Chemical Engineering - UCL or Manchester

[BaconAndAvocado]

DS1 had an interview at Manchester yesterday (which he thinks went well) and has an offer from UCL.

These 2 are his top choices but he can't decide which would be the better option. He likes both Unis and both courses are well-respected.

Anyone have any views or opinions on the courses/universities?

Thanks in advance, this is our first experience of UNiversity applications.

[bojorojo]

The Complete University Guide gives information about Chemical Engineering at both these universities and ranks them in comparison to other universities offering cheminical engineering. Manchester is ranked more highly then UCL. However, there are some surprising "results" for both of these regarding student satisfaction and employment prospects. Frankly, I am not sure I believe this, especially the employment prospects from UCL!

What I would do is decide where he would like to live. Living in London is way more expensive than Manchester and this may be important. Also living in London could be what he has always wanted and this is his chance.

[aginghippy]

What a dilemma to have! Well done your ds.

I agree with bojorojo. He needs to decide where he wants to spend 3-4 years of his life. Living in London would be a different experience to living in Manchester.

[Milliways]

My DS is loving life in Manchester. He has always been a city boy, and has a job lined up to start in London when he graduates (Maths) so being in Manchester has not held him back employment wise. We pay his rent, and could not afford to do that in London- and he can pay his own when he starts earning :)

Both Unis are great. We don't see much of DS as Manchester is a long way up, but trains hooked in advance are cheap and easy for him to get home in the holidays. There is also no shortage of student accommodation there. However, if you can afford UCL then I'm sure he would have a fantastic experience there.

[BaconAndAvocado]

Thanks all.

Ironically, we would only be able to "afford" UCL as DS would live with his Dad for at least the first year. So, financially, UCL makes more sense.

If he desperately wanted to go to Manchester or elsewhere, we would find the money (somehow!) but, having just spoken to him, I think he's erring on the side of UCL.

Having said that, I've advised him to go and have a look at the department as UCL didn't interview and, although he has been to UCL, he hasn't seen anything Chem Eng related or spoken to any Chem Eng lecturers.

All this is very well, as long as he gets 3 A grades..........these poor kids

[bojorojo]

Are you the Mum with the SW20 Dad, Bacon? If this is what he must do, then choose Manchester. It will give him independence. Also in London private accommodation in 2nd and subsequent years is also expensive so staying with Dad would possibly need to happen for 3-4 years. I would do your homework on the relative costs as this appear to be an issue. What type of accommodation would he want as a minimum? Is it more readily available in Manchester at reasonable price? Students can be very spread out in London after leaving halls and it is a different experience to Manchester. Living in halls is such a good start to university life regarding making friends, I would not give this up lightly.

Has he actually visited UCL?? See if you can all get there in half term and have a look around. You really cannot make a choice without doing this. Very many universities do not interview but private visits are accommodated or go on the post offer day. Both of you, so you can make the necessary judgements. He won't need to choose until after the post offer day.

[BaconAndAvocado]

Yes bojo that's me!

He seems very much more into UCL (at the moment!) and has just had an invite to their Open Day so we shall know more then.

I can understand what you're saying re halls and making friends tho. He has Mild AS so,that's another consideration!

[BaconAndAvocado]

He has been to UCL on a residential Smallpeice STEM course but didn't see the Chem Eng department.

[GinandJag]

DS did Electronic Engineering at UCL and loved it. Got a sponsorship in his second year and has been working with them since graduation.

I did Chem Eng at Edinburgh and would probably favour the UCL course.

[BaconAndAvocado]

Thanks gin that's good to know. Is it difficult to get a sponsorship?
On the Open Day at Manchester one of the lecturers mentioned that 30% of the undergraduates are sponsored.

[bojorojo]

Hello Bacon! I do wish you well in your deliberations. There is so much to consider. We all want happy thriving students, don't we!? You might want to look at how much money he will get by putting your details into Finance Englan loan calculator. I have to say I know nothing about sponsorship but I imagine it is from large employers. Could they give you some leads at the university?

[GinandJag]

Bacon,

DS's sponsorship came from a summer job which was advertised on campus, which is common for big recruiters. DS worked for his company between second and third year. They were happy with him, so gave him £1500 for each of third and fourth year, as well as another summer job. They then took him on permanently. This employer, a big civil engineering company, takes on 75% of their graduates from their interns, so getting in in second year means a very high chance of a permanent job.

One of the major advantages of a Russell Group university is access to this kind of scheme.