The Student Room Group

Reputation of WARWICK and DURHAM for Engineering?

When people talk about best universities for Engineering they usually mention the obvious ones (Imperial, Oxbridge, Bristol, Southampton etc)...but Warwick and Durham never come across as the most obvious answers!

Can someone who knows a bit on the Engineering industry or graduated with an Eng degree comment on the reputation of Warwick and Durham as a place to do engineering? I know they are both top unis...but are they top unis for engineering too (and don't give me league table positions...I find them stupid!)

Also how important is the reputation of the Uni (and in particular the reputation of the DEPARTMENT you are going to study in)...how much do Employers look upon this?

All comments are welcome! Don't forget to vote in my other thread to suggest where I should go :biggrin:
Reply 1
devesh254
When people talk about best universities for Engineering they usually mention the obvious ones (Imperial, Oxbridge, Bristol, Southampton etc)...but Warwick and Durham never come across as the most obvious answers!

Can someone who knows a bit on the Engineering industry or graduated with an Eng degree comment on the reputation of Warwick and Durham as a place to do engineering? I know they are both top unis...but are they top unis for engineering too (and don't give me league table positions...I find them stupid!)

Also how important is the reputation of the Uni (and in particular the reputation of the DEPARTMENT you are going to study in)...how much do Employers look upon this?

All comments are welcome! Don't forget to vote in my other thread to suggest where I should go :biggrin:

Why didn't you apply to imperial?

And don't forget about nottingham which is supposed to be great
Reply 2
ponjavic
Why didn't you apply to imperial?

And don't forget about nottingham which is supposed to be great


I didn't apply Imperial because I wanted to do a General Engineering course...Imperial don't offer that! Also I wouldn't mind getting out of London now! Lol...

I liked Nottingham but the course was rubbish...it's basically Mechanical/Materials/Manufacturing Engineering...and I need there to be options for Civil and Electrical also...which Bristol, Durham and Warwick all offer! :biggrin:
Reply 3
devesh254
I didn't apply Imperial because I wanted to do a General Engineering course...Imperial don't offer that! Also I wouldn't mind getting out of London now! Lol...

I liked Nottingham but the course was rubbish...it's basically Mechanical/Materials/Manufacturing Engineering...and I need there to be options for Civil and Electrical also...which Bristol, Durham and Warwick all offer! :biggrin:

There's quite a big gap from civil to elec but if you're completely unsure about what course to choose I understand.
Reply 4
ponjavic
There's quite a big gap from civil to elec but if you're completely unsure about what course to choose I understand.


that is one reason for me choosing a general engineering course...and the other is that (personal view...please no one get mad at me...lol) I believe its better to do a General Course rather than specialise in year 1...as you get the same qualification as you do in a single disciplinary course PLUS knowledge in other types of engineering...and I prefer to pursue this more broad engineering education as I (again just my view personal opinion...no one take offence) believe it will put me in a good position once I graduate opposed to doing a single discplinary degree where if I do engineering jobs I will only get them from once sector of the industry (e.g. Mechanical or Electrical or Civil etc). Also after all I have heard and learnt from Bristol and Warwick...employers prefer students with a broad engineering background...and lets face it...no engineering project involves drawing knowledge from ONE discipline only...but again this is just my personal opinion and preference....Engineering as a whole is opening up in UK...and I believe people doing engineering are doing the right thing as they can even go work in the Finance sector once they graduate...but it cant be done the other way around (i.e. Economics/Business students can't work in engineering sector!)
Apparently almost HALF of people working in the City of London are Engineering graduates!!!! :eek:
Reply 5
devesh254
Also how important is the reputation of the Uni (and in particular the reputation of the DEPARTMENT you are going to study in)...how much do Employers look upon this?

tbh engineering employers tend not to give a flying buggers about the choice of uni in most cases. If your course has the right accreditation then you are usually fine. Unlike management consultancy or investment banking where every other graduate recruit is either an Oxbridge, LSE or Warwick or Top 10 Uni person, engineering companies tend to recruit from a much wider base of universities. Getting good industrial experience is probably most important.
Reply 6
shiny
tbh engineering employers tend not to give a flying buggers about the choice of uni in most cases. If your course has the right accreditation then you are usually fine. Unlike management consultancy or investment banking where every other graduate recruit is either an Oxbridge, LSE or Warwick or Top 10 Uni person, engineering companies tend to recruit from a much wider base of universities. Getting good industrial experience is probably most important.


lol thx man...I was waiting for someone like you to reply cause you are in the right position to comment...cheers :biggrin:
Reply 7
devesh, don't get too sucked in by the general engineering broad knowledge propaganda!
Reply 8
shiny
devesh, don't get too sucked in by the general engineering broad knowledge propaganda!


why not? :confused:
Reply 9
durham is boring
Reply 10
devesh254
why not? :confused:

First and foremost you have to be good at your chosen field. Any extra knowledge is a desirable bonus.
Reply 11
topdude
durham is boring


lol...bit direct but ok...thanks for your views :redface:
Reply 12
shiny
First and foremost you have to be good at your chosen field. Any extra knowledge is a desirable bonus.


fair point...its another reason why I went for a General Eng course...I wasnt sure what field I liked best...and which one I thought I would do best in! But yes you are right...have to ensure that the discipline I choose is the one I can do best in...and all other knowledge outside that field is an added Bonus... :biggrin:
Reply 13
devesh254
fair point...its another reason why I went for a General Eng course...I wasnt sure what field I liked best...and which one I thought I would do best in! But yes you are right...have to ensure that the discipline I choose is the one I can do best in...and all other knowledge outside that field is an added Bonus... :biggrin:

too many people forget that :smile: