LSE vs King's: which one to choose?

Hi,

I have been accepted in two different universities (namely LSE and King's) for two interesting Masters, and I am thinking to enroll in both of them (politics/social sciences). Financially, there is no problem but I am wondering if it is legally and technically possible - I mean, regarding the workload, knowing that I am well organized and I know how to face large amount of work.

Thanks for your answers!

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 1

Kogomogo

What if there's an exam / lecture clash?

Could you defer one?

Reply 2

Admit-One

Universities Forum Helper

The workoad would be huge. Neither uni would permit it if they were aware of the situation.

Reply 3

username3739074

When I've accepted offers/seen offer letters, they've stated that the only institution I am permitted to study at is that institution - if you check the terms and conditions of your offer, you'll likely see that too. If your other uni found out then you would be in big trouble and could be expelled from both.

Reply 4

Catherine1973

Wouldn’t it be easier to defer one and do them in a row?

Reply 5

TasteLikeChicken

Yep, it's not allowed. You must only be enrolled at one uni at a time.

Reply 6

Val9212

Original post by Kogomogo

What if there's an exam / lecture clash?

Could you defer one?

Original post by Admit-One

The workoad would be huge. Neither uni would permit it if they were aware of the situation.

Original post by tenpastnein

Original post by Catherine1973

Wouldn’t it be easier to defer one and do them in a row?

Original post by TasteLikeChicken

Yep, it's not allowed. You must only be enrolled at one uni at a time.

Unfortunately not, they didn't accept when I asked for a deferral. Thanks all for your answers! I will try to make a choice.

Reply 7

Val9212

Hi again! If you had to advise me which uni to choose, which one would you choose?

Reply 8

TasteLikeChicken

Original post by Val9212

Hi again! If you had to advise me which uni to choose, which one would you choose?

Without knowing much about PoliSci, probably LSE. It's a fantastic uni, with a great reputation. KCL has a good rep too, don't get me wrong, but LSE seems to be the consistent top 4 with Oxbridge and Imperial on average.

Reply 9

Val9212

Original post by TasteLikeChicken

Hi, thanks. I was thinking the same.
Specifically, I applied for an MSc focusing on China at LSE and on European Studies at King's.
Should I prefer one over the other, based on academic reputation on these subjects? Knowing that both are very attractive to me, and both includes modules in politics/IR.
Thanks !

Reply 10

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by Val9212

Do you want to specialise in the politics of China, or of Europe? They're very different regions with different politics which will engender different academic approaches I imagine...

Reply 11

TasteLikeChicken

Original post by Val9212

As someone else said, the politics of the regions will surely differ vastly.

However, there actually isn't too much disparity between LSE and King's when looking at the league table for politics (which I think encompasses international relations): https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/politics

LSE is 4th, KCL is 6th.

So, it really depends on what you want to study. Intuitively, I'd see LSE as the prestigious options which will look better on your CV, but that intuition could mean nothing.

Reply 12

Val9212

Original post by artful_lounger

Do you want to specialise in the politics of China, or of Europe? They're very different regions with different politics which will engender different academic approaches I imagine...

Original post by TasteLikeChicken

I have the same intuition but I am struggling to decide! I am still thinking that LSE is better is these subjects and will have a better impact on my CV.

Reply 13

TasteLikeChicken

Original post by Val9212

Actually, both. They will both be useful for my future career in Europe. However, European politics topics may be a slightly better fit. Also, King's is offering a semester abroad at Sciences Po. That could be interesting!

I have the same intuition but I am struggling to decide! I am still thinking that LSE is better is these subjects and will have a better impact on my CV.

Since you want to work in Europe, and like the look of LSE, could you apply to a European politics-centred MA?

Reply 14

username3739074

Sounds to me like you might want King's. From what I understand, both have a great rep in politics but that semester abroad at KCL would be very tempting to me - Sciences Po is the 2nd highest ranked uni in the world for politics (QS Rankings, 2021) and its reputation on the continent is likely even better than here. Combined with the fact that KCL is where you have an offer for European politics, I'd say choose that one. Quite frankly though, both are amazing unis - I've had to make similar choices, and while I was genuinely torn, I was happy to know that whatever choice I made, I couldn't mess up too much. Good luck! :smile:

Reply 15

Val9212

Original post by TasteLikeChicken

Since you want to work in Europe, and like the look of LSE, could you apply to a European politics-centred MA?

LSE is offering this course but haven't been accepted, unfortunately. But I have been accepted at King's, for this precise MA :smile:

Original post by tenpastnein

Thanks

! That's why I can't abandon this option ahah. But what I would like to be sure of is that, in terms of reputation (both on the continent and anywhere else), job opportunities and quality of teaching, I don’t loose too much choosing either King’s or LSE, right?