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Which Is More Prestigious

12

Oxford beats Cambridge in all the UK papers I have read e.g. Times Guardian and so on but in the World University Rankings, Cambridge is second to Harvard and Oxford is tenth.

So which of theses sources do I place trust in for my future or do I simply drop out all together and become a raging alcoholic that's about as dextrous as a polsy victim practising neurosurgery with a wrench.

If this is subject specific, which university is better respected for Physics/Maths

Rather than developing this into a regular slagging match between the two parties of Oxbridge could we please consider that my future plans to become universally know are at stake.......no seriously - this is an important decision for me and the rest of my life so could we please answer sensibly and may all answers be based on politically correct and well-supported foundations.

Thanx for any help at all :smile:

Reply 1

RxB

1

Cambridge.

Reply 2

magicalsausage

10

latentcorpse

Oxford beats Cambridge in all the UK papers I have read e.g. Times Guardian and so on but in the World University Rankings, Cambridge is second to Harvard and Oxford is tenth.

So which of theses sources do I place trust in for my future or do I simply drop out all together and become a raging alcoholic that's about as dextrous as a polsy victim practising neurosurgery with a wrench.

If this is subject specific, which university is better respected for Physics/Maths

Rather than developing this into a regular slagging match between the two parties of Oxbridge could we please consider that my future plans to become universally know are at stake.......no seriously - this is an important decision for me and the rest of my life so could we please answer sensibly and may all answers be based on politically correct and well-supported foundations.

Thanx for any help at all :smile:

Remember that going by application ratios, the odds are stacked against getting in - don't worry about it so much.

Reply 3

$Avatar for sTe\/o$

sTe\/o

16

latentcorpse

Oxford beats Cambridge in all the UK papers I have read e.g. Times Guardian and so on but in the World University Rankings, Cambridge is second to Harvard and Oxford is tenth.

So which of theses sources do I place trust in for my future or do I simply drop out all together and become a raging alcoholic that's about as dextrous as a polsy victim practising neurosurgery with a wrench.

If this is subject specific, which university is better respected for Physics/Maths

Rather than developing this into a regular slagging match between the two parties of Oxbridge could we please consider that my future plans to become universally know are at stake.......no seriously - this is an important decision for me and the rest of my life so could we please answer sensibly and may all answers be based on politically correct and well-supported foundations.

Thanx for any help at all :smile:

Alcohol isn't so bad, you know.

EDIT: Oh ok, I can't resist. Cambridge.

Reply 4

andy5788

14

For Maths, Cambridge.
Generally - Don't even go there...........

Reply 5

Narcissus

Cambridge for maths. No idea about physics, but I'd be inclined to say...Cambridge. :p:

Reply 6

Supermerp

2

Cambridge for both probably, although its reputation for Physics is probably linked to its reputation for maths since all the theoretical (and astro) physics stuff takes place in a maths department, I think. I don't know how it compares to other places for experimental stuff, although I imagine it's quite good

Reply 7

Tonheuru

Drop out and become an alcoholic or a lion tamer.

Nah seriously, it seems to me that the difference between the two in terms of prestige is so infinitesimally minute that it's irrelevant. Apply to the one you like more, or play darts with colleges :P.

Reply 8

$Avatar for sTe\/o$

sTe\/o

16

Tonheuru

Drop out and become an alcoholic or a lion tamer.

Nah seriously, it seems to me that the difference between the two in terms of prestige is so infinitesimally minute that it's irrelevant. Apply to the one you like more, or play darts with colleges :P.

The difference in prestige overall isn't worth even considering, but Cambridge is definitely better for Maths and probably for Physics too. I'm sure an Oxford degree wouldn't hold you back, though!!

Reply 9

ProzacNation

This is so retarded, for prestige they are the same. There is no difference. They are equally hard to get into and work you equally hard. A degree from either will be equally beneficial.

(Having said that Oxford is obviously better :p:

).

Reply 10

AlphaNumeric

10

The 4th year maths course at Cambridge (Part III) is considered the be the worlds best such course. I've seen jobs at banks (starting at £40k+) which ask for a PhD in maths or Part III from Cambridge, its that well respected.

People who have got very high 1sts in places like Durham have come to Cambridge to do Part III and suddenly found themselves struggling to get a Pass, because the pace of work is so high. People who were at Cambridge for their undergrad course don't have too much trouble adapting, but its a huge shock to many new arrivals.

There's no doubt that Cambridge beats Oxford on the maths front, and if you're into High Energy Physics, such as Quantum Field Theory, Supersymmetry and Branes, then the Theoretical Physics Department (DAMTP), which is half of the maths department is one of, if not the, best place in the world to do a PhD. Unfortunately for me (since I am about to do those topics in Part III and want to do a PhD in them) its also the most competative department to get a PhD in, certainly this side of the Atlantic. :frown:

sbailey

Alcohol isn't so bad, you know.

In terms of long term abuse I think the only drug which is worse (ignoring solvents like ether or petrol) is crack cocaine. Alcohol is one of the worst for heavy withdrawls and organ toxicity if you've developed a serious addiction. One of the few drugs whose withdrawls can kill you (along with benzodiazapienes or GHB).

I'd rather be addicted to almost anything else than be an alcoholic.

Reply 11

H&E

3

Prozac stop being so blinkered about this. In Maths the Tabs win, it's just the way it is.

Reply 12

ProzacNation

H&E

Prozac stop being so blinkered about this. In Maths the Tabs win, it's just the way it is.

Hmph, well, maybe Trinity, Tabland wins for maths. But most people wouldnt be able to tell you that Maths is more renowned: theyd be like - wow, an Oxbridge maths degree, regardless which university it was actually from.

In fact most family friends etc can never remember which one I'm in, its always 'oh, youre at Cambridge - or is it Oxford?'

Reply 13

$Avatar for sTe\/o$

sTe\/o

16

AlphaNumeric

In terms of long term abuse I think the only drug which is worse (ignoring solvents like ether or petrol) is crack cocaine. Alcohol is one of the worst for heavy withdrawls and organ toxicity if you've developed a serious addiction. One of the few drugs whose withdrawls can kill you (along with benzodiazapienes or GHB).

I'd rather be addicted to almost anything else than be an alcoholic.

Um, I was joking? Good pharmacological knowledge, though!

Reply 14

$Avatar for sTe\/o$

sTe\/o

16

ProzacNation

Hmph, well, maybe Trinity, Tabland wins for maths. But most people wouldnt be able to tell you that Maths is more renowned: theyd be like - wow, an Oxbridge maths degree, regardless which university it was actually from.

In fact most family friends etc can never remember which one I'm in, its always 'oh, youre at Cambridge - or is it Oxford?'

We're talking about academics and employers at important companies, not your family friends. In those circles, Cambridge Maths is more respected. Having said that, Oxford Maths is still a good degree and no one would seriously argue otherwise - it's just that, in this case, one of the two unis is clearly better than the other.

Reply 15

H&E

3

I'm with Steve on this one. That was possibly the most uptight post I've seen, and I've seen Deianra AND Minimo post.

Prozac: Ach ney. Your argument that the ignorant can't tell 'em apart says nothing. To those who're informed there's little doubt which is the more prestigious course. I don't think there's any comparison between the four year Oxford course with a Cambirdge UG degree AND Part III.

Reply 16

ProzacNation

H&E

I'm with Steve on this one. That was possibly the most uptight post I've seen, and I've seen Deianra AND Minimo post.

Prozac: Ach ney. Your argument that the ignorant can't tell 'em apart says nothing. To those who're informed there's little doubt which is the more prestigious course. I don't think there's any comparison between the four year Oxford course with a Cambirdge UG degree AND Part III.