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Which uni for Computer Science- Edinburgh or Sheffield?

Hi, My friend recently applied to these 2 unis and is undecided where to go. He feels like Edinburgh is a bit too far as it is in Scotland (5-6 hours away), also an extra year of uni also put him off. Whereas, he has also an offer Sheffield (much closer) but the QS ranking bothers him. Accommodation price is also another concern. Could anyone please provide advice on which to pick as he is undecided.
Original post by brob9090
Hi, My friend recently applied to these 2 unis and is undecided where to go. He feels like Edinburgh is a bit too far as it is in Scotland (5-6 hours away), also an extra year of uni also put him off. Whereas, he has also an offer Sheffield (much closer) but the QS ranking bothers him. Accommodation price is also another concern. Could anyone please provide advice on which to pick as he is undecided.

Hiya,

First of all, congratulations to your friend for these offers!

When considering universities, it's crucial to weigh various factors beyond just rankings. While rankings provide valuable insights, they don't necessarily reflect the full spectrum of what a university has to offer. At Sheffield, there is so much more to offer like being the No.1 ranked SU in the country, which supports your extra-curricular needs as well as academic.

In terms of location, Sheffield offers a dynamic and culturally diverse city experience. Being closer to home can provide a sense of familiarity and comfort, facilitating a smoother transition into university life. Additionally, Sheffield boasts a lower cost of living compared to many other cities, around 10% less than the national average, making it a more financially accessible option for many students.

In terms of accommodation, Sheffield provides a range of housing options to suit different preferences and budgets, including university-managed residences and private rentals. Our accommodation services are dedicated to ensuring that students feel safe, comfortable, and supported throughout their time at university. The university aims to ensure that it is feasible for students to cover their living expenses and offers scholarships and hardship funds to assist with this.

Here is a link to view the university-owned accommodations
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/accommodation

Hope this has helped and let me know if you have any more questions!
Jivanthika (2nd year computer science student)

Reply 2

Original post by brob9090
Hi, My friend recently applied to these 2 unis and is undecided where to go. He feels like Edinburgh is a bit too far as it is in Scotland (5-6 hours away), also an extra year of uni also put him off. Whereas, he has also an offer Sheffield (much closer) but the QS ranking bothers him. Accommodation price is also another concern. Could anyone please provide advice on which to pick as he is undecided.

compare choice of modules on offer, style of teaching and then other factors such as overall cost of living? ultimately, it comes down to where your friend can see themselves living for the next 3/4 years :smile:

Reply 3

Original post by brob9090
Hi, My friend recently applied to these 2 unis and is undecided where to go. He feels like Edinburgh is a bit too far as it is in Scotland (5-6 hours away), also an extra year of uni also put him off. Whereas, he has also an offer Sheffield (much closer) but the QS ranking bothers him. Accommodation price is also another concern. Could anyone please provide advice on which to pick as he is undecided.

Hello @brob9090,

Ultimately, it is difficult for anybody to say which the best universities are, as this would really depend on the factors that are important to your friend. I would recommend discussing what factors are most important to him personally and weighing them up on those factors. Because everybody has different priorities, the right choice will be different for everybody.

Your friend might find our computer science study guide helpful too - https://bit.ly/3TrrFLd. This explores how to prepare for a computer science degree, career prospects, salary expectations and more 😊 I think it would be a helpful read, regardless of which institution they decide to go with!

I hope that this helps. Good luck!

Thanks, Becky

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