Which Uni do you suggest?

Queen Mary do a few combined computer science courses you should check the courses out on their website. I think it will be best if you go on different universities' websites and check out what their modules entail and choose the course structure which you feel would be best for you.

Reply 2

Top Uni's for CS:
Imperial
Edinburgh
Southampton
Oxbridge
Warwick
Sheffield
Bristol
York

I study at Edinburgh, so if you have any questions, fire away!
I had a tough choice between Southampton and Edinburgh (got accepted to all my offers and narrowed it down to the two). Went for Edinburgh in the end and love it! Quite a hard Uni to get into though, a lot of the Europeans who i've asked 'Why did you choose Edinburgh?' replied with 'It's the best in europe'. I assume they are relating to their research which has nearly as much world class research in Informatics as Oxford and Cambridge put together. Also has the biggest research department for informatics in the UK. Again, larger than oxford + cambridge put together.

Imo, top 5 Uni's for CS are: Imperial, Edinburgh, Southampton(maybe Bristol instead), Oxford, Cambridge.

Choose any of the above Uni's though, and you'll do well =)

EDIT: Neg rep me all you like. It's fact(look at the numbers yourself) that Edinburghs Informatics department is bigger and provides more world class research in Informatics than oxford and Cambridge put together.

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 3

Valh

Original post by AshleyT

Top Uni's for CS:
Imperial
Edinburgh
Southampton
Oxbridge
Warwick
Sheffield
Bristol
York

What about Durham, UCL and St Andrews? Are they ok? Would you put them on that list?

Reply 4

Original post by Valh

What about Durham, UCL and St Andrews? Are they ok? Would you put them on that list?

St Andrews i would say is a decent choice. although i personally wouldn't compare it to Edinburgh, Imperial, Oxbridge, Bristol.

Not UCL personally. It's a good international reputation but nothing special in the CS department. Likewise i wouldn't put Durham in there. Again, good reputation, but not for CS.

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 5

nikita_atikin

Computer science at university league table

I'm going to be shamelessly biased and say Imperial and Brisol seemed perfect for me! :smile:

Imperial because:
1) The course is perfect! You are taught in a much more practical and hands on way than Oxbridge which could be a good or a bad thing depending on what kind of a learner you are.
2) Industrial placement if you are on the 4 year course. It's like a fast track to a good job really. Most placements are in banking and finance apparently which means they could invite you back for a guaranteed job after you graduate.
3) It's in London!! :biggrin:

Good city life and you will enjoy yourself. Also, if you are guaranteed a job by your placement, London finance careers will earn you loads :wink:

4) Reputation. It's one of the best in the world. :smile:

5) On the 4 year course you can specialise in things like artificial intelligence, games & vision & interaction, some biology related stuff etc etc which might take your fancy

Why Bristol:
1) The course is awesome! It's a more generic one than Imperial but their 4th year encourages a business/entrepreneurial side to computing. This swayed it for me because if you set up a computing related project in your 3rd or 4th year then the university will encourage a business out of it if it makes the cut.
2) City life is awesome... It's Bristol after all :tongue:

3) The place is really pretty and they boast 100% graduates in jobs.

I'd say those two were the best for my needs really but you might have different requirements.

Combined courses normally tend to be computer science and maths or computer science and electronics although other universities might do joint courses in physics and stuff. One of the first years at Bristol told me that these were hard work apparently and quoting him "It's like doing 2 degrees in the time for 1" so I'm guessing it's pretty hardcore.

Make your own mind up and research/visit the universities you're interested in and choose where you think you're gonna have an all round university experience :biggrin:

Reply 6

Original post by nikita_atikin

Computer science at university league table

I'm going to be shamelessly biased and say Imperial and Brisol seemed perfect for me! :smile:

Imperial because:
1) The course is perfect! You are taught in a much more practical and hands on way than Oxbridge which could be a good or a bad thing depending on what kind of a learner you are.
2) Industrial placement if you are on the 4 year course. It's like a fast track to a good job really. Most placements are in banking and finance apparently which means they could invite you back for a guaranteed job after you graduate.
3) It's in London!! :biggrin:

Good city life and you will enjoy yourself. Also, if you are guaranteed a job by your placement, London finance careers will earn you loads :wink:

4) Reputation. It's one of the best in the world. :smile:

5) On the 4 year course you can specialise in things like artificial intelligence, games & vision & interaction, some biology related stuff etc etc which might take your fancy

Why Bristol:
1) The course is awesome! It's a more generic one than Imperial but their 4th year encourages a business/entrepreneurial side to computing. This swayed it for me because if you set up a computing related project in your 3rd or 4th year then the university will encourage a business out of it if it makes the cut.
2) City life is awesome... It's Bristol after all :tongue:

3) The place is really pretty and they boast 100% graduates in jobs.

I'd say those two were the best for my needs really but you might have different requirements.

Combined courses normally tend to be computer science and maths or computer science and electronics although other universities might do joint courses in physics and stuff. One of the first years at Bristol told me that these were hard work apparently and quoting him "It's like doing 2 degrees in the time for 1" so I'm guessing it's pretty hardcore.

Make your own mind up and research/visit the universities you're interested in and choose where you think you're gonna have an all round university experience :biggrin:

Most scottish Universities offer outside courses during first and second year - So you can do business related modules in your first and second year :smile:

. Or maybe learn a language, etc.

Reply 7

nikita_atikin

Original post by AshleyT

Most scottish Universities offer outside courses during first and second year - So you can do business related modules in your first and second year :smile:

. Or maybe learn a language, etc.

Already firmed Imperial but they do that as well :smile:

You pick a language in your first year as a module and then you have humanities and business options all of which are credited so :woo:

The business aspect is more intense in Bristol though but I love Imperial's course. Its perfect :love:

Reply 8

Cherie829

OP

Thanks for all the advice, i dont think i am putting down ucl as they dont seem to be good at cs as the others.
So i was thinking
Oxbridge
bristol
southampton
imperial
manchester
(not in particular order)

i dont think i would apply for edingburg as it's too far north'

i've lood through the courses and all the unis except for oxbridge provide 4 years courses with 1 year of industrial placement or studying abroad. I really like this arrangement

do you know if any of the courses are more programming focused? that's kind of what i am going for...
but by looking at the syllabus or outlines of the courses you cant really tell...
so i need you guys who's now studying at those uni to tell me :smile:

Oh, and i was thinking of choosing engineering instead of cs... i know it's kind of not related.. but does anyone have any advice which subject to choose?

Thanks in advance~

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 9

RipperRoo

2

Original post by Cherie829

Thanks for all the advice, i dont think i am putting down ucl as they dont seem to be good at cs as the others.
So i was thinking
Oxbridge
bristol
southampton
imperial
manchester
(not in particular order)

i dont think i would apply for edingburg as it's too far north'

i've lood through the courses and all the unis except for oxbridge provide 4 years courses with 1 year of industrial placement or studying abroad. I really like this arrangement

do you know if any of the courses are more programming focused? that's kind of what i am going for...
but by looking at the syllabus or outlines of the courses you cant really tell...
so i need you guys who's now studying at those uni to tell me :smile:

Oh, and i was thinking of choosing engineering instead of cs... i know it's kind of not related.. but does anyone have any advice which subject to choose?

Thanks in advance~

Choose what you can see yourself enjoying for the next 3/4 years, with a job you would like at the end of it would be my advice.

As for programming focused courses, some unis will have courses like Computer Science (with Software Engineering) etc. if thats what you mean?

Reply 10

i.am.lost

Imperial is the best IMO when it comes to CS. I applied there, and was thoroughly impressed with every aspect.

Reply 11

i.am.lost

And to answer your engineering question, EEE is probably your best bet as it involves a lot of programming modules and general computer goodness. Most unis offer EEE courses but they can differ significantly so check the module details before picking one.

EDIT: to clarify, EEE = Electrical & Electronic Engineering :smile:

Reply 12

Original post by Cherie829

Thanks for all the advice, i dont think i am putting down ucl as they dont seem to be good at cs as the others.
So i was thinking
Oxbridge
bristol
southampton
imperial
manchester
(not in particular order)

i dont think i would apply for edingburg as it's too far north'

i've lood through the courses and all the unis except for oxbridge provide 4 years courses with 1 year of industrial placement or studying abroad. I really like this arrangement

do you know if any of the courses are more programming focused? that's kind of what i am going for...
but by looking at the syllabus or outlines of the courses you cant really tell...
so i need you guys who's now studying at those uni to tell me :smile:

Oh, and i was thinking of choosing engineering instead of cs... i know it's kind of not related.. but does anyone have any advice which subject to choose?

Thanks in advance~

Many of the top universities are quite theoretical based. However with a CS degree, a lot of it is programming. First and second year alone in Edinburgh you do SQL, Python, Haskell, Java, MIPS, XML. They don't hold your hand through learning it though and you're expected to learn a lot on your own accord programming wise.

Quite a lot of Universities i believe are Similar(I believe Bristol and Imperial are). Although i noticed Southampton had more modules like 'Java for Ecommerce' which i saw as pointless - If you know Java you can learn E commerce for it yourself.

What other things are you looking for at a University?

Reply 13

Cherie829

OP

Original post by JackWoot

Choose what you can see yourself enjoying for the next 3/4 years, with a job you would like at the end of it would be my advice.

As for programming focused courses, some unis will have courses like Computer Science (with Software Engineering) etc. if thats what you mean?

I mean like do you suggest engineering/CS, i am going for either one of them right now...
difficult choice for me...
I was thinking becoming a programmer for AI may be? or something related to AI or robotics... i know there arent many jobs for that and computer changes really quickly, so i was thinking engineering is better for future, but i am not sure which specialised area suits me...

Original post by i.am.lost

And to answer your engineering question, EEE is probably your best bet as it involves a lot of programming modules and general computer goodness. Most unis offer EEE courses but they can differ significantly so check the module details before picking one.

EDIT: to clarify, EEE = Electrical & Electronic Engineering :smile:

Is it really difficult though? I am really bad at electricity and stuff :frown:

Original post by AshleyT

Many of the top universities are quite theoretical based. However with a CS degree, a lot of it is programming. First and second year alone in Edinburgh you do SQL, Python, Haskell, Java, MIPS, XML. They don't hold your hand through learning it though and you're expected to learn a lot on your own accord programming wise.

Quite a lot of Universities i believe are Similar(I believe Bristol and Imperial are). Although i noticed Southampton had more modules like 'Java for Ecommerce' which i saw as pointless - If you know Java you can learn E commerce for it yourself.

What other things are you looking for at a University?

The environment? I am not sure if i like living in london that much as it's really "city"? I think i like living in quieter yet there's stores and shops available nearby..
is that too picky :P

Reply 14

i.am.lost

Original post by Cherie829

Is it really difficult though? I am really bad at electricity and stuff :frown:

If you don't enjoy circuit stuff then ok maybe EEE isn't for you.

Reply 15

Original post by Cherie829

I mean like do you suggest engineering/CS, i am going for either one of them right now...
difficult choice for me...
I was thinking becoming a programmer for AI may be? or something related to AI or robotics... i know there arent many jobs for that and computer changes really quickly, so i was thinking engineering is better for future, but i am not sure which specialised area suits me...

Is it really difficult though? I am really bad at electricity and stuff :frown:

The environment? I am not sure if i like living in london that much as it's really "city"? I think i like living in quieter yet there's stores and shops available nearby..
is that too picky :P

That's why i like Edinburgh - It's a city so you get all the city life but its right next to the country side. It has a mountain type thing right in the middle of it, meadows and parks etc dotted around so it's quite quiet & peaceful without sacrificing nightlife or shopping.

I love working in the labs at night =)...early morning sun rise over the mountains is awesome.

Reply 16

Valh

Original post by AshleyT

St Andrews i would say is a decent choice. although i personally wouldn't compare it to Edinburgh, Imperial, Oxbridge, Bristol.

Not UCL personally. It's a good international reputation but nothing special in the CS department. Likewise i wouldn't put Durham in there. Again, good reputation, but not for CS.

But If I remember correctly, UCL ask for AAA, StA and Durham ask for AAB but you can get into Endinburgh with ABB. :confused:

So surely the higher grades indicates a better uni/course?

And as for Edinburgh's research: how much does research level actually matter for undergraduate level? I thought that was only relevant to Post Graudate students.?

Reply 17