Where should i study abroad in Ireland?

Where to study abroad in the UK/Ireland?

• I would really love to study abroad in either Ireland or elsewhere in the UK but I have no idea what some good places to go are. The destinations offered by my university's program include: London, England (Kingston University) Lancaster, England (Lancaster University) Canterbury, England (University of Kent-Canterbury) Edinburgh, Scotland (Edinburgh Napier University) Lancaster, England (University of Central Lancashire) Chester, England (University of Chester) Plymouth, England (University of Plymouth) Glasgow, Scotland (University of Strathclyde) Sunderland, England (University of Sunderland) Belfast, Northern Ireland (University of Ulster- Belfast) Coleraine, Northern Ireland (University of Ulster- Coleraine) Jordanstown, Northern Ireland (University of Ulster- Jordanstown) Londonderry, Northern Ireland (University of Ulster- Magee College) Right now I'm getting my Bachelor of Fine Arts so a school that is good in that department is pretty important.

• Answer:

  I can only comment on British universities (i.e. not N. Ireland). Lancaster, Kent and Strathclyde are all UK 'plateglass' universities of good repute. With Lancaster coming 23, Kent coming 39 and Strathclyde coming in 37 in the Times Rankings (one of three main uni rankings in the UK). Historically plateglass universities (those established during the 1960s) and earlier tend to be the most regarded and have a certain snob value. Whether its deserved or not is open for debate. Napier, Chester, Plymouth and Sunderland are all post-1992 institutions. Typically post-1992 institutions will have a teaching and employment emphasis rather than research. Given that rankings have a strong research bias this tends to result in them falling lower in the rankings. Rather than look at rankings you should look at the courses, location and consider the experience you can have. I did study abroad to Canada and it was absolutely fantastic - best thing I ever did. If you're a history buff then Lancaster is interesting being one of the main seats of the War of the Roses, Canterbury has one of the UK's greatest Cathedrals and played a role in the Canterbury Tales, Chester is one of the best preserved tudor towns, Plymouth is fairly ugly (in my opinion) but the surrounding area is ridiculously beautiful in a rolling English way and its where the pilgrims set out from. Edinburgh is an amazing city in all ways even being able to make rain look good with the red lights and the castle and all (the ghost tours are fab). If I was from outside the UK I'd go to Edinburgh, not so much for the uni (I know nothing about Napier) but for the experience of the city. They're all great cities and you should travel extensively when you come over, but Edinburgh has something about it that's truly truly unique. For the record, I'm from Devon, complete opposite end of the country from Edinburgh - I just love the city.