DPhil Oxford or PhD UCL
Taking the next step in your studies? Here's where to talk about postgraduate study and courses.
-
- Reputation:
- Thread Starter
- Full Member
- Posts: 123
DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLHey guys,
quick and simple question.
Would you go for a fully funded DPhil at Oxford or a fully funded PhD at UCL?
With regards to the topic I would say UCL is a little more interesting than Oxford...
Best wishesLast edited by Latis; 07-08-2012 at 22:25. -
- Reputation:
- TSR Demigod
- Posts: 6,930
- Warning points: 5
Re: DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLDepends on lots of other factors including but not limited to -which research area you find more interesting, what the supervisor is like, where you feel happier and the strength of the department.(Original post by Latis)
Hey guys,
quick and simple question.
Would you go for a fully funded DPhil at Oxford or a fully funded PhD at UCL?
Oxford it is then.(Original post by Latis)
With regards to the topic I would say UCL is a little more interesting than UCL... -
- Reputation:
- I lift things up and put them down
- Location: Christmas Island
Re: DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLI agree - UCL is more interesting than UCL. I recommend you go to UCL rather than UCL though -- you'll enjoy UCL more.
--
What the guy above said ^. What areas do you find more interesting - and which uni do you see yourself enjoying your time more?Last edited by The Assassin; 07-08-2012 at 22:32. -
- Reputation:
- Banned
- Posts: 346
- Warning points: 1000
Re: DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLI assume the only reason you're questioning Oxford is because you've spent four years there and want a change of scenery?
If that is the case, then I would personally request a change of college (if possible!) to liven things up abit.
London may appeal to you, but I think it really is a case of the marmite effect. The hustle and bustle of the whole place puts me off, plus your money doesn't go as far, althought this con doesn't apply to you. -
- Reputation:
- Thread Starter
- Full Member
- Posts: 123
Re: DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLHehe, of course I meant UCL is slightly more interesting than Oxford.
Nonetheless, it appeals to me that Oxford is just the better institution with regards to career prospects. It simply has a great reputation.
BTW the supervisors at both Universities are really nice. Although I spent more time with the UCL guy so far.
With regards to the location I think I prefer to life in a smaller town but mainly because it´s more affordable and I will have more money to spend on private expenditures when going to Oxford.
Cheers -
- Reputation:
- Adored and Respected Member
- Posts: 482
Re: DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLFrom friends who study there, I gather Oxford is quite an expensive place to live? I know the colleges will help to subsidise things, but I've always got the impression that it's not an especially cheap place to live.(Original post by Latis)
Hehe, of course I meant UCL is slightly more interesting than Oxford.
Nonetheless, it appeals to me that Oxford is just the better institution with regards to career prospects. It simply has a great reputation.
BTW the supervisors at both Universities are really nice. Although I spent more time with the UCL guy so far.
With regards to the location I think I prefer to life in a smaller town but mainly because it´s more affordable and I will have more money to spend on private expenditures when going to Oxford.
Cheers -
- Reputation:
- Thread Starter
- Full Member
- Posts: 123
Re: DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLBut with regards to accommodation I had the impression that Oxford is cheaper. I mean the prices for flats in London are ridiculous!!!!(Original post by gutenberg)
From friends who study there, I gather Oxford is quite an expensive place to live? I know the colleges will help to subsidise things, but I've always got the impression that it's not an especially cheap place to live. -
- Reputation:
- Adored and Respected Member
- Posts: 482
Re: DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLLondon is ridiculous of course, but studentships etc usually reflect this by giving you a London top-up to help with the increased costs. Accommodation prices in Oxford are helped by the colleges owning so much property and thus being able to subsidise prices for students. But in other areas of life I got the impression that costs are comparable to London, if slightly less.(Original post by Latis)
But with regards to accommodation I had the impression that Oxford is cheaper. I mean the prices for flats in London are ridiculous!!!! -
- Reputation:
- Benevolent Member
- Posts: 780
Re: DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLNot sure how it is in Oxford. But just a confirming anecdote that I know of a UCL fully-funded science PhD that chose to live in a studio in zone 1 ( funding was about 13,500 GBP annually). Their stipend just barely covered food (we're talking Sainsbury's Basics) and accommodation. They had to dip into savings for trips home/travel.(Original post by Latis)
But with regards to accommodation I had the impression that Oxford is cheaper. I mean the prices for flats in London are ridiculous!!!!
...but that's because they lived in zone 1. I've always lived in zone 3 or a shoe box in zone 2 while I was in London. It gets to be affordable. It's good for productivity in a way because you may be forced to spend longer hours in your office (if they give you one!) and do your research there. But London is a fantastic and lively city even if you are low on money. After moving away to do a PhD elsewhere, whenever I have free time I sigh that there are not as many interesting places to go as London.
With all things being equal, location can impact a lot on your quality of life and that's very important in a PhD. It may be the only thing that keeps you from breaking! Now you just have to think if your quality of life is still high with crap-food a far away house but a vibrant city (to me it is, I can stomach a lot). -
- Reputation:
- Exalted Member
- Location: Switzerland
- Posts: 383
Re: DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLOxford is increasingly becoming a commuter town for London and the house/rent prices are creeping up there. Some colleges will have subsidised housing or graduate accomodation, others won't or will even charge extra for using their accomodation services. There is also college fees to consider on top of tuition fees. How expensive London will be depends on where you live and what the public transport links are like.
Since we are not discussing academia both places should be great to live in their own ways - whether you prefer the energetic buzz of city life in exciting London or the a more tranquil town existence in beautiful Oxford. I know plenty of people who thrive in the latter, not the former, and vice-versa. -
- Reputation:
- Thread Starter
- Full Member
- Posts: 123
Re: DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLOK, thanks for your thoughts guys.
I am living in a pretty small student city in Europe and I like the fact that it´s not too big nor too small. We have nice Irish pubs, some commercial bars and also underground clubs. However, you can drive with the bicycle everywhere.
Does Oxford have any bars and pubs??? I mean I will focus on my PhD project most of the time but I also like to have a nice beer from time to time. The difference of my stipend in London and Oxford is about 1000 pounds. I think it´s not that much of a difference, considering the slight more expensive life in London. I searched for accommodation in London and with about an hour of commuting with the public transport services in London I even would have to pay about 1000 pcm (all bills included) for a small studio for me and my partner. This means that WaltzvWendt is right with the whole food and private expenses that you will have to cover with private funds. In Oxford I need about 600-700 pcm.
BestLast edited by Latis; 08-08-2012 at 08:36. -
- Reputation:
- Respected Member
- Location: London/Surrey
- Posts: 162
Re: DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLI would choose Oxford anytime. Because you will going to study and not to have fun. You would just have to live in Oxford for only a few years till you get a degree. Oxford is definitely more prestigious than UCL. They are always on top in the rankings everytime. So yeah, I would only choose Oxford.(Original post by Latis)
Hey guys,
quick and simple question.
Would you go for a fully funded DPhil at Oxford or a fully funded PhD at UCL?
With regards to the topic I would say UCL is a little more interesting than Oxford...
Best wishes -
- Reputation:
- Exalted Member
- Posts: 251
Re: DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLHey,(Original post by pyaesone)
I would choose Oxford anytime. Because you will going to study and not to have fun. You would just have to live in Oxford for only a few years till you get a degree. Oxford is definitely more prestigious than UCL. They are always on top in the rankings everytime. So yeah, I would only choose Oxford.
thats what most of my friends told me as well. I was in a similar situation
They said that the prestige of Oxford (the big name) will additionally pay off in the end...
-
- Reputation:
- Exalted Member
- Posts: 251
Re: DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLThe only thing that I found funny is that UCL is ranked higher than Oxford in some University world rankings... Anyone knows something particular?
I it´s not that UCL didn´t deserve to be ranked higher than Oxford. THat´s definitely not true but I just don´t see how those rankings work....Last edited by to_ni; 08-08-2012 at 09:12. -
- Reputation:
- Respected Member
- Location: London/Surrey
- Posts: 162
Re: DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLOh yes, that is true! Being an Oxford graduate is huge. And who knows, you might end up being a classmates of future world leaders or something(Original post by to_ni)
Hey,
thats what most of my friends told me as well. I was in a similar situation They said that the prestige of Oxford (the big name) will additionally pay off in the end...
Last edited by pyaesone; 08-08-2012 at 12:28. -
- Reputation:
- Junior Member
- Posts: 41
Re: DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLFrom what you say here, Oxford would suit you very well. I currently live here (and did my Undergrad here) and it has a number of absolutely beautiful old pubs. There are bars and clubs too, though the pubs really dominate the actual center. Almost everyone has a bicycle here so you fit the bill well in that sense too. As you probably know Oxford is a small city, but there is lots to do.(Original post by Latis)
OK, thanks for your thoughts guys.
I am living in a pretty small student city in Europe and I like the fact that it´s not too big nor too small. We have nice Irish pubs, some commercial bars and also underground clubs. However, you can drive with the bicycle everywhere.
Does Oxford have any bars and pubs??? I mean I will focus on my PhD project most of the time but I also like to have a nice beer from time to time. The difference of my stipend in London and Oxford is about 1000 pounds. I think it´s not that much of a difference, considering the slight more expensive life in London. I searched for accommodation in London and with about an hour of commuting with the public transport services in London I even would have to pay about 1000 pcm (all bills included) for a small studio for me and my partner. This means that WaltzvWendt is right with the whole food and private expenses that you will have to cover with private funds. In Oxford I need about 600-700 pcm.
Best
Having said that, you would need to weigh this against the vibrant multi-cultural city that London is. In London there is everything. Furthermore, from the sound of it you slightly prefer your PhD project at UCL (please correct me if I have the wrong end of the stick!)... I personally would prioritise supervisor and project over random prestige.
But that's easy for me to say as I already have an Oxford degree and I'm off to study at UCL next year :P -
- Reputation:
- Respected Member
- Location: London/Surrey
- Posts: 162
Re: DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLThat's just false information. There are many rankings actually. The ranking of a school may differ in each rankings. Check out reliable rankings. Here's the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_University_Rankings(Original post by to_ni)
The only thing that I found funny is that UCL is ranked higher than Oxford in some University world rankings... Anyone knows something particular?
I it´s not that UCL didn´t deserve to be ranked higher than Oxford. THat´s definitely not true but I just don´t see how those rankings work....Last edited by pyaesone; 08-08-2012 at 12:30. -
- Reputation:
- Peer Of The TSR Realm
- Location: The Loop of Henle
- Posts: 1,586
Re: DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLI'd go to which ever I found the most interesting topics at. This sounds like you're applying for a DTC MSc+Phd? No harm applying for both and just going for something based on the final decision from the uni.
-
- Reputation:
- Exalted Member
- Location: England
- Posts: 300
Re: DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLI have experience of both UCL and Oxford. They are both well regarded places, and have a similar cost of living, and local ammenities. Also the Oxford Tube bus service means they are only an hour and a half away from each other.
However, at PhD its far more about the supervisor/ research team or department than it is about the institution. Rather than thinking of the ranking, you are better off checking your supervisors reputation, publication record, ability to get funding and the destinations of prior PhDs from that department. Also note that time to PhD completion is vital and whether the project is likely to be in a "hot" area that is liable for publication. What you don't want to be doing is going well beyond your allocated 3 years, with no publications, as that will not reflect well on you- regardless of where you end up. Also PhDs tend to be quite stressful, with drop outs being very frequent, and you will want somewhere that is as supportive as can be for your own mental health.
Good luck on whatever you decide. -
- Reputation:
- Banned
- Location: The secret location
- Posts: 1,071
Re: DPhil Oxford or PhD UCLUCL is the best university in the world, Oxford is a farmhouse in rural England, so it's ranked lower.(Original post by to_ni)
The only thing that I found funny is that UCL is ranked higher than Oxford in some University world rankings... Anyone knows something particular?
I it´s not that UCL didn´t deserve to be ranked higher than Oxford. THat´s definitely not true but I just don´t see how those rankings work....
They said that the prestige of Oxford (the big name) will additionally pay off in the end...
