[Maxxi]

Is it a good idea to consider the reputations of universities when choosing? As it may have an impact on future employment?
I have applied to Sussex, Sheffield and King's for Politics (international politics at King's), does anyone thing one stands out?

Thanks

[arsi123]

King's is a world renowned University ( top 15 in the world ), hence, it's reputation is much higher compared with the other Universities.

Also, since it's based in London, that gives you an automatic headstart over the others ( most of the times, not always ) in terms of employment, especially in London. Many employers prefer graduates from good London Universities.

So, if you'd ask me, I would say, King's is a definite stand out.

[Maxxi]

Thanks for your reply, I see your point, but in the UK league tables King's appears to be quite low, and even more so for politics, whereas Sussex and Sheffield, in particular, are higher. Do you think employers actually know roughly how good uni's are for certain things or is it just the reputations they've built up?

[Nymthae]

For the majority of things, it won't really matter. I imagine if there's somewhere very competitive and very specialist to a field they will probably know more about a department at each university, though usually an instant thing is "general" reputation. King's rates well, Sheffield does - well known being Russel Group etc.

[Captain Hindsight]

(Original post by Maxxi)
Thanks for your reply, I see your point, but in the UK league tables King's appears to be quite low, and even more so for politics, whereas Sussex and Sheffield, in particular, are higher. Do you think employers actually know roughly how good uni's are for certain things or is it just the reputations they've built up?

all of the unis you've picked are excellent

i wouldn't worry about it going to any of those unis won't hinder your employability

[Maxxi]

Ok thanks for your advice guys, I guess I'll have to think where I'd be happiest as well, and get offers as well as I only have the sheffield one at the moment haha.

Once again, thanks

[notanumber]

Sheffield politics department is one of the best in the country, King's is internationally renowned. However future employment prospects depend on other factors like experience, degree classification etc.

[ByronicHero]

Reputation with big companies, or by extension the people who will do the hiring for them, is not the same thing as where a university falls on X ranking. Many people fail to understand this.

What people have said so far is fine though.

Really you should always favor somewhere that offers a course that is in line with your interests as you are likely to do better.

[toronto353]

(Original post by Maxxi)
Is it a good idea to consider the reputations of universities when choosing? As it may have an impact on future employment?
I have applied to Sussex, Sheffield and King's for Politics (international politics at King's), does anyone thing one stands out?

Thanks

As Paddy says, you need to consider the course which lies closest to your interests. There's no point going to a higher ranking university, doing badly as a result of not liking the course if you could get a better degree class due to you being interested in the course by going to a lower ranking university. After all surely a first class degree is better from a lower ranking university than a third is from a higher ranking one.

Also bear in mind that rankings vary wildly and so are an indicator, but not the best one to base your decision on.