Difference between universities?

[JohnG]

Hi

I know this is a political forum and this question isn't purely political - one could say it's not political at all, but I didn't find any better forum to ask one. If anybody know any forum where one can discuss irish education (non-political forum), please let me know.

Anyway: What's the difference between different universities, in Ireland? I mean, of course there are differences, what I want to know is which university is best in every category (teachers, ability to do research, library etc).

Most people say that UCD/DCU is the best university in the country, followed by either UCC or Limerick. What makes UCD best? Is there any university that you definitely should avoid? I'm considering studying at NUI Galway, so if anyone has any experience from that university I would be happy to know what you think (more precisely, I want to study Financial math and economics).

I'm sorry if this is a bit off topic, and as I said, if anyone knows any better place where I can ask this, I would be really glad to know.

/John G

[factual]

Hi

I know this is a political forum and this question isn't purely political - one could say it's not political at all, but I didn't find any better forum to ask one. If anybody know any forum where one can discuss irish education (non-political forum), please let me know.

Anyway: What's the difference between different universities, in Ireland? I mean, of course there are differences, what I want to know is which university is best in every category (teachers, ability to do research, library etc).

Most people say that UCD/DCU is the best university in the country, followed by either UCC or Limerick. What makes UCD best? Is there any university that you definitely should avoid? I'm considering studying at NUI Galway, so if anyone has any experience from that university I would be happy to know what you think (more precisely, I want to study Financial math and economics).

I'm sorry if this is a bit off topic, and as I said, if anyone knows any better place where I can ask this, I would be really glad to know.

/John G

For economics UCD is definitely the best and TCD are ok. Funnily enough I would put Galway third as it has attracted some good economics lecturers there in recent years. So its not a bad choice. Also it would depend if you like Dublin or not.

[borntorum]

Most people say that UCD/DCU is the best university in the country, followed by either UCC or Limerick.

"Most people"???

The TES consistently rates TCD the best university in the country. Different faculties will be stronger in some colleges than others, but overall Trinners is for Winners. Fact.

[dotski_w_]

Most people say that UCD/DCU is the best university in the country, followed by either UCC or Limerick.

/John G

This is a strange post - I presume that you're not Irish?

UCD and DCU are 2 totally different universities. The other Uni in Dublin (probably the best known internationally) is Trinity College (officially Dublin University).

UCD, UCG, UCC and Maynooth are consitutent colleges of the National University of Ireland - historically would be associated with the catholic community but not really nowadays, and if someone is choosing between those its generally because of where they live (although Maynooth which is also a seminary has a lot of courses not available in the others). Trinity has a bit more history, and is a nicer setting than the others.

DCU and Limerick are more vocational in perspective and only got their university status about 20 years ago IIRC.

I chose commerce in UCD a long time ago, but only really because the rest of my class wanted to go there (and we were all advised to do commerce in UCD if we got the grades). If i could go back in time I'd probably choose Trinity instead.

It depends why you want to go to college in Ireland, is there a particular reason?

[dotski_w_]

"Most people"???

The TES consistently rates TCD the best university in the country. Different faculties will be stronger in some colleges than others, but overall Trinners is for Winners. Fact.

indeed

Trinity and UCD rise in top university rankings - The Irish Times - Thu, Oct 09, 2008

in fairness, the UCD commerce degree is possibly 'purer', but the Trinity equivilent used to have (or claim to have) a broader perspective (I've no idea if that's true....)

[factual]

"Most people"???

The TES consistently rates TCD the best university in the country. Different faculties will be stronger in some colleges than others, but overall Trinners is for Winners. Fact.

Misleading post from probably a TCD person.

This is quite simply not the case in Economics, the subject he is considering. UCD is better.

[dotski_w_]

Misleading post from probably a TCD person.

This is quite simply not the case in Economics, the subject he is considering. UCD is better.

In terms of the points required to get in, wouldn't economics in UCD be a lot lower than the equivilent in Trinity (was in my day)? Commerce and the equiv were about the same IIRC.

I know that's not the only way to measure, but if most ppl pick Trinity there may be a reason ....

[stringjack]

Misleading post from probably a TCD person.

This is quite simply not the case in Economics, the subject he is considering. UCD is better.

But MLM went to Trinity.

[dotski_w_]

Just checked,

You need 350 pts to do a BA in UCD (not sure if there is further competition between students, I presume its changed since my day), and 455 for commerce.

Bus, Econ & Social Studies in Trinity is 470 pts. Bus studies & 1 language vary from 410 pts (Russian) to 510 (French).

[borntorum]

Misleading post from probably a TCD person.

.

How is it misleading factual?

As I said, the TES, which is the most respected analyser of these questions, consistently rates TCD as the best university in the state. What independent evidence have you for your contention that economics is better in UCD than in TCD?