International Relations Masters

At LSE you can apply to two courses at the same time. Why not put MSc IR as first choice, and another program like MSc Global Politics (which I'm doing now), MSc Comparative Politics, or MSc International Political Economy as a second choice? They're all competitive but obviously MSc IR is one of LSE's prestige courses and has more applicants.

Reply 4

The Boosh

17

Geneva would be interesting - the city is gorgeous (just got back from there) and is the city of peace (the UN and Red Cross are based there). Maybe some great learning opportunities from these organisations. Shame its not the full on university - one of the biggies in Europe and part of an elite European research network.

Reply 5

Tindra

OP

Thanks for your replies and messages.

Shady Lane: How are you enjoying the MSc in Global Politics?

My hesitation with LSE and with Sciences po is that they are strictly courses... (if I started entertaining the idea of a PHd sometime down the line...)

Reply 6

I've met a number of people who started on an MSc and went on to a PhD at LSE.
I really like my course so far. No complaints :smile:

Reply 7

Sinomart

Hello,

Thank you all for your comments, which are very useful. I am currently looking into graduate IR courses at Oxford/Cambridge/LSE (assuming that these are the best places to be - is that fair?) with a view to doing a Ph.D. I wondered if anybody would be able to advise on the following. (I'm obiously fairly clueless, so pls don't feel obliged to answer all of them!)

・I am particularly interested in Northeast Asian security, especially China/Japan/US. Does anybody know how Ox/Cam/LSE compare in these fields?
・Does one department have a better reputation than the others in general?
・Is it bad protocol to appy to all three institutions?
・And here's the killer... What are the chances of getting funding covering course fees and living expenses for a full 4 years for the Masters/Ph.D?

Well, that little list should give you all plenty of excuses not to study. Any advice greatly appreciated (unless of the "you're pissed if your life depends on it" ilk). Cheers!

Cambridge has one person working on current NE Asian security, and two who have done work on historical issues. Check out Suzuki, Towle and Barkawi on the Centre website.

The reputation really depends on who you are working with, certainly at PhD level, so it depends on your focus. Within the IR world I think there is little to split LSE and Oxford, with Cam behind the two of them (only slightly of course!)

I don't think there is any problem at all applying to all three. You should also consider King's College, London (KCL) and Aberystwyth.

Funding - there is absolutely none available in the IR department (Centre of International Studies) at Cambridge, can't comment on the other places.

Reply 9

Don't forget about SOAS.

Reply 10

lorrybeep

13

If you're interested in asian stuff, check soas

Reply 11

yeung3939

SOAS is not particulary good for East Asian politics, as far as I know.

Reply 12

Tindra

OP

yeung3939

SOAS is not particulary good for East Asian politics, as far as I know.

A question:

The Cambridge International Relations MPhil is one year while the Oxford one is two years. Any either why and the benefits-drawbacks of either?

Reply 13

Alan Smithee

Tindra

A question:

The Cambridge International Relations MPhil is one year while the Oxford one is two years. Any either why and the benefits-drawbacks of either?

They are different courses serving different purposes.

The Cambridge MPhil is equivalent to Oxford's MSc in International Relations.

Reply 14

Lexy86

Based on the experience of IR/Politics grads successfully employed at prestigious places with a plump salary, Warwick/York/Bristol/Nottingham aren't any worse than LSE/Cambridge in terms of where they get you in the long run. I'm on for a 1st and I'm being urged to apply to the latter duo, but I really think I'd be happier at any one of the former institutions. Personally, I'm shooting for either Bristol or York as top choices at the moment - I'd like to avoid suicidal thoughts and possibly raise my eyes from a book/computer screen every once in a while during my MA/MSc.

Bristol's got some pretty great courses in the field, and York has a very appealing programme at their Post-War Reconstruction & Development Unit - it's basically IR with management and business elements mixed in. York also offers a 6-week internship at an organisation of your choice, field trips abroad (recent visits have included Lebanon, Sri Lanka and so forth) and a variety of other things if you're interested.

Reply 15

I've got to plump for LSE because it's in London. Between events in the city and the amazing speakers that LSE attracts in politics and IR, I think you'd get a better educational experience. Not necessarily in terms of content but in the extras that LSE provides. They also have a parliamentary internship scheme for postgrads, that's an incredible program. It also has an international reputation that rivals only Oxbridge in terms of British universities. In a subject like IR that is very important as well.

Reply 16

Lexy86

shady lane

I've got to plump for LSE because it's in London. Between events in the city and the amazing speakers that LSE attracts in politics and IR, I think you'd get a better educational experience. Not necessarily in terms of content but in the extras that LSE provides. They also have a parliamentary internship scheme for postgrads, that's an incredible program. It also has an international reputation that rivals only Oxbridge in terms of British universities. In a subject like IR that is very important as well.

It all sounds fantastic, but it's not for everyone - even the most intelligent people may get severely exhausted because they simply chose the wrong place for them. Many people end up falling for the reputation bonus, only to get disillusioned further down the line. Personally, I feel I'd be a lot more relaxed at a place like Bristol or York, which would definitely positively affect my grades. Would I really get that much further with a 2:1 from LSE than I would with a 1st from, say, Bristol? Even if so, only at the very beginning. I've heard mixed reviews, but everyone pretty much ends up saying the same thing - no one's going to want to hire an entirely overexhausted dull graduate from the best school over a motivated and excited grad from a place that ranks in the top 10 who's just as intelligent and competent as their rival. If anyone feels that there's any chance they may end up like the former after their Oxbridge/LSE experience, it may be best to choose a different school.

Reply 17

There's no 1st/2:1/etc for masters.
The majority of master's students my department leave with Merits, a small number get Distinctions, a less small number get Pass marks. Besides the fact that your marks in master's degrees only matter if you're going to a PhD program.

Reply 18

Realist101

13

you cannot forget soas if your interested in asia or africa.

Reply 19

Lexy86