King's College or LUISS (Rome) ?

Good evening everyone,

I'm in Belgian student in development studies who applied for different Masters and got different offers. I've selected two: European Public Policy at King's College and Master in International Public Affairs at LUISS Guido Carli in Rome (in Italy but taught in English).

I think that both topics are interesting, I don't really prefer one to the other. However, the way it is taught seems to be pretty different (very few course hours at KCL + many essays, and more course hours at LUISS). In terms of finance, both are expensive, there is no significant difference (tough life in Rome is cheaper than in London).

I have a preference for the city and the life in Rome. But since I had an overview of the Italian University system when I was an Erasmus student in Bologna, I have some doubts about the value of an Italian degree.

I know LUISS is very prestigious in Italy, especially the department of Political Sciences, but what about other countries ? I have the feeling that KCL is much more recognized and would open to me more doors to get a good job. Anyone an opinion ? I've to giver an answer by June 15th for both programmes, so time is running out
Anyone who knows

I can’t give you any advice, but I’ve got a question, actually a few . I would like to go to King’s, so I’m curious how your application process went. What did you have to do? When did you started with, did you do an English language test and which one – was it hard?
I know a lot of questions, if you find any time to answer them it would be great, thanks
At which university do you study right now?

Right now I study at the Catholic University of Louvain, in Belgium. Since I"m not a native speaker, I took the TOEFL Ibt Test 4 months ago, and I got 102 (admission requirement is 100). Not really hard, I don't have an extraordinary level of english, but you must be prepared to the test (especially the speaking section)

I got the offer about 3 months after I had sent my application. The application process is quite easy at KCL. They just ask you to upload the usual stuff (language certification, grades, resume, letter of motivation). You can also upload your references letters, so they don't need to contact your referees directly. It can go very fast in fact if you have all your stuff ready.
The applications are still open for this programme, but I believe you should hurry up if you want to start in september.

Thanks a lot! This gives some courage, I heard it was quite hard to apply, so …
I’m glad to hear that the language part went quite well, I wasn’t really sure what the level of such tests would be.

Right now I’m in my second bachelor year, so still one to go. But if I would want to go, I’d have to start with all of it around October/November, I guess

Please let me know if you’ve decided which university you’ll take!

I would say KCL, but it depends on what you want to do and where you want to go...
If you go to Italy you could have the opportunity to learn a new language, that could be helpful if you want to work here (i'm Italian, N-E of Italy). I've been told the Luiss is loosing the "prestige" helded years ago.
Hope this helps...
G.

Hey, I graduated from Luiss two months ago(undergraduate in politics and international relations). Maybe I can give you some help!
Go to King's. ehehe I applied there for my master.


Luiss is a good university ok and does help you out while looking for a job in Italy but mostly in firms. They do have a "Job Day" in May where firms and companies come to the university and you can leave the curriculum, so it is pretty connected in terms of future occupation but depends on the type of job you want to do.

What are you looking for as a job?Do you want to work in Italy or abroad, and what type of job?

You should as well understand one major difference. What we call in italy "Master" is not what they call in England "Master of arts". We call the second level of university education(which is the MA or MSc) as "Specialistica"(although comparing different level of education is not always easy).
In Italy you can do "Master di I livello"(after the undergraduate degree) or "Master di II livello"(after the postgraduate degree). Some students after their undergraduate degree take this master of I livello (instead of Specialistica which is two years long) and then look for a job. It's supposed to be pretty practical compared to the theoretical approach of Italian undergraduate degree or "specialistica". Yours is a Master of II livello , which is considered pretty good by italian companies as being like a third level of studies.

just to make it easier

undergraduate-Laurea Triennale --->Master di I livello
postgraduate-Laurea Specialistica---->Master di II livello

Thanks very much, it's good to have an Italian point of view.

I knew that Italy has a special system with specialistica/Master I e II livello, but was not aware that a Master of II livello would be regarded as a third level degree. Indeed, you need to have already a Master degree to be eligible for that programme.

I don't really mind working in the private or public sector. I'd rather work in a firm in Italy in fact (or in Brussel, something related to EU). By the way, LUISS organize for the students of this Master a seminar that prepares to the tests of the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO).

Finally, since I hate writing a thesis, I don't think I'd feel comfortable with the way courses are taught in UK (lot of independent work trough essays and a Master thesis). There are plenty of courses at LUISS (16 !) with a small Master thesis, wich I personally prefer. And I have a better feeling with Rome and Italy, totally subjective but important as well.

Now I'm also considering the offer I got from the University of Maastricht, wich is much more affordable (1.700€ vs. 8.500€), does include an internship as part of the programme (18 ECTS out of 60) and does NOT include a Thesis. Not to mention that is only 45 min from my home by car.

It will be LUISS or Maastricht, thank you all, even tough 2 people recommended me KCL and nobody LUISS