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LSE vs. UCL for philosophy

I have received an offer from both UCL and LSE to study Philosophy. And I am finding this decision really difficult to make!

Could anyone who has studied at either University give some details? (E.g. on what the exams/essays are like, the social scene and your general opinion of the course?). Many people have told me that Philosophy at LSE is very hard and the teaching is not great. Also, I did not do maths and sciences at A-Level - therefore, would I be at a disadvantage?

I love how UCL offers a more continental course and is much more diverse with the modules they offer. However, would graduating with a Philosophy degree from LSE be more useful after graduation? (I may be wrong!)

Any comments would be extremely helpful! Thank You!
(edited 7 years ago)
Hello,

I am exactly in your same position. Have you made a decission? I have not been able to find much information, but I believe UCL offers a more classicsl approach to philosophy, whilst LSE offers a more applied focus (no armchair philosophy). However, this has not help me on making a decission.
Reply 2
Original post by Yorke2016
Hello,

I am exactly in your same position. Have you made a decission? I have not been able to find much information, but I believe UCL offers a more classicsl approach to philosophy, whilst LSE offers a more applied focus (no armchair philosophy). However, this has not help me on making a decission.


It's a really difficult decision! One of the concerns I have with choosing LSE is that I may not enjoy the course as much as UCL, and therefore, I might not do as well? But at the Offers Day, many of the students really enjoyed the course. I understand the course is orientated around Philo of Sci, but i’m still not too sure to what extent the course delves into this (sciences, maths etc?). Reading the course content, there are some things i'm not entirely familiar with.

Have you decided?
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by cavoem123
It's a really difficult decision! One of the concerns I have with choosing LSE is that I may not enjoy the course as much as UCL, and therefore, I might not do as well? But at the Offers Day, many of the students really enjoyed the course. I understand the course is orientated around Philo of Sci, but i’m still not too sure to what extent the course delves into this (sciences, maths etc?). Reading the course content, there are some things i'm not entirely familiar with.

Have you decided?


I am aware that the course at LSE is oriented around phil of science. This is an area I find rather interesting, altough not necessarly the only specialization that I would fancy. Therefore, I decide for UCL.

However, I have also received an offer from The University of Edinburgh. I believe it is this last possibility the one I find more attractive, since I would be able to develop my interests further. Do you think it is a wise decission?
Reply 4
Original post by Yorke2016
I am aware that the course at LSE is oriented around phil of science. This is an area I find rather interesting, altough not necessarly the only specialization that I would fancy. Therefore, I decide for UCL.

However, I have also received an offer from The University of Edinburgh. I believe it is this last possibility the one I find more attractive, since I would be able to develop my interests further. Do you think it is a wise decission?

I find Philo of Sci very interesting, but you have a point- it’s not something I want to necessarily specialise in. I am also debating whether LSE is a better choice in the long-term, especially because of its reputation, graduate prospects etc. (Also the degree is much more attractive to employers). At the end of the day, perhaps this is what's more important. Do you think for the long-term, LSE would be the wiser choice? I wish I had some information on what exams and essays were like.

I have some friends who go to Edinburgh and they love it! The philosophy department is really great. I guess at the end of the day, the wisest decisionshould really be choosing something you enjoy!

…I say that, but then again, I can’t even make a decision! haha
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 5
have either of you heard back form UCL or LSE with offers? I
Original post by cavoem123
I have received an offer from both UCL and LSE to study Philosophy. And I am finding this decision really difficult to make!

Could anyone who has studied at either University give some details? (E.g. on what the exams/essays are like, the social scene and your general opinion of the course?). Many people have told me that Philosophy at LSE is very hard and the teaching is not great. Also, I did not do maths and sciences at A-Level - therefore, would I be at a disadvantage?

I love how UCL offers a more continental course and is much more diverse with the modules they offer. However, would graduating with a Philosophy degree from LSE be more useful after graduation? (I may be wrong!)

Any comments would be extremely helpful! Thank You!


hi can you please tell me your o level and a level grades
Reply 7
Hi, I am also a student at the University of Edinburgh (doing computer science) and I absolutely love it! I found this website that could help you to choose btw, it's called unibudy. It puts you in contact with people in your universities doing the subject you're interested in, and you can ask them any questions. There are also a few posts that can tell you a little more about the lifestyle at UCL, LSE, UoE etc hope it'll help

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