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Manchester or Edinburgh for Physics BSc

I recently received offers from Manchester and Edinburgh for Physics and am completely lost in which one to firm. From what I have heard, both are great universities, and the teaching and student satisfaction is quite similar for both unis (this will probably also vary from student to student).

What is important to me is going to a city with good oppurtunities for student life. I understand that uni is «what you make of it» and that you need to «just be outgoing and everything will be fine», but I genuinely wonder if one city is better than the other socially, or has better options for events, parties, going out, other types of social gathering, etc.

I also wonder if there are any differences there for the Physics Departments? I get that Physics students probably aren’t usually the most social of the lot anyways, but knowing that Physics for instance is taught in the King’s Building at Edi, I am curious to whether this makes the Physics students more isolated from the rest of the uni?

Reply 1

Original post by rosesl
I recently received offers from Manchester and Edinburgh for Physics and am completely lost in which one to firm. From what I have heard, both are great universities, and the teaching and student satisfaction is quite similar for both unis (this will probably also vary from student to student).
What is important to me is going to a city with good oppurtunities for student life. I understand that uni is «what you make of it» and that you need to «just be outgoing and everything will be fine», but I genuinely wonder if one city is better than the other socially, or has better options for events, parties, going out, other types of social gathering, etc.
I also wonder if there are any differences there for the Physics Departments? I get that Physics students probably aren’t usually the most social of the lot anyways, but knowing that Physics for instance is taught in the King’s Building at Edi, I am curious to whether this makes the Physics students more isolated from the rest of the uni?

Kings Buildings is outside the city city centre, but there is a free and frequent shuttle bus.
Edinburgh is a capital city but a small capital and you are never far from the city really. I wouldn't let being at Kings Buildings put me off at all. And when tourist season starts? You're likely to be grateful for being there

Reply 2

Manchester local studying Theoretical Physics at Edinburgh here. Congrats on the offers, honestly it's a tough choice. I chose Edinburgh because it's a beautiful city, a lovely place to study, but at the same time I wasn't too bothered about socialising and that. Yes, King's is a bit out of the city but it's well connected and we have free bus travel up here! On the student satisfaction side of things, Edinburgh takes 7 months to get results to you, and Manchester evicts you from your accommodation so pick your
poison! Nah, but both physics departments are very solid, and I know that Physics actually came 2nd in the Edinburgh subject specific student satisfaction rankings.

As for student life, I think both have good opportunity obviously, but I think Manchester has more student stuff going on. My nights out back in Manchester are defo a lot wilder than anything here in Edinburgh. I went to high school right next to the Man Uni campus, so I can tell you that the vibes are pretty good, and the physics building is right there in the centre of it all. Also Edinburgh's socities are so-so at best. From some of my teachers' stories, I think Manchester is stronger in that aspect.

They're both brilliant cities. Edinburgh is beautiful and historic and iconic. Manchester of course has a very strong industrial history and is much bigger. Like that's one thing I've found moving to Edinburgh, it's so small! Not necessarily a bad thing but again, if student life is your thing. As for vibes, Edinburgh definitely feels a bit posher. Manchester is a bit more like Glasgow and, to quote the great man Limmy himself "Edinburgh's for visiting, Glasgow's [Manchester's] for living". That's not to say Edinburgh couldn't work for you, I love it here!

Anyway those are just my two cents, let me know if there's anything specific you want to know about either.

Reply 3

Oh and one more thing, what flavour of physics are you going for? I did direct entry Mathematical Physics and let's just say it was... rough.

Reply 4

Original post by blaztroid
Manchester local studying Theoretical Physics at Edinburgh here. Congrats on the offers, honestly it's a tough choice. I chose Edinburgh because it's a beautiful city, a lovely place to study, but at the same time I wasn't too bothered about socialising and that. Yes, King's is a bit out of the city but it's well connected and we have free bus travel up here! On the student satisfaction side of things, Edinburgh takes 7 months to get results to you, and Manchester evicts you from your accommodation so pick your
poison! Nah, but both physics departments are very solid, and I know that Physics actually came 2nd in the Edinburgh subject specific student satisfaction rankings.
As for student life, I think both have good opportunity obviously, but I think Manchester has more student stuff going on. My nights out back in Manchester are defo a lot wilder than anything here in Edinburgh. I went to high school right next to the Man Uni campus, so I can tell you that the vibes are pretty good, and the physics building is right there in the centre of it all. Also Edinburgh's socities are so-so at best. From some of my teachers' stories, I think Manchester is stronger in that aspect.
They're both brilliant cities. Edinburgh is beautiful and historic and iconic. Manchester of course has a very strong industrial history and is much bigger. Like that's one thing I've found moving to Edinburgh, it's so small! Not necessarily a bad thing but again, if student life is your thing. As for vibes, Edinburgh definitely feels a bit posher. Manchester is a bit more like Glasgow and, to quote the great man Limmy himself "Edinburgh's for visiting, Glasgow's [Manchester's] for living". That's not to say Edinburgh couldn't work for you, I love it here!
Anyway those are just my two cents, let me know if there's anything specific you want to know about either.

Thank u for the advice!!! It helps to hear from someone who has experienced both :smile:

Reply 5

Original post by blaztroid
Oh and one more thing, what flavour of physics are you going for? I did direct entry Mathematical Physics and let's just say it was... rough.

So far just applied for a «plain» Physics BSc, and I have nooooo idea what I want to specialize in later so far

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