Choosing between imperial college and Oxford for mech engineering...

[engstrom0304]

Hey guys,

I have a scholarship for £1000 per year to imperial college london for mechanical engineering and have an interview at Oxford for "engineering science / general engineering" on Friday.

Obviously there is a good chance ill never have to choose if I don't get into oxford, but I am really struggling to choose between these universities.

What do people think? Are the imperial employment prospects much lower in non related fields? This is with the possibility of going into management etc later in life.


Edit - A poll could be useful for this

 

[engstrom0304]

Ouch, tough one, personally id rather go Oxford, but that's just for a status and to compete with my brother who went Cambridge , curious what did you get in AS as im doing it atm and what subjects? thanks

I got 4 A's in maths, physics, DT and music.

Am now taking A2's in Maths, Physics, DT and AS further maths (FP1, S1, M3, plus FP2)

Predicted 3 A* and an A in AS further maths (as no A* at AS level)

Afaik Cambridge is the University to go to if you are applying to 'Oxbridge' so I have no idea why you are looking at Oxford for engineering.
Imperial College is right up there at the top of the tables, but prepare to get shafted for room rent - It is so expensive in fact that it destroys your £1000 scholarship several times over.
Personally I would go to Imperial. You will have a lot of debt when you come out the other side either way though.

Or go to another good engineering University, some examples being:
- Sheffield
- Nottingham
- Loughborough
- Bristol
- Bath
- Birmingham
- Southampton
- Edinburgh
If you are considering Oxford then at least make sure you go to a top rate University. You need to make sure you get the best education available for your £50,000!
I am an engineer by the way. A real one .

I have offers from Bristol, Southampton and Bath as well. To be honest I'm not sure really why I didn't choose Cambridge. It's further away, but that shouldn't have been a reason to pick Oxford. I also thought I'd have a better chance getting into Oxford and as i can only pick one or the other so i played it safe.

Does anybody think that employers may see Oxford and think... Why not Cambridge? Whereas imperial doesn't have the same 'reputation' for being the underdog, but rather an alternative.

I'm also stuck on which of the places would offer a better university experience...

 

[engstrom0304]

IMPERIAL. They're the best in the UK for Mech Eng. And any engineering firm will know that already.

£1000 a year, done. Bite their hand off.

Edit - I'm a mech eng graduate.

Sorry I mean, £1000 given to me per year rather than me paying £1000 per year

 

[engstrom0304]

IMPERIAL. They're the best in the UK for Mech Eng. And any engineering firm will know that already.

£1000 a year, done. Bite their hand off.

Edit - I'm a mech eng graduate.

This doesn't worry me. It is in other fields that I feel imperial may be disadvantaged. I want to be able to move into a management role later in life if I want to. My priorities still lie in the engineering profession though of course.

 

[engstrom0304]

As above, I reckon Imperial will set you up better. The fact that Oxford is general engineering in the first yr would concern me too. I assume Imperial is dedicated throughout.

In terms of experience, you're looking at London vs Studentland. I heard Oxfords a good night out and Londons huge. But then London can be a stonking good night out while Oxford is quiet. Big choice. Good luck.

In fact Oxford is general for the first 2 years and even in year 3 and 4 you can only specialise in 2 fields minimum... Eg. Mech and information

 

[engstrom0304]

Out of interest, what is the tuition fee for the 4 years? I thought it was 9K per year, bringing it to 36K?

That's right. But then of course there are the living costs.

 

[engstrom0304]

As others have said, whether you go to Imperial or Oxford will make no difference with regard to progressing to management later on in your engineering career.....it will basically be down to your competence/experience etc.

From a pure engineering point of view you may say Imperial is better for mech eng as it is specialised from the start, whereas Oxford would probably be better if you wanted to go into a non-engineering related job (finance etc). Although the difference really will be negligible - both are some of the top unis in the country.

Do you have any idea what you want to do after university?

I may well end up doing a PHD, or will go into work.