The only input I'm putting in is that oxford is situated REALLY close to RAL (Rutherford Appleton laboratory), where they do ALOT of particle physics. As a result, getting some experience there might be easier if you apply for oxford. But then again that's only my opinion. Imperial also offers...
Just a clarification of #15 in case someone doesn't understand.
A neutron's quark composition is udd.
As it decays into a proton, one of the down quarks "turns into" an up quark. uud.
Due to the fact that the neutron (neutral charge) turned into a proton (positive charge). An electron must also...