[amitgarg85]

Hi

I had applied for MPA at LSE and International Public Policy at UCL. I have received an offer letter from UCL. I am still waiting to hear from LSE. I would appreciate it very much if someone can help me decide if I should accept the UCL offer. I have read the previous discussions on this topic and have got some idea. However, I am still looking for answers to these specific questions:

1. How good or bad it is to complete Public Policy in one year or in two years?
2. UCL scores higher on Times ranking but I am not sure how good the IPP programme is?
3. It is cheaper to do IPP at UCL (£27,000) than LSE (£62,000), all inclusive. How much weight-age should I assign to the cost factor? I know it depends how much I can afford but still in terms of return on investment, what do you guys think?
4. What are the career prospects after doing IPP from UCL?

Any information/help will be much appreciated.

Thanks
Amit

[Izzelss]

Hi mate,

This is like a sidetrack on your question so apologies in advanced. Im currently in the final semester of undergrad studies and is applying to UCL for IPP as well, but I'm concerned with my current grades and theres a possibility that it may not be in the 2.1 requirement UCL wanted. Since u got an offer, how tough do u reckon it'll be if i get a 2.2? Your help is appreciate.

Tq

[wamwig]

The MPA and the MSc are different. The MPA is like an MBA, but for government. It is designed for practitioners, some of whom have engineering or clinical degrees instead of BAs. You are graded on team exercises and projects like the Capstone.

The MSc is more like a BA but at an advanced level. You have lectures and seminars, and work alone for essays and exams. The assumption is that the MPA is the last degree you will ever do whereas there will be people on MSc who want to do a PhD one day.

The price difference is because the LSE are competing with HKS, and Woodrow Wilson, SAIS, Harris, Maxwell etc and they all charge $40,000 - $50,000 a year for a two year programme. The MSc has a more domestic focus so it would be incongruous to charge much more than Edinburgh, KCL and the other MScs

[kryptonyte]

IPP at UCL was a waste of money. Don't do it!!!!!!!Unless of course you have a job waiting for you when you're done Otherwise you're flushing good money down the drain.

[_Teal_]

(Original post by kryptonyte)
IPP at UCL was a waste of money. Don't do it!!!!!!!Unless of course you have a job waiting for you when you're done Otherwise you're flushing good money down the drain.

Could you elaborate a bit further on that? Why didn't you like it?

[nairam88]

(Original post by _Teal_)
Could you elaborate a bit further on that? Why didn't you like it?

Hi, I'd also be interested to understand why you think it was a waste of money. Thanks a lot!

[amitgarg85]

(Original post by Izzelss)
Hi mate,

This is like a sidetrack on your question so apologies in advanced. Im currently in the final semester of undergrad studies and is applying to UCL for IPP as well, but I'm concerned with my current grades and theres a possibility that it may not be in the 2.1 requirement UCL wanted. Since u got an offer, how tough do u reckon it'll be if i get a 2.2? Your help is appreciate.

Tq

hi sorry for the late response. I was travelling for few months and just got back to regular life.

I am not sure how 2.2 grade would work out. In my country, we follow a % system. I had 60% in my undergrad. I received a notice from UCL admissions team asking me to wait because 60% wasn't sufficient enough. After three weeks, they confirmed the admission. Based on what I could discuss with UCL's admissions department; I think, my work experience of four years made up for the slight shortfall in undergrad grades.

[amitgarg85]

(Original post by kryptonyte)
IPP at UCL was a waste of money. Don't do it!!!!!!!Unless of course you have a job waiting for you when you're done Otherwise you're flushing good money down the drain.

wow...I believe there must be a really strong reason for you to conclude in such a way for IPP@UCL. I, and probably all others who are following, would be very much interested to know about your reason/experience. Kindly let us know what happened?

Thanks
A

[amitgarg85]

(Original post by wamwig)
The MPA and the MSc are different. The MPA is like an MBA, but for government. It is designed for practitioners, some of whom have engineering or clinical degrees instead of BAs. You are graded on team exercises and projects like the Capstone.

The MSc is more like a BA but at an advanced level. You have lectures and seminars, and work alone for essays and exams. The assumption is that the MPA is the last degree you will ever do whereas there will be people on MSc who want to do a PhD one day.

The price difference is because the LSE are competing with HKS, and Woodrow Wilson, SAIS, Harris, Maxwell etc and they all charge $40,000 - $50,000 a year for a two year programme. The MSc has a more domestic focus so it would be incongruous to charge much more than Edinburgh, KCL and the other MScs

Thanks mate,

May I also know your thoughts on MPP, MA Int Relations, and MA Int Development? Are these really different or its just the packaging?

Thanks in anticipation

Amit