Engineering: Imperial vs Oxford

Hi, I'm just looking for some neutral opinions on which university I should firm. Obviously, I know I’m in an incredibly lucky position so I just want to make a decision that I won’t regret!
I have offers from both Oxford University and Imperial. Engineering for Oxford (A*A*A with the A*s in Maths and Physics) and Biomedical Engineering for Imperial (A*A*A with one A* in Maths and an A* or A in Physics). I’m predicted 3 A*s.
My main issue is that I honestly prefer the Biomedical engineering course at Imperial rather than the general engineering course at Oxford. I’ve applied for biomedical engineering at the other unis that I’ve applied to. The fact that for the first 2 to 2.5 years of my time (potentially) at Oxford would be filled with mechanical/electrical/computer engineering without even really looking at bioengineering makes me disappointed/sad.
To be honest, the only reason why I applied to Oxford in the first place was just to end the ‘what if’ that would have been in my head if I did not apply – I never expected to actually get an interview, let alone an offer.
There are obviously a lot of pros about Oxford. I do like the tutorial teaching method, the collegiate system – especially as I am more introverted so being in a smaller environment might help me build friendships easier. However, I just don’t know if this makes up for the 2 years of maybe studying something I don’t really enjoy. Also I’ve heard that Oxford doesn’t have the best practical facilities and is very theoretical, which I don’t think I would enjoy that much.
For Imperial, I love the fact that it emphasises practical skills and obviously being a STEM university it has amazing facilities and research. I am considering research as a career path for myself. I do love the hustle and bustle of London as well. Another pro would be that it is more diverse (in both race and maybe class); Oxford does have the stereotype of being elitist and the college that I’ve been accepted into has the 3rd lowest state student acceptance rate (from last year). I know that this isn’t specific to Oxford (i.e. Edinburgh has had reports of classism) so just wondering if any current/ex-students can share their opinions?
Obviously, I know that London is very expensive. I’m lucky enough that my family should be able to afford it but why spend so much when a cheaper option is available? I'm a home student BTW.
I think this would be a no-brainer if I applied for any other course, but with Imperial being incredible in the STEM field and now 2nd in the world/1st in Europe, I’m not sure that the prestige of Oxford is that much greater than Imperial for Engineering? But I would like other opinions.
I suppose my last reason for preferring Imperial would that I feel like I wouldn’t be starting at such a disadvantage. I don’t do Further Maths and although I know that this isn’t required, I know that roughly 80% of people in the Oxford course do it. I’ve also gotten my PAT results back and they are very low, like 20 marks below the average offer holder, so I don’t feel like I deserve my place. I don’t want to feel like I’m always at the bottom of the class, especially since I’ve worked so hard and maybe gotten used to myself being close the top in school. I don’t mean for this to sound arrogant, I just want to be truthful to give people a full picture.
I am not planning to make any final decisions before attending the Oxford offer holder day. I actually haven’t visited Oxford yet, but I have spent a week in Imperial so I think maybe some of my feelings may just be fear of the unknown!
Any help would be really, really appreciated!

Engineering is a hard degree, so it really helps to have passion for the subject. Thus, go for the degree, you prefer. Go for the surrounding, where you think you will thrive best.

Firstly, your grades seem crazy good and congrats on the offers! You’ve worked incredibly hard and the unis have given you an offer because they see a lot of potential in you, regardless of how you see your performance compared to the others.
If I were you, I’d go with Imperial because it sounds like you really like the course and you’re passionate about biomedical engineering. There’s no point in going to Oxford for its name, if you end up spending most of your time doing something you hate. If you are concerned about prestige, Imperial is highly regarded by employers and well known for its engineering courses so your future will be in safe hands if you graduate with a solid grade.
In the end, it’s your choice bur don’t get too hung up on prestige. Go for the offer days, see which city you prefer and see if you could contact anyone who’s currently doing each course so you could compare and make a decision. All the best!

Hi, I'm just looking for some neutral opinions on which university I should firm. Obviously, I know I’m in an incredibly lucky position so I just want to make a decision that I won’t regret!
I have offers from both Oxford University and Imperial. Engineering for Oxford (A*A*A with the A*s in Maths and Physics) and Biomedical Engineering for Imperial (A*A*A with one A* in Maths and an A* or A in Physics). I’m predicted 3 A*s.
My main issue is that I honestly prefer the Biomedical engineering course at Imperial rather than the general engineering course at Oxford. I’ve applied for biomedical engineering at the other unis that I’ve applied to. The fact that for the first 2 to 2.5 years of my time (potentially) at Oxford would be filled with mechanical/electrical/computer engineering without even really looking at bioengineering makes me disappointed/sad.
To be honest, the only reason why I applied to Oxford in the first place was just to end the ‘what if’ that would have been in my head if I did not apply – I never expected to actually get an interview, let alone an offer.
There are obviously a lot of pros about Oxford. I do like the tutorial teaching method, the collegiate system – especially as I am more introverted so being in a smaller environment might help me build friendships easier. However, I just don’t know if this makes up for the 2 years of maybe studying something I don’t really enjoy. Also I’ve heard that Oxford doesn’t have the best practical facilities and is very theoretical, which I don’t think I would enjoy that much.
For Imperial, I love the fact that it emphasises practical skills and obviously being a STEM university it has amazing facilities and research. I am considering research as a career path for myself. I do love the hustle and bustle of London as well. Another pro would be that it is more diverse (in both race and maybe class); Oxford does have the stereotype of being elitist and the college that I’ve been accepted into has the 3rd lowest state student acceptance rate (from last year). I know that this isn’t specific to Oxford (i.e. Edinburgh has had reports of classism) so just wondering if any current/ex-students can share their opinions?
Obviously, I know that London is very expensive. I’m lucky enough that my family should be able to afford it but why spend so much when a cheaper option is available? I'm a home student BTW.
I think this would be a no-brainer if I applied for any other course, but with Imperial being incredible in the STEM field and now 2nd in the world/1st in Europe, I’m not sure that the prestige of Oxford is that much greater than Imperial for Engineering? But I would like other opinions.
I suppose my last reason for preferring Imperial would that I feel like I wouldn’t be starting at such a disadvantage. I don’t do Further Maths and although I know that this isn’t required, I know that roughly 80% of people in the Oxford course do it. I’ve also gotten my PAT results back and they are very low, like 20 marks below the average offer holder, so I don’t feel like I deserve my place. I don’t want to feel like I’m always at the bottom of the class, especially since I’ve worked so hard and maybe gotten used to myself being close the top in school. I don’t mean for this to sound arrogant, I just want to be truthful to give people a full picture.
I am not planning to make any final decisions before attending the Oxford offer holder day. I actually haven’t visited Oxford yet, but I have spent a week in Imperial so I think maybe some of my feelings may just be fear of the unknown!
Any help would be really, really appreciated!

Thank you so much! I'm really grateful for this and you make some really good points!
Another thing I forgot to mention was that Oxford's course allows me the flexibility to specialise in whichever engineering specialty I want, but because of Imperial's really specific courses I don't have that flexibility at all. Again, this might be my indecisiveness coming through but I had considered applying for chemical engineering before settling on biomedical so if I changed my mind in the next couple years I still could do that.

Thank you so much! I'm really grateful for this and you make some really good points!
Another thing I forgot to mention was that Oxford's course allows me the flexibility to specialise in whichever engineering specialty I want, but because of Imperial's really specific courses I don't have that flexibility at all. Again, this might be my indecisiveness coming through but I had considered applying for chemical engineering before settling on biomedical so if I changed my mind in the next couple years I still could do that.

Thank you for the advice! But it's so confusing because I feel like the smaller environment of Oxford would suit me more, but then I prefer the Imperial course!

Where else have you applied? Go somewhere wih a year in industry.

Don't be silly, no one turns down Oxford/Imperial to get a year in industry.

They do - I know several - people with a placements year get jobs ahead of Oxbridge/Imperial all the time.

Tbh even though most Oxbridge candidates typically have 2 summer internships instead of a full placement it doesn’t seem to hold them back, I have always seen high oxbridge representation in the grad pools of the highest salary & most prestigious engineering graduate destinations (i.e. Rolls-Royce/BP/FNC/Shell etc.), id say a few universities like Bristol/Sheffield/Nottingham/Loughborough have more total graduates in these companies but by cohort size these unis are much larger (and roughly half the oxbridge grads go into banking or management consultancy for the big pay day .. sad but unfortunately even now engineering grad salaries are at circa £40k this is still a huge discount on what’s available in professional services). Credit where credit is due, id also note Oxbridge alumni in industry do disproportionately occupy senior leadership positions such as chief engineers & technical director level roles.

It does - I have lots of evidence .. RG is totally irrelevant for Engineering.

If they want to go into banking they should study something else! What a waste of a degree ...

Summer internships tend not to pay as well as a year in industry either and there's far fewer ooportunities. Our knowledge bases are clearly different ...

Go to Oxford, and then (if you want) Imperial for postgrad. You can also insure Imperial in case you get an A rather than A* in Physics.
On some of your other fears:
I would definitely spend some time in Oxford - I suspect 90%+ chance you'll love it. And the luxury and privilege of the tutorial system is something that is hard to describe until you have experienced it (not to mention the collegiate system).

Summer internships typically pay the same pro rata as a placement year, the difference is a placement year is typically 12-13 months whereas a summer internship is 3 months. Most companies have a standard “student” job grade and managers are required to offer in that pay grade, the typical difference might be those who are on full year contracts might be entitled to the company bonus scheme & a slight pay bump inline with company salary reviews. Besides an internship/placement isn’t really about the salary.

Hi, I'm just looking for some neutral opinions on which university I should firm. Obviously, I know I’m in an incredibly lucky position so I just want to make a decision that I won’t regret!

I have offers from both Oxford University and Imperial. Engineering for Oxford (A*A*A with the A*s in Maths and Physics) and Biomedical Engineering for Imperial (A*A*A with one A* in Maths and an A* or A in Physics). I’m predicted 3 A*s.

My main issue is that I honestly prefer the Biomedical engineering course at Imperial rather than the general engineering course at Oxford. I’ve applied for biomedical engineering at the other unis that I’ve applied to. The fact that for the first 2 to 2.5 years of my time (potentially) at Oxford would be filled with mechanical/electrical/computer engineering without even really looking at bioengineering makes me disappointed/sad.

To be honest, the only reason why I applied to Oxford in the first place was just to end the ‘what if’ that would have been in my head if I did not apply – I never expected to actually get an interview, let alone an offer.

There are obviously a lot of pros about Oxford. I do like the tutorial teaching method, the collegiate system – especially as I am more introverted so being in a smaller environment might help me build friendships easier. However, I just don’t know if this makes up for the 2 years of maybe studying something I don’t really enjoy. Also I’ve heard that Oxford doesn’t have the best practical facilities and is very theoretical, which I don’t think I would enjoy that much.

For Imperial, I love the fact that it emphasises practical skills and obviously being a STEM university it has amazing facilities and research. I am considering research as a career path for myself. I do love the hustle and bustle of London as well. Another pro would be that it is more diverse (in both race and maybe class); Oxford does have the stereotype of being elitist and the college that I’ve been accepted into has the 3rd lowest state student acceptance rate (from last year). I know that this isn’t specific to Oxford (i.e. Edinburgh has had reports of classism) so just wondering if any current/ex-students can share their opinions?

Obviously, I know that London is very expensive. I’m lucky enough that my family should be able to afford it but why spend so much when a cheaper option is available? I'm a home student BTW.

I think this would be a no-brainer if I applied for any other course, but with Imperial being incredible in the STEM field and now 2nd in the world/1st in Europe, I’m not sure that the prestige of Oxford is that much greater than Imperial for Engineering? But I would like other opinions.

I suppose my last reason for preferring Imperial would that I feel like I wouldn’t be starting at such a disadvantage. I don’t do Further Maths and although I know that this isn’t required, I know that roughly 80% of people in the Oxford course do it. I’ve also gotten my PAT results back and they are very low, like 20 marks below the average offer holder, so I don’t feel like I deserve my place. I don’t want to feel like I’m always at the bottom of the class, especially since I’ve worked so hard and maybe gotten used to myself being close the top in school. I don’t mean for this to sound arrogant, I just want to be truthful to give people a full picture.

I am not planning to make any final decisions before attending the Oxford offer holder day. I actually haven’t visited Oxford yet, but I have spent a week in Imperial so I think maybe some of my feelings may just be fear of the unknown!

Any help would be really, really appreciated!