Best Universities in UK?

Former Member

What would you say the best schools in the UK are right now?
Sad to say but the only ones I've really heard of are Cambridge, Oxford, LSE, U of Sussex, U of Aberswyth (wow that's spelled wrong <IMG alt="image" SRC="smile.gif" border="0"> )

Former Member

I think the top ten includes Cambridge, Oxford, Warwick, Nottingham, Imperial College, LSE, Birmingham, Durham..don't know what else. But it's not that simple. The way they work out the *top* unis is very complicated! Research, teaching, spending, drop out rates, A Level points per student, etc. Plus many unis lower down the league tables may specialise in a certain subject and be top of that.

I hate league tables. My hatred comes from my school, which saw tables as a competition and pressured everyone to do well.

Former Member

Ummmmm i think it varies and all league tables are different so to be fair only cambridge and oxford are top on all of them!!!!! (sometimes oxford number 3)
It varies on what you want to do, for Management UMIST is great but really tiny umm then theres Sheffield(got a good name) and University West of englands a lower uni but it's in divsion 2 now (ex poly) but it's like number 6 for business.

I have no idea!!!!

Former Member

i agree with krazed, im going to uni in september and im not going to one of the best but its the best for what im studying.
Uni status doesn't mean anything to me im not that brainy so im going mainly for the laugh and ive got nothing else to do.

Former Member

For Engineering I would be looking at Liverpool (plug! plug!), Loughborough, Leeds, Manchester, Brunel and Glasgow. As Kat said, it all depends on what course you want.

(Edited because I remembered a few more)

[ 06-02-2002: Message edited by: Captain Slog ]

Former Member

It is extremely hard to define the "best university". This is because everyone has different views on every university – some may think one is brilliant, with another person thinking it is poor. Somebody might like the university's surroundings, for example my girlfriend and Bath, or its nightlife.

Just because one university is good for one course, it may not be for another.

A highly regarded university does not mean that its teaching quality is good. Indeed, it is argued that less reputable universities teach courses better than the 'best' ones, for example Oxford or Cambridge, because they have to prove that they're good. In comparison, the 'best' universities can become complacent because they don't have to prove that they're good.

Therefore, it is incredibly hard to produce a definitive list of which universities are best. What do you base it on? The number of courses? The number of students? The number of rooms available? The surroundings? The nightlife? What is best to one person may not be the best to another. Also, reputation can be superficial.

Former Member

I just had look round Bristol today for computer science. What can I say? IT ROCKS! Now all I have to do is get the very high predicted grades they will want <IMG alt="image" SRC="frown.gif" border="0">

Former Member

Originally posted by USC Alex:
<STRONG>What would you say the best schools in the UK are right now?
Sad to say but the only ones I've really heard of are . . . . U of Aberswyth (wow that's spelled wrong <IMG alt="image" SRC="smile.gif" border="0"> )</STRONG>

u've heard of my very own Prifysgol Cymru Aberystwyth? (translated = The University of Wales Aberystwyth)?!? how come? i didnt realise we were that famous! we do have a North American exchange programme, but not with anywhere in Los Angeles. unless u do interpol, in which case i know why uve heard of us . . . . . . .

but cmon, spill the beans!

Former Member

Originally posted by Baby Bio:
<STRONG>

u've heard of my very own Prifysgol Cymru Aberystwyth? (translated = The University of Wales Aberystwyth)?!? how come? i didnt realise we were that famous! we do have a North American exchange programme, but not with anywhere in Los Angeles. unless u do interpol, in which case i know why uve heard of us . . . . . . .

but cmon, spill the beans!</STRONG>

I am (among others) an International Relations major. My school has the third oldest school of IR, yours has the oldest (1918 I think), and it's very highly regarded in the field (In fact its arguably the best in the world). In fact, I'd have to look it up, but I know that I've had to read papers written by professors at your school. I was considering going there if I did graduate work in the field.

What's it like there? Big school, small school, party central, serious place...etc.

Former Member

I received a conditional offer from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, last year, to study Law LLB. Having visited for an open day, it was evident that the University was good, especially for Law. Although Aberystwyth is a picture-postcard seaside town, the institution's buildings which I saw did not look particularly up-to-date or inspiring. Because the town is small, there is minimal nightlife, although one suspects that the Student Union area would be worthwhile and fun-filled. All in all, the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, would be a great University to study at, especially if you prefer a quieter atmosphere.

Former Member

Im going to warwick in october which is one of the best, and 1st in league tables for my subject. its really nice! depends what ur studying really.

warwick, exeter, york, notts, oxford, cambs, warwick, lancaster.... there r lots of good 1s, those r the best i reckon.

Former Member

Originally posted by Drifter:
<STRONG>warwick, exeter, york, notts, oxford, cambs, warwick, lancaster.... there r lots of good 1s, those r the best i reckon.</STRONG>

Mines better than at least four of those on that list. And to give you a hint, Im not talking about the Oxbridge unis <IMG alt="image" SRC="smile.gif" border="0">

*is an arrogant Durham student*
*is thinking of transferring to Tw*tfield College* <IMG alt="image" SRC="tongue.gif" border="0">

Former Member

Ah who cares? All the unis pretend that they are the top in such and such department, it's all about fiddling figures. You as a person is more important than whatever uni you go to.

The companies that care what uni you go to are generally the big graduate companies, and who wants to work for a soul destroying place that turns you into a corporate whore anyway? I don't.

Former Member

Originally posted by USC Alex:
<STRONG>

I am (among others) an International Relations major. My school has the third oldest school of IR, yours has the oldest (1918 I think), and it's very highly regarded in the field (In fact its arguably the best in the world). In fact, I'd have to look it up, but I know that I've had to read papers written by professors at your school. I was considering going there if I did graduate work in the field.

What's it like there? Big school, small school, party central, serious place...etc.</STRONG>

ahhh, that would explain it. i did, for a short time, have a 23-year old Canadian postgrad as a housemate who was doing an MA in International Politics - so he explained that the department was famous. we get a lot of international students - American & Japanese mostly, coming to study here. the student population is around 7,000 including postgrads. even by UK standards, that is towards the smaller end of the scale, so i imagine it is pretty tiny by US standards. like someone said, its not party central, tho there is enough nightlife to keep most people happy. if you like outdoorsy things then its a good place to come. the campus was built largely in the 1960s, but it looks pretty good and the uni owns some older buildings in town, which can be used for ur subject. personally, i like it alot, and i'm hoping to stay on for another three years after i graduate to do a PhD. if ur interested, then here is the uni's website. enjoy <IMG alt="image" SRC="smile.gif" border="0">

Former Member

Don't forget all us folk who chose to go north of the border into Scotland! Admittedly I'm biased, but I think Edinburgh is a fantastic uni if you want a city that's small enough to walk around but big enough not to bump into someone you know every few yards. Am very glad I chose to come <IMG alt="image" SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0">

Former Member

As everyone has said, league tables don't really mean that much. I chose my uni's by looking at faculty interests mainly, to see if there was correlation with my own, what the course content was (with a similar question in mind) and teaching styles and quality, as well as the element of choice.

Obviously everyone who goes somewhere will have an element of 'Uni Pride', especially me, as I'm a tour guide, student rep etc. But it's good to see that we can all still be fairly subjective about the merits of other places.

Incedentally I'm at Sussex... loads of international students, and big Socrates and Erasmus programmes, which is probably why it's well known abroad etc etc...

Former Member

Originally posted by USC Alex:
<STRONG>What would you say the best schools in the UK are right now?
Sad to say but the only ones I've really heard of are Cambridge, Oxford, LSE, U of Sussex, U of Aberswyth (wow that's spelled wrong <IMG alt="image" SRC="smile.gif" border="0"> )</STRONG>

I study Computer Science at Bradford.
It's not much to look at, but the education is great.

Former Member

I went to Queens in Belfast...

The psychology degree has been awarded full marks on every rating last year, and I thought it was a really good mix.

I like living in Belfast too, its like Edinburgh, small enough to walk round, big enough have fun in.

Former Member

Originally posted by Felicity:
<STRONG>

Incedentally I'm at Sussex... loads of international students, and big Socrates and Erasmus programmes, which is probably why it's well known abroad etc etc...</STRONG>

Two of my friends did a semester at Sussex. They loved it! They loved the people, the classes, the Park Village Pub, everything except the weather.

Former Member

Originally posted by -Andy-:
<STRONG>

I study Computer Science at Bradford.
It's not much to look at</STRONG>

Youre kidding me! The University of Bradford is feckin UGLY! <IMG SRC="eek.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member

Originally posted by Kermit:
<STRONG>

Youre kidding me! The University of Bradford is feckin UGLY! <IMG SRC="eek.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"></STRONG>

hehe
cheap though...
it's only surpassed in it's ugliness by...umm...enough said! <IMG SRC="rolleyes.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member

It all depends on what course you're doing. Nottingham Trent specialised in hundreds of subjects, but it is rated as the best in the country for criminology. (All the people who right the books lecture here, including Phil Banyard of Pyschology fame).

Girl-From-Mars

I've got the "Equitable Student Book" from 2001 right here, so I will tell you exactly which the "best" universities are <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"> This is based solely on Research Excellence from the 1996 Research Assessment Exercise though, so not something you'd want to rely on. Just to give you an idea really. Teaching quality is another thing that has been measured, so that should be looked at too if you are considering a course at a particular uni. As Whowhere said, some universities are brilliant for one course, but generally not so good. It doesn't really matter, as long as you go somewhere you feel comfortable and are happy in, and if it's good for your course. But, here ya go... (alphabetically)

Super League
Bath
Cambridge
Courtauld Institute (?)
Imperial College
Institute of Education
London Business School
LSE
Oxford
School of Pharmacy
UMIST
UCL
Warwick

First Division

Birkbeck College
Birmingham Uni
Bristol
Cardiff
Cranfield
Durham
East Anglia
Edinburgh
Essex
Exeter
Goldsmith's College
King's College London
Lancaster
Leeds
Leicester
Liverpool
Loughborough
Manchester
Newcastle
Nottingham
Queen Mary & Westfield (?)
Reading
Royal Academy of Music
Royal College of Art
Royal College of Music
Royal Holloway
Royal Northern College of Music
Royal Veterinary College
St Andrews
Sheffield
SOAS (?)
Southampton
Sussex
Wimbledon School of Art
York

fini!

Edit: stoopid UBB code <IMG SRC="tongue.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

[ 27-02-2002: Message edited by: Girl-From-Mars ]

Former Member

What does research mean to the students-not a damn lot! Our lecturers try to tell us that it means we are taught by some of the best, but to me it means that they try to get you to buy their books!

As someone who is leaving a so called Good uni and applying to a so called crap uni, I am totally uninterested in these league tables. Go to a "good" uni and expect huge class sizes, few hours of lectures, tutors who don't know your name and "conveyer belt education".

Former Member

Originally posted by Girl-From-Mars:
<STRONG>
Courtauld Institute (?)
</STRONG>

Elitist Oxbridge style place. Alice wants to go there...'nuff said really.

Former Member

Originally posted by Girl-From-Mars:
<STRONG>Queen Mary & Westfield (?)

</STRONG>
....College, University of London

<STRONG>SOAS (?)</STRONG>

School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London

Kermit made a good point about the best university...can't remember which....Durham I think <IMG SRC="tongue.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member

I've got an interview at Durham next Tuesday...

Very nervous!!

Former Member

Originally posted by elmo20uk:
<STRONG>I've got an interview at Durham next Tuesday...

Very nervous!!</STRONG>

What for?

(Welcome to theSite btw. <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">)

Former Member

Why?

No idea what to expect to be honest.

And Durham aren't forthcoming on 'advice for preparation'. <IMG SRC="frown.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

[ 06-03-2002: Message edited by: elmo20uk ]

Former Member

Originally posted by elmo20uk:
<STRONG>Why?

No idea what to expect to be honest.

And Durham on forthcoming on 'advice for preperation'. <IMG SRC="frown.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"></STRONG>

<IMG SRC="rolleyes.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">
What course?

Former Member

Sociology