Should I Pursue a PhD at UCL or Seek Opportunities Elsewhere?

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I need some advice,

I've just finished my 2nd year at UCL studying the Bsc in mathematics. I've so far really enjoyed my course and I'm hoping to go on to do a phd somewhere. Now, like everyone else, I want to go to the best place possible.

So far, my grades are fairly good, every exam I've sat I've gotten 90%+, except one applied module where I got 88%. I've spoken to certain professors at UCL and they seem very happy to take me on as a phd student after my third year, but I'm not sure if I should go to somewhere "better" or more prestigious.

I've done some research and I've decided that I want to stay in the UK for at least my masters (if I have to do one), but I don't mind going to the US for a phd. I've taken a look at Cambridge Part III and I've heard very good things about it, but there is a problem and that's the funding. Currently I only have £10k saved up, which would make Cambridge a very big stretch, while if I stayed at UCL I wouldn't have to do a masters, and I'd probably get funding also. I've also taken a look at Imperial's masters, and that's around £6k, meaning I could easily afford it and I could stay with my parents while studying for it. However, is Imperial really that much "better" than UCL? I understand how Cambridge can be seen as that, but I'm not so sure about Imperial.

Overall, I'm not sure what to do. Should I just stick with UCL or perhaps do another year at UCL and get a Msci then apply to other universities? Should I go to Imperial or somehow get more money for Cambridge... I'm not sure.

I'm not sure if there are many math experts in this forum, but I hope someone does respond.

note: my research area would most probably be something to do with Lie algebras and algebraic groups.

Here is a link to what we study at UCL: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/maths/courses/undergraduates
Imperial masters: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/pgprospec...uremathematics

Hope someone can help, thanks.

edit: I hope to go onto academia, failing that, finance - so prestige is important.

 

[TonyG]

Dear student,

First of all, congratulations on your success in your mathematics course at UCL! It sounds like you have a strong academic background and are considering some exciting opportunities for your future studies.

I can offer some general advice on your situation. Firstly, it's important to remember that prestige is not the only factor to consider when choosing a university for your PhD studies. While it can certainly be a factor, it's also important to find a program and a research group that aligns with your interests and goals. So, my first suggestion would be to research the programs and faculty at both Cambridge and Imperial, and see which one has more opportunities for you to pursue your research interests in Lie algebras and algebraic groups. You may also want to reach out to current PhD students or faculty at both universities to get a better sense of the research environment and opportunities available.

Secondly, funding is a crucial factor to consider. Pursuing a PhD can be a long and challenging journey, and it's important to have financial stability and support throughout it. If Cambridge is your top choice, I would suggest exploring options for securing additional funding, such as scholarships, grants, or assistantships. You may also want to consider taking a gap year to work and save up for your studies, if possible.

Another option to consider is doing a master's degree at Imperial before pursuing your PhD. This could give you the opportunity to build a stronger academic profile and potentially secure funding for your PhD studies at Cambridge. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cost of living in London may be higher than in Cambridge, so you'll need to factor in those expenses as well.

Ultimately, the decision of where to pursue your PhD is a personal one and will depend on your individual goals and circumstances. I would suggest weighing all of these factors and considering what is most important to you in your academic and career journey. It may also be helpful to speak with your professors and mentors at UCL for their advice and guidance.

I wish you all the best in your decision-making process and your future studies.