Lancaster vs Heriot-Watt for Electronics & Electrical Engineering
I need to decide between the two for EEE. On one hand, Lancaster has better rankings overall (10th in the UK) and is more widely recognised as a better university, but for EEE specifically, Heriot-Watt is considered a better choice (25th in the UK but 3rd for engineering research). However, I can't expect people to know that without research of their own. I believe I can handle any style of teaching and do not need nightlife, as I am an introvert. Heriot-Watt's bachelor's course is a mix of bachelor's and master's courses, but on paper it is called a Master's. Both have the same course duration. Money is no issue. Which should I go for?
Reply 1
Hi William!
I am a computing student so can't say much about the EEE course however I can say the engineering facilities are amazing here! Jealous of them! We have two main engineering buildings and both are incredibly modern and some of the most recently refurbished/built buildings! I know there are large engineering labs some good computer labs and some specialist electronics and robotics areas within the buildings. Maybe have a look at some pictures!
Lancaster is a well respected top 10 uni with lots going for it, the campus has a lot of facilities and green spaces and is only a ~15 minute bus ride from town centre. It's about an hour train either up to the lakes or down to Liverpool or Manchester and so there is plenty nearby, though the city itself is small and has a nicer community feel. Lancaster will be a more 'prestigious' choice but consider if you would rather live there or would prefer the larger, livelier life you would get at Heriot-Watt in Edinburgh.
I am enjoying my time here so far, if you have any questions i'd be happy to help!
Zak (Student ambassador)
I am a computing student so can't say much about the EEE course however I can say the engineering facilities are amazing here! Jealous of them! We have two main engineering buildings and both are incredibly modern and some of the most recently refurbished/built buildings! I know there are large engineering labs some good computer labs and some specialist electronics and robotics areas within the buildings. Maybe have a look at some pictures!
Lancaster is a well respected top 10 uni with lots going for it, the campus has a lot of facilities and green spaces and is only a ~15 minute bus ride from town centre. It's about an hour train either up to the lakes or down to Liverpool or Manchester and so there is plenty nearby, though the city itself is small and has a nicer community feel. Lancaster will be a more 'prestigious' choice but consider if you would rather live there or would prefer the larger, livelier life you would get at Heriot-Watt in Edinburgh.
I am enjoying my time here so far, if you have any questions i'd be happy to help!
Zak (Student ambassador)
Reply 2
2
Original post
by Lancaster Student AmbassadorHi William!
I am a computing student so can't say much about the EEE course however I can say the engineering facilities are amazing here! Jealous of them! We have two main engineering buildings and both are incredibly modern and some of the most recently refurbished/built buildings! I know there are large engineering labs some good computer labs and some specialist electronics and robotics areas within the buildings. Maybe have a look at some pictures!
Lancaster is a well respected top 10 uni with lots going for it, the campus has a lot of facilities and green spaces and is only a ~15 minute bus ride from town centre. It's about an hour train either up to the lakes or down to Liverpool or Manchester and so there is plenty nearby, though the city itself is small and has a nicer community feel. Lancaster will be a more 'prestigious' choice but consider if you would rather live there or would prefer the larger, livelier life you would get at Heriot-Watt in Edinburgh.
I am enjoying my time here so far, if you have any questions i'd be happy to help!
Zak (Student ambassador)
I am a computing student so can't say much about the EEE course however I can say the engineering facilities are amazing here! Jealous of them! We have two main engineering buildings and both are incredibly modern and some of the most recently refurbished/built buildings! I know there are large engineering labs some good computer labs and some specialist electronics and robotics areas within the buildings. Maybe have a look at some pictures!
Lancaster is a well respected top 10 uni with lots going for it, the campus has a lot of facilities and green spaces and is only a ~15 minute bus ride from town centre. It's about an hour train either up to the lakes or down to Liverpool or Manchester and so there is plenty nearby, though the city itself is small and has a nicer community feel. Lancaster will be a more 'prestigious' choice but consider if you would rather live there or would prefer the larger, livelier life you would get at Heriot-Watt in Edinburgh.
I am enjoying my time here so far, if you have any questions i'd be happy to help!
Zak (Student ambassador)
What's it like there at Lancaster University? I heard Lancaster has fewer international students there, so how would life be like for an international student in general? Do you think they will need time to adjust and make friends, or are people there friendly enough that you don't have to make much effort? I'm an introvert, so I kinda want to know just so I'm more prepared, since it's going to be a new chapter in my life and all.
Reply 3
Original post
by William KhooWhat's it like there at Lancaster University? I heard Lancaster has fewer international students there, so how would life be like for an international student in general? Do you think they will need time to adjust and make friends, or are people there friendly enough that you don't have to make much effort? I'm an introvert, so I kinda want to know just so I'm more prepared, since it's going to be a new chapter in my life and all.
Hi William,
I couldn't say overall if Lancs has less international students, but from my experience I've met quite a few from all over the world, so you wouldn't be alone at all. We also have a lot of societies for all different nationalities, so if you wanted to meet people from the same country it should be pretty easy too! There are a lot of super friendly people here, and there are a lot of socities for all different things, so meeting people is also easy.
We put on a lot of events for first years, loads during freshers but also throughout the year. I honestly didn't go to many of these events (I'm pretty introverted as well) but the student reps make it easy to meet people and get to know other students, so there's a lot less pressure on you to go out and find people, which I thought was nice.
I'd like to say it's a pretty friendly uni overall, it's pretty small so everyone tends to know everyone, so I wouldn't be worried about not making friends!
Izzy, 3rd year geography student
Reply 4
2
Original post
by Lancaster Student AmbassadorHi William,
I couldn't say overall if Lancs has less international students, but from my experience I've met quite a few from all over the world, so you wouldn't be alone at all. We also have a lot of societies for all different nationalities, so if you wanted to meet people from the same country it should be pretty easy too! There are a lot of super friendly people here, and there are a lot of socities for all different things, so meeting people is also easy.
We put on a lot of events for first years, loads during freshers but also throughout the year. I honestly didn't go to many of these events (I'm pretty introverted as well) but the student reps make it easy to meet people and get to know other students, so there's a lot less pressure on you to go out and find people, which I thought was nice.
I'd like to say it's a pretty friendly uni overall, it's pretty small so everyone tends to know everyone, so I wouldn't be worried about not making friends!
Izzy, 3rd year geography student
I couldn't say overall if Lancs has less international students, but from my experience I've met quite a few from all over the world, so you wouldn't be alone at all. We also have a lot of societies for all different nationalities, so if you wanted to meet people from the same country it should be pretty easy too! There are a lot of super friendly people here, and there are a lot of socities for all different things, so meeting people is also easy.
We put on a lot of events for first years, loads during freshers but also throughout the year. I honestly didn't go to many of these events (I'm pretty introverted as well) but the student reps make it easy to meet people and get to know other students, so there's a lot less pressure on you to go out and find people, which I thought was nice.
I'd like to say it's a pretty friendly uni overall, it's pretty small so everyone tends to know everyone, so I wouldn't be worried about not making friends!
Izzy, 3rd year geography student
Oh ok that's good to know. Thanks for your responses
Reply 5
Original post
by William KhooWhat's it like there at Lancaster University? I heard Lancaster has fewer international students there, so how would life be like for an international student in general? Do you think they will need time to adjust and make friends, or are people there friendly enough that you don't have to make much effort? I'm an introvert, so I kinda want to know just so I'm more prepared, since it's going to be a new chapter in my life and all.
Like Izzy has said, there are a lot of events to get all students together and to meet each other. I don't know loads about it as I also didn't end up going to many, but one of my best mates is an international student and has started going to the Malaysia Society. He's had a good time there meeting people and made some new friends, they even ran a multi-university Malaysia Soc fair recently! I would imagine it's the same in the other societies too, they are great places to meet each other.
It's a very friendly place so it is quite easy to make friends, don't worry too much. I am an introvert and was quite worried when I came, but it was a lot easier and more welcoming than I had imagined!
Best wishes,
Zak
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