Is LSE as bad as everyone says?

How many choices do you have left on your UCAS, and for which course?

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I was stupid and applied to unis based on their league table rankings. I applied Oxford(rejected), Warwick (Offer), UCL, Bath (Offer), and LSE. I'm looking to study straight economics.

So what's your question then. Wait and see which offers you get.

If I hypothetically got a place at LSE is it as bad as everyone says?

I want to know a bit more about the uni. I had this crazy overambitious life plan of me getting into Oxford and now everything has just gone down the drain so I'm trying to get a bit more control back and I want a bit more security. Pls help

What do you mean by ‘as bad as everyone says’. LSE is what you make of it. Academically, there’s some of the best lecturers in the world. Also it’s only a social science university so you get the best in that field. Socially, it has a poor reputation but if you’re extroverted you’ll obviously still have a great time.

It’s widely considered the 3 best uni in the UK along with ICL and UCL.

Surely LSE isnt bad because so many people apply.

Do the people who say its bad study at LSE?

Many London Unis are 'turn up for class and then just leave' and because everyone lives all over the place, having a social life can be tricky.

If you want all of the delights of a big city but without these drawbacks, then look at places like Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Southampton, Newcastle.

Depends on halls - Passfield & Carr-Saunders are the most social (though there are fewer internationals as you can't leave your stuff there during holidays), Rosebery & Bankside are also good; but Urbanest/High Holborn/Northumberland House are rubbish.

Okay, so I've just been rejected by Oxford and I'm struggling to chose my next uni. It's probably between LSE and Warwick (maybe UCL as well but I didn't really like UCL when I went to the open day). My main concern is that everyone says LSE is really dead and there's almost no social life and the teaching isn't that good either. How true is this?
I'm from London (the outskirts) and I've lived here all my life. I like the city but it does get a bit claustrophobic at times and I'm not a huge fan of the tube. If I go LSE I'll definitely live out fist year and then I'll probably live out 2nd and 3rd year as well but it depends on the cost. I quite like the idea of having friends who are international students especially since my parents were born and brought up in India (my name suggests otherwise). But I've heard all the international students stick to themselves and there aren't that many British students. I just want mates I can go out with and stuff and I can get the work done anyway (lol).
I would also quite like to do a masters so I'm potentially thinking of doing my degree at Warwick and then my masters at LSE, when social wont be as important. Also I have a few friends from the year above who went Warwick and they're really enjoying it but idk if I'll like living in the countryside and only really having a few places to go out to.
Can someone tell me what they thought of LSE and if it is as bad as everyone says it is.

Thank you xx

Firstly good luck with applications! Secondly the MAIN issue with the likes of LSE and UCL are the fact that they are research based universities. The expectation is for you to independently research a LOT and given the lecturers are themselves researchers, they aren’t very good teachers , and that explains why these unis have poor student satisfaction and everyone claims the teaching is rubbish, because it’s one thing to be very knowledgeable and it’s another thing to coherently give u that knowledge .

Another thing is because everyone hears LSE and UCL, with their good reputations, immediately everyone expects spoonfeeding to some extent and the reality is somewhat different ; it’s very fast paced in nature.

Social life: uni is what you make of it! I did honestly find internationals very timid and unfriendly at first but that’s everyone , as it takes time to get out of your shell in a new environment. BUT, internationals are paying double the UK fee, so they tend to be a bit more reserved because they have a bit more to lose in some way. Everyone is extremely competitive because everyone around you, even your friends, are competing for internships and jobs so it’s about maintaining that balance; especially at your top unis, I can guarantee not one person is there to just party, yes maybe for a week or so, but then it’s truly heads down and focus on work.

I see. That's actually very useful and has somewhat leaned me towards LSE now. Are you a current student and if so would it be okay if I messaged you a few more questions . Thanks

Thank you! I see what you mean and it has somewhat reassured me about the teaching standards. If anything I kinda prefer learning things on my own so LSE is growing on me.

I also understand what you mean about internationals and I guess with the whole social aspect I just have to appreciate that the whole thing is on luck and whether or not I'm able to make a good set of friends.

My only real concern is that I'm not as career oriented as you imply everyone else is with the constant pursuit of internships etc. I'm not too sure what job I want to do and after a master's I really don't want to be working for some investment bank or something. Hopefully I'll be working in a government department or the BoE or some intergovernmental organisation like the IMF or even for a charity but I'm not too sure yet. I guess I'll just have to see and maybe I might even learn something from all the career focused people there.

Thanks once again!

Im in a similar predicament here, albeit for more quantitative courses. Ultimately it's between LSE and Warwick if I get offers from both. I think it's fair to say that to the bare minimum, LSE isn't as good as other unis for social life. But frankly it doesn't bother me. At the end of the day you just have to hope you can find some good friends in a sea of weirdos.

If you're career minded though LSE is apparently perfect, plenty of like minded ppl and a brilliant brand and career service to suit you. Warwick perhaps to a lesser extent although no matter what the LSE fanboys say, Warwick's brand name is on par with LSE in terms of entry into investment banking.

I hope I get offers from both but i dont think ill be too bothered if i get rejected from LSE.

That's just my take on it all