Computer Science - Nottingham/Birmingham

Greetings, smegheads.

I have recently recieved offers to study Computer Science [G400 is it?] at the University Of Nottingham and the University of Birmingham. However, I am yet undecided on which I should take up as my firm acceptance. What are your opinions on both the courses and the cities themselves? And is there anyone out there who does, or has applied for, these courses?

At the moment, I am slightly in favour of Nottingham - I went to an Open Day a few weeks ago, and was very impressed with the campus, and the course also seemed an excellent choice, even though I was nearly ten minutes late for the introduction. I am also very familiar with the city - I go shopping there nearly once a month, and I even have a few mates there. And then there's the fact that the university has a very good reputation, and it scored very highly in the league tables.

However, Birmingham also seems like an excellent option. The univerisity has a decent reputation, and the Computer Science course was rated excellent in the Times league tables [is that right, or am I imagining things?] I have only ever visited the city once for an Open Day at Aston - Aston itself dosen't really appeal to me, but the city seemed like a great place. I am actually going to an Open Day at the Univerisity of Birmingham on Wednesday, so that might help influence my decision even furthur.

What do you think? Thanks in advance, and god bless.

Seems like you prefer Nottingham more, reading your post. I also think it'll be a better choice if you have some friends there, it'll help you settle down. See how much you like the Birmingham campus on Wednesday, and if your heart still calls for Notts go there. If your blown away by Birmingham go there . They're both respectable schools.

I went to Birmingham on Wednesday, and was very impressed with the place. The Open Day was well organised, the course looked fantastic [the research department is rated 5, whatever that means, although Nottingham's Computer Science department was also rated 5], and the campus was beautiful; it was very clean, with lots of greenery. The train station seemed very convienient, with easy travel to places like the City Centre and Five Ways.

Now I like them both equally, which isn't good. I guess I'll have to see what a few other people think first before I make a decision.

Did you do the aptitude test?

As for your course, i have a friend who's doing Comp. Sci. and seems to be really enjoying it.

Yes, I did.

Whether I actually did well is a completely different matter.



Yes, I've heard it is an excellent course. I quite like the look of the 'Intelligent Robotics' module. Watching the robots collect cans/bottles on the Open Day was pretty funny.

Leekey tried to brainwash me about Birmingham, though I made my own judgements when I actually visited and found it to be extremely good.

As for Leekey, he went round telling everyone Nottingham ruled and that he was going there (later to find out he's picked Manc as his firm) indecisive bast! I love him anyway, decked in a rubber suit kinda way... y'know?

Oh and the aptitude test.. hmm, the last bit was a bit awkward maybe we should speak on MSN to compare answers?

Any comp sci course that does not require maths is (in my opinion) always going to be inferior to those that do.

Any comp sci course that does not require maths is (in my opinion) always going to be inferior to those that don't. Therefore Notts > Birmingham

I still say Notts rules and if the Manc department wasn't so damn good, I'd be off to Notts in second.

PS - Was the aptitude test as simple as Locker said Dave?

PSS - Dave on Monday, please remember to ask me where Im posting this from

You've just double negatived yourself

Brum requires either maths/physics, a numerical science. The Open Day blew me away to be quite honest and now I'm facking stuck, Manchester or Birmingham? Birmingham or Manchester?

You've just double negatived yourself

Where?!?

MOD privileges are great arent they....

Nope, Brum "prefer" maths or physics. This is the half way house between requiring and not requiring so I guess it ain't all that bad.

As you know I'm still opposed to Brum so IMHO you should head for UMIST!!!

Well, I'm heading to Manc tomorrow for the Accom day, lets just say there's going to be a lot of 'weighing' in the coming weeks. Damn decisions. Seriously though Matt quips aside, Birmingham really impressed me Open Day wise though I do wonder if I should be judging a book by its cover etc. :/

Just to let you know, I decided to go with Nottingham as my firm acceptance and Birmingham as my insurance. Thanks for your help, guys.