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MPA Public & Economic policy LSE

Hi,

I have an offer to do the above course (2 years long) from Sept. Problem is, it's bloody expensive - i.e. I'd have to practically bankrupt myself to get through it and live like a peasant in London for 2 years.

On the upside, it looks an incredible degree and having that on your CV is obviously worth a lot in future earnings...though people say the LSE's teaching is dreadful and they don't give a **** about their students, which rather calls into question whether it's worth the money.

Any thoughts, or even better, experience of the course would be fantastic, as this is a bit of a dilemma.

Thanks,

Tom

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Reply 1
why not do a one year masters in something similar?
Reply 2
jeebsa
why not do a one year masters in something similar?


I have also applied for a one-year masters elsewhere. Point is, the MPA looks absoilutely fantastic and exactly what I'm after. Hence I'm wondering if the teaching quality etc at LSE makes the extra money worth it
Reply 3
without a doubt it is excellent at postgrad level but a different issue for undergrads, so it goes. LSE are a postgrad orientated institution from my experience so you shouldnt worry. I would think every penny of your money is well spent, not only for academic excellence, but for networking with employers within the UK and the name alone
Reply 4
I have also got an offer, and I will do the 2 year programme without a doubt... I am sure is the best way I can spent my savings and the loan I am asking for. I must be honest, I’m pretty sure about getting a scholarship from my country government that covers most of the university fees, but all the money needed to live in London for 2 years must turn out from my own pocket, and be sure that where I am from, that is a very HUGE amount of money.
In that way I am tempted to start at Sciences Po the first year (I've got that offer too) and do the second in LSE. It depends on other scholarships that I am applying to, which are from different French organizations, exclusively to French Universities. Nevertheless, if I got any French scholarship (the 3 of them are complementary to my government's scholarship), but I am not sure about having the opportunity to do the second year in London, I would prefer to ask for a bigger loan and spend my two years in LSE……… at any prize!
From my point of view it can be summarize like this……. If you already worked hard for a place, and got it, money should not be now the stumbling block to change all your future career! Come on, let's met on September 22nd for the MPA preliminary course!!!!!!!!:five: :five:
Reply 5
yufli
I have also got an offer, and I will do the 2 year programme without a doubt... I am sure is the best way I can spent my savings and the loan I am asking for. I must be honest, I’m pretty sure about getting a scholarship from my country government that covers most of the university fees, but all the money needed to live in London for 2 years must turn out from my own pocket, and be sure that where I am from, that is a very HUGE amount of money.
In that way I am tempted to start at Sciences Po the first year (I've got that offer too) and do the second in LSE. It depends on other scholarships that I am applying to, which are from different French organizations, exclusively to French Universities. Nevertheless, if I got any French scholarship (the 3 of them are complementary to my government's scholarship), but I am not sure about having the opportunity to do the second year in London, I would prefer to ask for a bigger loan and spend my two years in LSE……… at any prize!
From my point of view it can be summarize like this……. If you already worked hard for a place, and got it, money should not be now the stumbling block to change all your future career! Come on, let's met on September 22nd for the MPA preliminary course!!!!!!!!:five: :five:


You're right - money "shouldn't" be a stumbling block - but I'm not rich, and the course will be very expensive. Masters funding is very hard for UK students, but I have an interview at the Bank of England this week, who will pay one year of the fees if I'm successful. Fingers are very firmly crossed!!

Everyone I've spoken to, including my economics lecturers, have told me to go if I possibly can and not to worry about the quality of teaching. If I can scrape the money together, I'm going to do it. I definitely want 2 years at the LSE as my interest is really in economics. That also means I'll be skipping the MPA induction fortnight and doing the economics induction instead (hopefully!). I got the letter through the post today, it's very exciting...
Reply 6
tograd
You're right - money "shouldn't" be a stumbling block - but I'm not rich, and the course will be very expensive. Masters funding is very hard for UK students, but I have an interview at the Bank of England this week, who will pay one year of the fees if I'm successful. Fingers are very firmly crossed!!

Everyone I've spoken to, including my economics lecturers, have told me to go if I possibly can and not to worry about the quality of teaching. If I can scrape the money together, I'm going to do it. I definitely want 2 years at the LSE as my interest is really in economics. That also means I'll be skipping the MPA induction fortnight and doing the economics induction instead (hopefully!). I got the letter through the post today, it's very exciting...


ohhh, I forgot to mention that I applied to the PPM stream and not the PEP:rolleyes: , so I won’t have the preliminary economic course. However I am sure we will meet in early October! (cause you’re going to get your credit, I do not doubt it even for one second)

Tell me more about the letter….. I have got the “unconditional offer” since December the 18th and no letter have arrived yet……I already called to graduate admissions, but they only told me to be patient, and that they are going to send another one………. I think that about April the 15th I am going to have 2 offer booklet jajaja. I already sent them my transcript and the original version of a letter they asked me to send, they processed it, cause nowadays they are only asking me about things that came in the offer pack........

Hey, have you already applied to accommodation, or you are not going to apply I have some many doubts about that issue.
Reply 7
I got a letter from them about a week after getting the decision online. letter just asked me to accept the place and apply for the economics options. I also have to send them grade transcripts etc.

As for accomodation, I'll be renting a shared flat. I lived in halls of residence as a 1st year undergraduate; it was fun, but living in shared flats suits me better these days. Getting flats in London is easy, try www.gumtree.com etc
Reply 8
What average marks did you tell LSE you had obtained?
Reply 9
jeebsa
What average marks did you tell LSE you had obtained?


Just the truth..... It's difficult for me to explain, because here we don't use the British system, but my GPA was about 5.5 (the higher grade you can obtain is 7.0). In the transcripts says it's like to have a B (not B- or B+, just B).

But I think that maybe what made a difference in the "commission's" decision was that I was well ranked in my class, had 2 years of paid work experience, also that my undergraduate studies lasted 5 years -my degree lasts 10 semesters-, and that I have a huge background in public and non-profit sector (voluntary and paid work).

As well, I think that my reference letters were very important, because they were from people who knew me a lot, and had worked with me and/or taught me, so they were very consistent with my personal statement, well, at least I do think so.:p:
Reply 10
What careers does the MPA open?
Reply 11
jeebsa
What average marks did you tell LSE you had obtained?


Likewise for me - although my average is 71, they've only asked for a 2:1 as the condition for entry. It's basically a public sector MBA, so I think they were more concerned with my work experience than grades. I had to submit a full scanned transcript, it wasn't just me telling them my average grade. Also, I agree with the previous poster - when applying for masters, definitely find referees who know you well and like you. I was lucky to have two lecturers who believe in me and wrote positive reports.

As for what careers it opens - careers in policymaking (think tanks/political work), civil service, consultancy with the public sector, public management etc. Personally I want to work as a professional economist in a policy environment at the Bank of England, IMF, World Bank or similar.
Reply 12
Hey guys,

I ran across your forum while researching an unrelated topic and thought I would offer my services :smile:

I am a second year MPA PPM student at LSE on the PPM stream, and I have spent both years of my degree at LSE (after completing a BA in the USA). And here are a few thoughts....

1) The MPA is extremely expensive. As an American I am now suffering through six-figures worth of debt from the USA government. That said, I would argue it is worth it - especially if you are on the PEP stream and/or you take the dual degree option.

2) Teaching at LSE is variable, as it is with any university; however, my experience has been (with two exceptions) very positive. I would not have studied at LSE as an undergrad, but as a post grad I have had fantastic experiences with some of the best minds in the field: Dunleavy, Burgess, Held, etc.

3) In terms of presessional courses, all MPAers (regardless of stream) take the MPA-specific pre-sessional their first year unless they have a strong background in economics and are ubber keen on taking additional economics courses above and beyond the required MPA core curriculum. (Please note that you have to pass the econ specific pre-sessional in order to get permission to take additional classes, and 2nd year students can pursue the econ pre-sessional in year two if they are keen). Both presessionals are challenging and should give u a good indication as to your readiness to pursue further econ and econometric options.

4) In terms of job potential, don't think the MPA limits yourself to policy making. Many students indeed take the kid of positions listed above (and we have fantastic relations with OECD, World Bank and various political organisations). However, many students go private --- partially due to debt. Last year, the job market for graduates included Goldman Sachs, Marakon, Bank of England, NATO, multiple foreign service agencies and multiple PhD programmes. This year, the spread is similarly varried, with a fair number of students returning to their home countries and a fair number of others going into strat houses.

5) Best thing about the programme: your coursemates... many of whom will have left the jobs you want! (E.g. one of my class mates came from BoE, one from WB, one from USAID, one from Goldman)

6) Second best thing: optional modules. You can take your optional courses basically from any department you want. Some people specialise on a topic (e.g. economic development) and others take a wide range. Even if they are not on the approved list, you can usually get in. Hence, I am taking a risk management course through the accounting department, two IT courses through the information technologies department, a system modelling course through the operational research department and a innovation in public sector course through the social policy institute.

7) The 'bad and the ugly': this is a public choice programme... and you should know what that means. This is an expensive programme, and you should understand the sacrifices you will have to make. This is a demanding programme, and you will be working over holidays while other msc students are playing. This is a self-motivated programme. If you want the course/the teacher/the job/the help, you are going to have to fight for it.

LSE's MPA is not a traditional MPA, by North American or Australian standards; it is uniquely LSE. Thus, you will graduate prepared in ways different than others, but better for it. Also, if you are a non-EU citizen, you should be aware that this counts as part of the the HSMP, thus your chances for remaining in the UK post-graduation are very high... if you want it.

Hope this helps. If you have more questions, feel free to ask. Otherwise, find us on facebook :smile:
Reply 13
If you were to get a job at an IB only with the MPA, would you join as an analyst or an associate?
Analyst
Reply 15
Only with an MPA? It depends entirely on the organisation and your past work experience. Most London based firms seem to prefer work experience over academic degrees.... they like connections even more :smile: so get an internship, find friends and go from there :smile:

PS if u know of a specific IB, i can make inquiries. no promises.
Reply 16
Hi - I received an offer to do LSE PP&M 09-10.

We all know about the high fees, but is this course worthwhile in terms of future job prospects (the PEP stream seems to be better in terms of future job prospects?).

Any comments appreciated.
dtamulon
Hey guys,

I ran across your forum while researching an unrelated topic and thought I would offer my services :smile:

I am a second year MPA PPM student at LSE on the PPM stream, and I have spent both years of my degree at LSE (after completing a BA in the USA). And here are a few thoughts....

1) The MPA is extremely expensive. As an American I am now suffering through six-figures worth of debt from the USA government. That said, I would argue it is worth it - especially if you are on the PEP stream and/or you take the dual degree option.

2) Teaching at LSE is variable, as it is with any university; however, my experience has been (with two exceptions) very positive. I would not have studied at LSE as an undergrad, but as a post grad I have had fantastic experiences with some of the best minds in the field: Dunleavy, Burgess, Held, etc.

3) In terms of presessional courses, all MPAers (regardless of stream) take the MPA-specific pre-sessional their first year unless they have a strong background in economics and are ubber keen on taking additional economics courses above and beyond the required MPA core curriculum. (Please note that you have to pass the econ specific pre-sessional in order to get permission to take additional classes, and 2nd year students can pursue the econ pre-sessional in year two if they are keen). Both presessionals are challenging and should give u a good indication as to your readiness to pursue further econ and econometric options.

4) In terms of job potential, don't think the MPA limits yourself to policy making. Many students indeed take the kid of positions listed above (and we have fantastic relations with OECD, World Bank and various political organisations). However, many students go private --- partially due to debt. Last year, the job market for graduates included Goldman Sachs, Marakon, Bank of England, NATO, multiple foreign service agencies and multiple PhD programmes. This year, the spread is similarly varried, with a fair number of students returning to their home countries and a fair number of others going into strat houses.

5) Best thing about the programme: your coursemates... many of whom will have left the jobs you want! (E.g. one of my class mates came from BoE, one from WB, one from USAID, one from Goldman)

6) Second best thing: optional modules. You can take your optional courses basically from any department you want. Some people specialise on a topic (e.g. economic development) and others take a wide range. Even if they are not on the approved list, you can usually get in. Hence, I am taking a risk management course through the accounting department, two IT courses through the information technologies department, a system modelling course through the operational research department and a innovation in public sector course through the social policy institute.

7) The 'bad and the ugly': this is a public choice programme... and you should know what that means. This is an expensive programme, and you should understand the sacrifices you will have to make. This is a demanding programme, and you will be working over holidays while other msc students are playing. This is a self-motivated programme. If you want the course/the teacher/the job/the help, you are going to have to fight for it.

LSE's MPA is not a traditional MPA, by North American or Australian standards; it is uniquely LSE. Thus, you will graduate prepared in ways different than others, but better for it. Also, if you are a non-EU citizen, you should be aware that this counts as part of the the HSMP, thus your chances for remaining in the UK post-graduation are very high... if you want it.

Hope this helps. If you have more questions, feel free to ask. Otherwise, find us on facebook :smile:



Hi

I dont know whether you atill frequent TSR but worth a shot anyway... i have applied to the MPA Int dev... what is your opinion about this track?
I mmust say i have been rather confused about which course I want to study... the other options being the mphil in dev studies at oxford or cambridge. any idea on this?
also, if one wants to go to SIPA/ Science po for the second year, what are the chances of doing that? what are the criteria they look at?

would really appreciate anyone's response to this!

Cheers!
dtamulon
Hey guys,

I ran across your forum while researching an unrelated topic and thought I would offer my services :smile:

I am a second year MPA PPM student at LSE on the PPM stream, and I have spent both years of my degree at LSE (after completing a BA in the USA). And here are a few thoughts....

1) The MPA is extremely expensive. As an American I am now suffering through six-figures worth of debt from the USA government. That said, I would argue it is worth it - especially if you are on the PEP stream and/or you take the dual degree option.

2) Teaching at LSE is variable, as it is with any university; however, my experience has been (with two exceptions) very positive. I would not have studied at LSE as an undergrad, but as a post grad I have had fantastic experiences with some of the best minds in the field: Dunleavy, Burgess, Held, etc.

3) In terms of presessional courses, all MPAers (regardless of stream) take the MPA-specific pre-sessional their first year unless they have a strong background in economics and are ubber keen on taking additional economics courses above and beyond the required MPA core curriculum. (Please note that you have to pass the econ specific pre-sessional in order to get permission to take additional classes, and 2nd year students can pursue the econ pre-sessional in year two if they are keen). Both presessionals are challenging and should give u a good indication as to your readiness to pursue further econ and econometric options.

4) In terms of job potential, don't think the MPA limits yourself to policy making. Many students indeed take the kid of positions listed above (and we have fantastic relations with OECD, World Bank and various political organisations). However, many students go private --- partially due to debt. Last year, the job market for graduates included Goldman Sachs, Marakon, Bank of England, NATO, multiple foreign service agencies and multiple PhD programmes. This year, the spread is similarly varried, with a fair number of students returning to their home countries and a fair number of others going into strat houses.

5) Best thing about the programme: your coursemates... many of whom will have left the jobs you want! (E.g. one of my class mates came from BoE, one from WB, one from USAID, one from Goldman)

6) Second best thing: optional modules. You can take your optional courses basically from any department you want. Some people specialise on a topic (e.g. economic development) and others take a wide range. Even if they are not on the approved list, you can usually get in. Hence, I am taking a risk management course through the accounting department, two IT courses through the information technologies department, a system modelling course through the operational research department and a innovation in public sector course through the social policy institute.

7) The 'bad and the ugly': this is a public choice programme... and you should know what that means. This is an expensive programme, and you should understand the sacrifices you will have to make. This is a demanding programme, and you will be working over holidays while other msc students are playing. This is a self-motivated programme. If you want the course/the teacher/the job/the help, you are going to have to fight for it.

LSE's MPA is not a traditional MPA, by North American or Australian standards; it is uniquely LSE. Thus, you will graduate prepared in ways different than others, but better for it. Also, if you are a non-EU citizen, you should be aware that this counts as part of the the HSMP, thus your chances for remaining in the UK post-graduation are very high... if you want it.

Hope this helps. If you have more questions, feel free to ask. Otherwise, find us on facebook :smile:

I am in the same dilemma of Tograd and really need some advice/help!!! But I don't know if this topic is still active? Could anybody staying raise their voice? :wink: thankss
Reply 19
Hi!
I'm not sure this thread is still used...
I'm in the same situation as you, I received an offer for the MPA last week and I need some information. I'm currently in London and I'll try to meet someone from the MPA, so tell me if you have some particular questions to ask...

Cheers!

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