Manchester U or U of Auckland, England or New Zealand?

<p>I am from France, lived here for far too long and have always wanted to go abroad.</p>

<p>New Zealand has always been at the top of my must-go places, however tuition fees would be very expensive, twice or three times more expensive than in Europe.. and I am just not sure about the University over there, haven't found much information other than how it doesn't have much of a student campus feel...and is quite boring?
So if anyone knows anything about the university of Auckland that'd be great!</p>

<p>People from the Manchester University subforum seem to really enjoy themselves so I couldn't go wrong going there.</p>

<p>Both have reputed triple accredited business school so I don't really care which is better, either should be good enough.
Although Manchester U does have much higher entry requirements, would that mean that courses, exams, are harder?</p>

<p>Auckland</p>

<p>better weather, 5th highest quality of life (!), a lot of outdoor activities at reach</p>

<p>Manchester</p>

<p>better student life (possibly), cheaper, hm...what else?</p>

<p>I am also wondering which country has better job prospects?
I have read about more and more british moving to New Zealand, can't remember what the reasons were...!</p>

<p>Any suggestions, thoughts, opinions I would really appreciate</p>

<p>I don’t know enough about the others to comment, but I LOVE MANCHESTER. I lived there for a little while and have reapplied to the University for this year, it’s my top choice in the UK. So I have nothing but good things to say about Manchester.</p>

<p>I’ve seen this thread around for a couple of days now, but I didn’t know whether to apply because I can’t really comment much on Auckland. But since you have only one reply, here are my comments for what it’s worth (I think you will find it hard to find anyone who can comment on both Manchester and Auckland unis to be honest).</p>

<p>I applied to Manchester but turned it down for Cambridge. There are lots of universities in Manchester (at least 4 I think. Salford, for example, is really part of Manchester) and I’ve heard the area has the highest concentration of students in Europe. Therefore, there is everything for students there. Lots of discounts, lots of nightlife. I was a bit put off by the reputation of party school. However, somewhere that big is bound to have some quiet nerdy students like me somewhere (but I didnt find them on the one day I visited). </p>

<p>I really DON’T think you will find the weather in New Zealand better than the UK. In fact, in some ways it’s worse because, unless things have changed in the last 10 years (and they might have) central heating in a strange luxury product in NZ. Therefore, it’s wet and rainy a lot of the time like England, and also freezing indoors! </p>

<p>I think NZ has a more laid back life-style than the UK, and probably a more outdoor lifestyle. The UK has a more cosmipolitan culture than NZ (Manchester is the home of the “Curry Mile”. I hope you like Indian food), but NZ is more family orientated and has less crime (though this may be my perception. I am not looking up crime stats here).</p>

<p>As far as costs go, tuitition fees may be cheaper in the UK, but I suspect that living costs will be considerably higher than New Zealand (and also higher than France). Of course your travel costs going to the UK will be much lower, and you will be able to visit home if you like (or friends/family can visit you, just for the weekend even). </p>

<p>I wouldn’t read too much into Brits emigrating to NZ. More than 1 million Brits live in Spain but they didn’t go there for university. It’s sort of a hobby, buying holiday homes abroad (is there anyone French left in Brittany? That is the other favourite place). </p>

<p>Hope this helps.</p>