Stuck between UCL and Edinburgh?

I've got unconditional offers for both, and I'm reading Geography at both (though at Edinburgh it will hopefully be Geography with Environmental studies, I just have to switch).

Right now I'm drawn to Edinburgh, just because I find the city 100 times more beautiful than London. I'm a bit of an outdoorsy person, or at least I just like having nature around me. Plus I prefer the weather. I also feel like Edinburgh has a lot to offer, in terms of variety of nightlife, culture, nature, etc. Plus accommodation and cost of life is going to be cheaper, which is a plus since I'm an international student. Money isn't a problem, though.I just feel like the town is more "me".

I just don't want to pick Edinburgh if there is a significant difference in the prestige of the university and quality of the program. I suppose if the difference is minimal, it would be okay. I plan on applying for a Masters directly after graduation at Oxford and Cambridge, so that would give my CV a bonus. I also worry about my age. I'll be starting at age 20 after taking a year off and hating a year at a local university. I know Scottish students can start earlier which is why I'm worried.

What do you think I should do?

Reply 1

Snufkin

Universities Forum Helper

No, I don't think there is a significant difference in prestige. IMO Edinburgh's geography degree is more comprehensive and offers more physical geography options than UCL. I suggest you look carefully at the degree structures and module options and choose the one which interests you most.

http://www.ed.ac.uk/geosciences/undergraduate/geography-degrees/degree-structure/bsc-ma-geography
http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/15-16/dpt/utggpev.htm
http://www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/current-students/undergraduate/degree-structure
http://www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/current-students/undergraduate/modules

Reply 2

madyabby

Original post by Snufkin

THANK YOU! I had done some reading into the program structures at each but then I closed the page and forgot how I got to it in the first place.

Reply 3

TomFitness

Are you worried about a two year age gap?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 4

madyabby

Original post by Pcabezas

Well, if it's of any help, I'm on a similar situation. I'm also an international student and I have offers from Edinburgh and Imperial college.

I was also worried because Imperial's reputation is higher than Edinburgh's. However, I think that I'm going to firm Edinburgh.

I would say that you should choose whatever you feel is the right choice and don't worry about the prestige of the university so much. Edinburgh is ranked in the top 25 world's universities, so I'm pretty sure that you'll get a great education there, and after all, the grades you get throughout your degree are way more important when it comes to getting in a post-graduate course than the university you attended.

In my own opinion, a few places up the rank is not going to make such a big difference after all, and I personally feel that living in Edinburgh for 4 years will be so much more comfortable than living in London.

Of course, you should also look into the courses and see which one suits you best. In my case, I like the flexibility of the scottish degrees and being able to pick subjects from other degrees to widen my skills.

Best of luck with your decisions!

You have a good point. I know that since I'm in love with Edinburgh I should really just pick it. I think I will if they let me be admitted into second year. I was admitted into 1st year, however I had 4's in 5 AP subjects and 5's in 4 AP subjects, plus a year at university in Texas. My friend and different websites told me to apply into year one but I worry they were wrong so now I've sent an email to see what admissions can do. If I can finish there in 3 years, it's my number one pick.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 5

madyabby

Original post by Pcabezas

I don't know how direct entry into 2nd year exactly works, but it sounds like you have a chance at it.

I was in Edinburgh last week at an open-day and they said that we could choose to do direct entry once we receive our grades (If they are really good). So it is definitely not too late for you to try!

That's great news! If UK students are allowed to after receiving A levels I imagine it would be similar to me, as our AP's are sort of like A levels. Plus the extra courses at university should satisfy requirements for the courses you have more freedom to choose (the ones from different departments). I'm sure they'll get back to me and hopefully I'll be granted permission!

Reply 6

ODES_PDES

I love Edinburgh too.
It will be cheaper too.

Reply 7

veryambitchious

Go for the uni that you like best. Weigh out the pros and cons and then choose the best one.
Do look at the how you are assessed at each uni and what kind of facilities they offer.