Computing at Imperial or Oxford? Whats better and why?

Im stuck between choosing between Ox and Imp for 4 years computer science.

So far I know the following:

Oxford...

... has the tutorial system (therefore better student teacher ratio and better guidance through the course)
... has the good name (no one in Germany, where im from, knows Imperial)
... is interdisciplinary (not only natural scientiests as at Imperial)
... provides housing for first and last year and probably also the middle years (Imperial only for the first year)
... has a quite relaxed atmosphere in the college environment

Imperial...

... has the more interesting course (6 months work placement and a possible year abroad, in Ox none of that is possible)
... accumulates your assessment over the years (at Oxford, as far as I know, you do everthing just in your final exams in the last year)
... is in London
... is more international (I prefer that)
... is more of a big city feeling

Now what I wanna know is: Who can tell me which Uni has the better links to industry? Investment banks and Consulting Companies for example...

Which degree might be more prestigious, which more useful?

Where might life be more expensive?

Please provide me with some input and thoughts...

thanks a lot...

stephan

Reply 1

futureaussiecto

13

Ok, firstly Cambridge is betetr than Oxford for CS, and Imperial (in some peoples view) is better than Cambridge. So i would say Imperial is better than oxford.

It doesnt have the prestige, but when it comes to firms who know their stuff, they would know Imperials degree is actually better.

hope this helped

Reply 2

el_capitan

The Oxford Computer science degree as one 'insider' told me: It's very mathematical in your first year and the course as a whole has much more of a theoretical basis to it than most other computing degrees out there. Facilities aren't brilliant but will do. Tutorial system clearly is a main attraction. And above all, he says, the Oxbridge name just stands out miles from any of the other unis when it comes to careers. He now works with derivatives in Credit and Rate Markets for JPMorgan.

With respect to the comment by futureaussiecto : I'm not a big fan of league tables but I think the Times ranks Oxford, Cambridge then Imperial in Europe for computing. But I think it is generally agreed that Cambridge are the dons of CompSci in this country and indeed anywhere else in the world (not including the US!). I personally think Imperial's course offers a great balance of theory and practice and their graduates have been known to enter I-Banking and consultancies for many years. I'm hoping I get an Imperial offer anytime soon and I will not hesitate to put them down as fiirm at all. :smile:

Reply 3

Mike Z

From what I've heard and read the Computing degree at Imperial is more highly regarded by employers than Computer Science from Cambridge. I think it's got something to do with Comp Sci at Cambridge being a lot more theoretical, whereas the Imperial degree is more practical. Also Computing at Imperial is by no means easier than anywhere else, as from what I understand the Computing students get the heaviest workload out of everybody.

Reply 4

coker1

While Imperial Computing Engineers are gurus at writing programs to solve real-world problems, the Oxbridge Theorists are best in adding their "ifs", "buts" and "maybes" to their books and dictionaries.

Reply 5

not1

15

ClarkZhang

While Imperial Computing Engineers are gurus at writing programs to solve real-world problems, the Oxbridge Theorists are best in adding their "ifs", "buts" and "maybes" to their books and dictionaries.

What?

Reply 6

dragons_circle

As to Cambridge v Oxford v Imperial, I chose Cambridge partly because of the prestige, partly because of the surroundings (I hated the look of the Computing department in Imperial). But I had no hesitation in putting Imperial down as insurance - the course is a gazillion times more interesting, IMO, and Imperial specifically for CS/engineering is extremely prestigious.

Computing at Imperial or Oxford? Whats better and why?

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