actually very picturesque aswell, look up Beaumont and John Fosters.
Nightlife is fantasitic for students as Leicester is easily one of the cheapest cities in the UK. Whatever your tastes you'll find something really good.
Crime? Firstly i have never experienced any crime at all in Leicester and secondly ever heard of the phrase Shottingham? When i visted Nottingham i saw somebody being stabbed and exeter where somebody was bottled, on student nights! And for Oxford...Blackbird Leys, described as one of the worst estates in Europe???
I'm not claiming that theres no problems in Leicester, there is obviously but trust me other places are much worse! I would also say the university is based in the nice little town of Oadby, with halls having neighbours living in mansions! Look at the photo below as that is 'Hastings house', located in the cities botanical gardens. Many American exchange students stayed there.
The picture shown by chatter is of one 'concrete street' and is not a good example at all of Britains first 'Eco City'. Other parts of the town centre do not look like this at all. Leicester wasn't bombed during WW2 so therefore has kept alot of its originally buildings. Also the town centre is at the end of a huge redevlopment which will deliver a huge new shoppng area and leisure facilities. Exciting times!

Picture of hastings house-
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...GB286%26sa%3DG

[welwynrob]

Victoria Park which surrounds the campus

An example of the universities buildings...[IMG]URL="http://www.visitleicester.co.uk/images/sections/leicester-27.jpg"][/url]

[Chatter]

TheTimes UK University Rankings 2008.

University Rankings League Table 2008| Good University Guide - Times Online

As for the pic it was of the main shopping street in Leicester, and for a one semester experience I would definately choose Oxford over Leicester any day of the week.

[welwynrob]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/ed...09-813839.html main league table 2009 - Higher, Education - The Independent[/url] The main league table 2009 - Higher, Education - The Independent

http://browse.guardian.co.uk/educati...guardian.co.uk Education[/url] | Education

Leicster has under gone alot of changes recently, including the shires redevelopment and the highcross shopping area, so therefore its possible it might of changed since you were there? For an international student i would say a day vistit to Oxford is well worth it, but for a student the atmosphere can be a bit dry (A bit too touristy). Academically Leicester is far better than the ex 'polytecnic' of Oxford brooks. Leicesters central location means that day trips to any part of England are easily possible and the social life will be fantastic (Nearly as good as UEA, which i think most would agree is a fantastic student experience)!