Durham or imperial for undergrad?

[wots(the)time]

hi,
have just received offers from both imperial and durham for a masters in physics. can anybody give me any advice on which to pick? to me it seems very much a choice between the better institution (icl) and the lifestyle (durham)

any feedback from people who have studied at either would be especially helpful

 

[mgb_phys]

To be honest at an ugrad institution there is no difference - you won't learn more topics or have better lecturers at either. Similarly nobody is going to care between top 10 institutions if you are looking for a job or a PhD place.
If you want to live in London and spend more time commuting to class pick IC, if you want to freeze your whatsits off in the North (but meet people who aren't scientist - even possibly girls) pick Durham.

 

[moo5003]

I'm confused, how is a masters still considered undergrad?

 

[cristo]

I'm confused, how is a masters still considered undergrad?

In the UK there are such degrees called 'undergraduate masters' degrees. These are first degrees which take four years, after which you obtain something like an MPhys (Master of Physics) or an MSci (Master in Science) etc..

 

[uman]

Maybe it's a combined bachelor's/masters program

 

[mgb_phys]

As christo said, UK degrees have been extended with an optional fourth year.
This is because with rising exam results the arriving students are now so brilliant it takes an extra year to teach them anything they don't already know. It isn't anything to do with them arriving never having heard of calculus and having only a pretty scarce idea of algebra - no that's nothing to do with it ... grumble ... grumble ... kids today ... grumble... grumble...

It's regarded something like an honours degree from 10years ago and is generally a requirement for a PhD program.

 

[uman]

Congratulations on your 6000th post, Cristo!

 

[cristo]

It isn't anything to do with them arriving never having heard of calculus and having only a pretty scarce idea of algebra - no that's nothing to do with it ... grumble ... grumble ... kids today ... grumble... grumble...

Now now, grandad.. some of us are one of the aforementioned 'kids'

Congratulations on your 6000th post, Cristo!

Thanks!

 

[moo5003]

In the UK there are such degrees called 'undergraduate masters' degrees. These are first degrees which take four years, after which you obtain something like an MPhys (Master of Physics) or an MSci (Master in Science) etc..

Thanks for the clarification.