Lancaster or surrey for cs?
Hi, I currently have 3 offers for computer science (exeter, newcastle, lancaster and aston) all of which are at or below my predicted grades (aston bbc, exeter a*bb or abb with firm, newcastle aab or bbb with firm + pathways program) - predicteds A*BB cs, maths, chem - and can't decide between Lancaster or Newcastle to go along with nottingham for my final two choices. I reckon lancaster has the better course but they only offer 10 weeks of industrial experience whereas surrey does a year. I'm really stuck and don't know which one to choose and would appreciate any help!
Reply 1
Original post
by StnkyHi, I currently have 3 offers for computer science (exeter, newcastle, lancaster and aston) all of which are at or below my predicted grades (aston bbc, exeter a*bb or abb with firm, newcastle aab or bbb with firm + pathways program) - predicteds A*BB cs, maths, chem - and can't decide between Lancaster or Newcastle to go along with nottingham for my final two choices. I reckon lancaster has the better course but they only offer 10 weeks of industrial experience whereas surrey does a year. I'm really stuck and don't know which one to choose and would appreciate any help!
Have you been to open days at these universities? (Or asked students who have or currently go there to do the course for their experiences).
Have you looked at the course structure to see which course that you prefer? I’d strongly recommend looking at the course structure and if possible speaking to people who run the course or attending open days for information.
Are you also able to compare the industry links between the two universities? It might also be that despite the fact that Lancaster only offers 10 weeks of placement, you might still be able to do things such as summer internships for example.
If relevant also consider the cost of living in Guildford vs Lancaster, make sure that your don’t purposefully move to an area that you can’t afford to live in.
Etc
Reply 2
Hi!
Glad to hear you're considering lancaster for your studies, congrats on your great predicted grades!
I'd you're really interested in a placement year, we do have a Computer Science and Mathmatics course that offers a year in placement, if that's of any interest!
If you're not dead set on a year in placement, I would say that lancaster is known as being a very good uni for CS. I unfortunately don't have much first hand experience to offer, but if you want to ask specifics about the course, I would talk to someone on UniBuddy (which you can access through the app or through the lancaster website) where cs students can tell you about their experience on the course.
Its a tricky decision, and tbh if you reslly want to do a year in placement, then lancaster may not be the uni for you. But if not, I would absolutely say lancs is worth a proper consideration.
Sorry for not being a great use in course related questions lol but if you have any non-cs related questions I'd be happy to help!
- izzy, 3rd Year BSc Geography
Glad to hear you're considering lancaster for your studies, congrats on your great predicted grades!
I'd you're really interested in a placement year, we do have a Computer Science and Mathmatics course that offers a year in placement, if that's of any interest!
If you're not dead set on a year in placement, I would say that lancaster is known as being a very good uni for CS. I unfortunately don't have much first hand experience to offer, but if you want to ask specifics about the course, I would talk to someone on UniBuddy (which you can access through the app or through the lancaster website) where cs students can tell you about their experience on the course.
Its a tricky decision, and tbh if you reslly want to do a year in placement, then lancaster may not be the uni for you. But if not, I would absolutely say lancs is worth a proper consideration.
Sorry for not being a great use in course related questions lol but if you have any non-cs related questions I'd be happy to help!
- izzy, 3rd Year BSc Geography
Reply 3
Original post
by StnkyHi, I currently have 3 offers for computer science (exeter, newcastle, lancaster and aston) all of which are at or below my predicted grades (aston bbc, exeter a*bb or abb with firm, newcastle aab or bbb with firm + pathways program) - predicteds A*BB cs, maths, chem - and can't decide between Lancaster or Newcastle to go along with nottingham for my final two choices. I reckon lancaster has the better course but they only offer 10 weeks of industrial experience whereas surrey does a year. I'm really stuck and don't know which one to choose and would appreciate any help!
Hi @Stnky,
Totally get why you’re feeling stuck - you’ve got a lot of good options, which is a nice problem to have but still stressful.
Just to throw in the Exeter perspective, it’s definitely one worth keeping in the mix. Exeter’s Computer Science course is really well balanced: you get strong core teaching in programming, algorithms and software engineering, and then loads of choice later on to specialise in things like AI, data science or cyber security. It’s practical but not overwhelming, and the support from lecturers is generally good.
Even though there isn’t a compulsory year in industry, a lot of Exeter CS students still pick up summer internships or placements through the careers service, which is very proactive. Some people actually prefer that flexibility rather than committing to a full year out.
On top of that, Exeter is a really easy place to settle into - it’s a proper campus uni, quite social, and a good environment to focus on your degree without feeling isolated. So if you’re weighing up Lancaster and Newcastle, Exeter is still a strong, all-round option academically, employability-wise, and lifestyle-wise.
Whatever you choose, you’re in a good position - none of these would be a bad decision.
Hope you'll take this into consideration 🙂
Klaudia
University of Exeter Student Ambassador
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post
by StnkyHi, I currently have 3 offers for computer science (exeter, newcastle, lancaster and aston) all of which are at or below my predicted grades (aston bbc, exeter a*bb or abb with firm, newcastle aab or bbb with firm + pathways program) - predicteds A*BB cs, maths, chem - and can't decide between Lancaster or Newcastle to go along with nottingham for my final two choices. I reckon lancaster has the better course but they only offer 10 weeks of industrial experience whereas surrey does a year. I'm really stuck and don't know which one to choose and would appreciate any help!
Hi,
I'm a recent graduate from Newcastle University and can confirm we have a fantastic Computer Science course. The university is:
•
leading the National Edge AI Hub, next generation innovation in edge computing
•
connected with the National Innovation Centre for Data, a UK leader in data
•
partners with The Alan Turing Institute, the UK's national institute for AI and data science
•
a Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security, recognised by the NCSC and the EPSRC
It's also worth noting that the degree programme is really flexible; the first year is common and then you can choose to specialise in game engineering, cyber security or software engineering!
You are also able to take a full year out between second and third year to study abroad or get a year of paid experience which will improve your graduate outcomes. Recent computing industrial placements include:
•
IT Intern within Consumer Products, Games and Publishing at The Walt Disney Company
•
Developer / Data Science Internship at Siemens
•
Engineering and Technology Intern at Rolls Royce
•
Data Analyst at Bank of England
•
Junior Information Analyst at NHS
From a student life perspective, Newcastle is a fantastic place to live and study. The city is vibrant, cheap, and extremely student friendly (one in six people in the city is a student!) We are 20 minutes from the coast with beautiful beaches, there are weekend markets, and the surrounding areas where students move to after first year (Jesmond, Sandyford, Heaton) are full of independent shops and restaurants. I truly can't recommend studying at Newcastle more!
Best of luck and hope this helps,
T
Reply 5
Original post
by StnkyHi, I currently have 3 offers for computer science (exeter, newcastle, lancaster and aston) all of which are at or below my predicted grades (aston bbc, exeter a*bb or abb with firm, newcastle aab or bbb with firm + pathways program) - predicteds A*BB cs, maths, chem - and can't decide between Lancaster or Newcastle to go along with nottingham for my final two choices. I reckon lancaster has the better course but they only offer 10 weeks of industrial experience whereas surrey does a year. I'm really stuck and don't know which one to choose and would appreciate any help!
Hi!
I study computing at Lancaster and am planning to do the ten week placement in the future. The reason its done so is that by the time your placement is done its near the end of final year, so the company could easily take you on if they want. Also as its a shorter term the university is much more involved in helping you get the placement via their links, than other unis would do as a full year.
If you have any questions about the course i'd be happy to help!
Zak (2nd year Computing Student)
Reply 6
Stnky
OP
7
Original post
by Lancaster Student AmbassadorHi!
I study computing at Lancaster and am planning to do the ten week placement in the future. The reason its done so is that by the time your placement is done its near the end of final year, so the company could easily take you on if they want. Also as its a shorter term the university is much more involved in helping you get the placement via their links, than other unis would do as a full year.
If you have any questions about the course i'd be happy to help!
Zak (2nd year Computing Student)
I study computing at Lancaster and am planning to do the ten week placement in the future. The reason its done so is that by the time your placement is done its near the end of final year, so the company could easily take you on if they want. Also as its a shorter term the university is much more involved in helping you get the placement via their links, than other unis would do as a full year.
If you have any questions about the course i'd be happy to help!
Zak (2nd year Computing Student)
Hi,
Thanks for the response, I really appreciate it! My understanding is that you can only take the industrial placement if you do the MSci course. I was wondering if you apply for the BSc course originally, are you allowed to decide to do the MSci after say a year of taking the BSc or is that not allowed?
Thanks again!
Reply 7
Original post
by StnkyHi,
Thanks for the response, I really appreciate it! My understanding is that you can only take the industrial placement if you do the MSci course. I was wondering if you apply for the BSc course originally, are you allowed to decide to do the MSci after say a year of taking the BSc or is that not allowed?
Thanks again!
Thanks for the response, I really appreciate it! My understanding is that you can only take the industrial placement if you do the MSci course. I was wondering if you apply for the BSc course originally, are you allowed to decide to do the MSci after say a year of taking the BSc or is that not allowed?
Thanks again!
Absolutely!
You can definitely switch up/down between the MSci and the BSc! I know you can currently do it anytime before the end of year 2, (May be able to even later but I am not entirely sure) provided that you are working at their internal grade requirements. Although yes, the placement is only currently offered in year 4.
Best of luck,
Zak (2nd Year Computer Science)
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