Is LSE teaching bad?

I’m an applicant to LSE for 2024 (sociology bsc) and I’m just doing some research on it. I have heard really mixed reviews about the teaching… For instance, I’ve heard that professors don’t teach and that only PhD students do?? This sounds mad to me! How am I going to learn from a fellow student when I am paying so much for a good education…

Less related but I have also heard that compared to non-London unis the experience is much worse and not ‘uni’ like at all (basically just going to lectures and that’s it).. is this something I should be really worried about? I’m especially worried as I would be living at home not in dorms if I went.

Basically if anyone knows about the quality of LSE teaching/how it works (I don’t really get the structure) please let me know!!

(edited 7 months ago)

Reply 1

Wired_1800

20

Original post by Foffffff

I’m an applicant to LSE for 2024 (sociology bsc) and I’m just doing some research on it. I have heard really mixed reviews about the teaching… For instance, I’ve heard that professors don’t teach and that only PhD students do?? This sounds mad to me! How am I going to learn from a fellow student when I am paying so much for a good education…
Less related but I have also heard that compared to non-London unis the experience is much worse and not ‘uni’ like at all (basically just going to lectures and that’s it).. is this something I should be really worried about? I’m especially worried as I would be living at home not in dorms if I went.
Basically if anyone knows about the quality of LSE teaching/how it works (I don’t really get the structure) please let me know!!

You can apply to Oxbridge and other unis. You don't need to apply to the LSE.

Reply 2

Hah122

3

Original post by Wired_1800

You can apply to Oxbridge and other unis. You don't need to apply to the LSE.

… well it’s too late since I’ve already applied (as noted in my post above). I’ve heard a lot of good things about LSE and it has a good reputation so I applied. But I’ve also heard more concerning things (again stated above) so I wanted to hear more about this directly from people with experience so I can compare with other unis I’ve applied to.

Reply 3

poppy2022

21

Original post by Hah122

… well it’s too late since I’ve already applied (as noted in my post above). I’ve heard a lot of good things about LSE and it has a good reputation so I applied. But I’ve also heard more concerning things (again stated above) so I wanted to hear more about this directly from people with experience so I can compare with other unis I’ve applied to.

I do Anthropology and Law and also had some of the same concerns as you when I started first year in September. We are sometimes taught by PHD students (although some classes are taught by professors) but I actually haven't found this to be too bad. A lot of the time, these PHD students are looking to go into academia / become professors, so I haven't noticed a huge difference in the quality from being taught by them compared to current professors. There may be exceptions to this, but as with any university, quality of reaching will vary between teachers, even those who are professors. Worst case scenario though, you can request a class change to a class that's taught by a professor as each module usually has a mix of both professors and PHD students teaching.

In terms of social life, unfortunately the stereotypes are largely true. It's not very social here at all. People at LSE usually are here for the degree and the degree alone, so although most are nice, you'll have to potentially put more of an effort in to finding people who want a good social life also. It also doesn't help that LSE is a London uni as it means people are generally spread out all across the city (especially in second year when most start renting privately/ commuting) which can make it hard to maintain super close friendships.

However, from what I've heard, the sociology department is one of the most sociable at LSE and also tends to have a higher proportion of students who have grown up in the UK. LSE as a whole is around 70% international which can make it quite cliquey as international students tend to only hang out with those from their country of origin. Therefore, I imagine with sociology being far more laid back, you'll be able to make some good friends if you put the effort in from the beginning. If I'm being completely honest though, even with the sociology department being far more friendly and social, I'd still be more inclined to pick a university outside of London. Or at least somewhere like UCL which has way more societies and just more of a community feel in general. If you're after the typical university experience of being around your friends 24/7, having a great work-life balance, always finding people who are up to going to pubs and clubs, doing silly things with your friends and knowing you'll be safe because you're in a small university town etc, it's going to require a whole lot of effort (and luck) to create that lifestyle at LSE. However, you've obviously got to weigh this up with the fact that the sociology department will still offer you a decent social experience due to the nature of the students who do it (usually UK-based students and also not on the big city corporate conveyor belt like 90% of LSE is).

(edited 7 months ago)

Reply 4

poppy2022

21

Original post by Hah122

… well it’s too late since I’ve already applied (as noted in my post above). I’ve heard a lot of good things about LSE and it has a good reputation so I applied. But I’ve also heard more concerning things (again stated above) so I wanted to hear more about this directly from people with experience so I can compare with other unis I’ve applied to.

I go to LSE and typed out a response but not sure if it actually posted. Let me know if it didn't and I'll rewrite it

Reply 5

Wired_1800

20

Original post by Hah122

… well it’s too late since I’ve already applied (as noted in my post above). I’ve heard a lot of good things about LSE and it has a good reputation so I applied. But I’ve also heard more concerning things (again stated above) so I wanted to hear more about this directly from people with experience so I can compare with other unis I’ve applied to.

Alright, good luck.

Reply 6

Anonymous #1

being taught by phd students doesn’t only happen at lse so don’t let that put you off

also what is the “uni experience” to you? whether you’re in london or out of london that depends on you and how you decide to shape it , you could go to birms/notts and still have a **** time even though others are enjoying themselves

the point i am making is you genuinely won’t know until you experience it for yourself. This isn’t to say you should dismiss other people’s opinions but just take it v lightly. I hv friends currently at lse who are having the time of their life

Is LSE teaching bad?

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