This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

Oxbridge vs Warwick vs Durham vs Imperial vs Bath

Do you guys think there's much difference between these univesities? Which one do you think is the best option for a combination of a highly academic rigor with a lively student life? Graduate prospects and cost of living are also important factors. I'm looking forward to hear your opinions!

Reply 1

chem@uni

In order
Oxbridge
Durham
Imperial
Warwick
Bath

Reply 2

wendlabergmann

I agree with the order above, though I think Oxbri/Dur/Imp are in a league of their own, then Warwick, and then Bath I was surprised to see listed with the others. Oxbridge will always get you noticed at interviews, but Durham and Imperial are very respected, too, especially with a first or 2.1.

Reply 3

Meat is Murder

In order imo:

Oxbidge
Imperial

Big gap

Durham/Warwick

Big gap

Bath

Reply 4

TVIO

Original post by chem@uni

In order
Oxbridge
Durham
Imperial
Warwick
Bath

Rubbish, it depends on the subject. And imperial>durham for most subjects imperial actually offer. Imperial could even be higher than Oxford for certain subjects, especially engineering.
Though agree about bath, it is a bit out of place?

Reply 5

TajwarC

Depends on subject; for Maths you'd be fine at Imperial, Oxford or Warwick (I think it's called COWI or something, regarding best Maths institutions in the UK - Cambridge is the other one)

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 6

Devina-S

Oxbridge
Warwick/Imperial
Durham
Bath

Reply 7

105263

You can't generalise about a University. Imperial may be superior for Sciences, but this may be all it's superior for.

Durham for example is better than both Oxbridge for subjects such as English and History.

On the basis of the best Universities in their respective fields across all different subjects OVERALL I'd say:

Oxbridge
Small to moderate Gap

Durham (Overall) -- LSE ----- Imperial (general Sciences), Warwick (Business School affiliated subjects + Math)

Gap

Reply 8

Glider Gun

Cambridge

(massive gap)

Imperial
Oxford
Imperial
Bath
Durham

Reply 9

105263

Original post by Glider Gun

Cambridge

(massive gap)

Imperial
Oxford
Imperial
Bath
Durham

How did you come to conclusion Bath is better than Durham?

Reply 10

Glider Gun

Original post by 105263

How did you come to conclusion Bath is better than Durham?

Durham is full of posh bitter oxbridge rejects. Bath is decent.

Reply 11

105263

Original post by Glider Gun

Durham is full of posh bitter oxbridge rejects. Bath is decent.

If I'm not mistaken, many people who apply to the top five universities are Oxbridge rejects including those who take up offers at LSE, UCL and Imperial.

Bath is not a top five University.

And so they don't get 'posh bitter Oxbridge rejects' as you've described.

They get Posh bitter Bristol/Nottingham rejects.

Reply 12

VolkswagenPolo

Durham, Warwick, Bath and Imperial are all fantastic universities and relatively similar in terms of prestige. In terms of league tables, all four of those universities seem to be constantly swapping places. Employers in (for example) engineering and life sciences sectors rave about Bath and Imperial because they pretty much only offer science, maths, engineering and business degrees; they don't generally offer subjects like History, English or other arts subjects. Employers like City law firms love Durham and Warwick because they're brilliant at (for example) law. I don't think it's overly controversial to say that having a degree from either Oxford or Cambridge is pretty special and sets you apart from other graduates. Be prepared for one-on-one Saturday tutorials though!

Reply 13

Nathanielle

Original post by 105263

You can't generalise about a University. Imperial may be superior for Sciences, but this may be all it's superior for.

Well, Imperial College does neither offer English or history, so no problem for them to be "only" superior in Sciences. :wink:

I would say: Oxbridge/Imperial => difference lies mainly in what course you enjoy more, both are really good, for Engineering I would say Cambridge/Imperial > Oxford.

Math: Oxbridge, Imperial, Warwick

Warwick is also strong in economics, Durham is definitely a very good university but has other strength than Warwick or Imperial, so cannot really be compared.

I don't know much about Bath, only that they seem to have a very good sport program and I have heard they are very good for combustion engines concerning engineering.

At the end you are most likely to excel in a course, where you thouroughly enjoy the course content. And at the ends grades are often more important, than to which university you went.