Cognitive Science (Leeds) or Artificial Intelligence (Sussex)

Sorry if this has been posted in the wrong sub-forum but I figured the response would be greater in GUD.

Right, my dilemma....I imagine very few people will be able to help as my two course choices are very specialised and therefore available at few universities. If you can only comment on the universities (Sussex and Leeds) even that will be helpful!

Here goes...(apologies in advance for the long post!)

I started studying Comp Sci at Kent last year but dropped out at Christmas as I found the course incredibly boring, and realised that my long term interest in computers and computing just didn't cut it at degree level. I knew that I was still interested in computing but wanted to explore other areas as well. For this reason, I considered joint honours with Philosophy or Psychology (subjects I have always been fascinated by). After finding the modules offered on a typical joint honours Computing degree totally uninspiring, I decided to look elsewhere. This is when I came across two degrees that looked interesting, whilst still retaining a strong focus academically: Artificial Intelligence (Sussex) and Cognitive Science (Leeds).

Both of these degrees are multidisciplinary, drawing modules from three schools; Computing, Philosophy and Psychology. At Sussex (AI) the course is about 70% Computing, with the other 30% of modules coming from Philosophy, Psychology and Linguistics. At Leeds (Cognitive Science) however, the first year is roughly a third of each discipline, and then in the second and third years the student can tailor the course to his/her particular requirements (Cog Sci applicants tend to have a background in one particular discipline).

I have visited both and absolutely loved Leeds, although had a small reservation that there wouldn't be enough Computing for me in the first year of the Cog Sci course. I liked Sussex, the course seemed amazing - Sussex has a massive reputation for AI and the lecturers and current students were extremely enthusiastic about the course which filled me with confidence. However, I didn't really like Sussex as a university, and as I currently live in London, Brighton is quite local and ideally, I would quite like to go somewhere new.

I was pretty much certain that I was going to go to Sussex until about a week ago, when I realised that I'm not actually into computers as much as I used to be...and should therefore study a course that I can tailor to my requirements (e.g. Cognitive Science). My main worry is my career options. Although Cognitive Science is largely academic and in itself a very hard and complicated degree, not a lot of employers will know what it is. Artificial Intelligence, however, although still a fairly new degree, is more well known in the graduate market. If I'm honest, careers are my main concern. As a guide, careers I can imagine myself in are mainly to do with consultancy - either Management or IT. Obviously I know for these careers it doesn't really matter what degree you do, but of course I would like to have a head start if possible.

So, I am REALLY stuck on which degree (and university) to choose. Of course only I can make that decision, but any advice anyone can give will be much appreciated!!

PS, I like giving out rep! :smile:

Reply 1

Jump

18

Any reason you didn't apply for AI at Leeds aswell?

Anyway if I were you I'd go for Leeds, careerwise I think it is marginally the more respected uni and they have great links with allsorts of industries. Plus with the way the courses are structued you aren't pinned down to any certain direction.

Having said that I don't know much about Sussex...

Reply 2

Wise One

11

I, however, do...

If you do go to Sussex, you can switch courses fairly easily once you have got there, depending on how you actually find it. Now, whilst I have no experience of Leeds as a University, I would certainly advise you not to give up on Sussex solely because you don't think your computing is as strong as it once was.

Ultimately, it is up to you, but do check out the exact course contents as far as possible and, if still in doubt, try and contact staff at each university to communicate your concerns...

Reply 3

Flicker

13

To be content with the course you need to be happy in your surroundings. if you have never liked sussex as a university that much then you won't be completely satisfied with the course and therefore you won't be happy.

I loved sussex from the first moment i saw it and so i want to say go to sussex, but it sounds to me from what you've said that leeds would be best for you - you can tailor the course, it's a great student city, a new place to start afresh. Plus leeds is a big university and if you want to change courses i'm sure you can change onto something with more computing if need be.

Personally, i think the environment you're in is more important than the course, especially since you sound like you'd enjoy either course. so choose the place you most want to spend 3 years.

:smile:

good luck

Reply 4

Flicker

13

jumpunderaboat

Any reason you didn't apply for AI at Leeds aswell?

Anyway if I were you I'd go for Leeds, careerwise I think it is marginally the more respected uni and they have great links with allsorts of industries. Plus with the way the courses are structued you aren't pinned down to any certain direction.

Having said that I don't know much about Sussex...

For AI, sussex is definitely more respected than leeds. in general i'd say they were pretty much on a par, but sussex is increasing in popularity and esteem year on year at the moment.

Reply 5

hallucination

OP

1

Thanks for all your replies - greatly appreciated.

I didn't apply for AI at Leeds because I would only be able to take it as joint honours with Philosophy, and as Cog Sci combines AI with Philosophy AND Psychology, I thought it was a better option.

I have decided to go and visit Sussex again as the weather has been horrible and gloomy every time I have been; seeing the campus on a nice sunny day may make a difference. Saying that though, I also noticed that the students at Sussex seemed a bit depressed!
At the end of the day, the course is the most important thing, but although I have read numerous books on psychology and philosophy, I have never actually studied either of the subjects. I would just hate to choose Leeds and then realise that I do not enjoy having to answer essay questions on the two subjects.

One additional factor....I was planning to take a placement year to get some work experience in my third year - going to Sussex would make this virtually impossible as they are discontinuing the straight AI course after 2005 entry. However, Leeds have a strong placement/study abroad scheme which sounds very appealing. I guess I really have to decide how important a placement year is to me, but I have always been of the opinion that sandwich placements give graduates a head start.

Reply 6

Wise One

11

Hmmmm...I can see your point and, despite being a Sussex diehard, I would certainly emphasise your need to look at course structures, potential for customisation / course changes, and talk to various staff members. Personally, I cannot see how anyone can fail to fall in love with the Sussex campus but, if Leeds is really your thing, then don't hesitate to go for it. As far as careers are concerned, both are probably considered roughly equally as either 'exciting and pioneering new fields of study' or 'say what now?'

Frankly, it all depends on what you truly, underneath it all, want to be doing...computing or metapsychology...

IT'S UP TO YOU!

[But I'd go for Sussex]

Reply 7

Jonnyola

Hello there. If you send an email to this guy (http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/philosophy/graduate_students/pyrvae/cv/), he will give you a very good advice of what to do.

Cognitive Science (Leeds) or Artificial Intelligence (Sussex)

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