Manchester or Imperial?

[Mooda]

DS has got offers from both the above for maths & physics/ physics & theoretical physics. He was all set to pick Manchester but now can't decide (driven in part I suspect by Imperial being ranked 2nd best uni in world today). I understand the prestige but am concerned he may miss out on the social experience of uni at Imperial. I've also seen it doesn't have a great rep for student support. Any thoughts - anyone got any advice at this 11th hour?

Manchester as a place is seedy and grim imo – having lived there!

Go for Imperial, 100%. It will open lots more doors.

he need to go where he felt comfortable, not where he feels he should go because it sounds impressive.

We had the same issue with DD with Lancaster and Durham. Everyone thought she should take the Durham offer because historically Durham has ranked more highly and is thought of as prestigious. However Lancaster just felt right.

She went with her heart and hasn't regretted it.

Ha, we live in Manchester so the grimness isn't an issue, he'll be fine with that. It's more a question of will he have fun at Imperial. He's bright but not particularly - likes going out, playing and watching football, going to gigs etc. I'm just concerned that the vibe may be very studious and all work and no play. DD chose Warwick because it was 'better' than her other options and has found it dull. I know Imperial is another level up from Warwick in terms of prestige and opportunities but is that a good enough reason to choose it?

Not particularly nerdy I meant to say.

As someone who went to Oxford and dropped out because I hated it, I'd say he should pick somewhere he thinks he will fit in and enjoy himself. Idk enough about Manchester or Imperial (or your son) to say which that is.

I can imagine Warwick being dull as it’s not just a campus uni but also based in Coventry.

I know people who went to Imperial and they don’t seem too damaged by the experience! Uni in London sounds great. It’s an amazing opportunity.

Could you visit again and find out more about the social side of the uni? I think wherever you are tho you tend to find your people

Both excellent universities academically and both excellent on the research front.
The student experience will be very different though - Manchester well you live there already! Lots of sports teams, vibrant city, outdoor activities in the Peak District. Imperial (from friends who attended) had a bit of an odd dynamic. No one stuck around longer than their courses or placements lasted. With a single exception they all went elsewhere as soon as they could.
Living near to Imperial is mind bendingly expensive even to live in not very nice places (just because the buildings are fancy doesn’t mean where many students live is). London in general is expensive all round and that will take the shine off it. Manchester has exceptionally grim bits as you well know but also its charms.
The thing to remember is that league tables change and what is “best” on paper may not be best for DC. I’d look carefully at student satisfaction ratings for the course and read some of the student blogs from each.
I’m also an advocate for your DCs heart originally said Manchester…

Hi OP just a thought – maybe start a thread on Imperial and see what former students think

I went to Imperial. I had an absolute blast. I did a lot of partying, saw amazing gigs. As a student you find all the cheap places to go. I’d definitely recommend moving away from home and experiencing new things wherever he goes.

Honestly with any of the Uk top 15/20 universities you are in reality going to be struggling to distinguish between them. It’s all about the environment and how they feel they would like living there and being part of it for three years.
Recruitment is increasingly blind in any event and recruiters don’t know the minutiae of every league table. Plus some are where they are in the league tables partly due to measures which don’t affect undergrads (eg research) or due to massive tactical programmes to incentivise students to respond to student experience surveys (eg Loughborough).
He really should go with his gut.

I also went to imperial. I would say Manchester for him. Both excellent universities on the work front but Manchester is more fun. Imperial overwhelmingly very studious foreign students who don’t drink. I didn’t like it. However, it did well by me and the teaching was excellent

I don't think Manchester is in the top 20?
There's a world of difference academically between Manchester and Imperial, unless he has legitimately strong reasons not to go to Imperial, he would be harming his future prospects by not attending. Recruiters can definitely tell the difference between Imperial and Manchester!

Don’t be daft. Manchester is superb for sciences. (I am a scientist).

At the end of the day he has to choose what's right for him, he's the one that's going to be living there for the next 3/4 years. But having recently visited both (for maths) I would say Imperial hands down. He's very lucky to have recovered an offer from them! Good luck!

Of course Imperial. How can it be a question?

There's a world of difference between perception of Oxbridge, UCL, Imperial and the rest of the pack. And recruiters are very well aware of target schools.

Obviously, everyone sticks to their criteria, but worrying you won't find drinking buddies when you should really focusing on future career prospects is odd.

Yep.

For Maths, Imperial is ranked 9th in the world. Manchester is 55.

Physics:

Imperial 12th
Manchester 44th

Because enjoying 3-4 years of your life is worth a lot, versus enduring something for the sake of what recruiters might think

also re recruiters - if you have an excellent maths / physics degree from any RG uni you are not going to be struggling for job offers, trust me

It really depends on what your DC wants and who they are.

I have DC at both Imperial and Manchester. The one at imperial is having more fun but that's because of their personality. They both appear to have a pretty rigorous academic regime. Money goes further in Manchester.

It's worth looking beyond rankings to work out the best fit as your DC will do best when they are happiest.

This.

I would 100% have said Manchester but as you live there I've changed my mind.

Manchester one hundred times over, of he enjoys all of those things.

There is a difference between oxbridge and a couple of others and the rest, yes of course but Manchester is a good university and in UK ranking terms is generally top 20.

Thanks so much for all the replies. Really appreciated. I don't think us living in Manchester is a big deal as he won't live at home and will be in a part of the city he's unfamiliar with, so he'll still have the new place/ independence experience albeit slightly diluted compared to somewhere completely new - but all the major UK uni student cities are pretty similar aren't they - that was my experience 30 years ago visiting friends at different unis? Concern I guess is sacrificing fun student times that you only get once in your life for a 'prestigious' degree. Also accommodation costs in London pretty daunting but we do have some savings so fortunately wouldn't have to make the choice on that factor alone.