How much weight should I give uni ranking/reputation when choosing a Masters?

[Sexismdoesntrule]

I have two unconditional offers.

One is at a uni ranked 158th in the U.K., the other is 7th.

158th’s course ‘sounds’ more broad and could have wider applications professionally. Only accredited by one institute.

7th (actually 2nd for buildings) is a great department and more niche, but I think more challenging. Course is JBM accredited for future chartered application.

I’m stuck, does anyone have any wisdom for me?

To be fair 158th is pretty near the bottom, if not the bottom of the heap. If you want to be fairly relaxed about rankings between say, 7th and 10th or 15th go right ahead. Rankings are by no means perfect and definitely not the only criterion you should judge an institution on. BUT there's a big difference between acknowledging that imperfection and selecting the one that comes bottom. This would be raising red flags for me I'm afraid. Unless this is an outstanding department in a rotten institution go for the one that came 7th.

@Igmum you’re right, I’ve looked at the product spec for both and there just is no comparison really.

Decision made 😁. Hope that it goes well and very good luck 👍

Go for the better ranked uni - it really does matter.

What Igmum said.

I mean, you can find places ranked differently in different lists, but that is a massive difference.