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LSE vs UCL

Lavinyamk

Have an offer from both, but which one to choose?

Reply 1

vixky!

13

what course?

Reply 2

Lavinyamk

OP

vixky!

what course?

Environmental policy and economics at LSE
Economics and Geography at UCL

how about you? Have you applied to either? xx

Reply 3

vixky!

13

No I haven't, I've decided against uni this year.

I suppose it depends what you want to do after your degree, but Economics at LSE will probably be way better prospects wise.

Though it depends what you want from a university as well. I'd personally go for UCL as it's still a great university, but it has more of the "fun" side of things as well.

Reply 4

Lavinyamk

OP

vixky!

No I haven't, I've decided against uni this year.

I suppose it depends what you want to do after your degree, but Economics at LSE will probably be way better prospects wise.

Though it depends what you want from a university as well. I'd personally go for UCL as it's still a great university, but it has more of the "fun" side of things as well.

exactly how i feel, both are great but its the grades...ucl want aab, with a in maths!! which is not happening. whilst lse are asking for ABB in any order which is like dreams come true, but me and the rest of my life dedicated to study--um no x

Reply 5

vixky!

13

Lavinyamk

exactly how i feel, both are great but its the grades...ucl want aab, with a in maths!! which is not happening. whilst lse are asking for ABB in any order which is like dreams come true, but me and the rest of my life dedicated to study--um no x

Why not put UCL as your firm and LSE as your insurance? Your might surprise yourself and get an A in maths, so UCL would be excellent! If not, LSE is a great uni and you'll be in central London so getting out and about won't be difficult, you'll just have to create your own social life a bit more! :biggrin:

Good luck deciding though. I'm rubbish at decisions.

Reply 6

Lavinyamk

OP

Thanks for the input anyhow xx

Reply 7

Tyrotoxism

2

The economics courses at both universities are brilliant.

I have no idea about the geography side of it. However, LSE's reputation in Economics is so imposing that i am drawn to the conclusion that any course at LSE with the word "economics" may hold better job prospects than the equivalent course at UCL.

Although i have heard the teaching at LSE is crap at undergraduate level. But on the whole LSE sounds like the best bet (for reputation and career opportunities).

Reply 8

Zeronic

I have a similar choice between UCL and LSE, is it pretty much an established fact that the social life is usually better at UCL ? in what way do people think its better ? :smile:

Reply 9

Admonitor

11

I have a choice too :p:

Leaning towards UCL I have to say..prefer the look of the course at UCL. I haven't visited LSE properly yet (just walked around during a holiday time) so I can't really say, but the atmosphere seemed really great at UCL too.

Reply 10

nauru

4

As an LSE student, my opinion is that it's a toss-up between really enjoying your time at uni, versus having virtually the best possible job prospects before you even graduate. I've had a lousy time with the general LSE culture, but I'm glad it's almost over and now there is a lifetime of opportunity ahead.

Reply 11

NickkO

nauru

As an LSE student, my opinion is that it's a toss-up between really enjoying your time at uni, versus having virtually the best possible job prospects before you even graduate. I've had a lousy time with the general LSE culture, but I'm glad it's almost over and now there is a lifetime of opportunity ahead.

Hmm, after uni there's usually work to look forward to. Which is generally less fun, i.e. less time off. I'd want the 'university experience'-cliché thing. LSE doesn't seem to provide that.

Reply 12

nauru

4

Indeed. I wouldn't recommend LSE to anyone but the most money-hungry careerists for undergraduate studies. I'm at LSE as a postgrad; one year of pain in exchange for a lifetime of more open doors. That short-term sacrifice has already paid off in a big way, and I haven't even graduated yet. Add to that the repuation LSE has in my home country (ridiculously strong) and you'll see why the tradeoff is attractive at the postgraduate level.

If you want the cliché university experience for undergrad, you are better off studying at a private uni in the US. (I actually loathe jock/socialite/popularity contest culture, which is why I did undergrad in the Netherlands!)

Reply 13

roxy potter

13

I agree that LSE should be just for postgrads.
The three years of your undergrad should be your best time ever and if you go to a uni that doesnt have the whole social life thing then that won't be the case.
I'd say go to UCL and LSE for postgraduate study, you'll still get a first rate education at UCL.
However if you think you can handle the lack of social life thing then go for LSE.

I chose a university that was known for a great student experience for my undergrad and it was the best decision ever. I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else.

Reply 14

Kane_Is_Able

1

I had an offer from both, and I ultimately chose LSE.

I went to a school with a better "social rep" here in the states (NYU), and.. while I had the time of my life for a year.. at the end of the day.. the academics just weren't cutting it for me. Not saying that UCL's academics aren't fantastic.. it's just.. I think that the name and the subject material is just going to carry me farther for the money I am spending.

Also.. you are in central London. Even if the school is just a bunch money hungry careerists (horrifying thought), you're in London and you really have a whole city at your doorstep to make a social life. LSE, what I am telling myself, is going to be what I make it - the school and hte poeple around me really can't dictate my whole social life.

Why not do LSE and do an intercollegiate hall? That way you can meet poeple from all over?

I don't know.. just my two cents. It was a pretty hard decision for me as well.. I just loved the atmosphere at UCL. However.. at the end of the day it just came down to the courses and what was going to be better for me in the long run.

Best of luck :smile:

Reply 15

simdam

UCL all the way :biggrin:

i do environmental geography at UCL, but have mates doing geo/econ, and they say it's great. i gave an open day tour a couple of weeks ago, which was great fun :smile:

. did you attend?
seriously LSE and UCL rank more or less the same. you can not only judge on the league tables.
the geography at UCL is amazing, and you'll be able to mix it with a great mix of economics.
you do about 50/50, and of the geography modules, you have really good ones, such as " International Problems in geography" where you learn about globalisation, illicit drugs, weapons, people smuggling, urban city expanstion, geopolitics, terrorism al-qaeda etc.
another popular module amongst geo/econ is the human ecology, where you learn about resources and demographic management.
another course is called " London", where you learn the recent history and economic development of the city you'll be spending the next 3 or more years in.
you'll also be taking Writing and Analysis in Geography, where you learn to write good essays and take proper notes. it's a course work assessed module, that is really helpful, when it comes to doing research.
our Geography society palyed LSE a couple of weeks ago, in their union in geography pub quiz, and we thrashed them :biggrin:

wooohooo. beer is cheaper at UCL too and the location and people are great.
a name is just a name, and at the end of the day, you'll land yourself a good job if you go to either.
choose ucl :biggrin:

.

Reply 16

Rokit

16

Its London so social life will be great wherever you end up. Plus UCL/LSE are both part of the University of London so it is very easy to meet other students from other unis and party as hard as you want.

OP You need to forget about the social aspect, sit down and think about what course you will enjoy better, which is more suited to where you want to end up. Regardless of rep/league tables etc. And make your decision for a firm

Reply 17

ColdVein

15

Rokit

Its London so social life will be great wherever you end up. Plus UCL/LSE are both part of the University of London so it is very easy to meet other students from other unis and party as hard as you want.

OP You need to forget about the social aspect, sit down and think about what course you will enjoy better, which is more suited to where you want to end up. Regardless of rep/league tables etc. And make your decision for a firm

I agree with this 100%. Am in a similar position (offers from lse and ucl for geog+econ) but leaning towards lse due to the course- if i was strongly after having a typical undergrad uni experience i would probs go for ucl as (based on open days/current students etc) they seem to emphasise how sociable it is a lot more than lse do (who focus more on academic strength/employability)

Reply 18

simdam

that's bull****. anyone with a degree from ucl is just as emplyayble as one from lse. why bother with such a right-wing uni, only focused on making money and then having a splendid career where you just exploit other people and countries afterwards.

Reply 19

Admonitor

11

simdam

that's bull****. anyone with a degree from ucl is just as emplyayble as one from lse. why bother with such a right-wing uni, only focused on making money and then having a splendid career where you just exploit other people and countries afterwards.

Wait, what? :rolleyes:

LSE vs UCL

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