Birmingham vs. Brunel – Help Me Choose My Firm Choice!

So I'm stuck choosing between Birmingham and Brunel for engineering.

Birmingham: Doing a BEng, but it's a higher-ranked uni. If I do well in my first year, I can transfer to MEng.

Brunel: Straight into MEng with a placement year, but it's a lower-ranked uni overall.

Most people say Birmingham is the better choice, but I’m worried about missing out on the placement year at Brunel. What do you guys think? Would the prestige of Birmingham be worth it in the long run?

Reply 1

mesub

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

22

Original post by Mahfuz Alam

So I'm stuck choosing between Birmingham and Brunel for engineering.

Birmingham: Doing a BEng, but it's a higher-ranked uni. If I do well in my first year, I can transfer to MEng.

Brunel: Straight into MEng with a placement year, but it's a lower-ranked uni overall.

Most people say Birmingham is the better choice, but I’m worried about missing out on the placement year at Brunel. What do you guys think? Would the prestige of Birmingham be worth it in the long run?

A placement year adds loads to your CV. Wouldn't it be ideal to put all of your engineering theory into practice?
Are any of the courses accredited? I would lean towards those as well.
Finally, are you happy with the course content? Which one would suit you better?

Reply 2

Mahfuz Alam

OP

4

Original post by mesub

A placement year adds loads to your CV. Wouldn't it be ideal to put all of your engineering theory into practice?
Are any of the courses accredited? I would lean towards those as well.
Finally, are you happy with the course content? Which one would suit you better?

Both of them are accredited and for birmingham i was thinking of doing industrial studies after taking the course but I would like to know which one gives me better change after graduation and which has better industries links

Reply 3

McGinger

20

Brunel: Straight into MEng with a placement year, but it's a lower-ranked uni overall.

Ignore rankings and league tables - they are just marketing fluff. Brunel is a specialist STEM Uni, you would be on the MEng pathway and there is the enormous bonus of a placement year.

Reply 4

University of Bath

Official Rep

13

Original post by Mahfuz Alam

So I'm stuck choosing between Birmingham and Brunel for engineering.
Birmingham: Doing a BEng, but it's a higher-ranked uni. If I do well in my first year, I can transfer to MEng.
Brunel: Straight into MEng with a placement year, but it's a lower-ranked uni overall.
Most people say Birmingham is the better choice, but I’m worried about missing out on the placement year at Brunel. What do you guys think? Would the prestige of Birmingham be worth it in the long run?

Hi there,

Great to hear you're getting organised and thinking about the pros and cons of both of those very good unis.

I personally agree with McGinger and Mesub - not only does having a placement year add a lot to your CV which will put you ahead of other grads, it will allow you to learn more about what direction you may want to go in in future, and may even act as a foot in the door for future employment should you really enjoy your placement and wish to go back to the same company.

As long as the course content overall sounds like you would enjoy it and you'd be happy living in the area, then I would not be too put off by rankings as rankings are only one factor you should consider. I would personally opt for a placement opportunity over rankings.

I hope this helps and best of luck this year 🙂

Holly
University of Bath

Birmingham vs. Brunel – Help Me Choose My Firm Choice!

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