KCL vs LSE for Global Politics/Affairs :) ADVICE APPRECIATED

I'm not a politics student, so I realise I only have very limited relevant experience - but if I were you, I'd choose the course that appeals to you the most.

I'm a current master's student at LSE, and I can assure you that not everyone is status obsessed; I've met a lot of fantastic, down-to-earth people here, and some truly inspirational professors - but that being said, I'm not a huge fan of our campus or the university's general 'vibe', which sometimes makes me feel more like a customer than a student. From what I've heard KCL has more of a traditional university feel - but to be honest, I don't feel like the fact that I don't like my campus matters that much; I'm only here for a year, I'm too busy with work and friends to get very involved in student life, and it's London, so there's always better things to do than hang around campus, imho!

As for LSE's prestige, I think that how relevant that is depends on what you plan on doing next; I'm an EU student, and hardly anyone in my home country has heard of LSE, so if I were planning to enter the local job market, it would hardly matter. If you're planning to work in the UK, I guess LSE might have a bit of an edge over KCL (depending on the subject - not sure how they both rank for politics), but KCL is a highly respected university too, and employers would likely be more interested in what relevant skills you'd acquired than just how highly your university was rated by the latest QS ranking.

I'm happy to answer any questions you have about LSE - but I think that, between LSE and KCL, there really are no 'wrong' choices, so just go for whatever course you prefer!

Hello, I'm actually interested in this too!! Applied to both LSE and KCL for Public Policy (got an offer from Kings, still awaiting a decision from LSE) any insight you might have @Kaylee Frye about the difference in the study of Public Policy between both schools would be much appreciated

Thanks a lot @Kaylee Frye
Your feedback was really helpful! I wish you all the best

I now decided to go for International Public Policy at UCL. I felt like it was a compromise as it is not as good in social sicences as LSE in the rankings though a bit better than KCL and the best of them when it comes to overall rankings. Though forget rankings I feel like they divert the view from what's really important- as I'm working at a big and somewhat prestigious company right now I asked my mentors and they only laughed at my question wether they'd prefer a LSE vs UCL vs KCL student. The sector where it really matters might be investment banking and maybe law- which is definitly not for me. What is really important to them is that you have social skills and useful working experience.

IPP is a very interesting course that I can picture myself in. A lot of the professors have interesting working experience in fields that I want to go into. I feel like I also like the vibe of UCL better as it is interdisciplinary and not only social science focussed- I loved that about my undergrad uni. Also the fees are medium level which will not leave me broke at the end of the master.

I think LSE wouldn't have been a bad decision (it's an amazing uni no matter what after all) but I just have a gut feeling it's not for me. Sounds weird but I can always trust my intuition in such matters it actually got me places. That is what I'd also recommend to you @lillylawyer Do your research and then if you still can't decide trust your feeling and since all schools are amazing institutions you'll be in fine whatever you decide. I feel so much better now that I've made this decision. No regrets

Btw, did funding affect your decision? I'm considering doing a Master's at LSE but they're nearly double the price of degrees elsewhere which I just can't afford

Yes it did to a certain degree though it was not my major condern! I can imagine applying for summerschool/ a second master/ a language study abroad afterwards. I wouldn't be able to do it with the LSE's fees (24k). But at UCL/KCL (10-14k) I'd be able to afford it. I can e.g. do my masters at UCL AND a 9 months course at Oxbride and pay the same amount of fees as for one LSE master... which honestly shows how ridiculus their fees are. Again LSE is an amazing uni and maybe it'll pay off- but I think personally, I'll have more fun with my other options.

Also, I have no chance to secure needs based funding though my family is not wealthy (it's complicated) I might have been swayed by a scholarship... though on a second thought... no I'd probably still chose UCL