UCL or Glasgow

I am currently at a crossroads of sorts. I am an international student looking to apply in UCL and University of Glasgow for Msc in astrophysics. On paper UCL does have a better ranking but I wanted to know if it is worth all the expenses of uni as well as the cost of living in London. Some insight on the topic would be helpful and if there are any other better university options for astrophysics.

Hi,

My advice would be to consider what is most important to you personally when studying. If the ranking means more to you than other factors, choose the highest-ranked course and apply for that one.

If the ranking is important to you but costs and the location are as well, consider other universities in cheaper locations. There are many universities in the top 10 for physics and astrophysics outside of London, including Durham, Birmingham, Manchester, Lancaster, Bath, Warwick and St Andrews. See the complete university guide here https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/physics-and-astronomy .

Many of these universities offer masters in physics or astrophysics, both taught and by research. If you have an interest in a particular area of astrophysics, such as stellar seismology, exoplanets or galaxy evolution, it is worth seeing which universities have research groups in areas that align with your interests as the university's research specialisms often influence which areas you can conduct your master's research project in.

I'm currently in the third year of my integrated masters MSci natural sciences degree at Lancaster with a focus in astrophysics and I'm looking forward to doing my fourth-year research project in the physics department. Lancaster offers a physics MSc by research and has research specialisms in observational astrophysics, theoretical particle cosmology and space and planetary physics. If you have any questions about astrophysics at Lancaster feel free to ask.

Hope this helps,
Becky (Lancaster University Student Ambassador)

UCL has glamour because its London.
Its no 'better' than Glasgow, and far more expensive.
Go to Glasgow.