UCL v/s UCSD v/s TU Munich - Masters

[mav.rick]

Hello folks,

 

I really need some help here. I am accepted into the following programs:

 

1. University College London, MSc Nanotechnology

 

2. UC San Diego, MS Nanoengineering

 

3. TU Munich - MS Materials Science

 

All three programs are in exact consonance with my research interests, and my ultimate aim is for a PhD in Materials Science. I haven't been assured a funding in any of these, and in case I don't land up a funding, what would you guys suggest as a better university/course to attend? The masters at UCL is 1 year, so it sounds financially more viable, plus I guess UCL is more prestigious than the rest?

 

Kindly reply for this has been eating me for long, and I need to make a decision fast.

 

Thanks so much! 

[YepUrsi]

Well according to general rankings: 1. UCL (rank 16) , 2. UC Sandiego (rank 30) 3. TU Munich (rank 49). Source: www.metauniversityranking.com

 

However, the rankings are biased towards english speaking countries and in Munich there is no tuition. I would either go to UCL or Munich.

[ilovelab]

Well according to general rankings: 1. UCL (rank 16) , 2. UC Sandiego (rank 30) 3. TU Munich (rank 49). Source: www.metauniversityranking.com

 

However, the rankings are biased towards english speaking countries and in Munich there is no tuition. I would either go to UCL or Munich.

Those rankings are complete crap.

[ilovelab]

Hello folks,

 

I really need some help here. I am accepted into the following programs:

 

1. University College London, MSc Nanotechnology

 

2. UC San Diego, MS Nanoengineering

 

3. TU Munich - MS Materials Science

 

All three programs are in exact consonance with my research interests, and my ultimate aim is for a PhD in Materials Science. I haven't been assured a funding in any of these, and in case I don't land up a funding, what would you guys suggest as a better university/course to attend? The masters at UCL is 1 year, so it sounds financially more viable, plus I guess UCL is more prestigious than the rest?

 

Kindly reply for this has been eating me for long, and I need to make a decision fast.

 

Thanks so much! 

 When do you find out about funding? That's the biggest issue, you are an international student so its going to cost a lot of money. Can you afford to go to these schools without funding? Which schools has more professors you are interested in working with? Forget about presitge at this point. No one is going to take you into a PhD program just because you went to a prestigious school. They care about the work you accomplished at the program. If you did nothing at a prestigous school and did very well at a lesser known school who do you think will get in. Is there a significant difference between the 1 year and 2 year masters?

  One other thing to think about is if you are doing a 1 year masters you will be applying to Phd Programs a few months into the masters program. If you are planning on getting letters of rec from professors at that school, what are they going to write about you? They don't really know you.  That being said, money is the biggest issue unless you can pay for it. They are all good schools, and if they all fit your research interests pick the schools that gives you more money.

Edited February 9, 2015 by ilovelab

[YoungOldMan]

I studied at UCL. UCL is a very good University. However If your final aim is a PhD with funding, you may not have a lot of chances to apply for the PhD there as they only provide funding for british and EU citizens. However if you want to use it as a step stone, perhaps it would be a good idea. Consider as well that a dissertation done in 1 year will make it very difficult for you to get a paper published. It is possible, it all depends on how hard you work and early you do it.