The Student Room Group

LSE or Bristol for Sociology?

I'm in an absolute pickle.
Having already done my A levels and am currently on my gap year I've already received unconditional offers from LSE, Bristol, Bath and Durham however I am absolutely and completely stuck as the whether I should go to LSE or Bristol.
I don't know whether I should pass up the opportunity of going to somewhere as prestigious as LSE (which I never thought I would get into) or go where my heart has been set on for years... Bristol (still prestigious).
I loved the atmosphere in Bristol and met the head of the department who I really liked. My sister and her husband went to Bristol and did social sciences and they now have exceptional jobs and incomes in HR and Finance. However a deal breaker is that I can take a year abroad if I go to Bristol. I loved the accommodation at Bristol as well and the social scene and also I really like that the degree is 30% exams, 70% course work essays. LSE is 60% exams and my strength lies in coursework essays... but this may be something I can adapt to and learn.
The main problem with LSE isn't that it's in London, that's a bonus for me because I absolutely love London (especially as a lover for Theatre) and my two sisters, brother, Auntie and best friend live in London. Furthermore, I believe that living in London as a student will be the cheapest way of living in London. The main problem is that I'm worried that I won't have a social life if I go to LSE. I love to go out, be actively involved in societies, especially feminist and Drama, (Bristol has a drama society). I'm so worried that I won't enjoy LSE simply because I won't have fun or experience the full University life such as formals etc. OR shall I just stop over thinking and not pass up the opportunity like LSE?
As I'd be studying Sociology, both Universities rank highly for it, which is why I picked them. But I feel like LSE will give me a leg up when getting a job afterwards...
It's literally all I can think about at the moment and I would really appreciate people's opinions; especially if you study the subject, go to the universities or are planning to.
I definitely want to one day live and work in London, but do I become a student first and get comfortable there, or do I go to Bristol and eventually move to London?
Argh!!! Help!!
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by sarahnaomidean
I'm in an absolute pickle.
Having already done my A levels and am currently on my gap year I've already received unconditional offers from LSE, Bristol, Bath and Durham however I am absolutely and completely stuck as the whether I should go to LSE or Bristol.
I don't know whether I should pass up the opportunity of going to somewhere as prestigious as LSE (which I never thought I would get into) or go where my heart has been set on for years... Bristol (still prestigious).
I loved the atmosphere in Bristol and met the head of the department who I really liked. My sister and her husband went to Bristol and did social sciences and they now have exceptional jobs and incomes in HR and Finance. However a deal breaker is that I can take a year abroad if I go to Bristol. I loved the accommodation at Bristol as well and the social scene and also I really like that the degree is 30% exams, 70% course work essays. LSE is 60% exams and my strength lies in coursework essays... but this may be something I can adapt to and learn.
The main problem with LSE isn't that it's in London, that's a bonus for me because I absolutely love London (especially as a lover for Theatre) and my two sisters, brother, Auntie and best friend live in London. Furthermore, I believe that living in London as a student will be the cheapest way of living in London. The main problem is that I'm worried that I won't have a social life if I go to LSE. I love to go out, be actively involved in societies, especially feminist and Drama, (Bristol has a drama society). I'm so worried that I won't enjoy LSE simply because I won't have fun or experience the full University life such as formals etc. OR shall I just stop over thinking and not pass up the opportunity like LSE?
As I'd be studying Sociology, both Universities rank highly for it, which is why I picked them. But I feel like LSE will give me a leg up when getting a job afterwards...
It's literally all I can think about at the moment and I would really appreciate people's opinions; especially if you study the subject, go to the universities or are planning to.
I definitely want to one day live and work in London, but do I become a student first and get comfortable there, or do I go to Bristol and eventually move to London?
Argh!!! Help!!



Hi, I've also applied for a Sociology degree and will probably firm Bristol. I don't know if I can be of much help in your situation but I do know some people that have been to LSE and have found the social scene pretty dull. This is largely down to a huge number of international students that like to keep themselves to themselves, so if socialising is important to you, I would definitely go for Bristol. I also think that the accommodation is Bristol will provide better opportunities for getting to know people as it is all based in the same area whereas in London it tends to be very spread out. However, I understand your dilemma as while Bristol is prestigious, LSE is 'the' social sciences uni and will guarantee you a good job. Overall though I'd go for Bristol, its such a beautiful city with lots of nightlife and no where near as expensive as London!! Hope this helps :smile:
Thank you so much, I really appreciate this. What drew you to the Sociology degree at Bristol?
Original post by sarahnaomidean
Thank you so much, I really appreciate this. What drew you to the Sociology degree at Bristol?


No problem! I think the range of modules on offer is really interesting and when I went on the visit day after receiving my offer I found all the staff to be lovely - you can tell how dedicated and enthusiastic they are about their research. Maybe not as highly ranked as LSE, but I think the department has a lot going for it, the opportunity to take a year/semester abroad is also very appealing to me :smile:
Original post by gcsestudent123
No problem! I think the range of modules on offer is really interesting and when I went on the visit day after receiving my offer I found all the staff to be lovely - you can tell how dedicated and enthusiastic they are about their research. Maybe not as highly ranked as LSE, but I think the department has a lot going for it, the opportunity to take a year/semester abroad is also very appealing to me :smile:


Yeah I completely agree. The year abroad sounds amazing! I'd love to go to Canada.
Bristol is a fantastic University, especially for Sociology so I'm not worried about that. And the difference in job prospects afterwards is a mere 5% between LSE and Bristol. I've just had a two hour in depth talk about it with my family and I'm still 50/50. Damn it!
Original post by sarahnaomidean
Yeah I completely agree. The year abroad sounds amazing! I'd love to go to Canada.
Bristol is a fantastic University, especially for Sociology so I'm not worried about that. And the difference in job prospects afterwards is a mere 5% between LSE and Bristol. I've just had a two hour in depth talk about it with my family and I'm still 50/50. Damn it!


Do what you feel most comfortable with! I know im biased but I would say Bristol haha, lots of people call Bristol a mini London because it has all the features of a big city but still a community feel where you are likely to bump into people you know all the time! Good luck making your choice :smile:
Reply 6
Original post by sarahnaomidean
I'm in an absolute pickle.
Having already done my A levels and am currently on my gap year I've already received unconditional offers from LSE, Bristol, Bath and Durham however I am absolutely and completely stuck as the whether I should go to LSE or Bristol.
I don't know whether I should pass up the opportunity of going to somewhere as prestigious as LSE (which I never thought I would get into) or go where my heart has been set on for years... Bristol (still prestigious).
I loved the atmosphere in Bristol and met the head of the department who I really liked. My sister and her husband went to Bristol and did social sciences and they now have exceptional jobs and incomes in HR and Finance. However a deal breaker is that I can take a year abroad if I go to Bristol. I loved the accommodation at Bristol as well and the social scene and also I really like that the degree is 30% exams, 70% course work essays. LSE is 60% exams and my strength lies in coursework essays... but this may be something I can adapt to and learn.
The main problem with LSE isn't that it's in London, that's a bonus for me because I absolutely love London (especially as a lover for Theatre) and my two sisters, brother, Auntie and best friend live in London. Furthermore, I believe that living in London as a student will be the cheapest way of living in London. The main problem is that I'm worried that I won't have a social life if I go to LSE. I love to go out, be actively involved in societies, especially feminist and Drama, (Bristol has a drama society). I'm so worried that I won't enjoy LSE simply because I won't have fun or experience the full University life such as formals etc. OR shall I just stop over thinking and not pass up the opportunity like LSE?
As I'd be studying Sociology, both Universities rank highly for it, which is why I picked them. But I feel like LSE will give me a leg up when getting a job afterwards...
It's literally all I can think about at the moment and I would really appreciate people's opinions; especially if you study the subject, go to the universities or are planning to.
I definitely want to one day live and work in London, but do I become a student first and get comfortable there, or do I go to Bristol and eventually move to London?
Argh!!! Help!!



Which did you choose in the end?

I'm in the EXACT same position as you. I loved both. LSE for reputation and London buzz, Bristol for the overall sociology department. Bristol's asking ABC, LSE is asking AAB. Any advice would be well received. It is doing my head in! I prefer exams to coursework, but I'm also social. I feel the networking in LSE will be good for me, as I'm aiming to go into the media and I have a few contacts in London (family friends). Hope I make the right decision. Have to get the grades too!

Thanks in advance.
Jack
Original post by jacksiggs
Which did you choose in the end?

I'm in the EXACT same position as you. I loved both. LSE for reputation and London buzz, Bristol for the overall sociology department. Bristol's asking ABC, LSE is asking AAB. Any advice would be well received. It is doing my head in! I prefer exams to coursework, but I'm also social. I feel the networking in LSE will be good for me, as I'm aiming to go into the media and I have a few contacts in London (family friends). Hope I make the right decision. Have to get the grades too!

Thanks in advance.
Jack



Hi Jack!
So I'm coming to the end of my first year at Bristol doing Sociology.
Just to let you know that entry requirement is ABB not ABC.
Also, Sociology has just been ranked 2nd in the country at Bristol so it's a good place to go!
Night life is amazing, such a vibrant city and a perfect place to study such a liberating course.
I think stop worrying about the fact that LSE sounds so great and if you really want to study there, then you can always do a masters there.
Bristol allllll the way. Really great and interesting department.
Good luck Jack!
Hi Sarah, I'm entering uni this year studying sociology too, I'm currentily hesitating between Bristol and Durham. I want to ask how's the course in Bristol? Are staffs helpful and value teaching ?Because some unis value research more that they usually spend less energy on undergraduate teaching. For example, they test in exams on things that weren't told before, and students must depend on themselves.

Besides, I'm an international student, I'm worried about discrimination. I heard Bristol uni and the city are not really diverse. What's your opinion about it?

since I'm asking this question 5 years later after you posted, I wonder how are you now and how's Bristol's degree helped you when finding a job?

I would be appreciated if you could answer ~

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