Should I go to Bath or Manchester for Mechanical Engineering?
I'm struggling to decide where to go to uni and would appreciate any help. I've applied for an MEng with Placement Year and visited both universities. They're both very different and I'm completely undecided about where to go.
Here are my current thoughts:
Manchester:
- Higher offer (A*A*A)
- Russell Group University with an excellent international reputation and is well-known for great research
- Brand new Engineering department with modern facilities and lecture halls
- 'Blended' tutorials with a strong emphasis on lab work
- New student-led maker space for personal projects
- Big, lively city with loads of events, live music (which I am really into) and everything is within walking distance. Well-connected with bus routes etc.
- A lot cheaper, more diverse and friendlier
- One of the largest student bodies in the UK (but also a lower student-to-staff ratio apparently)
- Most targeted university by graduate employers
- Close to Peak/Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, etc.
- Rainy
Bath:
- Lower offer (AAA)
- Not a Russell Group but ranks consistently in the top 5 for Mech. Eng. Seems to be a more respected degree than Manchester's. Although I don't really know.
- Heard so many good things about the placement year that Bath offers
- More extra-curricular opportunities such as Formula Student
- Better graduate prospects
- Higher employment rate in first 12 months, far higher student satisfaction rates, higher graduate salaries
- Campus-based (short regular buses to the city centre), amazing sports facilities
- Picturesque location and surrounding area
- Much smaller and more expensive, also a bit touristy
- Super short train ride to Bristol and not too far from London
Both courses are very similar, with the first two years fixed and the opportunity to switch between Mechanical, Aerospace, and Civil, and offer more freedom to specialise in subsequent years.
Thanks!
Here are my current thoughts:
Manchester:
- Higher offer (A*A*A)
- Russell Group University with an excellent international reputation and is well-known for great research
- Brand new Engineering department with modern facilities and lecture halls
- 'Blended' tutorials with a strong emphasis on lab work
- New student-led maker space for personal projects
- Big, lively city with loads of events, live music (which I am really into) and everything is within walking distance. Well-connected with bus routes etc.
- A lot cheaper, more diverse and friendlier
- One of the largest student bodies in the UK (but also a lower student-to-staff ratio apparently)
- Most targeted university by graduate employers
- Close to Peak/Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, etc.
- Rainy
Bath:
- Lower offer (AAA)
- Not a Russell Group but ranks consistently in the top 5 for Mech. Eng. Seems to be a more respected degree than Manchester's. Although I don't really know.
- Heard so many good things about the placement year that Bath offers
- More extra-curricular opportunities such as Formula Student
- Better graduate prospects
- Higher employment rate in first 12 months, far higher student satisfaction rates, higher graduate salaries
- Campus-based (short regular buses to the city centre), amazing sports facilities
- Picturesque location and surrounding area
- Much smaller and more expensive, also a bit touristy
- Super short train ride to Bristol and not too far from London
Both courses are very similar, with the first two years fixed and the opportunity to switch between Mechanical, Aerospace, and Civil, and offer more freedom to specialise in subsequent years.
Thanks!
(edited 1 year ago)
Original post by lukeloxton
I'm struggling to decide where to go to uni and would appreciate any help. I've applied for an MEng with Placement Year and visited both universities. They're both very different and I'm completely undecided about where to go.
Here are my current thoughts:
Manchester:
- Higher offer (A*A*A)
- Russell Group University with an excellent international reputation and is well-known for great research
- Brand new Engineering department with modern facilities and lecture halls
- 'Blended' tutorials with a strong emphasis on lab work
- New student-led maker space for personal projects
- Big, lively city with loads of events, live music (which I am really into) and everything is within walking distance. Well-connected with bus routes etc.
- A lot cheaper, more diverse and friendlier
- One of the largest student bodies in the UK (but also a lower student-to-staff ratio apparently)
- Most targeted university by graduate employers
- Close to Peak/Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, etc.
- Rainy
Bath:
- Lower offer (AAA)
- Not a Russell Group but ranks consistently in the top 5 for Mech. Eng. Seems to be a more respected degree than Manchester's. Although I don't really know.
- Heard so many good things about the placement year that Bath offers
- More extra-curricular opportunities such as Formula Student
- Better graduate prospects
- Higher employment rate in first 12 months, far higher student satisfaction rates, higher graduate salaries
- Campus-based (short regular buses to the city centre), amazing sports facilities
- Picturesque location and surrounding area
- Much smaller and more expensive, also a bit touristy
- Super short train ride to Bristol and not too far from London
Both courses are very similar, with the first two years fixed and the opportunity to switch between Mechanical, Aerospace, and Civil, and offer more freedom to specialise in subsequent years.
Thanks!
Here are my current thoughts:
Manchester:
- Higher offer (A*A*A)
- Russell Group University with an excellent international reputation and is well-known for great research
- Brand new Engineering department with modern facilities and lecture halls
- 'Blended' tutorials with a strong emphasis on lab work
- New student-led maker space for personal projects
- Big, lively city with loads of events, live music (which I am really into) and everything is within walking distance. Well-connected with bus routes etc.
- A lot cheaper, more diverse and friendlier
- One of the largest student bodies in the UK (but also a lower student-to-staff ratio apparently)
- Most targeted university by graduate employers
- Close to Peak/Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, etc.
- Rainy
Bath:
- Lower offer (AAA)
- Not a Russell Group but ranks consistently in the top 5 for Mech. Eng. Seems to be a more respected degree than Manchester's. Although I don't really know.
- Heard so many good things about the placement year that Bath offers
- More extra-curricular opportunities such as Formula Student
- Better graduate prospects
- Higher employment rate in first 12 months, far higher student satisfaction rates, higher graduate salaries
- Campus-based (short regular buses to the city centre), amazing sports facilities
- Picturesque location and surrounding area
- Much smaller and more expensive, also a bit touristy
- Super short train ride to Bristol and not too far from London
Both courses are very similar, with the first two years fixed and the opportunity to switch between Mechanical, Aerospace, and Civil, and offer more freedom to specialise in subsequent years.
Thanks!
Hi,
I was in a similar position to yourself almost 3 years ago, before deciding on Lancaster University as it was the perfect in-between both of them. But I can offer this advice. In college you are under the impression university is about the grades and how prestigious it is, how well the facilities are etc.
However, for 4 years that university is going to be your second home, and while the academic side is important, your life outside of university is just as important. Would you feel more comfortable in a city university where you'd have to travel to get to different places but you have a wider variety, or would you prefer campus based where everything is approx 10 mins walk but with fewer choices? What are the people like? How diverse is it? What societies do they offer? What student-based facilities do they offer (outside of academics)? What is the accommodation like?
At the end of your years at university, you won't be looking back thinking about the content you got taught, but you'll be looking back at the night outs you had and the fun you had with the people around you.
I hope this helps!
- Amaani (Mechanical Engineering)
Original post by lukeloxton
I'm struggling to decide where to go to uni and would appreciate any help. I've applied for an MEng with Placement Year and visited both universities. They're both very different and I'm completely undecided about where to go.
Here are my current thoughts:
Manchester:
- Higher offer (A*A*A)
- Russell Group University with an excellent international reputation and is well-known for great research
- Brand new Engineering department with modern facilities and lecture halls
- 'Blended' tutorials with a strong emphasis on lab work
- New student-led maker space for personal projects
- Big, lively city with loads of events, live music (which I am really into) and everything is within walking distance. Well-connected with bus routes etc.
- A lot cheaper, more diverse and friendlier
- One of the largest student bodies in the UK (but also a lower student-to-staff ratio apparently)
- Most targeted university by graduate employers
- Close to Peak/Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, etc.
- Rainy
Bath:
- Lower offer (AAA)
- Not a Russell Group but ranks consistently in the top 5 for Mech. Eng. Seems to be a more respected degree than Manchester's. Although I don't really know.
- Heard so many good things about the placement year that Bath offers
- More extra-curricular opportunities such as Formula Student
- Better graduate prospects
- Higher employment rate in first 12 months, far higher student satisfaction rates, higher graduate salaries
- Campus-based (short regular buses to the city centre), amazing sports facilities
- Picturesque location and surrounding area
- Much smaller and more expensive, also a bit touristy
- Super short train ride to Bristol and not too far from London
Both courses are very similar, with the first two years fixed and the opportunity to switch between Mechanical, Aerospace, and Civil, and offer more freedom to specialise in subsequent years.
Thanks!
Here are my current thoughts:
Manchester:
- Higher offer (A*A*A)
- Russell Group University with an excellent international reputation and is well-known for great research
- Brand new Engineering department with modern facilities and lecture halls
- 'Blended' tutorials with a strong emphasis on lab work
- New student-led maker space for personal projects
- Big, lively city with loads of events, live music (which I am really into) and everything is within walking distance. Well-connected with bus routes etc.
- A lot cheaper, more diverse and friendlier
- One of the largest student bodies in the UK (but also a lower student-to-staff ratio apparently)
- Most targeted university by graduate employers
- Close to Peak/Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, etc.
- Rainy
Bath:
- Lower offer (AAA)
- Not a Russell Group but ranks consistently in the top 5 for Mech. Eng. Seems to be a more respected degree than Manchester's. Although I don't really know.
- Heard so many good things about the placement year that Bath offers
- More extra-curricular opportunities such as Formula Student
- Better graduate prospects
- Higher employment rate in first 12 months, far higher student satisfaction rates, higher graduate salaries
- Campus-based (short regular buses to the city centre), amazing sports facilities
- Picturesque location and surrounding area
- Much smaller and more expensive, also a bit touristy
- Super short train ride to Bristol and not too far from London
Both courses are very similar, with the first two years fixed and the opportunity to switch between Mechanical, Aerospace, and Civil, and offer more freedom to specialise in subsequent years.
Thanks!
Hi Luke,
I'm currently studying in my 2nd Year at Bath so I hope to give some additional insight. Like you said, Bath isn't a Russell Group University however does some amazing research and has a multitude of academic accolades. In general, the fact that it isn't a RG won't really hold you back when searching for a job.
The placements team here is really amazing. I've secured my placement for next year and the team was incredibly supportive throughout the entire process. Every week there will be at least 2 workshops running on improving your CV, cover letter, interview skills, assessment centre skills etc. You will also have some lecturers integrated where they will give you lots of information on how to apply and general tips. Bath has some amazing links to industry and a great reputation with employers. This is particularly helpful when you are competing against thousands of applicants and being a Bath student gives you an amazing boost. The placements team advertise a huge range of placements outside what you can find yourself with some being Bath preferred - where employers state their preference to give offers to Bath students over the unis - and some Bath Exclusive - where only Bath students will be offered a placement. The best example of this was an advertised Bath Exclusive placement to CERN, Geneva!
There are a LOT of extra-curricular things to get involved with. I personally am part of the Rocket Team which has been incredibly useful when it comes to applying for placements given the amazing experience and things you can talk about on your CV. Formula Student, Bath Drones, Bath Electric Racing are some other examples of engineering teams you can join.
The sports facilities and teams here are amazing with Team GB often training at the Sports Training Village. Lots of clubs and societies to join. Although it is touristy, I wouldn't say this ever really poses a problem.
If you have any other questions, feel free to drop me a message!
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