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MSc Computer Science - Imperial vs UCL

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Original post by TCA2b
Easier to just ask the uni.


Already did, their response wasn't very helpful in my case

"As the MSc Computing Science programme does not require the GRE test to be taken, we do not have any average marks for this degree. To that end, whilst there is a July deadline, we do recommend applying sooner rather than later, as we offer on a rolling basis."
If it's the conversion course I'd send in now and not bother with a retake. If the advanced course I'd recommend retaking because you're below the threshold.

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It's the conversion course. It's just frustrating because I know I can do better on the quant section. Haven't taken a math course in a while, but it was always my strongest subject and I scored in the top 95 percentile on the SAT, but that was a while ago at this point.
I wouldn't worry. When I say threshold, I mean what they regard as a 'strong' result - 159. And that's for the advanced course.

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I thought I had gotten 159 on quant up until today when I logged in to ETS and saw it was actually 158 :frown:
I think I'm going to focus on coding practice instead of GRE at this point. Thanks for the help!
Original post by meckert85
Hey everyone

I have 158 Quant and 161 Verbal. Would this be sufficient, or should I sign up to re-take the test in January? I really want to submit my application now, but I don't want my GRE scores to hurt my application.


Cheers
Mike


Hello Mike, honestly, that seem like great scores to me. For the advanced and specialist Msc in computer science course, the GRE scores asked were from 159 for quant and 145 for verbal. You seem to have done quite well. But as suggested, it won't be bad to ask the uni directly.
Original post by meckert85
Already did, their response wasn't very helpful in my case

"As the MSc Computing Science programme does not require the GRE test to be taken, we do not have any average marks for this degree. To that end, whilst there is a July deadline, we do recommend applying sooner rather than later, as we offer on a rolling basis."


They're probably not committing themselves to a particular result, in that case. When I say it's easier to just contact them, it's for that reason. If they wanted to provide a cutoff mark they'd just do so. I've noticed this with a few universities when it comes to post-grad admissions for computing science conversion courses. They like leaving themselves leeway over and above some very basic prerequisites, e.g. first degree classification.
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by meckert85
I thought I had gotten 159 on quant up until today when I logged in to ETS and saw it was actually 158 :frown:
I think I'm going to focus on coding practice instead of GRE at this point. Thanks for the help!


Just make the application.Your GRE scores are really good. I intend to apply in January. When my references would be back from holidays. Who knows, we may be classmates!! :smile:

Good luck to us man!
Original post by frakur
I've decided to study a master's in computer science (a conversion course; my first degree was maths) later this year. I've had offers from Imperial and UCL but I'm undecided which to choose.

Imperial seems to be the "better" university when you look at the league tables. However the UCL course looks like it has much better industry links - apparently there's opportunities to work with companies which can lead to job offers, which seems quite important. I've heard that Imperial has a much harder course which involves lots more work - I guess that would be expected though.

As it stands I'm leaning more towards UCL, but I was wondering if anyone had any advice they could give. Is there anything I should be considering that I haven't mentioned?

Thanks in advance!


Hey frakur, congrats on making it to UCL, I too am thinking of applying to both of these universities for this course and thus was wondering if you could share some tips for a successful application since you obviously must have had a strong application to receive offers from both of these top unis. What did you study prior to this, what university, what grade (percentage) did you achieve, any internships/ notable extra curriculars. Sorry if I'm asking too much xD. Thanks in advance dude
Reply 29
PhD here, I teach and cooperate with both schools.

- Looking for fun, 'easy paper', and girls? Go to UCL.
- Want to work hard, do something outstanding, looking for excellence, prestige? Go to Imperial College.


- UCL is an overrated playground. This is 100% truth confirmed by many UCL employers.
- Imperial (and ETH Zurich) would be my only choice.
Original post by tmarcod
PhD here, I teach and cooperate with both schools.

- Looking for fun, 'easy paper', and girls? Go to UCL.
- Want to work hard, do something outstanding, looking for excellence, prestige? Go to Imperial College.


- UCL is an overrated playground. This is 100% truth confirmed by many UCL employers.
- Imperial (and ETH Zurich) would be my only choice.

Have you studied at both? I went to imperial and found that to be easy so not sure about this.

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Original post by tmarcod
PhD here, I teach and cooperate with both schools.

- Looking for fun, 'easy paper', and girls? Go to UCL.
- Want to work hard, do something outstanding, looking for excellence, prestige? Go to Imperial College.


- UCL is an overrated playground. This is 100% truth confirmed by many UCL employers.
- Imperial (and ETH Zurich) would be my only choice.


Gotta love how you went to every single Imperial VS UCL thread to write this. Quite sad.
Reply 32
Hi I'm looking for info re: time commitment required for the MSc CompSci conversion at UCL. When I contacted the uni they advised the course is Monday-Friday 9-5 but to be honest, I struggle to believe this since there are other conversion courses from well-reputed institutions where full-time means 15 teaching hours a week... This is important to me as I need to stay in employment while doing this qualification. Please advise!
They mean that the total amount of studying you need to put in amounts to that. Contact time obviously can be less but it's only a fraction of the work you need to complete. Also bear in mind that these universities, even where they offer part time courses, do not schedule their modules in line with people who work part time. Birkbeck is the only university of which I know offering genuine evening courses.
Reply 34
Original post by Amadea
Hi I'm looking for info re: time commitment required for the MSc CompSci conversion at UCL. When I contacted the uni they advised the course is Monday-Friday 9-5 but to be honest, I struggle to believe this since there are other conversion courses from well-reputed institutions where full-time means 15 teaching hours a week... This is important to me as I need to stay in employment while doing this qualification. Please advise!


Just finished the course myself. I don't have my timetable any more but around 15-20 teaching hours a week sounds about right. I imagine they've quoted those times because lectures are spread throughout the week, so you would need to be available. You will also need to factor in time for studying outside of lectures, which I found varied throughout the year depending on how close to coursework deadlines you get.

Your job is going to need to be really flexible to fit everything in. I can see a part time weekend or evening job maybe working but even then I wouldn't risk it. It is called a full time course for a reason, unfortunately.

Another thing I would add is that there is a lot of group coursework on this course, so if you're going into it with the intention of committing as little time as possible, I'd heavily discourage it. It's not fair on the other people who will get put in a group with you and have to pick up the slack. Not saying that is your intention, but it's something that I've seen happen.

Hope that helps.
Original post by frakur
Just finished the course myself. I don't have my timetable any more but around 15-20 teaching hours a week sounds about right. I imagine they've quoted those times because lectures are spread throughout the week, so you would need to be available. You will also need to factor in time for studying outside of lectures, which I found varied throughout the year depending on how close to coursework deadlines you get.

Your job is going to need to be really flexible to fit everything in. I can see a part time weekend or evening job maybe working but even then I wouldn't risk it. It is called a full time course for a reason, unfortunately.

Another thing I would add is that there is a lot of group coursework on this course, so if you're going into it with the intention of committing as little time as possible, I'd heavily discourage it. It's not fair on the other people who will get put in a group with you and have to pick up the slack. Not saying that is your intention, but it's something that I've seen happen.

Hope that helps.


lm looking to apply for the course for 2018 entry, currently doing engineering. Can I ask how you found it and how you/others did? I'm doing chem eng right now and getting a first has been not too tough so far, was wandering if it'd be the same for compsci, although I feel like our course is particularly easy when I compare it to other courses so...

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