Imperial or Warwick (theoretical physics)

Hi,

I'm stuck between choosing what to put as my first choice, either Warwick or Imperial. The course at Imperial is Physics with theoretical physics, while the course at Warwick is maths and physics. Now i plan to go in to the theoretical field of physics for my career. From what i've heard so far, theoretical physics is extremely maths based, even to the point that a maths degree may be more suitable than a straight physics degree. (However, for people doing straight physics wanting to go in to theoretical physics there is a Msc course available at Imperial after the degree). Regardless of which degree i do, i'm pretty much going to have to do that Msc at Imperial, its just perhaps knowing more maths at that point would help. So my two choices are, either doing maths and physics at Warwick, then going on to do the Msc at imperial (hopefully!) or doing Physics with theoretical physics, which includes the Msc.

Imperial's prestige for science pretty much beats Warwick, but then Warwick is renowned for its amazing maths course. Also Imperial's name is known worldwide, but i'm not too sure about Warwick's. Lol, but then there's the problem of the 'workaholic' stereotype of Imperial (i want some sort of social life!), while i quite like the campus idea at Warwick.

Any advice?

Reply 1

xxxchrisxxx

11

i know a couple of guys at imperial (doing engineering) and none of them is "workaholic".

Reply 2

ashy

17

I'd answer, but I'm biased.

We do have a social life at Imperial, you know. That's such a misconception. It's very much a work hard/play hard lifestyle.

Reply 3

Jackathon

I think Imperial is more respected for sciences as a whole; but having to do a BA and an MSC there might be a bit expensive. You might also want the adventure of two different towns to see, and explore!

I'd choose imperial!

Jackathon

I think Imperial is more respected for sciences as a whole; but having to do a BA and an MSC there might be a bit expensive. You might also want the adventure of two different towns to see, and explore!

You still not chosen between Chichester and Swansea lol?

Reply 6

Jackathon

matty600

You still not chosen between Chichester and Swansea lol?

Waiting till resit results come out, then seeing how they went. Think it will probably be Swansea though! :smile:

Reply 7

xxxchrisxxx

11

i didnt apply to imperial due to it being heavily penii-oriented, even the global reputation couldnt sway me.

Reply 8

ashy

17

xxxchrisxxx

i didnt apply to imperial due to it being heavily penii-oriented, even the global reputation couldnt sway me.

Reply 9

lordcrusade9

1

i am going to put in a good word for warwick. i personally prefer a quiet campus university than a metropolitan place. i applied for warwick but not imperial (maths). if i was going to put down an insurance, it would have been warwick.
penii orientated: lmao. a high concentration of chinese people too. though i like having chinese friends, but being in an environment where there are too many chinese people in UK is not my cup of tea.

Reply 10

matty600

1

Jackathon

Waiting till resit results come out, then seeing how they went. Think it will probably be Swansea though! :smile:

ahhh cool good luck, what grades you hoping for?

Reply 11

xxxchrisxxx

11

ashy

was that supposed to be concise wit? try harder. yawn.

Reply 12

ashy

17

xxxchrisxxx

was that supposed to be concise wit? try harder. yawn.

Pretty much yeah.

Reply 13

Jackathon

matty600

ahhh cool good luck, what grades you hoping for?

Overall, BBB - BCC. But retakes, Biology Modules AA/AB History B/C :frown:

Eng B/C Chem B/C

Reply 14

Kolya

17

KSP

Regardless of which degree i do, i'm pretty much going to have to do that Msc at Imperial

Why?

Reply 15

KSP

OP

9

Lusus Naturae

Why?

Well to be able to do a PhD in theoretical physics, you need to have done that master's course, or the CASM, but i doubt i'd be able to do that. Basically i want the option of being able to go in to research after my degree if im still interested in the field.

Reply 16

KSP

OP

9

Also, does anyone here go to a London university and live at home? That's most likely what i'll be doing if i go to Imperial. Does it spoil the whole university experience? The way i imagine it now would be just going to lectures and then back home, which kinda sucks and also makes it difficult to hang out with friends and stuff. Anyone convince me otherwise?

Reply 17

Kolya

17

KSP

Well to be able to do a PhD in theoretical physics, you need to have done that master's course, or the CASM, but i doubt i'd be able to do that.

Are you trying to say that there are only two courses in the country that enable one to do a PhD in theoretical physics? I have trouble believing that...

Reply 18

KSP

OP

9

Lusus Naturae

Are you trying to say that there are only two courses in the country that enable one to do a PhD in theoretical physics? I have trouble believing that...

No, i meant to be able to do a PhD at a certain universities, ie:- imperial, they require you to take their masters course before going in to a PhD. The Msc course is available at some other universities too. If i do a Msc/PhD it would probably have to be at a university in London as that's where i live because the likelihood is im not going to get funding so it would be too expensive to live out. And as far as i know, in London the Msc course is only available at Imperial. Though i could be wrong, i haven't checked many other London Unis.

Reply 19

Gavin.

Original post by KSP

Hi,

I'm stuck between choosing what to put as my first choice, either Warwick or Imperial. The course at Imperial is Physics with theoretical physics, while the course at Warwick is maths and physics. Now i plan to go in to the theoretical field of physics for my career. From what i've heard so far, theoretical physics is extremely maths based, even to the point that a maths degree may be more suitable than a straight physics degree. (However, for people doing straight physics wanting to go in to theoretical physics there is a Msc course available at Imperial after the degree). Regardless of which degree i do, i'm pretty much going to have to do that Msc at Imperial, its just perhaps knowing more maths at that point would help. So my two choices are, either doing maths and physics at Warwick, then going on to do the Msc at imperial (hopefully!) or doing Physics with theoretical physics, which includes the Msc.

Imperial's prestige for science pretty much beats Warwick, but then Warwick is renowned for its amazing maths course. Also Imperial's name is known worldwide, but i'm not too sure about Warwick's. Lol, but then there's the problem of the 'workaholic' stereotype of Imperial (i want some sort of social life!), while i quite like the campus idea at Warwick.

Any advice?

Hi, sorry to bring back an old thread but I'm in exactly the same situation as you were. What did you end up doing, and out of interest, what do you plan to do in the future? :smile:

Thanks

Imperial or Warwick (theoretical physics)

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