The Student Room Group

Imperial vs Warwick (for Maths)

Hi,

OK, straight to the point: I'm trying to make a decision on where to go to study Maths! Its between Imperial and Warwick, and I'm finding it quite hard to decide, partly because both of them are really quite different.

I've been searching through the existing forums, finding out as much info as i can on both, but haven't found anyone directly comparing these 2 unis. (...theres bound to be others out there with the same choice to make...).

When i say compare, i mean on any grounds (preferably with some sort of justification): academic, workrate, social life, accomodation, reputation, job prospects... etc. They all play a factor.

Any thoughts and help would be really appreciated! :smile:
Reply 1
Warwick is the only one where i could name the professer, ian stewart, i think the main difffereces are based on imperial being a strong city uni and warwick being very campusy, from what i've seen warwick has sum very very very good accomdation and i hear imperials leaves sumthing to be desired
Reply 2
cobra01977
Warwick is the only one where i could name the professer, ian stewart, i think the main difffereces are based on imperial being a strong city uni and warwick being very campusy, from what i've seen warwick has sum very very very good accomdation and i hear imperials leaves sumthing to be desired


I've been two both Warwick and Imperial, within the last 2 weeks, and that did seem quite true. Although, I can put up with below-par accomodation if other factors about Imperial outweigh it. I know that I probably would have a good time at Warwick, but I just get the feeling that Imperial has a slight edge on the academic front (possibly a better reputation?)... something that I might not want to miss out on.

I am a little concerned with the social side at Imperial... I consider myself to be someone who makes friends rather readily, but have heard that it isn't the easiest at Imperial, probably due to its the not-as-campusy nature...

I get the impression that the degree at Imperial will be more of a challenge (which i consider to be a good thing). Do you think this is true?
Reply 3
JimBob
I've been two both Warwick and Imperial, within the last 2 weeks, and that did seem quite true. Although, I can put up with below-par accomodation if other factors about Imperial outweigh it. I know that I probably would have a good time at Warwick, but I just get the feeling that Imperial has a slight edge on the academic front (possibly a better reputation?)... something that I might not want to miss out on.

I am a little concerned with the social side at Imperial... I consider myself to be someone who makes friends rather readily, but have heard that it isn't the easiest at Imperial, probably due to its the not-as-campusy nature...

I get the impression that the degree at Imperial will be more of a challenge (which i consider to be a good thing). Do you think this is true?


I would tend to agree that imperial has a slightly better reputation than warwick but both are out standing, goto the one you like best
Reply 4
cobra01977
I would tend to agree that imperial has a slightly better reputation than warwick but both are out standing, goto the one you like best



The difference is far too slight for it to be critical in the decision that you make. You will find out after graduation that there's no real difference between institutions and departments that are so closely matched. Go where you feel most comfortable.

I wouldn't comprimise social life for Imperial (that's assuming you do not like either the institution on a social level or that you're not too keen on the city). IC is a fantastic institution, but it's not MIT were you have to think "oh this is the offer of a lifetime, if I go elsewhere I shall regret it for as long as I live"...
Reply 5
J.S.
The difference is far too slight for it to be critical in the decision that you make. You will find out after graduation that there's no real difference between institutions and departments that are so closely matched. Go where you feel most comfortable.

I wouldn't comprimise social life for Imperial (that's assuming you do not like either the institution on a social level or that you're not too keen on the city). IC is a fantastic institution, but it's not MIT were you have to think "oh this is the offer of a lifetime, if I go elsewhere I shall regret it for as long as I live"...


Thanks for the advice :smile: but I wish it was as easy as being "not too keen on the city". To tell you the truth, a city uni would attract me more than a self-enclosed campus uni... although, saying that, IC is an extreme example of a city uni.

I don't think it's a question of "compromising social life for Imperial", because I don't really know much about social life at Imperial (obviously so, because the only way to know what the student social life there is like is to... be a student there!). Social life at Imperial could be great, it's just I've heard a couple of things about it that suggest its not the best, or easiest to settle into. Just wondering if anyone else could offer an opinion on it...
Reply 6
JimBob
Thanks for the advice :smile: but I wish it was as easy as being "not too keen on the city". To tell you the truth, a city uni would attract me more than a self-enclosed campus uni... although, saying that, IC is an extreme example of a city uni.

I don't think it's a question of "compromising social life for Imperial", because I don't really know much about social life at Imperial (obviously so, because the only way to know what the student social life there is like is to... be a student there!). Social life at Imperial could be great, it's just I've heard a couple of things about it that suggest its not the best, or easiest to settle into. Just wondering if anyone else could offer an opinion on it...



From what people tell me, there is no such thing as 'sudent life' at Imperial, rather, what you have is the city of London. Independent of London, there is little less, however, if you're likely to enjoy being there in the city, then it's the place for you. As for Warwick, you needn't be restricted there, B'ham is only about 20 mins via rail from Cov.
Reply 7
While reading this thread, came across another thread; Imperial Social life by BossLady. Thanks BossLady. People had gotten me hell scared about the dull life of Imperial without any socialising. But since this thread, am feeling more confident with Imperial as my firm. :smile:
Reply 8
metalslug14
While reading this thread, came across another thread; Imperial Social life by BossLady. Thanks BossLady. People had gotten me hell scared about the dull life of Imperial without any socialising. But since this thread, am feeling more confident with Imperial as my firm. :smile:


lol, you're welcome :biggrin:

Hmm am liking this "praise BossLady" post. Anyone else feel free to join in! :p:p
Imperial is marginally, and I mean marginally, better than Warwick.
Reply 10
JimBob
Hi,

OK, straight to the point: I'm trying to make a decision on where to go to study Maths! Its between Imperial and Warwick, and I'm finding it quite hard to decide, partly because both of them are really quite different.

I've been searching through the existing forums, finding out as much info as i can on both, but haven't found anyone directly comparing these 2 unis. (...theres bound to be others out there with the same choice to make...).

When i say compare, i mean on any grounds (preferably with some sort of justification): academic, workrate, social life, accomodation, reputation, job prospects... etc. They all play a factor.

Any thoughts and help would be really appreciated! :smile:


A friend of mine is in exactly the same position, and its a tough choice. From the points you raised, id say that imperial may have a marginal academic edge, youll have to work just as hard at both, social life probably better at warwick due to lower cost (tho its all S.U., unlike big city of london), accomodation better at warwick, reputation and job propsects very similar, again probly just edged by imperial.

hmm i dont know, flip a coin??
Reply 11
Leeroy
A friend of mine is in exactly the same position, and its a tough choice. From the points you raised, id say that imperial may have a marginal academic edge, youll have to work just as hard at both, social life probably better at warwick due to lower cost (tho its all S.U., unlike big city of london), accomodation better at warwick, reputation and job propsects very similar, again probly just edged by imperial.

hmm i dont know, flip a coin??


Lol, thanks, but I've lready made my decision a couple of weeks ago! Warwick it is!... basically came down to the social life and how much money i'm going to have in my pocket to enjoy myself with! I think the reputation of unis is overrated, they might get you job interviews, but they arent going to get you THROUGH the interviews, thats really down to how you perform and what you've actually learnt! And with IC and warwick its real close, and nobody knows what either of their "reputations" will be in 4 years when I graduate and want a job anyway... altho Warwick looks to be promisingly on the increase. Anyway point is, I'm going to go to uni to enjoy myself, its about much more than just studying!
Reply 12
Yer, you should definately do what you think is right for you for the next 4 years of your life. It's probably too late now but I found looking at the course content helps a lot in a decision, 'reputation' is certainely overrated and a future career is a tenuous reason to go to university X. But with physics I think the course at Imperial was genuinely better than other places, and thus why Imperial will probably be my firm.
Reply 13
JimBob
Lol, thanks, but I've lready made my decision a couple of weeks ago! Warwick it is!... basically came down to the social life and how much money i'm going to have in my pocket to enjoy myself with! I think the reputation of unis is overrated, they might get you job interviews, but they arent going to get you THROUGH the interviews, thats really down to how you perform and what you've actually learnt! And with IC and warwick its real close, and nobody knows what either of their "reputations" will be in 4 years when I graduate and want a job anyway... altho Warwick looks to be promisingly on the increase. Anyway point is, I'm going to go to uni to enjoy myself, its about much more than just studying!


good choice
Ahan, best of luck mate. Warwick is one of the best. Hope you have a great time, the best of your life :biggrin: !