Consensus world view of TOP 5/6 UK University Rankings (Prestige/Research)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is a self selective environment. Even between those who decide to apply to to UK/EU universties. Some are just doing it because a few UK school are in the common app, so why not. Then there are the ones who are serious about exploring university life outside the US. These kids are not like the avg kid applying to American schools.

It takes a different kid to want to not only leave home, but be in another continent for 3-4 years studying in a completely different environment. This is why a lot of those kids end up succeeding at whatever they are doing. On avg these kids are independent go getters. Maybe not the HYPSM types since most of these have no reason to go away.

You gotta appreciate the desire and independent thinking of an American kid wanting to leave the US to go to school in Europe.

Not really, if they have serious money it is not going to be any different from their ski trips to Austria and their safari's in Africa. Money has reach and for a lot of kids this will just be par for the course.

It's not like an inner city kid from Detroit is applying to Oxford ever. THAT would be something to admire.

There’s a huge difference between living in another country and a 1-2 week trip. The former requires much more independence, self-confidence, etc. It’s not something just any 18 year old can handle.

Yeah but I don't think you get it, actual wealthy kids are spending 6 weeks in Tanzania or an entire summer in the Meditteranean, not going on cheap 2 week vacations.

Oh please. Both of my kids went to school in the UK. One at St Andrews and one at Trinity. NONE of them had friends spending the whole summer in the Mediterranean or 6 week in Tanzania. You just seem bitter for some reason.

Trinity is not in the UK.

You know what I meant. No need to be a smart ass.

nope. get it right. Rep of Ireland is not in the UK. you know better. Your American kid at Trinity tell Irish people s/he is in the UK? I bet not.

Oh my. is this what we are arguing about? That wasnt even the point of my comment. Go away.

[Anonymous]

We just visited some Oxford departments and colleges earlier this month during their open days, and now my DD is intrigued. The tutorial system sounds so interesting and so different than the American system. I would be really interested in hearing from those of you with kids over there, how do they like taking courses only in their department? Are they okay with the grading being based strictly on exams? Do they like the tutorial system and what happens if you don't mesh well with your assigned tutor?

[Anonymous]

So many trolls and bots on these yookay threads

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just visited some Oxford departments and colleges earlier this month during their open days, and now my DD is intrigued. The tutorial system sounds so interesting and so different than the American system. I would be really interested in hearing from those of you with kids over there, how do they like taking courses only in their department? Are they okay with the grading being based strictly on exams? Do they like the tutorial system and what happens if you don't mesh well with your assigned tutor?

You are not there to “mesh well” with your tutor. You are there to learn from them. If you are the kind of person that worries about meshing with your tutor (who normally changes every term anyway) then it isn’t for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just visited some Oxford departments and colleges earlier this month during their open days, and now my DD is intrigued. The tutorial system sounds so interesting and so different than the American system. I would be really interested in hearing from those of you with kids over there, how do they like taking courses only in their department? Are they okay with the grading being based strictly on exams? Do they like the tutorial system and what happens if you don't mesh well with your assigned tutor?

You are not there to “mesh well” with your tutor. You are there to learn from them. If you are the kind of person that worries about meshing with your tutor (who normally changes every term anyway) then it isn’t for you.

I'm not entirely certain what your tutor's responsibilities are. But it's good that it changes every term. I could not imagine being stuck working with my least favorite professor from undergrad for multiple terms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just visited some Oxford departments and colleges earlier this month during their open days, and now my DD is intrigued. The tutorial system sounds so interesting and so different than the American system. I would be really interested in hearing from those of you with kids over there, how do they like taking courses only in their department? Are they okay with the grading being based strictly on exams? Do they like the tutorial system and what happens if you don't mesh well with your assigned tutor?

You are not there to “mesh well” with your tutor. You are there to learn from them. If you are the kind of person that worries about meshing with your tutor (who normally changes every term anyway) then it isn’t for you.

No need to be mean to the PP. It is a fair question from someone not familiar with the set up. Tutorials are typically run by PhD students in small groups. It could be 3-4 to 15-20 depending on module and Uni. Larger modules typically have many tutors. And then it is luck of the draw. You can get a great one or a terrible one. My kids have had great tutors and terrible ones. The idea is great. But you get out of it what you put in it.

As for only taking course in their dept it depends on the Uni and course. In some unis you have the ability to take some course outside your main subject. In Scotland this is very common. I’m not familiar with Oxford.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just visited some Oxford departments and colleges earlier this month during their open days, and now my DD is intrigued. The tutorial system sounds so interesting and so different than the American system. I would be really interested in hearing from those of you with kids over there, how do they like taking courses only in their department? Are they okay with the grading being based strictly on exams? Do they like the tutorial system and what happens if you don't mesh well with your assigned tutor?

Testing/Coursework varies based on module. Sure, some models will be 100% tests. Typically two that account for 100% of the grade, sometimes one test. But outside of STEM fields, you will have either a combo of coursework (Essays, group projects) and a test or just coursework. A lot of programs like History, etc are mostly Essays. A couple during the semester and a big one as the final.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just visited some Oxford departments and colleges earlier this month during their open days, and now my DD is intrigued. The tutorial system sounds so interesting and so different than the American system. I would be really interested in hearing from those of you with kids over there, how do they like taking courses only in their department? Are they okay with the grading being based strictly on exams? Do they like the tutorial system and what happens if you don't mesh well with your assigned tutor?

You are not there to “mesh well” with your tutor. You are there to learn from them. If you are the kind of person that worries about meshing with your tutor (who normally changes every term anyway) then it isn’t for you.

No need to be mean to the PP. It is a fair question from someone not familiar with the set up. Tutorials are typically run by PhD students in small groups. It could be 3-4 to 15-20 depending on module and Uni. Larger modules typically have many tutors. And then it is luck of the draw. You can get a great one or a terrible one. My kids have had great tutors and terrible ones. The idea is great. But you get out of it what you put in it.

As for only taking course in their dept it depends on the Uni and course. In some unis you have the ability to take some course outside your main subject. In Scotland this is very common. I’m not familiar with Oxford.

The tutorial system in Oxbridge is not like this. What you described is right for all the other unis, but at Oxbridge a tutorial is one on one or one on two with your professor. It’s very intense - but does depend on the professor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just visited some Oxford departments and colleges earlier this month during their open days, and now my DD is intrigued. The tutorial system sounds so interesting and so different than the American system. I would be really interested in hearing from those of you with kids over there, how do they like taking courses only in their department? Are they okay with the grading being based strictly on exams? Do they like the tutorial system and what happens if you don't mesh well with your assigned tutor?

You are not there to “mesh well” with your tutor. You are there to learn from them. If you are the kind of person that worries about meshing with your tutor (who normally changes every term anyway) then it isn’t for you.

No need to be mean to the PP. It is a fair question from someone not familiar with the set up. Tutorials are typically run by PhD students in small groups. It could be 3-4 to 15-20 depending on module and Uni. Larger modules typically have many tutors. And then it is luck of the draw. You can get a great one or a terrible one. My kids have had great tutors and terrible ones. The idea is great. But you get out of it what you put in it.

As for only taking course in their dept it depends on the Uni and course. In some unis you have the ability to take some course outside your main subject. In Scotland this is very common. I’m not familiar with Oxford.

The tutorial system in Oxbridge is not like this. What you described is right for all the other unis, but at Oxbridge a tutorial is one on one or one on two with your professor. It’s very intense - but does depend on the professor.

DS went to Oxford for Econ/Mgmt. His tutorials were typically 4 students in the first year.