Sheffield or Edinburgh for undergraduate architecture course

I am so stuck between Sheffield and Edinburgh for architecture. I was so set on Edinburgh because it’s a good uni and the area is sososo nice but Sheffield’s reputation for its architecture course is highly looked at. I don’t mind the area of Sheffield but it’s definitely more on the quieter side. Also the student satisfaction is said to be super good at Sheffield as compared to Edinburgh. I’m sososo stuck

Reply 1

Chester Student

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Original post by csofie

I am so stuck between Sheffield and Edinburgh for architecture. I was so set on Edinburgh because it’s a good uni and the area is sososo nice but Sheffield’s reputation for its architecture course is highly looked at. I don’t mind the area of Sheffield but it’s definitely more on the quieter side. Also the student satisfaction is said to be super good at Sheffield as compared to Edinburgh. I’m sososo stuck

Hi there,

I understand your dilemma! Trying to choose which university to attend, especially if you have two top contenders, is definitely a tough task.

I'd highly recommend making a pro-con list for each university. This allows you to note down every aspect you are considering, and will help you to visualize any bias towards one or the other. Don't just consider reputation, but take into account the campuses, accommodation, student life, the cities themselves, and the other opportunities you can get involved in. These are all important things to look at that will impact your university experience.

Something I'd also recommend would be looking to see if these universities have UniBuddy. This is a platform where you can chat to current students, potentially those on your future course, so you can learn more about their experience and what yours could be like. I've linked the one for Sheffield here.

It can be a long process, but it is so important to feel good in your decision. It's such an exciting time too, so enjoy it! 🙂

I hope this helps,

Isabella
Fourth-Year Geography (With a Year Abroad)

Reply 2

UCLan Ambassador

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Original post by csofie

I am so stuck between Sheffield and Edinburgh for architecture. I was so set on Edinburgh because it’s a good uni and the area is sososo nice but Sheffield’s reputation for its architecture course is highly looked at. I don’t mind the area of Sheffield but it’s definitely more on the quieter side. Also the student satisfaction is said to be super good at Sheffield as compared to Edinburgh. I’m sososo stuck

Hi @csofie,

Choosing which university to go to can be a really hard decision - especially when both options have so many great things to offer!

There's already been some really good advice shared so definitely take that into consideration. One thing I would really recommend is checking if either university has any upcoming open days. These are a great opportunity to get a real feel for the campus, tour the accommodation, get a sense of the surrounding area, and learn more about the student life. You'll also get the chance to learn more about the course itself, which can be really helpful when weighing up your options.

Try to think of your decision in a broader sense. While reputation is important, so are other factors like accommodation, campus environment, course structure, and the level of student support available. All of these things will shape your overall university experience, so it's worth considering what matters most to you personally.

It's important to get the decision right, taking the time to work out the pros and cons to each university will really help 😊

Good luck with your decision and enjoy your next chapter!
Best wishes,
^ Hannah

Reply 3

normaw

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

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Original post by csofie

I am so stuck between Sheffield and Edinburgh for architecture. I was so set on Edinburgh because it’s a good uni and the area is sososo nice but Sheffield’s reputation for its architecture course is highly looked at. I don’t mind the area of Sheffield but it’s definitely more on the quieter side. Also the student satisfaction is said to be super good at Sheffield as compared to Edinburgh. I’m sososo stuck

Congrats - you have two great courses to choose from. Have you managed to go to offer-holder/applicant days for both unis? They can help a lot with decision making.

Also consider what links do the departments have to local (or national) architecture practices? It's very competitive to get a part 1 job so any contacts you can build during your degree will help. What are the staff specialisms? Are there trips/study abroad? Do you get a dedicated work space in the department or do you have to transport your work in every day? Then look at the cost and availability of accommodation in the cities. Edinburgh does have a shortage of student accommodation so you might want to look into this for all years of the course.

Reply 4

University of Sheffield Students

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Original post by csofie

I am so stuck between Sheffield and Edinburgh for architecture. I was so set on Edinburgh because it’s a good uni and the area is sososo nice but Sheffield’s reputation for its architecture course is highly looked at. I don’t mind the area of Sheffield but it’s definitely more on the quieter side. Also the student satisfaction is said to be super good at Sheffield as compared to Edinburgh. I’m sososo stuck

Hi csofie,
Both are excellent universities! Ultimately, it will be down to which one you feel suits you better. I found that making a pros and cons list for each of the universities I was considering really helped when I was deciding where to study. Like you said, student satisfaction is great at Sheffield and I have had a great 4 years studying here, even choosing to continue on to do a masters after my bachelors. It is a very friendly, relaxed environment but still has plenty to do which I really like. I also like how walkable the city is, which makes going out and doing things relatively easy.

Unfortunately, I am not an architecture student so I can't share any first-hand experiences of the course, however you can talk to current architecture students here: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/study/chat. They will be able to give you valuable insight about what it's like to study architecture at Sheffield.

Please don't hesitate to ask me any other questions you may have, whether that be about the university of Sheffield or the city in general. I hope this helped! :smile:

Sofia (MSc Cancer Biology and Therapeutics)

Sheffield or Edinburgh for undergraduate architecture course

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