Pls tell me about Queen Mary university

[Grumpyteens]

DD is starting to short list Unis, she wants to study Computer science or engineering and QM has come up. I can’t help but feel each time I’ve read about it, it hasn’t been sayon par with the other London Colleges.

Also DD is interested in Bath uni, but I notice it’s not RG I know, I know! RG is not everything and there are some terrific Unis that aren’t RG but which ones? So far she’s got Sheffield, Birmingham and Nottingham,

I'm a little unclear whether the 'or engineering' means computer engineering or eg electronic engineering ? I've got some recent knowledge of the latter.

What subjects is your DD doing and what sort of grades is she predicted?

Bath has a good reputation for engineering. It recently showed up well in a listing of how well it's graduates are paid on average. I think lancaster is good for comp sci ; another very solid non-RG for engineering is Loughborough. Surrey maybe?

Southampton is very good for both comp sci and electronic engineering - my DD was wowed by it on their open day, if your DD is predicted high grades that's definitely worth considering.

You’re right DD, is thinking more software/Computer eng. But has flip flopped from those two as of this week to suddenly Computer science. I’m thinking the same universities will probably be good at either courses.

Do you know anything about QM Or how it compares with Bath or Southampton?

QM is in London so it has that going for it. It is part of the University of London groups. Also a positive, plus it’s easier to apply for summer / spring internships for places in London if you are already in London.

It’s a good uni, RG, the only proper campus for the London Unis (no Royal Holloway doesn’t count - not really in London)

Go and visit if you are not sure.

I should have said but I went there, don’t regret it.

I was at MAW as it then was, a couple of decades ago. Very good research and teaching on Arts subjects (which I studied) and Engineering, and medicine via St Barts, good for Law and humanities.

Very friendly campus, access to Uni of London facilities, great history.

Definitely less prestigious than some other London unis, but less intimidating, and certainly I haven't experienced any issues or problems with a degree from there. It wasn't RG when I was there so presumably, that's an improvement.

Accommodation was an issue when I was there, they were just starting a building project to demise the old South Woodford tower blocks - but I didn't go into halls anyway, I lived in Hackney. (Before it was trendy!).

I would say a key factor should be whether she wants to live in London. It has many, many advantages for students but is not for everyone. If choosing between Bath or Nottingham and London, the lifestyles will be very different.

I don't know anything about QM or any of the other London unis because my DD ruled them all out - for her, the idea of living in London was a total no-no. We're fortunate that there are lots of good unis in very different places

My DH went to QM (a hundred years ago of course) to read Law and Politics, my friend read Chemistry there, her brothers read Geography and Astro-Physics there. I had a niece go there for Geography and a friend's daughter did her LLB there

They all enjoyed their time there (it is in the East End).

However as far as the courses you mention I am afraid I can't comment.

QM is now Russell Group but it's not UCL desirability! Obviously it is in the East End and attracts a lot of local students via outreach. As you say, Sheffield, Nottingham and Birmingham are all RG and, although Bath is not, it is an excellent university. Just as good as these. Have a look and see what Leeds and Manchester offer too.

Thanks Bubbles, that kind of backs up my initial feeling about QM.

Bath has a longstanding reputation for engineering (don't listen to me though - I'm an arts graduate).

QMUL is an excellent university in a great London location - you do have to want to live in London though, in all its diversity and liveliness. It has a particularly good reputation for art/humanities - the late Lisa Jardine was a professor there. I don't know how it ranks for your daughter's subjects.

arts, not art

I know nothing about QM!

But, I did go to an Open Day at Bath with my DD a couple of years ago, and was very impressed. I particularly liked that every (?) student seemed to have the opportunity to do a year in industry, which I think is brilliant. Friends with DC there say that they are very happy.