Kings College London or Uni of Birmingham for chemistry? 2025
I'm struggling to choose between kcl and uobirm for a chemistry undergraduate degree starting this september. I've got offers from both, (both AAB) and I already firmed Kings a couple days ago, but I've been having lots of doubts and I'm aware I could potentially switch to Birm through clearing and I'd like to reconsider that as an option.
I like that kings is closer to home for me (although I would live in accom not commute) and it has a good reputation for employers. I've also seen it has a higher starting salary for chemistry of around £29k i think whereas for birm its £25k. However, I've heard KCL lecturers are not the best and that the kings chem department aren't organised and I also don't like that its all on waterloo campus which is kinda secluded from the other campuses, and that exams are kinda squashed together at the end of the year. Also Kings is a lot lower down every league table I've seen (31st compared to Birm which is 8th for chem), Ik i shouldn't acknowlege league tables much but the difference does make me more hesitant to go Kings.
In comparison, I've heard UoBirm has exams more spread out (although i could be wrong!) and I like that its a campus uni (although i dont mind city uni) but I am a bit introverted and think campus would be better for making friends. Also the chem building in birm is so modern and nice and the lectures seem lovely and really helpful, and the campus itself looks very pretty. As well as ofc overall living in Birmingham will be a lot cheaper than in london. I'm not sure if Birm has lots of connections to employes though.
Another thing is that my older sibling currently studies in London and living there would be nice as I'd be close to them too. And all the events and things that London can offer would be fun to do.
If anyone has any expereince at either uni for chem or any advice please let me know!!
I like that kings is closer to home for me (although I would live in accom not commute) and it has a good reputation for employers. I've also seen it has a higher starting salary for chemistry of around £29k i think whereas for birm its £25k. However, I've heard KCL lecturers are not the best and that the kings chem department aren't organised and I also don't like that its all on waterloo campus which is kinda secluded from the other campuses, and that exams are kinda squashed together at the end of the year. Also Kings is a lot lower down every league table I've seen (31st compared to Birm which is 8th for chem), Ik i shouldn't acknowlege league tables much but the difference does make me more hesitant to go Kings.
In comparison, I've heard UoBirm has exams more spread out (although i could be wrong!) and I like that its a campus uni (although i dont mind city uni) but I am a bit introverted and think campus would be better for making friends. Also the chem building in birm is so modern and nice and the lectures seem lovely and really helpful, and the campus itself looks very pretty. As well as ofc overall living in Birmingham will be a lot cheaper than in london. I'm not sure if Birm has lots of connections to employes though.
Another thing is that my older sibling currently studies in London and living there would be nice as I'd be close to them too. And all the events and things that London can offer would be fun to do.
If anyone has any expereince at either uni for chem or any advice please let me know!!
Reply 1
17
According to Edurank, Birmingham is 8th in the UK, KCL 10th, for Chemistry.
According to Topuniversities.com, KCL is 8th in the UK, Birmingham 11th, for Chemistry.
According to The Complete University Guide, KCL's research quality for it is 91%, Birmingham's 83%.
Student satisfaction for Chemistry is 81% at Birmingham, 65% at KCL. (remember, KCL has a higher percentage of international students and expectations and aptitude may be different with students from some countries).
General graduate outcomes for Chemistry, in the opinion of their students, 87% at Birmingham, 78% at KCL. See possible reason above. Also, even UK born students born in or studying in London might have more unrealistic expectations on average compared to students in the provinces.
According to Topuniversities.com, KCL is 8th in the UK, Birmingham 11th, for Chemistry.
According to The Complete University Guide, KCL's research quality for it is 91%, Birmingham's 83%.
Student satisfaction for Chemistry is 81% at Birmingham, 65% at KCL. (remember, KCL has a higher percentage of international students and expectations and aptitude may be different with students from some countries).
General graduate outcomes for Chemistry, in the opinion of their students, 87% at Birmingham, 78% at KCL. See possible reason above. Also, even UK born students born in or studying in London might have more unrealistic expectations on average compared to students in the provinces.
Reply 2
20
Original post
by PicniclAccording to Edurank, Birmingham is 8th in the UK, KCL 10th, for Chemistry.
According to Topuniversities.com, KCL is 8th in the UK, Birmingham 11th, for Chemistry.
According to The Complete University Guide, KCL's research quality for it is 91%, Birmingham's 83%.
Student satisfaction for Chemistry is 81% at Birmingham, 75% at KCL. (remember, KCL has a higher percentage of international students and expectations and aptitude may be different with students from some countries).
General graduate outcomes for Chemistry, in the opinion of their students, 87% at Birmingham, 78% at KCL. See possible reason above. Also, even UK born students born in or studying in London might have more unrealistic expectations on average compared to students in the provinces.
According to Topuniversities.com, KCL is 8th in the UK, Birmingham 11th, for Chemistry.
According to The Complete University Guide, KCL's research quality for it is 91%, Birmingham's 83%.
Student satisfaction for Chemistry is 81% at Birmingham, 75% at KCL. (remember, KCL has a higher percentage of international students and expectations and aptitude may be different with students from some countries).
General graduate outcomes for Chemistry, in the opinion of their students, 87% at Birmingham, 78% at KCL. See possible reason above. Also, even UK born students born in or studying in London might have more unrealistic expectations on average compared to students in the provinces.
Rankings and nebulous surveys are no way to pick a Uni.
Reply 3
17
Original post
by McGingerRankings and nebulous surveys are no way to pick a Uni.
Everyone who picks Oxbridge more or less likes to think they base it on rankings rather than just it's old, pretty, famous, has some traditions, is rich, and has small tutorials/supervisions. Besides, the information I gave is just to give a flavour of general standings. KCL is higher sometimes, Birmingham is higher sometimes. They seem closer than the OP feared. n.b. I now realise that I was 10% out on Student Satisfaction for Chemistry at KCL - it's actually 65%.
(edited 8 months ago)
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