Cambridge or Imperial for Engineering
Hi,
I am considering studying Electrical and Electronics Engineering in UK. But I have some queries which I hope you guys can help me out.
1) Is Cambridge or Imperial better in Electrical and Electronics Engineering?
2) Can someone highlight to me the differences in teaching methods and the culture in Cambridge and in Imperial?
3) What are the pros and cons of studying in Imperial as compared to Cambridge?
4) How is engineering in Imperial or Cambridge compared to US's MIT, Stanford & Berkeley?
Thanks in advance.
I am considering studying Electrical and Electronics Engineering in UK. But I have some queries which I hope you guys can help me out.
1) Is Cambridge or Imperial better in Electrical and Electronics Engineering?
2) Can someone highlight to me the differences in teaching methods and the culture in Cambridge and in Imperial?
3) What are the pros and cons of studying in Imperial as compared to Cambridge?
4) How is engineering in Imperial or Cambridge compared to US's MIT, Stanford & Berkeley?
Thanks in advance.
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cambridge is above imperial in rankings but i personally think that imperial is much better.
i think solo2wolf is doing electrical engineering at imperial - could pm him
i think solo2wolf is doing electrical engineering at imperial - could pm him
MIT, Stanford & Berkeley are definetly much better in engineering,especially MIT,which is ranked number 1 in the world for engineering
globallyuniq
MIT, Stanford & Berkeley are definetly much better in engineering,especially MIT,which is ranked number 1 in the world for engineering
haha why dont you just shut up?
MIT probably yes, but the rest in US are not better than Imperial in any way...
Anyway Camb and Imperial are equally good but they are different as course content...Why don't you wait to get an offer from either and then work out which is better because they dont give offers easily
The main difference between the two universities is clear with a quick glance at each of their websites: Cambridge don't explicitly offer Electrical Engineering, or any other discipline for that matter. Instead, all engineering first years are in the same classes for at least the first while, after which time people start to specialise. By the end of four years, you (hopefully) have a fully specialised degree in a particular discipline.
Imperial's system is far simpler. Different departments for each discipline and you choose on your UCAS form and follow that route.
Now, the question of which is better is clearly a close call. Naturally, each university must think their way is best, otherwise they would do it the other way! Personally, I'd favour Cambridge's system as, I feel, a gradual specialization means that even the civil engineers have done a little Electronics (and vice versa) giving you a more useful education. On the other hand, you can quite easily argue that Imperial's immediate specialization allows for a better course content.
Of course, no one has done both degrees so we can never truly know...perhaps someone should try it to put this argument to rest...after all, it does seem to come up every week!
EDIT: Assuming the OP is applying for 2009 entry, can't you just apply to both (like I did) and see if you are lucky enough to have to make the decision in January? I, however, had it made for me...but you can hardly be upset either way.
Imperial's system is far simpler. Different departments for each discipline and you choose on your UCAS form and follow that route.
Now, the question of which is better is clearly a close call. Naturally, each university must think their way is best, otherwise they would do it the other way! Personally, I'd favour Cambridge's system as, I feel, a gradual specialization means that even the civil engineers have done a little Electronics (and vice versa) giving you a more useful education. On the other hand, you can quite easily argue that Imperial's immediate specialization allows for a better course content.
Of course, no one has done both degrees so we can never truly know...perhaps someone should try it to put this argument to rest...after all, it does seem to come up every week!
EDIT: Assuming the OP is applying for 2009 entry, can't you just apply to both (like I did) and see if you are lucky enough to have to make the decision in January? I, however, had it made for me...but you can hardly be upset either way.
The main differences are going to be...
Course structure: Are you 100% set on Electrical or are you slightly unsure? Or maybe you're set on Electrical but would prefer to learn the basics of the other disciplines anyway?
Location: London is a huge city of which the university is a tiny part and which is always buzzing. But in Cambridge everything is within walking or cycling distance although much of the stuff going on is centred around the university, and a lot of the nightlife is organised by students for students.
Teaching style: I can't speak for Imperial, but Cambridge's system of 1-on-2 supervisions is not found anywhere else except Oxford.
As for the actual degree you get out at the end I'd say they're going to be pretty similar - it really depends on what you want your university experience to be like.
Course structure: Are you 100% set on Electrical or are you slightly unsure? Or maybe you're set on Electrical but would prefer to learn the basics of the other disciplines anyway?
Location: London is a huge city of which the university is a tiny part and which is always buzzing. But in Cambridge everything is within walking or cycling distance although much of the stuff going on is centred around the university, and a lot of the nightlife is organised by students for students.
Teaching style: I can't speak for Imperial, but Cambridge's system of 1-on-2 supervisions is not found anywhere else except Oxford.
As for the actual degree you get out at the end I'd say they're going to be pretty similar - it really depends on what you want your university experience to be like.
globallyuniq
MIT, Stanford & Berkeley are definetly much better in engineering,especially MIT,which is ranked number 1 in the world for engineering
I understand that considering your age, you have seen a fair few high-school movies and college movies. Please give some evidence for your statements rather than swipe your arguments right off the movies.
globallyuniq
MIT, Stanford & Berkeley are definetly much better in engineering,especially MIT,which is ranked number 1 in the world for engineering
and.................
this isnt to say imperial isnt a great university, arguably the best in britain (for engineering disciplines).
And how do you quantify "much better" - im willing to admit that yes they are better than imperial but i dont think there is really that much in it
Hi again,
Guys, thanks for your opinions.
I scored quite well for my A'levels, getting all A for Physics, Math, Further Math and Chemistry. I believe I should be able to get offers from both Cambridge and Imperial for Engineering. Correct me if I am wrong.
Actually, I am looking at which of the 2 Uni can provide me with a better education experience. Hope you guys can provide me with more info on the learning and living culture in Imperial and Cambridge.
Guys, thanks for your opinions.
I scored quite well for my A'levels, getting all A for Physics, Math, Further Math and Chemistry. I believe I should be able to get offers from both Cambridge and Imperial for Engineering. Correct me if I am wrong.
Actually, I am looking at which of the 2 Uni can provide me with a better education experience. Hope you guys can provide me with more info on the learning and living culture in Imperial and Cambridge.
Andrew@SG
Hi again,
Guys, thanks for your opinions.
I scored quite well for my A'levels, getting all A for Physics, Math, Further Math and Chemistry. I believe I should be able to get offers from both Cambridge and Imperial for Engineering. Correct me if I am wrong.
Actually, I am looking at which of the 2 Uni can provide me with a better education experience. Hope you guys can provide me with more info on the learning and living culture in Imperial and Cambridge.
Guys, thanks for your opinions.
I scored quite well for my A'levels, getting all A for Physics, Math, Further Math and Chemistry. I believe I should be able to get offers from both Cambridge and Imperial for Engineering. Correct me if I am wrong.
Actually, I am looking at which of the 2 Uni can provide me with a better education experience. Hope you guys can provide me with more info on the learning and living culture in Imperial and Cambridge.
same a as levels and results as me. Im worried about i got a really low C in one physics module - but too high As in the other so it dragged it up to a middle A.
ive been told cambridge might not like this - but im going to apply anywho
I scored quite well for my A'levels, getting all A for Physics, Math, Further Math and Chemistry. I believe I should be able to get offers from both Cambridge and Imperial for Engineering. Correct me if I am wrong.
you're wrong
Andrew@SG
Hi again,
Guys, thanks for your opinions.
I scored quite well for my A'levels, getting all A for Physics, Math, Further Math and Chemistry. I believe I should be able to get offers from both Cambridge and Imperial for Engineering. Correct me if I am wrong.
Actually, I am looking at which of the 2 Uni can provide me with a better education experience. Hope you guys can provide me with more info on the learning and living culture in Imperial and Cambridge.
Guys, thanks for your opinions.
I scored quite well for my A'levels, getting all A for Physics, Math, Further Math and Chemistry. I believe I should be able to get offers from both Cambridge and Imperial for Engineering. Correct me if I am wrong.
Actually, I am looking at which of the 2 Uni can provide me with a better education experience. Hope you guys can provide me with more info on the learning and living culture in Imperial and Cambridge.
You will be fine grade wise. However, ur interview would play a crucial role in deciding whether u will get a place or not at Cambridge (more than Imperial).
Cambridge is definitely more prestigious and higher ranked than Imperial is for engineering. And,
there are a lot of schools in the United States that are better than Imperial for engineering -- MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, Caltech, CMU, Cornell, Georgia Tech, UMich, UIUC, UT-Austin, UCLA, USC, Harvey Mudd, Purdue and Princeton to name a few.
there are a lot of schools in the United States that are better than Imperial for engineering -- MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, Caltech, CMU, Cornell, Georgia Tech, UMich, UIUC, UT-Austin, UCLA, USC, Harvey Mudd, Purdue and Princeton to name a few.
ILIGAN
Cambridge is definitely more prestigious and higher ranked than Imperial is for engineering. And,
there are a lot of schools in the United States that are better than Imperial for engineering -- MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, Caltech, CMU, Cornell, Georgia Tech, UMich, UIUC, UT-Austin, UCLA, USC, Harvey Mudd, Purdue and Princeton to name a few.
there are a lot of schools in the United States that are better than Imperial for engineering -- MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, Caltech, CMU, Cornell, Georgia Tech, UMich, UIUC, UT-Austin, UCLA, USC, Harvey Mudd, Purdue and Princeton to name a few.
Can you please just not comment on things you know nothing of! Please.
They have completely different engineering systems; one is specialised from day one and the other does not start to specialise until year three.
As for your American list... same thing there. Decease now I beg you or at least read up on your sources before posting irrelevant stuff from some ad-hoc list that you have made up yourself.
These prestige-obsessed-inter-university-bitch-fights are even less relevant than usual as this is not even about a whole university its about a particular course. So really without knowing what the OP wants to with his 4 years neither you or me can say that 'A' is better than 'B'.
ILIGAN
Cambridge is definitely more prestigious and higher ranked than Imperial is for engineering. And,
No
ILIGAN
there are a lot of schools in the United States that are better than Imperial for engineering -- MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, Caltech, CMU, Cornell, Georgia Tech, UMich, UIUC, UT-Austin, UCLA, USC, Harvey Mudd, Purdue and Princeton to name a few.
No
Master Polhem
Can you please just not comment on things you know nothing of! Please.
They have completely different engineering systems; one is specialised from day one and the other does not start to specialise until year three.
As for your American list... same thing there. Decease now I beg you or at least read up on your sources before posting irrelevant stuff from some ad-hoc list that you have made up yourself.
These prestige-obsessed-inter-university-bitch-fights are even less relevant than usual as this is not even about a whole university its about a particular course. So really without knowing what the OP wants to with his 4 years neither you or me can say that 'A' is better than 'B'.
They have completely different engineering systems; one is specialised from day one and the other does not start to specialise until year three.
As for your American list... same thing there. Decease now I beg you or at least read up on your sources before posting irrelevant stuff from some ad-hoc list that you have made up yourself.
These prestige-obsessed-inter-university-bitch-fights are even less relevant than usual as this is not even about a whole university its about a particular course. So really without knowing what the OP wants to with his 4 years neither you or me can say that 'A' is better than 'B'.
Master, I didn't mean to offend anyone when I responded to the OP's question, but I have to give an honest-to-goodness answer. Of course, you would root for Imperial; even defend it to death, as you're British. But have you gone to study in that US? If you have, you would clearly see that the UK schools have really left behind in terms of academic quality, scholarly research and quality research output. Maybe that's due in part to having better funding that the American schools can attract the best faculty and students from around the world.
If you're an Indian geek hoping to study postgrad in abroad, for example, and has offers from both Princeton and Imperial, would you really take Imperial over Princeton? I honestly doubt if you would.
Imperial is a great school/uni. But compared to the best ones in the US, it's a no-match to them. In the UK, only Cambridge and Oxford have the prestige and resources to compete with the best schools in the US, on all levels -- undergrad, grad and postgrad. Imperial is a no-name institution in the US. It can hardly attract talented students to go there, unlike Oxford and Cambridge that can due to their powerful names in global academia.
Again, in terms of academic prestige and global recognition: Cambridge >>> Imperial. It's not even close.
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