[hilaire]

Hey

I'm in a stalemate at the moment as to which one of these to firm for Chemistry with study in europe, I've been to both, loved both, and drawn up a pro/con list the length of my arm but I still cannot decide!!
I was wondering whether anyone here could give me advice in terms of reputation with employers, vibe of the city etc.?

Thank you!

[funsongfactory]

Bristol probably has more of a city vibe. As for reputation with employers, what about emailing them and asking which they'd prefer a degree from?

[AnythingButChardonnay]

I've looked around the chemistry labs at Bristol and they made me drool. Bristol looked a very nice city too.

Never seen Durham though.

[cpchem]

Bristol's a bigger, more exciting city. It also has the better chemistry department.

[purple-girl]

(Original post by cpchem)
Bristol's a bigger, more exciting city. It also has the better chemistry department.

What makes you say Bristol's department is better, other than pure bias?

OP: The Chemistry departments at both universities are very strong, you'll just need to decide which course you prefer the structure of and, potentially more importantly, which place you prefer given they're very different. I can tell you more about Durham if you have any specific questions, I'll do my best to answer!

[cpchem]

(Original post by purple-girl)
What makes you say Bristol's department is better, other than pure bias?

OP: The Chemistry departments at both universities are very strong, you'll just need to decide which course you prefer the structure of and, potentially more importantly, which place you prefer given they're very different. I can tell you more about Durham if you have any specific questions, I'll do my best to answer!

Bias doesn't really come into it - I have no particular affection for the place, it's just where I happen to be doing my PhD. If it were the case that my supervisor was at Durham instead of Bristol, I probably would have gone there.

From what I've seen, the teaching labs here at Bristol outclass pretty much everywhere else in the UK. Having not done my undergrad here, my awareness of the teaching in the department is pretty limited, save for the teaching I actually do myself. As a PhD student, my opinion that Bristol is the better department comes down to the research and the facilities, more than anything else.

Of course, if you want to hear my real bias, then Oxford's the best department in the country.

[hilaire]

Thanks for all of the advice, it's really helpful!!

I don't actually know what I want to do with my degree yet (and I'm not actually entirely sure whether I want to do Chemistry or apply for Earth Sciences next year), so by "reputation" I sort of meant whether going to one over the other would be preferred in general rather than specific employers, I can see now there's not a lot in it between them.

I have to admit that the teaching labs at Bristol looked really fab and I absolutely LOVE the city, but the last time I went there was for my interview and the person interviewing me seemed really off with me so I didn't have an especially great day. I don't know whether that was just a poker face or something though!

[Ben Kenobi]

I heard Durham is good for chemistry.
Nevertheless, both are well known universities.

[QuantumOverlord]

(Original post by hilaire)
Thanks for all of the advice, it's really helpful!!

I don't actually know what I want to do with my degree yet (and I'm not actually entirely sure whether I want to do Chemistry or apply for Earth Sciences next year), so by "reputation" I sort of meant whether going to one over the other would be preferred in general rather than specific employers, I can see now there's not a lot in it between them.

I have to admit that the teaching labs at Bristol looked really fab and I absolutely LOVE the city, but the last time I went there was for my interview and the person interviewing me seemed really off with me so I didn't have an especially great day. I don't know whether that was just a poker face or something though!

Nearly finished my 1st Near in Natsci (Chemistry, physics and maths) at Durham, happy to answer any Questions.