University choices

Original post by MindMax2000

Personally, I would go for a computer science degree over cyber security because it's broader in topic, although you don't need it to go into the tech industry. UEA and Lancaster are nice places to be at and they are modern universities.

If you can, I would go for a computer science course at Warwick. Whilst it's out of the way, it's the highest ranked university of the lot.

Nottingham is good as a uni, and it has a nice city as well, considering there are more than one university in the city.

I don't know much about Keele, so I cannot say.

I would go for Warwick and UEA for computer science where possible. Otherwise, Lancaster and Warwick for cybersecurity.

Having said that, I haven't done a degree in computer science or cybersecurity, so I cannot say.
Also, the only universities in the list where the degrees are accredited by the NCSC (not that it's a biggie) are Warwick and Lancaster (https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/ncsc-certified-degrees#section_3), with the only accredited undergrad degree being at Warwick.

UEA? Norwich is so dull ...

Reply 3

De Montfort University

16

Original post by Banana bread96

I haven't really used this platform before but I want other people on what I should go for as I'm not sure at all. Currently, I'm looking at unis doing cyber security/ computer science courses and I now have four offers. My offers are from:

Keele ( Computer science )
UNi of Nottingham ( Cyber-physical systems )
Lancaster ( Cyber security )
UEA ( Computer science )
(Maybe Warick not sure yet- Cyber security)

I'm not sure what uni to go for Keele is a backup and I don't really want to go there at all because its not as good as my other offers. Right now I can meet the conditional requests for all the unis it's just which one is best? Uni of Nottingham is a really good new uni full of life from what I have heard but Lancaster is smaller and a little quiet but is higher ranking-wise. I just don't know any help?

Hi,

Congratulations on all your offers! This is wonderful news for you!!

I know that choosing what University you want to go too can be a challenging process but I have wrote an article on some top tips for choosing what University you wish to go too so if you want to give it a read go ahead. https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7306356

My advice for you is to go where is best for YOU because at the end of the day it is going to be your Student Experience so you want to make it the best you can!

Hopefully my article will give you some more advice but best wishes with your application and I hope you decide which University to go too!

-Tianna :smile:

Reply 4

OP

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by MindMax2000

Personally, I would go for a computer science degree over cyber security because it's broader in topic, although you don't need it to go into the tech industry. UEA and Lancaster are nice places to be at and they are modern universities.

If you can, I would go for a computer science course at Warwick. Whilst it's out of the way, it's the highest ranked university of the lot.

Nottingham is good as a uni, and it has a nice city as well, considering there are more than one university in the city.

I don't know much about Keele, so I cannot say.

I would go for Warwick and UEA for computer science where possible. Otherwise, Lancaster and Warwick for cybersecurity.

Having said that, I haven't done a degree in computer science or cybersecurity, so I cannot say.
Also, the only universities in the list where the degrees are accredited by the NCSC (not that it's a biggie) are Warwick and Lancaster (https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/ncsc-certified-degrees#section_3), with the only accredited undergrad degree being at Warwick.

Yeah the Lancaster course is a combined master's and bachelor so I think that's the accredited one, warick is a hard uni to get into not sure if i will get an offer from them as I don't do Alevel maths and I know its a very much preferred subject. I currently do Ctech Extended diploma in business and IT Ctech predicted D*D*D in business and D* in IT. I do regret them a lot and now I look back I would have done Alevel CS, A level Chemistry and then business because I got 7s in them all at GCSE, kinda got tricked into doing my current course by my six form annoying yes but it is what it is.

Reply 5

MindMax2000

21

Original post by Banana bread96

Yeah the Lancaster course is a combined master's and bachelor so I think that's the accredited one, warick is a hard uni to get into not sure if i will get an offer from them as I don't do Alevel maths and I know its a very much preferred subject. I currently do Ctech Extended diploma in business and IT Ctech predicted D*D*D in business and D* in IT. I do regret them a lot and now I look back I would have done Alevel CS, A level Chemistry and then business because I got 7s in them all at GCSE, kinda got tricked into doing my current course by my six form annoying yes but it is what it is.

Then I would spend a gap year doing A Level Maths. (All other A Level subjects are not usually required so long you get the grades normally.) It's probably worth the investment in time and money, provided the universities you want to apply to will accept the Ctech alongside your A Level.
To me, it would open you to a lot more courses, but I would check and do your own research before confirming.

Reply 6

One thing about the Computer Science at Lancaster University is that Lancaster has a much more practical approach to computing and doesn't focus as much on mathematical theory as most big name unis. They do still consider lower offers than their AAB for students with an A level in Mathematics, Computing or Computer Science.

You might also be able to try to get into a university in Clearing after being rejected from your firm and insurance, and take a gap year if you don't succeed in Clearing. I got into Lancaster in 2021 through clearing being above its grade requirements, and it was on clearing for a long time.

-Kao (Lancaster Maths & Stats Student Ambassador)

Reply 7

username6055675

4

Original post by Lancaster Student Ambassador

One thing about the Computer Science at Lancaster University is that Lancaster has a much more practical approach to computing and doesn't focus as much on mathematical theory as most big name unis. They do still consider lower offers than their AAB for students with an A level in Mathematics, Computing or Computer Science.

You might also be able to try to get into a university in Clearing after being rejected from your firm and insurance, and take a gap year if you don't succeed in Clearing. I got into Lancaster in 2021 through clearing being above its grade requirements, and it was on clearing for a long time.

-Kao (Lancaster Maths & Stats Student Ambassador)

Hi can I ask what they were asking for in clearing?

Reply 8

OP

Original post by Lancaster Student Ambassador

One thing about the Computer Science at Lancaster University is that Lancaster has a much more practical approach to computing and doesn't focus as much on mathematical theory as most big name unis. They do still consider lower offers than their AAB for students with an A level in Mathematics, Computing or Computer Science.

You might also be able to try to get into a university in Clearing after being rejected from your firm and insurance, and take a gap year if you don't succeed in Clearing. I got into Lancaster in 2021 through clearing being above its grade requirements, and it was on clearing for a long time.

-Kao (Lancaster Maths & Stats Student Ambassador)

I have the offer from Lancaster for cyber security already and I am getting above the required grade as well, so far.

Reply 9

username6055675

4

Original post by Banana bread96

I have the offer from Lancaster for cyber security already and I am getting above the required grade as well, so far.

Can I ask what they have offered you?

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 10

Original post by Banana bread96

I haven't really used this platform before but I want other people on what I should go for as I'm not sure at all. Currently, I'm looking at unis doing cyber security/ computer science courses and I now have four offers. My offers are from:

Keele ( Computer science )
UNi of Nottingham ( Cyber-physical systems )
Lancaster ( Cyber security )
UEA ( Computer science )
(Maybe Warick not sure yet- Cyber security)

I'm not sure what uni to go for Keele is a backup and I don't really want to go there at all because its not as good as my other offers. Right now I can meet the conditional requests for all the unis it's just which one is best? Uni of Nottingham is a really good new uni full of life from what I have heard but Lancaster is smaller and a little quiet but is higher ranking-wise. I just don't know any help?

Hey!

I’m Oliver and am currently a third year in natural sciences at Lancaster University.
While I don't study computer science or cyber security myself one of my flatmates is a computer science student and has really loved her time on the course.

I can give a bit of an insight into student life at Lancaster though. Lancaster is definitely a bit smaller and quieter that many of the big city unis but that is personally one the main reasons I love it here. There is a real sense of community on campus and with it being a smaller city, you are always bumping into friendly faces and people you know.
It is also really well situated close to the Lake District and only a short train ride away from Liverpool and Manchester if you fancy a bigger night out.

Hope that is helpful and best of luck with your decision 😊Feel free to ask me any other questions if you have any

Oliver (Student Ambassador)

Reply 11

There are approximately 12000 full time students at Lancaster.

Original post by University2023

Hi can I ask what they were asking for in clearing?

Hi,
They were asking for ABC. This was for the Computer Science and Mathematics course which was also originally AAB with the A levels I took rather than cybersecurity.

-Kao (Lancaster Maths & Stats Student Ambassador)

Reply 12

OP

Original post by Lancaster Student Ambassador

Hey!

I’m Oliver and am currently a third year in natural sciences at Lancaster University.
While I don't study computer science or cyber security myself one of my flatmates is a computer science student and has really loved her time on the course.

I can give a bit of an insight into student life at Lancaster though. Lancaster is definitely a bit smaller and quieter that many of the big city unis but that is personally one the main reasons I love it here. There is a real sense of community on campus and with it being a smaller city, you are always bumping into friendly faces and people you know.
It is also really well situated close to the Lake District and only a short train ride away from Liverpool and Manchester if you fancy a bigger night out.

Hope that is helpful and best of luck with your decision 😊Feel free to ask me any other questions if you have any

Oliver (Student Ambassador)

Thank you a lot got a lot of comments which is good, I'm leaning towards Lancaster right now as I have only heard good from it and I don't really want to go to a massive uni like Nottingham as they are a bit hectic.

Reply 13

Scotney

Original post by Banana bread96

Thank you a lot got a lot of comments which is good, I'm leaning towards Lancaster right now as I have only heard good from it and I don't really want to go to a massive uni like Nottingham as they are a bit hectic.

You should really try and go to some offer days as that is where you can really get a sense of the uni and the course.I would also counsel against picking Keele as an insurance without visiting.Also do not pick an insurance course unless you want to go there.

Reply 14

OP

Original post by University2023

Can I ask what they have offered you?

It's an MSCI Cyber security course with time in the industry I believe 11weeks, they are offering me a spot with the possibility of me getting three distinctions/As. I am currently predicted D*D*DD which is equal to A*A*AA and I am also retaking maths from a 4 to now predicted a 6/7.

Reply 15

ScoutLeopard

Original post by Banana bread96

I haven't really used this platform before but I want other people on what I should go for as I'm not sure at all. Currently, I'm looking at unis doing cyber security/ computer science courses and I now have four offers. My offers are from:

Keele ( Computer science )
UNi of Nottingham ( Cyber-physical systems )
Lancaster ( Cyber security )
UEA ( Computer science )
(Maybe Warick not sure yet- Cyber security)

I'm not sure what uni to go for Keele is a backup and I don't really want to go there at all because its not as good as my other offers. Right now I can meet the conditional requests for all the unis it's just which one is best? Uni of Nottingham is a really good new uni full of life from what I have heard but Lancaster is smaller and a little quiet but is higher ranking-wise. I just don't know any help?

Ok this is going to be a bit of a biased answer (as I'm a Warwick Cyber Security student) but I would go for Cyber at Warwick. The uni has a good reputation, the course is interesting and is fairly small - meaning you get more support both from fellow students in all years as well as lecturers. Me and a friend emailed a lecturer at 8:37 pm on a Friday asking to meet, not expecting a response until Monday, and he emailed us back at 8:45 pm and offered to meet us that evening/the next morning.

Also, as cyber is a less common course it will make you stand out for future careers and whilst you do specialise earlier, you still get a fairly broad education. For example, both me and a flatmate who does Comp Sci have a module on computer architecture but the main difference is that the cyber module is more based on the security issues and exploitations and the comp sci one is more general.

Reply 16

OP

Original post by ScoutLeopard

Ok this is going to be a bit of a biased answer (as I'm a Warwick Cyber Security student) but I would go for Cyber at Warwick. The uni has a good reputation, the course is interesting and is fairly small - meaning you get more support both from fellow students in all years as well as lecturers. Me and a friend emailed a lecturer at 8:37 pm on a Friday asking to meet, not expecting a response until Monday, and he emailed us back at 8:45 pm and offered to meet us that evening/the next morning.

Also, as cyber is a less common course it will make you stand out for future careers and whilst you do specialise earlier, you still get a fairly broad education. For example, both me and a flatmate who does Comp Sci have a module on computer architecture but the main difference is that the cyber module is more based on the security issues and exploitations and the comp sci one is more general.

Yeah, Warick uni is by far the best by ranking and I would have a very hard choice to make If I did get an offer but that's a big IF as I'm not too confident in getting in. Most cyber security courses share the same modules/units in the first year or generally have a lot of similarities with CS courses. I would like to specialise in Cyber security because it is really interesting and the job possibilities are very very broad within the subject ( and can pay a lot too ). I have heard a couple of complaints about Warick one being that the campus is really old-looking and doesn't look great as it can look like a hospital from massive bland buildings. From your experience is that true?

Reply 17

Original post by Banana bread96

Thank you a lot got a lot of comments which is good, I'm leaning towards Lancaster right now as I have only heard good from it and I don't really want to go to a massive uni like Nottingham as they are a bit hectic.

That's great to hear that you are seriously considering coming to Lancaster! As other posters have suggested, coming to an Offer Holder Event is definitely something I would recommend, as not only will you get a feel for the university as a whole (as you would on an open day) but you also get a taste for what the course you are applying to is like. Your department will get in contact with you about booking onto these events :smile:

^Harry (Lancaster Student Ambassador)

Reply 18

Interea

19

Original post by Banana bread96

Yeah, Warick uni is by far the best by ranking and I would have a very hard choice to make If I did get an offer but that's a big IF as I'm not too confident in getting in. Most cyber security courses share the same modules/units in the first year or generally have a lot of similarities with CS courses. I would like to specialise in Cyber security because it is really interesting and the job possibilities are very very broad within the subject ( and can pay a lot too ). I have heard a couple of complaints about Warick one being that the campus is really old-looking and doesn't look great as it can look like a hospital from massive bland buildings. From your experience is that true?

There are a lot of newer nicer buildings and green space around the campus, it's really only the very centre that is currently still dense and a bit more bland (although there are plans to improve that area too, and trust me, you appreciate that central density a lot when you're running between lectures!). I really don't think it's bad enough to avoid the uni because of it if you like the course!

It's also worth bearing in mind that a lot of the extra negative reputation is outdated anyway, since there has been a lot of development in the last few years. There was a multi-storey car park in the centre of campus until just a few years ago, so you can understand where the bad reputation has come from :colondollar:

Reply 19

ScoutLeopard