<p>There’s another thread that you might find interesting on KCL vs Manchester <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/united-kingdom/1431479-kings-manchester-computer-science.html#post15204580[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/united-kingdom/1431479-kings-manchester-computer-science.html#post15204580</a> </p>
<p>I’m a current Manchester student, so clearly my knowledge of Manchester is better, but I’ll answer as best as I can! </p>
<p>I just wanted some information and/or feedback regarding my top choices. Some questions that I have are:</p>
<p>1. Which University has more of a formal campus?
Truth be told, I’m not entirely sure what you mean by this - if you want pretty buildings, then Manchester is largely comprised of modern buildings, with the exception of Whitworth Building (known to many as Hogwarts!) There are two academic campuses, but they are 200m apart, so they’re pretty much the same campuses. Accommodation is spread across the academic campus, Victoria Park (1 mile away) and Fallowfield (two miles away, but very well served by buses). </p>
<p>2. Which University has an excellent Social Atmosphere? Great Nightlife/Party Scene? (I’m a party animal and I’m always looking to have fun!)
London has a lot of nightlife, but it’s relatively expensive. Manchester has less nightlife, but it’s still meant to be one of the best places in the UK to go out, and there’s so much here that there’s no way I will ever manage to go to it all in my three years here. Apparently Manchester students are the second heaviest drinkers in the Russell Group (losing out marginally to UCL!) [Manchester</a> students named ‘second biggest drinkers’ in Russell Group > The Mancunion](<a href=“http://mancunion.com/2012/11/21/manchester-students-second-biggest-drinkers-in-the-russell-group/]Manchester”>http://mancunion.com/2012/11/21/manchester-students-second-biggest-drinkers-in-the-russell-group/)</p>
<p>3. Are students scattered among the city? Or is there a certain area that is densely populated with students attending the university? (I want to assimilate myself within the student population and meet local students.)
At Manchester, students tend to live in Fallowfield, and surrounding areas like Withington, Rusholme, Ladybarn, Longsight, Levenshulme, Victoria Park, Didsbury and (for the braver ones) Moss Side. It tends to create a ‘student village’ feel, especially in Fallowfield. </p>
<p>London students tend to find tha thousing near their universities is too expensive, because central London is incredibly expensive to live in. So, they look further out, and that tends to mean that they are more scattered. </p>
<p>4. What would be a better housing option for me? (I’m 21 and I want to live with people closer to my age rather than first year students.)
There are two main options for you - halls or a house share. </p>
<p>In halls, you will primarily be living with first year students, but they won’t necessarily be 18 year olds. Gap years (i.e. taking a year out between school and uni to work and travel) are very common, so many first year students in halls will be 19 / 20. This was the case for half of the eight people in my flat in halls, for instance. People who have had gap years and people who have not socialise perfectly, so I don’t think that you’d necessarily have problems living with first years - many of whom will only be a year younger than you. If you do go for halls, then make sure you live in Fallowfield, which has the liveliest halls available. The major advantages of halls is that they are of universally good standard (no damp!) the university is a good landlord, which gives peace of mind, and you don’t have to faff about with stuff like bills. </p>
<p>However, if you want a house share then have a look at Manchester Student Homes, where people often advertise spare rooms in houses (privately rented houses, shared with friends, are the normal way that second and third year students live). However, there are many shyster landlords out there, and the quality is very variable, so you will want to view the house & meet housemates before you move in. If you do go down this route, then make sure that you only sign a contract for the period that you will actually be there. If you’re going in first semester, don’t be taken in by the idea that you will be able to find another student to take your place for second semester. It’s almost impossible to find replacement students, and if (when!) you don’t find a replacement student, the landlord will take you to court for the remaining money, and win, should you not pay up. </p>
<p>5. Which University has a better reputation? (I’m going for one semester so this is definitely not a factor in my decision, but I’m just curious.)
They’re all excellent, but I would say that Manchester is marginally better than KCL, and both are a bit (but not drastically) better than QMUL. </p>
<p>Are there any other Pros / Cons about these Universities?
London is incredibly expensive to live in. If you wanted to live in Central London (where KCL is) in a shared house then you would be looking at an absolute minimum of £200 per week ($325) for rent, with bills on top of that. East London, where QMUL is, is a bit cheaper, but not such a nice area. In contrast, I pay £80pw ($130) + bills for a lovely big double bedroom in a shared house in Manchester, and there is cheaper accommodation available. </p>
<p>If you want to visit other places in the UK (and Europe) then both Manchester and London are very well connected - for instance, it’s only 2 hours on the train from Manchester to London, and both have international airport(s).</p>
Fallowfield is dominated by Britons, whereas City campus tends to attract more international students, so if you want to immerse yourself in British student life, then Fallowfield is the place to do it. </p>
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