LSE vs Cambridge

I have an offer from both. I've grown up outside in the UK in quite a big city but I don't mind a change in living in Cambridge - I would *slightly* prefer a London lifestyle though, I think. My course at Cambridge is HSPS while it's International Relations at the LSE. I love both courses equally - the Cambridge course is broader and gives me the choice between various disciplines whereas LSE has a much narrow but more specific and specialised course (as a result, I think I like the professors *slightly* better). When I got my Cambridge acceptance, everyone in school including teachers went bazinga congratulating me. It was much more toned down when I got into the LSE - hardly anyone knew where that was (and my teachers are all British)! I do like the LSE *slightly* more on all fronts, but I'm wondering if it's worth choosing Cambridge just for its glitz and glamour. Given the career I'm hoping to go into (Diplomacy), maybe Camb is the right place for connections? Or would those be better in a big city such as London? Help please!

Reply 1

yudothis

20

Safe to say that either of those will provide you with great career opportunities, so I don't think there is a "wrong" choice here.

Think about going to Cambridge and if down the line you would regret that, and vice versa.

Reply 2

boombayah

OP

9

Would appreciate your input folks -- since I've seen you quite a bit on the Cambridge thread.

Reply 3

wolfmoon88

21

Original post by boombayah

Would appreciate your input folks -- since I've seen you quite a bit on the Cambridge thread.

OP, congratulations on both offers. They are both great choices... honestly, both will offer great employment opportunities regardless. Choose the course that you like more and the place that you like more. If that's LSE then choose LSE. However if you want to broaden your horizons and you anticipate that there is a chance that you may be interested in other disciplines other than IR, then I would seriously consider taking up your offer at Cambridge for HSPS. Remember, you still have a lot of time to choose your firm/insurance choices, so don't feel pressured to choose right away and I hope this helps.

P.S. For Diplomacy, both Cambridge and LSE are good so you don't really need to worry about that :tongue:

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 4

Doones

21

Original post by boombayah

Would appreciate your input folks -- since I've seen you quite a bit on the Cambridge thread.

As per @wolfmoon88 :wink:

And I would add a couple of things... the collegiate and supervision/tutorial systems at Oxbridge really are a stand-out feature in comparison with any other university. LSE has its benefits too but you do need to take them into account.

And also, personally, I think it's better to start on a broader undergrad course than specialise too soon. HSPS would give you that broader background before narrowing onto the IR track.

BUT LSE is for sure an excellent opportunity too.

Neither would be the "wrong" choice. :smile:

Reply 5

wolfmoon88

21

Original post by jneill

And also, personally, I think it's better to start on a broader undergrad course than specialise too soon. HSPS would give you that broader background before narrowing onto the IR track.

This is what I think as well, mostly because it is beneficial for diplomats to be aware and learn about different areas of study. (Why a lot of diplomats take PPE in Oxford, HSPS in Cambridge, Double major/ major, minor in American unis.)

Reply 6

k.russell

13

Original post by boombayah

Would appreciate your input folks -- since I've seen you quite a bit on the Cambridge thread.

I'm quite honoured to be tagged really, thanks! I mean I don't know a lot about LSE, as I am a scientist and so it was never really somewhere I considered, but I do have a few thoughts.

London will give you more of a big city vibe, whereas Cambridge is quite small really. I'd say this has pros and cons in itself; you will never run out of stuff to do in London, but in Cambridge you'll not have to deal with a bad commute everyday (seriously people whine about Girton, but I'd rather do that than 45 minutes on the tube twice a day). London has some very pretty parts but a lot of it is urban and ugly. Cambridge feels a bit rural if you grew up in the city, but it is very scenic (pretty much everywhere).

Socially, at LSE you will probably meet a lot of ambitious people who want to work in the city, whereas at Cambridge you will probably find a bit more diversity because Cambridge has a much wider range of courses and whatnot, I've also heard from people who go to uni in London sometimes you don't get that university social 'bubble' experience as much as you might elsewhere because the city is so big and most students live far apart. Also there will be some really amazing people at Cambridge next year like @k.russell

I can't comment much on the academic side of things, but both are really top institutions. One thing I would say is that you may find the HSPS tripos more flexible than a straight up international relations degree. It's not the most important point but I'd also expect Cambridge's international reputation might be slightly higher than LSE's to people who are not economics specialists (read: most people).

This whole post is probs a bit biased since I have firmed my Cambridge offer but y'know lol...

Reply 7

wolfmoon88

21

Original post by k.russell

I'm quite honoured to be tagged really, thanks! I mean I don't know a lot about LSE, as I am a scientist and so it was never really somewhere I considered, but I do have a few thoughts.

London will give you more of a big city vibe, whereas Cambridge is quite small really. I'd say this has pros and cons in itself; you will never run out of stuff to do in London, but in Cambridge you'll not have to deal with a bad commute everyday (seriously people whine about Girton, but I'd rather do that than 45 minutes on the tube twice a day). London has some very pretty parts but a lot of it is urban and ugly. Cambridge feels a bit rural if you grew up in the city, but it is very scenic (pretty much everywhere).

Socially, at LSE you will probably meet a lot of ambitious people who want to work in the city, whereas at Cambridge you will probably find a bit more diversity because Cambridge has a much wider range of courses and whatnot, I've also heard from people who go to uni in London sometimes you don't get that university social 'bubble' experience as much as you might elsewhere because the city is so big and most students live far apart. Also there will be some really amazing people at Cambridge next year like @k.russell

I can't comment much on the academic side of things, but both are really top institutions. One thing I would say is that you may find the HSPS tripos more flexible than a straight up international relations degree. It's not the most important point but I'd also expect Cambridge's international reputation might be slightly higher than LSE's to people who are not economics specialists (read: most people).

This whole post is probs a bit biased since I have firmed my Cambridge offer but y'know lol...