Turning down a prestigious uni for a lower-ranking one?

I'm in the same position, I prefer the "less prestigious" one because it's closer to home (almost walking distance). The other uni makes me take the train and I hate public transport/travelling far continuously.

There are only two rules for making a successful university choice that will give you a happy 4 years ahead of you:

1) Choose wherever you feel most comfortable.

2) Don't live in Aberdeen.

Seriously, it's bleak and tiny, and expensive, and just... Terrible.
I moved from Aberdeen to Edinburgh last year and it's night and day - speak to some local students and ask them how many plan to stay once they graduate.

I was in this position last year and went for the lower one, even though I got the grades to go to the higher one. My reasons were because it actually offered the specific course I wanted whereas the other one didn't, I felt more at home and welcome at the lower one and I could see myself studying there. I am very happy here and doubt I would have been at the other uni. I'm still determined to get a great degree even though my uni may not be highly ranked. It is best for me.

Engineering definitely do. I'm studying an engineering degree and have family in engineering and where your degree is from is important. And generally office roles tend to favour the more prestigious unis.

Oh really? When I visited Aberdeen I quite liked it.

I cannot believe the horseshit that spews from some people.

If bragging matters to you, then go to the most 'prestigious' university and most prestigious college within that university you can get into. Then be secure in the knowledge that others are up their own arses just as much as you.

If you want to enjoy your experience at university, get the best grade and the most out of your course in an environment you feel most comfortable with on a course that is the most respected for the field you wish to enter - regardless of overall perceived 'prestige' ranking, then ignore rankings.

IMHO, rankings serve the interests of the university and is used as a marketing tool to hype up their own importance.

I cannot believe the horseshit that spews from some people.

If bragging matters to you, then go to the most 'prestigious' university and most prestigious college within that university you can get into. Then be secure in the knowledge that others are up their own arses just as much as you.

If you want to enjoy your experience at university, get the best grade and the most out of your course in an environment you feel most comfortable with on a course that is the most respected for the field you wish to enter - regardless of overall perceived 'prestige' ranking, then ignore rankings.

IMHO, rankings serve the interests of the university and is used as a marketing tool to hype up their own importance.

Engineering definitely do. I'm studying an engineering degree and have family in engineering and where your degree is from is important. And generally office roles tend to favour the more prestigious unis.

Horseshit.

prestigious universities are prestigious for a reason. whether they impress employers (albeit only a large minority) or provide access to superior academics, facilities and uni experience. it also benefits you to be in a class of high-achievers

A lot of unis have pretty much the same content as long as they are accredited by the eng council. Stop talking out your ass.

Hi TSR,

I have an offer from a very prestigious RG uni, top 10 in the UK. Obviously I should be happy about having the opportunity to go to such a great uni, but I'm seriously considering turning it down in favour of a much less prestigious university (about 30 places lower in the league tables).

I've visited both unis and preferred the less prestigious one, because it's more of a campus uni, all a bit more small-scale, and the staff were much more friendly. It seemed to be a place that suits me better, and I also prefer the course content. It's also quite highly regarded for my course, hmore so than the RG uni. However, I do think that the people at the RG uni will be more academically inclined and since I'm quite academical myself, maybe it'll be easier for me to make friends there. And I've just read so much about attending a good uni really helping in further study/employment, so maybe it'd just be plain stupid to turn the RG uni down.

I'm really unsure of what to do, advice would be more than welcome

I have family members who work in my department at two of the top unis for my field but yeah I'm sure some rando on TSR knows more than them 😆

You might well like it and of course, you should reach your own conclusion. But I genuinely do feel that Edinburgh would provide a better student experience for a foreign student, and I genuinely do know lots and lots of students who do not enjoy being in Aberdeen - both of the universities there have a lot of local students who just don't/can't move away from home.

Evidence?

Evidence?

I work for a global aerospace company and have daily contact with engineers from around the world all in world class organisations.

Many of the brightest and most capable engineers I know have a level of practical ability and flair easily surpassing 'prestigious' university graduates. They came up through the Polytechnic route.

Source: the CBI

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Anecdotal evidence and arguing from authority. Nice

Oh but you have family members who are engineers? Looks like you beat me. That evidence is bulletproof

This isn't specific to engineering.