Need some help deciding between Lancaster and Kent for which I should study comp sci

Hi I’m a student who has offers from both universities for computer science and am a bit confused on which I should pick as I know Lancaster is higher in ranks but compared to where I am it’s much further away than Kent is. What are the pros and cons of the unis and which should I pick?

Reply 1

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Hiya! I'm in my final year of Computer Science at Lancaster and I've really enjoyed my time here! Wouldn't pick a different uni if I could. Honestly speaking, ranks don't really matter in the long run - not even for jobs really! I've found employers would rather have the relevant work experience and programming skills. I come from London so the location really mattered to me (had to be far away haha) so while Lancaster may be further and may seem a scarier move, there are benefits that might outweigh that for you! Here are some pros and cons I can think of at the top of my head:

Pros:
- The CS department has recently revamped the curriculum so there are more optional modules to choose from! You can find the course structure here.
- The labs are so useful when you need help with coursework or the content in the lectures.
- Lancaster's Computer Science Society is pretty active and they occasionally do game jams.
- There are so many places to explore and walk around if you enjoy the countryside.
- There are a few scholarships you can gain if you firm Lancaster plus a few other requirements.

Cons:
- More expensive train tickets if further away I'm guessing...
- Not really a lot to do in Lancaster, especially if you're used to living in a big city but at the same time, we're so close to Manchester and the Lake District! And town has a few cool places if you look for them.

Of course, every student has different priorities when picking their university but I hope that's helped somewhat! If you have any questions at all, let me know by replying :smile:

- Sophia (Student Ambassador

Reply 2

University of Kent Reps

Official Rep

Original post by Heroboy960

Hi there

Although I don't study computer science, I have been at the University of Kent for the last 3 years so i'm hoping that I can give you some insight as to what its like. In terms of pros, I really like the campus as it has all the facilities you need. There is a large library, coops, cafes, book shop, numerous bars and eateries, an on campus nightclub called Venue, gym and sports centre, various social and study spaces etc. One of my favourite things about living on campus is that you get a free sport and gym membership included. Although I'm not the sportiest person, it was really fun to go and play a random sport with my flatmates in the evening and bring a speaker. We did it purely for socialising and trying new sports that some of us hadn't tried e.g. badminton, boxing, tennis, lacrosse, cricket etc but there are also opportunities to join a society if you want to play a sport competitively.
Another thing I love about the uni is that its only a 15 minute walk into town. Canterbury is really pretty and there are a variety of independent bars, pubs and restaurants to explore. In terms of nightlife there are around 5ish night clubs which vary from bigger clubs with multiple floors to more toned down bars with dance floors. If going out isn't your thing then there are lots of other ways to socialise both on and off campus. We have quite a variety of shops and a canal where you can do punting in the warmer months. On campus there is a scheme called the give it a go scheme, where there are lots of events put on by uni which you can participate in e.g. puppy yoga, arts and craft, axe throwing, painting, tie dye, trips to London or surrounding areas, picnics, games nights etc. There are also numerous societies that you can join (I will leave a link below if you're interested in taking a look!).
As for the course, a few of my friends study CS and they thoroughly enjoy it. There is an opportunity to complete a year in industry which is great for enhancing your CV and developing your skills. In terms of the course itself, I will leave a link to the course structure so you can get an idea of what you will learn. There is a range of module options so I would highly recommend reading through the course structure for both unis and seeing which one interests you.
In terms of cons, I would say that Kent isn't for you if you're looking for a busy city. It is very green and there are lots of walks and pubs. It is also located around a 10 minute drive/Bus to the seafront. I personally really love the atmosphere here as there is a community feel on campus but some people prefer being in a bustling city where there are huge crowds and a lot more things to do. That being said there are two train stations in Canterbury and London is about 50 minutes away. My friends and I have been plenty of times and its very east to get to. Another thing to mention is that although there are two co ops on campus, there isn't a large supermarket within walking distance. You will find this with most campus unis as they tend to be located away from the town/city. You can either go by car (if you or a friend has one), take the bus (student discount if you show your ID), or order your shopping. My flatmates and I would get an Asda shop delivered and it would end up brining the delivery cost to something like 20p each (Pro tip- its much cheaper to schedule the delivery for after 8/9pm). You can obviously shop at the on campus shops however Co op can be quite expensive to do a full weekly shop.

Give it a go - https://kentunion.co.uk/giveitago#:~:text=What%20is%20Give%20It%20A,off%20campus%20and%20much%20more!
Societies - https://kentunion.co.uk/activities
Computer science modules - https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/124/computer-science?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ec_ug_late_app_2023&utm_content=subject_comp_sci_ads&gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjryjBhD0ARIsAMLvnF_LKPBQJY_fVRSJGUWsO_if2AmHv9lvbyAPzaAN8IbeqrDuPSR6uUQaAjGTEALw_wcB

Hope this helps a bit

Please let me know if you have any specific questions and good luck with your decision!

Best wishes
Joanna
-Uni of Kent Rep

(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 3

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