Civil Engineering: Manchester or Southampton?

[BunsenBurnerBaby]

DS struggling to decide. Likes both. Is predicted 2xA and 2xA stars might not get those but should end up with at least one A star and 2xA (maths the higher grade). Has offers from both, has visited both. Is undiagnosed HF ASD (not sure if that’s material but I worry a bit). Thoughts, hive mind? Thank you in advance!

(Edited to clarify star not boldformatting!)

Definitely Manchester. I’m from near Southampton and my husband studied civil and structural engineering at Manchester and it’s brilliant. Being in a bigger city with ongoing building works, exciting projects, variety of building etc along with a more diverse population and better nightlight etc- I’d 100% go Manchester over Southampton. Lots of graduates also stay in the city as there’s loads of jobs so it’s great in that sense of having a community and friends. Manchester is also close to Liverpool, another great city with lots of civil jobs.

Hoping @tizerorfizz will weigh in here. Her DS headed a CE firm for many years, hiring graduates from around the country and internationally. (He may still do, but I think she has said he is moving into retirement).

Hi yes! Just retired!

However there's not much between these two. Southampton is always a good shout. There is work everywhere. Not just in Manchester. I would look at what city he prefers. Obviously Southampton is smaller. Would that be better? What support services might be needed? Can DC get home readily? In terms of courses they are both great.

I meant to say the CUG rates Southampton 5th for this subject. For many people it's actually third because Oxbridge only offer general engineering. Of the specialist courses Southampton is great. Just to add, employment won't be an issue from either as Manchester is just below Southampton in ratings. Where would he prefer to live?

On app and struggling to edit.

I meant to add: I'm assuming this is MEng course. It should be.

Thank you so much. Yes, MEng.

If there’s not much to pick between courses then choose where they would like to live. Manchester is a very vibrant student city but I don’t know about Southampton.
In my experience of my own kids being far enough away to have to live away but not too far that they couldn’t get home via public transport if they needed to was a big deciding factor. Friends who had kids studying hundreds of miles away said moving in and out each year was a nightmare

This is great except for my typo: that’s @TizerorFizz ’s DH who retired, not her DS!

Some people do take many miles in their stride and live in the SE and choose St Andrews. Would not suit everyone of course.

Southampton has 239,000 inhabitants. Manchester 1.8 million. It's smaller than Nottingham, Newcastle and Plymouth. Like many cities it has good and not so good things. The university area is mostly in the northern sector of Southampton with distinct but linked campuses. I would suggest it's more navigable than Manchester but less buzzy as a city. Depends what you want. Has DS visited and had a good look around?