Chemistry Bath v UCL

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My child has an offer for MSci Chemistry for UCL (just plain four year course, dropping to three if not making 60% in Y1 or Y2) and for same for Bath (with year in industry, 4 years either way as year in industry also possible with BSc). Doesn't really want to go to the other three options and would risk clearing if not accepted by those two on results day as chemistry was in clearing at lots of unis last year. Does anyone have any advice or a child on any of those courses which course to firm of those two (we know about costs which are an issue but not putting us off London entirely)?

Honestly so much changes when they start uni and in the first year that wouldn't even consider this as a factor in decision making. If he does choose Bath worth noting that Bath is on a main line to London so can be there in 1hr15ish for a reasonable price is off peak and with a railcard.

Interestingly, the UK university that is the most targeted by employers is a tier 2 university - Manchester.

Yeah, we like Manchester graduates. They do extended lab based projects very early on in their degree so can talk about their lab experience even when applying for a Year in Industry. They also seem to have quite industry focussed degrees so they have a good understanding of what we do, in fact they are one of the few universities we collaborate with.

Exactly my thoughts but it's not me who's going...

@JaninaDuszejko what other universities do you rate from the perspective of an employer in this sector? Manchester and Bath both look good - what’s your thoughts on Edinburgh, Nottingham and Bristol?

A placement year (which isn't a given, because they are competitive to obtain) is a fantastic opportunity.

UCL is obviously a much bigger and more anonymous setting. That suits some people who might find Bath claustrophobic.

So, as I said before we don't select on university because we find it's mainly a social class marker. We employ science graduates from universities of all rankings and, like all scientific jobs, what matters more than anything for progression is whether someone has a PhD or not, that's not a hard and fast rule though, and we have some senior managers in R&D who do not have PhDs. I've just gone through my team and we have graduates from everywhere from Teesside to Cambridge. Obviously in some employers the University ranking matters but for us it doesn't, so I wouldn't distinguish between Edinburgh, Bristol or Nottingham universities beyond assuming we're more likely to get an acceptance from an Edinburgh graduate than a Bristol graduate because many southerners won't move north.

I think there are three things really -

reputation - Bath is a top UK university, but as a PP said, UCL is a top university globally

student life - very different vibes, London vs small twee picturesque city - what would they prefer?

year in industry - this could be really good, but I would investigate a bit before making any decisions. Some places advertise this but in reality there aren’t many opportunities and the DC get no help to find them. I would ask what percentage actually find a place each year, if it’s high, happy days.

UCL internships are obviously shorter but the university does help and they might get to experience two different workplaces. Plus if they choose to do a year abroad, some or all of that can be in a workplace too. Internships are probably a bit more flexible too, if they swerve slightly from the career plan.

If they are up for London, I would go for UCL unless Bath tell you that all / nearly all students actually get to do the four years, lots get jobs with their placement companies after etc etc.

But - if they don’t fancy London and would prefer a perhaps less intense campus environment, pick Bath! They’re both great unis, so you can’t lose really.

as I said before we don't select on university because we find it's mainly a social class marker

I am so glad to read this @JaninaDuszejko
There are a couple of snooty posters who frequently post on higher education threads who think that lower ranking universities are beyond the pale - and I'm not talking about those at the bottom of the CUG league table either, but those in the top 30.

QS world rankings don't have that much credibility to be honest, there are too many issues with them, though to be fair they have tried\are trying to address some.of those. As for BCG's rankings, what an American-based consultancy firm thinks of British universities is going to be entirely irrelevant - unless, I guess, you are wanting a job at BCG. Probably not terribly likely for a chemistry graduate...

Back in the real.world, the British university rankings tables show almost no difference between UCL and Bath, both in general and for chemistry specifically. Horses for courses, I'd say.

Yeah, some companies are very conservative but nowhere near as conservative as parents who want bragging rights. My brother was told as a new PhD by one company (not pharma) that he was from a 'second ranking' university, interestingly his university still is 'second ranking' according to that list posted above. Thankfully there are plenty of good employers who know diversity in employees is a good thing.

As others have said both UCL and Bath are great universities but with very different settings. This should definitely be something worth thinking about. My d.c is studying chemistry at Bath, she finds the teaching excellent and the course interesting. The department seems to be very strong. Not all of the chemistry students have stayed with the course because it is a tough one but my d.c has found it to be well organised and it all "makes sense" (her words).

Bath suits her 100% and she has found it easy to make friends and socialise . Some of her school friends that went to London universities found it a bit harder because of how the halls were arranged I think. We did contact the chemistry department at Bath prior to offers holder day and they were so accommodating in enabling a visit to look round the department, meet with a tutor to ask exactly how the course was structured and see examples or the type of work first year students would be doing which I was impressed with.

They are pretty much of the same ilk.
Bath is ranked higher than Ucl for chemistry in 2025.i guess it comes down to where they would rather live.

DH achieved his PhD from North Staffs Poly, and went on to be regarded as the best in his field worldwide (investment casting).

He has worked all over the world for blue chip companies.

When you say “Bath offers a placement year” be aware that it’s totally down to the student to find that placement themselves, and it’s extremely competitive. They have to start searching at the beginning of their second year, and a lot of time is spent on applications/interviews (which is all great practice in itself, but it’s added pressure)

Thank you for the insight, do you have any information how much support they get for placement year in chemistry? I know they ultimately have to get it themselves but found Bath support brilliant for my older child who secured a great placement year but in completely different subject...

You say UCL help with summer internship (what I assume you refer to as they do not mention placement or internship anywhere on their chemistry site) do you have any insight on how? Unfortunately no year abroad possibly at UCL chemistry unless doing international programme which is a separate degree with higher entry requirements

Btw Bath degree MSci is four years anyway whether with or without placement or study abroad, otherwise they do research modules

DS is at UCL and loves it. I tried to encourage him to go for Bristol (as it’s not London and we live here). But he was adamant that it was the right course. For him it’s been brilliant and he’s looking forward to the year abroad. While it is v expensive, he’s got a fairly well paid job.

There definitely seems to be a fair amount of support with year in industry options, what to write, good ways to phrase things so your application stands out, plus a lot of contacts in industry given to the students, I think there was a careers fair type thing but for placements. Speaking to parents of children at other universities, also other courses so may not be a fair comparison, they didn't get anywhere as near the amount of help as my d.c and her peers got. Having said all that, my d.c decided to carry on without a year in industry....a combination of factors, needed to commit to 3rd year housing early, wanted to keep in the flow of learning and push on with her degree.

Bath give careers support from year one in advance if then starting to apply for placements in year 2. There are so e companies who will return to Bath and only take Bath students, because they have historic connections, and Bath have offered sandwich degrees for decades. When we visited Bath in 2020, 2/3 of all undergrads did a placement year.

I don't know current stats. There is a lot of competition for a year in industry as more and more u universities offer it. Making applications and going through the applicant stages can be very time consuming and can take most of the academic year for many, to secure one. But persistence can pay off Because so many so placements, the student have nothing to lose in keeping trying, as they will lose their peer group anyway.

But as others have said, Bath and Lo don't are very different university experiences and a young person will do best if they are happy in their environment.

My dd is at Bath doing chemistry and is generally enjoying it although it’s very tough, and full on.

She loves living in Bath and has an active social life, has made lots of friends and is doing a lot of sport.

the placement year applications have proven tricky, currently still applying and nothing secured yet.

Thanks @JaninaDuszejko , that’s helpful. I wasn’t at all clear in my question - I was thinking more about what your personal experience was of particular grads from one uni to another and if Bath, UCL or the others were noticeably different, but it sounds like not particularly? I am a senior technical mgr in a completely different sector and have seen some differences, depending on the specific discipline. We don’t do target unis any more, for similar reasons (large FTSE 100 company, with high-paying, competitive grad scheme) and have recently worked with grads from both Bath and UCL!

They have what seems to be a good careers service offering all the usual support with CVs, applications, helping to decide where to apply etc. This is not just internships but also graduate employment and casual work while studying.

Internships are a big thing there, they have a scheme to get students into internship positions abroad as well as here. They help you to find your own places to apply, but also run a jobs portal where employers post. They broker opportunities with companies looking exclusively for UCL students, I think that bit is called talent bank. They also have a scheme where students hook up with alumni for mentoring, which could lead to other things.

We went to an offer holder day there and I was prepared not to be impressed but the career stuff did look really good. On DD’s course (not chemistry) it’s not compulsory but they seem to expect that most people will intern.

Thank you, that's interesting as the website and video from chemistry department don't mention that at all...

There is probably stuff on the main website if you google UCL internships / careers / mentoring. The year in industry at Bath does sound really good though, if it’s realistic.

I actually think that the environments are so different, that’s probably the main thing to consider - UCL’s perhaps slightly prestige is not worth 3 years of being miserable in London, and Bath’s year in industry similarly not worth four years of wishing they were in London! I think this is one where they can’t really go wrong, as long as they think carefully and make their own decision.