The Student Room Group

Queen Marys London (UK) vs. McGill University (Canada)

Hi all! Not sure whether this fits in the US study forum, but anyhoo. I know it's an odd mix but I'm considering applying to McGill because I think I would really like a complete change in environment. I also currently hold an offer for law from QMUL. Which university has a better world reputation. My hunch tells me that it is probably McGill but I'm not too sure, so I really need a second opinion. Thanks in advance for your replies! :smile:

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Reply 1
If you have to decide by the rankings then its McGill. Then again, the law program will be different cause one will be on UK law and one will be whatever Canada's law is. Where do you want to work afterwards?
Definitely McGill. Better to attend one of the two premier institutions of Canada than a practically unheard of university in the UK. Apparently they party it up quite a bit at McGill, lots of pot etc.
Reply 3
McGill, no doubt.
Reply 4
oh wow. is QMUL really that bad??? i got an offer for law at QM too,but i thought its law department is pretty famous in the UK?
Reply 5
Champagne Breakfast
Definitely McGill. Better to attend one of the two premier institutions of Canada than a practically unheard of university in the UK. Apparently they party it up quite a bit at McGill, lots of pot etc.


I think it's a bit harsh not to mention completely untrue to say that Queen Mary's in "practically unheard of". I'm not disputing that McGill is the better one when it comes to reputation, St Mary's is still a good university.

I think it depends a lot on where you study after university to be honest, Canada will highly regard McGill, but working in the UK, you might be better off if you've been doing a UK course.
Apologies, I'm not familiar with the Law rankings, so am actually not in a position to say whether you might be better off doing Law at QMUL. I was looking at things in terms of overall (global) reputation - in which case McGill eclipses QMUL. One thing to bear in mind though is if you want to go into Law in England, you will actually probably be better off studying Law over here. Otherwise, have you looked into studying in the US? Ivy Leagues + Stanford/MIT are likely to hold greater sway with UK employers than McGill. And in terms of finances, HYP are needs-blind for international students and will help out with scholarships, grants and loans. Families receiving under 30 000 pounds a year get a completely free ride to Harvard.
pj1623 - for reference here are some Law league tables. Obviously not completely reliable, but just to give you a rough idea of where QMUL law stands:

http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/gug/gooduniversityguide.php?subject=LAW
http://education.guardian.co.uk/universityguide2005/table/0,15905,-5163903,00.html
Reply 8
Champagne Breakfast
Apologies, I'm not familiar with the Law rankings, so am actually not in a position to say whether you might be better off doing Law at QMUL. I was looking at things in terms of overall (global) reputation - in which case McGill eclipses QMUL. One thing to bear in mind though is if you want to go into Law in England, you will actually probably be better off studying Law over here. Otherwise, have you looked into studying in the US? Ivy Leagues + Stanford/MIT are likely to hold greater sway with UK employers than McGill. And in terms of finances, HYP are needs-blind for international students and will help out with scholarships, grants and loans. Families receiving under 30 000 pounds a year get a completely free ride to Harvard.


If you have to suggest US universities (ok, since its a US study section) you don't have to suggest the HYP. We all know its good but whats the point if the chance of getting in is not realistic lol. Law in US is postgrad anyway so the best she could have gone to is Harvard College not the law school.

I do however, agree with Champagne Breakfast that you should look at other places as well (since you are looking at UK and Canada atm) if you have not already done so.
I suggested Ivies + Stanford/MIT....

Talked about HYP because they are needs-blind for internationals, in case finances were an obstacle. I have no idea if OP's chances are realistic, depends on the whole application and SATs.
For a second forget about Reputation, now tell me where would you rather live/attend uni, Canada, or the dump that is Mile End, QMUL is rubbish, go any where else but there.
Bear_Grylls
For a second forget about Reputation, now tell me where would you rather live/attend uni, Canada, or the dump that is Mile End, QMUL is rubbish, go any where else but there.

Funny, I'd give the same advice to most people considering Canterbury.

There isn't any need to be so rude about QMUL, just because you personally don't like it. I'm sure there are parts of Canada just as ****ty as Mile End, and vice versa.

OP, it depends entirely on what you want to practise in later life. If you want to work in the UK, then is a Canadian law degree still worth anything over here, considering you'll not have studied English law? I just ask, since even if you went to a Scottish university, you couldn't practise Law in England, so are there similar rules in Canada?
Joanna May
Funny, I'd give the same advice to most people considering Canterbury.

There isn't any need to be so rude about QMUL, just because you personally don't like it. I'm sure there are parts of Canada just as ****ty as Mile End, and vice versa.

OP, it depends entirely on what you want to practise in later life. If you want to work in the UK, then is a Canadian law degree still worth anything over here, considering you'll not have studied English law? I just ask, since even if you went to a Scottish university, you couldn't practise Law in England, so are there similar rules in Canada?

Canterburys great, id rather deal with the 10 year old chavs there than the 18 year old wanna be gangsters in east london
Bear_Grylls
Canterburys great, id rather deal with the 10 year old chavs there than the 18 year old wanna be gangsters in east london

It's so dull though. The chavs are the only thing that make the place remotely interesting, once you've looked at the Cathedral a hundred and fifty times. I'd shoot myself if I had to live in Canterbury :frown:
Reply 14
Joanna May
It's so dull though. The chavs are the only thing that make the place remotely interesting, once you've looked at the Cathedral a hundred and fifty times. I'd shoot myself if I had to live in Canterbury :frown:


:eek:

I live two hours from Canterbury, and actually make a day out of going there :biggrin: . I love it... it's quiet, peaceful, and there's looooooads of cool places to spend a bit of dosh.
Joanna May
It's so dull though. The chavs are the only thing that make the place remotely interesting, once you've looked at the Cathedral a hundred and fifty times. I'd shoot myself if I had to live in Canterbury :frown:

Yeah but the the university campus is pretty good, Monday night is good down the works, and the venues not bad on wednesdays/saturday, so theres still quite a gd nightlife ! I havent even been to the cathedral yet, lol dont plan to either :P
dani2511
I live two hours from Canterbury, and actually make a day out of going there :biggrin: . I love it... it's quiet, peaceful, and there's looooooads of cool places to spend a bit of dosh.
It's alright for day trips maybe once every few months, but I could never live there. I find even on rare visits that after about two hours, I'm starting to get a bit bored.

Yeah but the the university campus is pretty good, Monday night is good down the works, and the venues not bad on wednesdays/saturday, so theres still quite a gd nightlife ! I havent even been to the cathedral yet, lol dont plan to either :P


Fair enough. I haven't spent more than a week on the campus, I just dislike the city itself. I wouldn't recommend the Cathedral (although I'm sure you could probably see it from your window, its that huge!), although it's probably inevitable you will go and see it at some point XD.
Bear_Grylls
For a second forget about Reputation, now tell me where would you rather live/attend uni, Canada, or the dump that is Mile End, QMUL is rubbish, go any where else but there.


You're comparing an entire country to a neighbourhood?

lol
Depends where you want to practice really...QM has a good law department and will graduate you with a qualifying law degree. If you want to go to Canada and practice, then go to McGill!
Thanks for your replies. I'm still in a bit of limbo but it seems that reputation-wise it's pretty unanimous that McGill is better than QMUL. It's a tough decision but thanks so much for your help.