Is uni choice important for CS?

1

I've just started my degree in Computer Science at the University of Manchester, however I'm really hating living in halls and being so far away from home, to the point where I'm considering moving back home and going to my local university, the University of East Anglia (UEA). My question is how important is going to a good uni for graduate prospects? If I can study harder and get better results at my local university, will I still stay competitive with people who graduate from the better unis? Do employers really care what uni you went to?

Reply 1

mesub

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

22

Original post

by ohyde

I've just started my degree in Computer Science at the University of Manchester, however I'm really hating living in halls and being so far away from home, to the point where I'm considering moving back home and going to my local university, the University of East Anglia (UEA). My question is how important is going to a good uni for graduate prospects? If I can study harder and get better results at my local university, will I still stay competitive with people who graduate from the better unis? Do employers really care what uni you went to?

With the exception of a small handful of employers, no it doesn't matter.

If you get better results backed up with a summer internship or two, you should be set for graduate schemes.

Reply 2

erinhales

6

Hi, so sorry to hear you are struggling with being far away from home. It seems like it's only been a couple of weeks so far. I was also terribly homesick in my first weeks at university and visiting home regularly while making friends in the new place helped so much. Are there things that you can do to make Manchester feel more like home and find connection there that could help you? I don't know if there are any hobbies or interests you have or would like to start, but there are lots of societies etc. You might also consider talking to the counselling service about how you're feeling to get support. I would agree with @mesub that the university doesn't matter so much as your grades when considering next steps and graduate schemes. I hope you can make the decision that is best for you, and remember that your health is much more important than grades or graduation prospects. In general, the happier you are, the better you will be able to take advantage of opportunities as they arise, as well as deal with stress and studying. Good luck and take care!

Reply 3

UEA Rep Fatma

Official Rep

10

Original post

by ohyde

I've just started my degree in Computer Science at the University of Manchester, however I'm really hating living in halls and being so far away from home, to the point where I'm considering moving back home and going to my local university, the University of East Anglia (UEA). My question is how important is going to a good uni for graduate prospects? If I can study harder and get better results at my local university, will I still stay competitive with people who graduate from the better unis? Do employers really care what uni you went to?

Hello! @ohyde 🙂
I'm very sorry to hear you have had a tough time at university so far. Please do not feel like you are alone!
In terms of graduate prospects, your university doesn't really matter too much. I would say how you spend your time at university matters a lot more, with the main thing being taking as many opportunities as you can. Someone who takes more opportunities at university will have a higher set of skills, more network etc... and these are the valuable things employers will be seeking.
I want to reiterate what others have said, your health does always come first. Inevitably if you are not enjoying your time this will take a toll on your grades too. Maybe have a chat to you university's student services and see if there's anything they can do to help you be more comfortable.
I would highly recommend you take the time to think about this carefully as it's an important decision.
I hope this helps you make a decision, let me know if you have any further questions! 🙂
Good luck!
Fatma
Natural Sciences student.

Reply 4

LSBU

Official Rep

11

Original post

by ohyde

I've just started my degree in Computer Science at the University of Manchester, however I'm really hating living in halls and being so far away from home, to the point where I'm considering moving back home and going to my local university, the University of East Anglia (UEA). My question is how important is going to a good uni for graduate prospects? If I can study harder and get better results at my local university, will I still stay competitive with people who graduate from the better unis? Do employers really care what uni you went to?

Hi Ohyde,
It’s completely understandable to feel unsettled at the start of university, moving away from home can be a big adjustment, and many students go through the same feelings early on. What’s important is finding the environment where you’ll be happiest and able to perform at your best, because that has a huge impact on your overall success and wellbeing.

When it comes to graduate prospects, employers in the tech and computing industries tend to care far more about your skills, experience, and motivation than the name of your university. In fields like Computer Science, your portfolio, coding ability, problem-solving skills, and any placements or projects you complete will usually carry more weight than your university’s overall ranking. Getting a strong degree classification (2:1 or above) and building practical experience during your studies can easily make you just as competitive as someone from a more traditional or research-focused university.

At London South Bank University (LSBU), for example, our BSc (Hons) Computer Science and specialist degrees in Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, and Data Engineering are accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. This means the course meets professional standards and helps students stand out in the job market. LSBU’s computing courses are built around real-world learning, placements, and hands-on experience, giving graduates the confidence and technical skills employers look for.

In fact, LSBU consistently performs strongly for graduate employability, with over 95% of Computer Science graduates in work or further study within 15 months. Many go on to work for leading tech companies and financial institutions across London and beyond. The university’s central London location also offers great opportunities for networking and internships, helping students gain experience even before graduation.

So to answer your question, no, employers don’t just look at which university you went to. What matters most is how well you use your time there: the skills you build, the projects you complete, and how you demonstrate your passion and initiative. If you feel you’d be happier and more productive studying closer to home, that could absolutely be the right choice for you.

If you ever wanted to explore transferring or restarting somewhere that prioritises hands-on learning and employability, LSBU would be a great option. You could even visit us on Saturday 15th November for our Open Day to talk to current students and staff about their experiences and career journeys.

👉 You can sign up here: LSBU Open Day.
👉 You can also chat with our students through our Unibuddy platform: Chat with our students.

At the end of the day, your degree is what you make of it, your motivation, experience, and confidence will always count more than just the university name on your CV.

Reply 5

Wired_1800

20

Original post

by ohyde

I've just started my degree in Computer Science at the University of Manchester, however I'm really hating living in halls and being so far away from home, to the point where I'm considering moving back home and going to my local university, the University of East Anglia (UEA). My question is how important is going to a good uni for graduate prospects? If I can study harder and get better results at my local university, will I still stay competitive with people who graduate from the better unis? Do employers really care what uni you went to?

For subjects like CS where the quality of training is important, uni can be important. No amount of ‘working hard’ can make you more competitive if the course is inherently lower quality,

Don't throw away a great opportunity because you cannot stand on your own two feet.

Good luck

Is uni choice important for CS?

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