The Student Room Group
Original post by doubletops
Hi, I have offers for both Warwick and LSE for straight economics and was wondering if there is really any tangible difference between the two for economics and career prospects. I prefer Warwick due to the campus environment and the fact that living expenses will be much lower but I am aware that LSE has arguably a better reputation. Advice?

It's the classic paradox between more pleasurable environment or greater career prospects. LSE is undoubtedly the more prestige university and will definitely benefit you more in the long run. However, if you value your time at university and want to have a more pleasurable experience, then Warwick is, of course, more suitable.
I mean just to give you an example of what I mean, right now I'm trying to write a final essay for a module that isn't even related to my degree and the noise level is insane, from helicopters, to sirens, to club music. But I know how good LSE is in terms of employability and graduate earnings so I am willing to withstand the pain.
It depends on your aspirations and personality.
LSE is the best in Europe for economics. Think teaching and feedback is a bit better at Warwick (since amazing research ability doesn't perfectly translate to good ability to teach). Community will be a bit more insular at LSE and you're likely to have more of a social life at Warwick.
If you look at the unistats for personal feedback students don't appear to give a very positive view on being satisfied overall or that lecturers made things interesting (about 60% or so). So while you'll likely be stronger at economics if you're at LSE, Warwick will give you the better educational experience

Warwick is still extensively recruited by economic consultancies (Warwick is very strong in IO, think it's only second to LSE) and financial firms as well as IBs, though less so than LSE. LSE's contacts and networks is going to be better.


I can't be bothered to look at the modules but from a brief look they use the same textbooks for the macro and micro modules
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by TastyChicken
It's the classic paradox between more pleasurable environment or greater career prospects. LSE is undoubtedly the more prestige university and will definitely benefit you more in the long run. However, if you value your time at university and want to have a more pleasurable experience, then Warwick is, of course, more suitable.
I mean just to give you an example of what I mean, right now I'm trying to write a final essay for a module that isn't even related to my degree and the noise level is insane, from helicopters, to sirens, to club music. But I know how good LSE is in terms of employability and graduate earnings so I am willing to withstand the pain.
It depends on your aspirations and personality.


Hi. I’m not OP but I’m in the same position. Do you have any regrets in choosing LSE. Also, in your experience how has been the standard of teaching, enthusiasm of lecturers and level of support been like? Also, how is the social life?

Thanks
LSE. Living in London has massive benefits when it comes to networking and getting experience
Original post by TastyChicken
It's the classic paradox between more pleasurable environment or greater career prospects. LSE is undoubtedly the more prestige university and will definitely benefit you more in the long run. However, if you value your time at university and want to have a more pleasurable experience, then Warwick is, of course, more suitable.
I mean just to give you an example of what I mean, right now I'm trying to write a final essay for a module that isn't even related to my degree and the noise level is insane, from helicopters, to sirens, to club music. But I know how good LSE is in terms of employability and graduate earnings so I am willing to withstand the pain.
It depends on your aspirations and personality.


Surely you mean in the short run? By the time the long-run comes along your experience, developed skills and leadership are going to come more into play for your career. But in the short run its simply the case that LSE economics / warwick economics grads are going to have similar aspirations since they're both elite, but one is better than the other
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by TheGuy264
Hi. I’m not OP but I’m in the same position. Do you have any regrets in choosing LSE. Also, in your experience how has been the standard of teaching, enthusiasm of lecturers and level of support been like? Also, how is the social life?

Thanks


I definitely have absolutely no regrets as LSE in my mind is far superior over Warwick. Especially for my course, I had to pick LSE. The standard of teaching varies, I have had some fantastic teachers who have taught at various unis and are extremely intelligent and very rewarding to listen to. Of course, I have found other lectures less intellectually stimulating, but I think the overarching issue is the class teachers. Since the lecture teachers are unable to do the classes due to time constraints, we get Ph.D. students who are international and often lack the necessary topical knowledge and teaching capabilities to make classes worthwhile.
Another issue I had was that the feedback for essays and assignments was utterly dreadful, office hours are also only useful up to an extent. I have convinced myself now that the only path to perfection is endless reading and self-revision.
You are pretty much left on your own and students who lack the discipline will struggle to get the required work done.
I don't socialize whatsoever, so I don't really know about the social aspect. I have heard that others have been enjoying it and I would assume it to be quite good considering we are in central London.
LSE undoubtedly has much higher workloads than Warwick and pressures their students far more. LSE is also a specialist university so getting in is extremely difficult considering they have 1/3 the number of undergrad students that other universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and UCL have.
It's a real achievement to get an offer from here, so I would highly advise to take it. Warwick is a university that gets a lot of the Oxbridge, LSE, UCL rejects.
Original post by The Assassin
Surely you mean in the short run? By the time the long-run comes along your experience, developed skills and leadership are going to come more into play for your career. But in the short run its simply the case that LSE economics / warwick economics grads are going to have similar aspirations since they're both elite, but one is better than the other


I perhaps wasn't very clear in my interpretation. What I meant was that in the 3 years of attending university you are likely to have a better time at Warwick due to their fantastic campus and beautiful location vs the congested, stressful city of London. However, after graduating, assuming that you want to get a job immediately after and not pursue further study, then LSE is far superior due to this fantastic reputation amongst employers and immense connections with highly established companies. Especially if you are looking to work in London then surely LSE grads should get far greater opportunities than Warwick graduates.
You are right in saying that in the very long run, perhaps 20 years later, it will come down to personal skills and experience. Data has shown though that LSE students after 5 years of graduation earn the highest salary on average compared to any other university in the UK.
Original post by TastyChicken
I definitely have absolutely no regrets as LSE in my mind is far superior over Warwick. Especially for my course, I had to pick LSE. The standard of teaching varies, I have had some fantastic teachers who have taught at various unis and are extremely intelligent and very rewarding to listen to. Of course, I have found other lectures less intellectually stimulating, but I think the overarching issue is the class teachers. Since the lecture teachers are unable to do the classes due to time constraints, we get Ph.D. students who are international and often lack the necessary topical knowledge and teaching capabilities to make classes worthwhile.
Another issue I had was that the feedback for essays and assignments was utterly dreadful, office hours are also only useful up to an extent. I have convinced myself now that the only path to perfection is endless reading and self-revision.
You are pretty much left on your own and students who lack the discipline will struggle to get the required work done.
I don't socialize whatsoever, so I don't really know about the social aspect. I have heard that others have been enjoying it and I would assume it to be quite good considering we are in central London.
LSE undoubtedly has much higher workloads than Warwick and pressures their students far more. LSE is also a specialist university so getting in is extremely difficult considering they have 1/3 the number of undergrad students that other universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and UCL have.
It's a real achievement to get an offer from here, so I would highly advise to take it. Warwick is a university that gets a lot of the Oxbridge, LSE, UCL rejects.


That's some great information there. Thanks for giving such a detailed response. I was leaning towards LSE anyway, so I think I'm gonna firm that, and probably insure warwick (might even insure St Andrews cos it seems nice and got a AAA offer too).

Thank you so much! :h:
Reply 9
Anyone else had to make a similar decision? struggling to choose now between Warwick and LSE for straight Econ
Original post by Hey17
Anyone else had to make a similar decision? struggling to choose now between Warwick and LSE for straight Econ

me rn :/
im in the same position as well, but i think i prefer warwick
Reply 12
chose warwick over lse (2022 entry)
Reply 13
Chose Warwick over LSE for 2022 entry.
Original post by Srvj
Chose Warwick over LSE for 2022 entry.

why would you say so? i'm asking since im deciding between warwick and lse as well
Reply 15
it's just that i personally prefer warwick, and firmed it instead of LSE
Original post by yg.k
it's just that i personally prefer warwick, and firmed it instead of LSE

i feel like i'm on the same boat as well. i'm leaning towards firming warwick and keeping lse as my insurance. i prefer the campus environment more ig.