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Ranking Scottish unis from best to worst (to prove a point)
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Ellen96
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#1
So before anyone says anything, let me explain. Often on this site, i see (mainly English uni students) talk about how "X is better than Y", "Z is overrated and W is underrated" and "X, Y and Z are better than U, V and W" etc etc.
So really, i wanted to do this to see if there is any truth/point in uni rankings, by asking, in your own opinions and experiences, how you rank Scottish unis. Again this isn't about criticizing other unis, this is about how much point there is in things like national and world rankings. So here are mine:
Tier one: St Andrews, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen
Tier 1.5: Dundee (still really good but maybe not in the same vein as the others)
Tier two: Heriot-Watt, Strathclyde and Stirling
Tier three: RGU, Caledonian and Napier
Tier four: Queen Margaret, Abertay, West of Scotland and Highlands & Islands
This is for overall, and you can mention things like what you consider the most important aspect (prospects, teaching etc) and whether you look at rankings.
Again, just an experiment, thank you!
I'll be honest, i think this is important because i used to be one of those people who was a ranking watcher. This was because when i was first applying, there were and are a significant group of people that essentially worshiped uni rankings, demeaning those who went to one lower than themselves. So, as someone new to the uni process, this scared me into thinking I had to apply somewhere that was highly ranked to be successful. After I told myself however that this is silly, I started thinking about how many people took rankings seriously when choosing a uni and potentially making a huge mistake of applying somewhere more 'respected' and regretting it as opposed to applying somewhere 'lower down the table' and going to a uni more suited to them.
So overall, this is about how people use rankings to judge how good universities are and whether they are used too much, or rather how accurate these rankings may be by seeing how others judge unis in their own opinion.
So really, i wanted to do this to see if there is any truth/point in uni rankings, by asking, in your own opinions and experiences, how you rank Scottish unis. Again this isn't about criticizing other unis, this is about how much point there is in things like national and world rankings. So here are mine:
Tier one: St Andrews, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen
Tier 1.5: Dundee (still really good but maybe not in the same vein as the others)
Tier two: Heriot-Watt, Strathclyde and Stirling
Tier three: RGU, Caledonian and Napier
Tier four: Queen Margaret, Abertay, West of Scotland and Highlands & Islands
This is for overall, and you can mention things like what you consider the most important aspect (prospects, teaching etc) and whether you look at rankings.
Again, just an experiment, thank you!
I'll be honest, i think this is important because i used to be one of those people who was a ranking watcher. This was because when i was first applying, there were and are a significant group of people that essentially worshiped uni rankings, demeaning those who went to one lower than themselves. So, as someone new to the uni process, this scared me into thinking I had to apply somewhere that was highly ranked to be successful. After I told myself however that this is silly, I started thinking about how many people took rankings seriously when choosing a uni and potentially making a huge mistake of applying somewhere more 'respected' and regretting it as opposed to applying somewhere 'lower down the table' and going to a uni more suited to them.
So overall, this is about how people use rankings to judge how good universities are and whether they are used too much, or rather how accurate these rankings may be by seeing how others judge unis in their own opinion.
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Mechie
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#2
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#2
Tier 1: St A, Edinburgh, Glasgow
Tier 2: Aberdeen, Dundee, Strathclyde, Heriot Watt
Tier 3: Stirling, Caledonian, Napier, Abertay, RGU
Tier 4: Queen Margaret, West of Scotland, Highlands & Islands
The first two tiers all contain fairly decent unis, and there's not a huge difference between them. There's a jump between Tier 2 and 3. Basically Tiers 1 and 2 are the good universities in Scotland, and Tiers 3 and 4... aren't quite so good, in general.
Tier 2: Aberdeen, Dundee, Strathclyde, Heriot Watt
Tier 3: Stirling, Caledonian, Napier, Abertay, RGU
Tier 4: Queen Margaret, West of Scotland, Highlands & Islands
The first two tiers all contain fairly decent unis, and there's not a huge difference between them. There's a jump between Tier 2 and 3. Basically Tiers 1 and 2 are the good universities in Scotland, and Tiers 3 and 4... aren't quite so good, in general.
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Ellen96
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#3
(Original post by Mechie)
Tier 1: St A, Edinburgh, Glasgow
Tier 2: Aberdeen, Dundee, Strathclyde, Heriot Watt
Tier 3: Caledonian, Napier, Abertay, RGU
Tier 4: Queen Margaret, West of Scotland, Highlands & Islands
The first two tiers all contain fairly decent unis, and there's not a huge difference between them. There's a jump between Tier 2 and 3. Basically Tiers 1 and 2 are the good universities in Scotland, and Tiers 3 and 4... aren't quite so good, in general.
Tier 1: St A, Edinburgh, Glasgow
Tier 2: Aberdeen, Dundee, Strathclyde, Heriot Watt
Tier 3: Caledonian, Napier, Abertay, RGU
Tier 4: Queen Margaret, West of Scotland, Highlands & Islands
The first two tiers all contain fairly decent unis, and there's not a huge difference between them. There's a jump between Tier 2 and 3. Basically Tiers 1 and 2 are the good universities in Scotland, and Tiers 3 and 4... aren't quite so good, in general.
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polscistudent88
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#4
Mechie
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#5
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#5
(Original post by Ellen96)
Thanks, but (sorry for being picky) would Stirling be in 2?
Thanks, but (sorry for being picky) would Stirling be in 2?
This is pretty silly though, just go to where you think you'll be happy.
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Ellen96
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#6
(Original post by Mechie)
No, sorry I missed it out. I'd probably place Stirling in 3. Although it would be the best of all the 3's.
This is pretty silly though, just go to where you think you'll be happy.
No, sorry I missed it out. I'd probably place Stirling in 3. Although it would be the best of all the 3's.
This is pretty silly though, just go to where you think you'll be happy.
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qno2
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#7
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#7
I think in terms of general reputation, it goes something like this:
1. Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews.
2. Aberdeen, Dundee, Heriot Watt, Strathclyde.
3. Stirling.
4. Glasgow Caledonian, Napier, Queen Margret, Robert Gordon's, West of Scotland.
5. Abertay, Highlands and Islands.
This is obviously different for every subject area. Also, UWS might belong more in 5 but it's reputation is considerably greater in the west than it is in the east.
1. Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews.
2. Aberdeen, Dundee, Heriot Watt, Strathclyde.
3. Stirling.
4. Glasgow Caledonian, Napier, Queen Margret, Robert Gordon's, West of Scotland.
5. Abertay, Highlands and Islands.
This is obviously different for every subject area. Also, UWS might belong more in 5 but it's reputation is considerably greater in the west than it is in the east.
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Jameswschmit
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#8
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#8
This is obviously different for every place of interest. I'd say that popularity is significantly higher in the western than it is in the eastern.
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polscistudent88
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#9
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#9
I would say:
Top: Glasgow, Edinburgh, St Andrews
2. Strathclyde, Aberdeen, Dundee
3. Stirling, Heriot
4. The rest (I don't really know them, so it would be tough for me to rank them in different ranges)
Top: Glasgow, Edinburgh, St Andrews
2. Strathclyde, Aberdeen, Dundee
3. Stirling, Heriot
4. The rest (I don't really know them, so it would be tough for me to rank them in different ranges)
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StereoBucket
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#10
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#10
I know this might be a little off-topic but which uni out of Glasgow, Strathclyde, Aberdeen and Dundee has the best reputation for Biological Sciences?
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Sir Fox
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#11
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#11
I'd do it:
Tier 1: St Andrews, Edinburgh
Tier 1.5: Glasgow
Tier 2: Dundee, Aberdeen
(I see no reason why Aberdeen should be better overall than Dundee, which is world class in life science and has the highest mean citation score in the UK)
Tier 3: Heriot-Watt, Strathclyde, Stirling, RGU
Tier 4: Caledonian and Napier
Tier 5: Queen Margaret, Abertay, West of Scotland and Highlands & Islands
Tier 1: St Andrews, Edinburgh
Tier 1.5: Glasgow
Tier 2: Dundee, Aberdeen
(I see no reason why Aberdeen should be better overall than Dundee, which is world class in life science and has the highest mean citation score in the UK)
Tier 3: Heriot-Watt, Strathclyde, Stirling, RGU
Tier 4: Caledonian and Napier
Tier 5: Queen Margaret, Abertay, West of Scotland and Highlands & Islands
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Ellen96
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#12
(Original post by StereoBucket)
I know this might be a little off-topic but which uni out of Glasgow, Strathclyde, Aberdeen and Dundee has the best reputation for Biological Sciences?
I know this might be a little off-topic but which uni out of Glasgow, Strathclyde, Aberdeen and Dundee has the best reputation for Biological Sciences?
well Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee were some of my options, for specifically life sciences Dundee has the edge (but i'm not going as i could switch to chemistry, a department they don't have, that put me off as i don't see how you can offer life sciences, physics, maths but NOT chemistry). Don't just look at research though, because that is not a guarantee you'll have a lot of contact with researchers. Also there's been a thing in the news saying they could possibly cutting staff numbers in life sciences. Still though it is very good, followed i think by Strathclyde/Glasgow then Aberdeen. Hope i helped
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Mechie
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#13
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#13
(Original post by Sir Fox)
I'd do it:
Tier 1: St Andrews, Edinburgh
Tier 1.5: Glasgow
Tier 2: Dundee, Aberdeen
(I see no reason why Aberdeen should be better overall than Dundee, which is world class in life science and has the highest mean citation score in the UK)
Tier 3: Heriot-Watt, Strathclyde, Stirling, RGU
Tier 4: Caledonian and Napier
Tier 5: Queen Margaret, Abertay, West of Scotland and Highlands & Islands
I'd do it:
Tier 1: St Andrews, Edinburgh
Tier 1.5: Glasgow
Tier 2: Dundee, Aberdeen
(I see no reason why Aberdeen should be better overall than Dundee, which is world class in life science and has the highest mean citation score in the UK)
Tier 3: Heriot-Watt, Strathclyde, Stirling, RGU
Tier 4: Caledonian and Napier
Tier 5: Queen Margaret, Abertay, West of Scotland and Highlands & Islands
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Ambry
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#14
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#14
For me (from my experiences visiting the universities and seeing the type of students that get accepted into these universities) -
Tier 1: Edinburgh, St Andrews, Glasgow
Tier 2: Strathclyde (Strathy is in a tier of its because IN SOME CASES it is better for certain courses than the universities in tier one, although for some subjects like english or history it might even be below the universities in tier 3. Courses like engineering, science and business are extremely strong at Strathclyde, arguably better than Glasgow, Edinburgh etc.)
Tier 3: Aberdeen, Heriot Watt, Dundee.
Tier 4: Glasgow Caledonian, Edinburgh Napier, Stirling, RGU.
Tier 5: Abertay, UWS, Queen Margaret, UHI.
This can change a lot depending on the course offered.
University ranking systems are pretty flawed in general, and I think the difference between universities in the top ten (and even the top twenty) is pretty minimal. Ranking universities into tiers, or looking at specific courses, seems to be more beneficial than determining which university is number one, number two or number three...
Tier 1: Edinburgh, St Andrews, Glasgow
Tier 2: Strathclyde (Strathy is in a tier of its because IN SOME CASES it is better for certain courses than the universities in tier one, although for some subjects like english or history it might even be below the universities in tier 3. Courses like engineering, science and business are extremely strong at Strathclyde, arguably better than Glasgow, Edinburgh etc.)
Tier 3: Aberdeen, Heriot Watt, Dundee.
Tier 4: Glasgow Caledonian, Edinburgh Napier, Stirling, RGU.
Tier 5: Abertay, UWS, Queen Margaret, UHI.
This can change a lot depending on the course offered.
University ranking systems are pretty flawed in general, and I think the difference between universities in the top ten (and even the top twenty) is pretty minimal. Ranking universities into tiers, or looking at specific courses, seems to be more beneficial than determining which university is number one, number two or number three...
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Nikkkkki
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#15
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#15
Wondering if anyone can give some advice, I have completed a HND in Music Bussiness, but just weighing up my options of which uni to continue my degree at, Scotland is so limited and only really is offered at UWS and UHI, or private institutes which cost a rediculous amount of money. Any help ?
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Yammy
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#16
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#16
Adapted from sir fox: (My opinion)
Tier 1: St Andrews, Edinburgh
Tier 1.5: Glasgow
Tier 2: Dundee, Aberdeen, Heriot-Watt, Strathclyde (I don't see why Strath and HW is less good than Dundee)
Tier 3: Stirling, RGU
Tier 4: Caledonian and Napier, Abertay (Abertay quite good for some compsci/games courses?)
Tier 5: Queen Margaret, West of Scotland and Highlands & Islands
Oh this is a 2 yr old post :/
Tier 1: St Andrews, Edinburgh
Tier 1.5: Glasgow
Tier 2: Dundee, Aberdeen, Heriot-Watt, Strathclyde (I don't see why Strath and HW is less good than Dundee)
Tier 3: Stirling, RGU
Tier 4: Caledonian and Napier, Abertay (Abertay quite good for some compsci/games courses?)
Tier 5: Queen Margaret, West of Scotland and Highlands & Islands
Oh this is a 2 yr old post :/
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Sir Fox
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#17
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#17
(Original post by Yammy)
Adapted from sir fox: (My opinion)
Tier 1: St Andrews, Edinburgh
Tier 1.5: Glasgow
Tier 2: Dundee, Aberdeen, Heriot-Watt, Strathclyde (I don't see why Strath and HW is less good than Dundee)
Tier 3: Stirling, RGU
Tier 4: Caledonian and Napier, Abertay (Abertay quite good for some compsci/games courses?)
Tier 5: Queen Margaret, West of Scotland and Highlands & Islands
Oh this is a 2 yr old post :/
Adapted from sir fox: (My opinion)
Tier 1: St Andrews, Edinburgh
Tier 1.5: Glasgow
Tier 2: Dundee, Aberdeen, Heriot-Watt, Strathclyde (I don't see why Strath and HW is less good than Dundee)
Tier 3: Stirling, RGU
Tier 4: Caledonian and Napier, Abertay (Abertay quite good for some compsci/games courses?)
Tier 5: Queen Margaret, West of Scotland and Highlands & Islands
Oh this is a 2 yr old post :/
I'm not an expert on uni reputation, but I am not aware of any world class subjects at Strathclyde or Heriot-Watt, despite both doing reasonably well (HW) and very good (Strath) nationally.
That's why, purely subjectively, I'd put Dundee a notch above those two.
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Hello it is me
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#18
Sir Fox
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#19
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#19
(Original post by Sabeva Yana)
hello, there
Will I get any job if I graduate from Napier or Stirling?
hello, there
Will I get any job if I graduate from Napier or Stirling?
.
.
.
Okay, seriously - you can get a job no matter where you graduate. Prestigious unis help you get a foot in the door, especially with well paying/competitive jobs, but uni is what you make of it. Someone from Stirling who has good grades, a couple of internships, some exciting stuff on their CV will have a better chance at the same job than someone who just wiggled their way through Oxford and never got any outside experience.
And it depends on your field, of course.
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Hello it is me
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#20
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#20
(Original post by Sir Fox)
No. You are doomed. McDonalds will scoff at you.
.
.
.
Okay, seriously - you can get a job no matter where you graduate. Prestigious unis help you get a foot in the door, especially with well paying/competitive jobs, but uni is what you make of it. Someone from Stirling who has good grades, a couple of internships, some exciting stuff on their CV will have a better chance at the same job than someone who just wiggled their way through Oxford and never got any outside experience.
And it depends on your field, of course.
No. You are doomed. McDonalds will scoff at you.
.
.
.
Okay, seriously - you can get a job no matter where you graduate. Prestigious unis help you get a foot in the door, especially with well paying/competitive jobs, but uni is what you make of it. Someone from Stirling who has good grades, a couple of internships, some exciting stuff on their CV will have a better chance at the same job than someone who just wiggled their way through Oxford and never got any outside experience.
And it depends on your field, of course.
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