<p>How do you think Oxbridge compares to the Ivies and other top US universities, for a hard science undergraduate?
I know that Oxbridge offers a lot of attention to individual undergrads, with the tutorial system. On the other hand, I've heard that undergraduates in the US have more research opportunities.
And what about job prospects? Which would likely lead to a higher salary?</p>
<p>Well for one Cambridge is better as it’s concentrated more on Sciences than Oxford (which has a better arts department), but you should also consider Imperial College which is on par with the ivies for sciences.</p>
<p>I know about the Oxford/Cambridge divide, but it can’t be all too drastic. I think it’s safe to assume that both are p. good. I’ve an offer at Oxford, anyway, so that’s beyond the point.</p>
<p>It all depends on you and how you like to learn, where you intend to live and what you intend to do. In the UK/Europe i doubt very much whether one will equate to higher salaries than the other. An Oxbridge undergrad degree is i believe superior to any US university.</p>
<p>P.S. The rumour/myth that holds Cambridge to be better than Oxford for sciences is totally false. It’s possibly better if you prefer the natural sciences tripos rather than focusing entirely on your chosen field; but other than that theres no difference.</p>
<p>Dionysus - stop talking utter nonsense! :rolleyes:</p>
<p>An Oxbridge degree is not in any superior to an Ivy, and I have been told this first-hand by many professionals. I do mathematics (albeit not a science perse, but I still have enough knowledge nonetheless) at Trinity, Cambridge. </p>
<p>Ivy degrees are FAR more generally respected/prestigious, than those from Oxbridge.</p>
<p>Goodness gracious me, even math geeks should be able to differentiate fact from opinion. I certainly did not say an Oxbridge UG degree IS superior to an Ivy, but i believe it to be. Why? I think all American liberal arts degrees are inferior to British ones, the tutorial system and small class sizes, it has a much stronger reputation in Europe, the college experience and of course the history! You can disagree with every point I’ve made but that doesn’t make it nonsense.</p>
<p>You seem to be suggesting that because the people you spoke to told you something it is a gospel fact? For your sake i hope not.</p>
<p>P.S. you say you’re a math student at Cambridge? How come you said last month in another post you’re still at school?</p>
<p>Cambridge has a better reputation for science in popular culture (mostly because of a few famous figures like Darwin and Newton), but the UG education at both universities will be equally excellent. The main difference is that Cambridge UG science is more broad (everyone studies multiple science subjects), whereas Oxford UG is more focused (you specialize in one science from Day 1).</p>
<p>Compared to US Ivy League, the differences are quite numerous (and not every Ivy university is the same, either). In general, though, the Ivy League would probably offer better job opportunities if you plan on becoming a research scientist (US academic salaries > UK academic salaries), although with an Oxbridge degree you’re hardly unmarketable and you could always try for grad school in the US.</p>
<p>Oxbridge don’t generally take undergrad research very seriously. There are a few exceptions, but often the Oxbridge attitude is that if you’re really serious about doing research then you’ll go on to do a PhD, so your Bachelor’s degree is really a time to focus on understanding the existing work rather than coming up with something original yourself. You’ll probably get more funding and encouragement to do undergrad research if you’re in the US. </p>
<p>On the other hand, because you specialize much earlier in the UK education system, you may find it easier to find time to do research in your chosen subject. It’s more up to you than anything else.</p>
<p>“It all depends on you and how you like to learn, where you intend to live and what you intend to do. In the UK/Europe i doubt very much whether one will equate to higher salaries than the other. An Oxbridge undergrad degree is i believe superior to any US university.”</p>
<p>Just curious Dionysus have you ever being in academia or are you even in university yet lol?</p>
<p>And by the way Cambridge is, will, and always will be better than Oxford for science and engineering. This is basic info. Oxford does not even register in the science and engineering radar. Its like going to Yale for engineering and claiming your education was better than someone from UT-Austin</p>
<p>Ok, it seems that a lot of Kids here are talking.</p>
<p>Cambridge is the best science/engineering school. Oxford is not even in the same class as it is in science or engineering. God, i will not be telling anyone about this if they were in academia.</p>
<p>“I think all American liberal arts degrees are inferior to British ones, the tutorial system and small class sizes, it has a much stronger reputation in Europe, the college experience and of course the history!”</p>
<p>FYI, You dont know what you are talking about if you claim that the Ivy league+Uchicago+Stanford+MIT have weaker liberal art degrees. Please learn about curriculum of this school before you make such claim.</p>
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<p>Of course, but why is this relevant?</p>
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<p>Thank you for demonstrating your fundamental lack of knowledge on the subject, now nobody need take anything you post on the subject seriously. Obviously it goes without saying that none of this is true.</p>
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<p>I’m not quite sure if you understood what i said, but for the record i do know what I am talking about.</p>
<p>“Of course, but why is this relevant?”</p>
<p>Going by your previous posts you dont know anything about schools in the US, as you post explicitly. You are likely a first year in University . . . would make sense why you provide warped info on US schools compared to UK schools everywhere. </p>
<p>But my main concern was this: your contention that Oxford and Cambridge are considered equals in science and engineering when they are not.</p>
<p>If that is so you should have no problems providing me with some evidence?</p>
<p>Hmm. Well, I agree it’s hard to argue that the name “Oxford” has the same cachet as the name “Cambridge” when it comes to achievement in science and engineering.</p>
<p>It’s also true that, 100 years ago, this difference in reputation would have manifested itself as a real difference in the quality of students and education at Oxford and Cambridge*, but that’s not really the case any more. Still, I guess, anecdotal reputations live on…</p>
<ul>
<li>If anyone doesn’t believe this, read:
[Oxford</a> Figures: The tradition of rivalry with Cambridge](<a href=“http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/about/oxford-figures/ch1-11]Oxford”>http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/about/oxford-figures/ch1-11)</li>
</ul>
<p>Margaret thatcher did Chemistry at Oxford and helped to invent soft-scoop ice cream. Case closed.</p>