LSE v UCL LAW LLB

Current and past students please give me your honest opinions on social life (genuinely), career guidance and prospects, organisation of the course, quality of teaching from professors, societies like IndianSoc, Dance, Mooting etc. Any opinions welcome!

Debates in my head currently (feel free to disagree) -

LSE is more prestigious as a uni as a whole but UCL seems to be better in rankings for Law especially.
UCL seems to have a much better social life but LSE has a reputation for students saying 'it's what you make of it' with lots of finance bros.
UCL seems to be better for dance and societies I've mentioned.
Student satisfaction seems to be low for LSE with the LLB course.

I've received offers for both but the threads comparing the two are quite outdated now.

Please help me decide and warn me if I'm making the wrong decision!

Reply 1

thegeek888

Original post by Anonymous

Current and past students please give me your honest opinions on social life (genuinely), career guidance and prospects, organisation of the course, quality of teaching from professors, societies like IndianSoc, Dance, Mooting etc. Any opinions welcome!
Debates in my head currently (feel free to disagree) -
LSE is more prestigious as a uni as a whole but UCL seems to be better in rankings for Law especially.
UCL seems to have a much better social life but LSE has a reputation for students saying 'it's what you make of it' with lots of finance bros.
UCL seems to be better for dance and societies I've mentioned.
Student satisfaction seems to be low for LSE with the LLB course.
I've received offers for both but the threads comparing the two are quite outdated now.
Please help me decide and warn me if I'm making the wrong decision!

One word...LSE!!! 🙂

Reply 2

Anonymous #2

Original post by thegeek888

One word...LSE!!! 🙂

could you maybe elaborate on that and why it has an advantage over ucl?

Reply 3

thegeek888

Original post by Anonymous

could you maybe elaborate on that and why it has an advantage over ucl?

The LSE gives accommodation to all first years, whereas UCL only to those outside the M25 zone. ☹️

Reply 4

charlie200000

Original post by thegeek888

The LSE gives accommodation to all first years, whereas UCL only to those outside the M25 zone. ☹️

Really, this is interesting! think we're about 1 mile outside so hopefully my son will be ok? Is this stated on their website?

(edited 3 weeks ago)

Reply 5

charlie200000

Original post by thegeek888

The LSE gives accommodation to all first years, whereas UCL only to those outside the M25 zone. ☹️

Are you sure about the accommodation at UCL? I've just check the info on their website and nothing is mentioned about the M25? It says the following:
"Undergraduate students are eligible for a prioritised place in UCL Accommodation if they meet all the following:

•

are a full-time student 

•

are in their first year at UCL or are attending UCL for a full academic year on Junior Year Abroad (JYA) Erasmus, or Exchange programmes 

•

apply for a single room (we have very limited couples and family accommodation) 

•

have not previously lived or studied in Greater London at a Higher Education Institution (University). If you went to secondary school in London or if your home address is in London, you still meet the eligibility criteria

•

list UCL as their firm choice by 10 June

•

submit their UCL Accommodation application (separate to application to study) by 10 June "

Reply 6

Anonymous #1

Original post by thegeek888

The LSE gives accommodation to all first years, whereas UCL only to those outside the M25 zone. ☹️

Where is this mentioned online ?? Otherwise please don’t spread misinformation 😭

Reply 7

Anonymous #2

Original post by Anonymous

Where is this mentioned online ?? Otherwise please don’t spread misinformation 😭

yeah this person has been going round every ucl vs lse forum thing saying the same thing with no elaboration. it’s quite frustrating honestly for people who are hoping to get genuine useful answers

Reply 8

charlie200000

Original post by Anonymous

Where is this mentioned online ?? Otherwise please don’t spread misinformation 😭

I don't think this is correct information as it's not mentioned anywhere on the UCL accommodation pages, I have copied and pasted what the website says and it's clear that even those living in London are eligible for priority accommodation

Reply 9

thegeek888

Original post by Anonymous

yeah this person has been going round every ucl vs lse forum thing saying the same thing with no elaboration. it’s quite frustrating honestly for people who are hoping to get genuine useful answers

For a few years, I was a member of the LSE library. Because anyone can join and everyone is issued with a membership ID card for entry. I sat on all 5 floors and it was self-segregated. The Caucasians sat together near the huge windows on the second floor and some sat near the computers. Whilst a lot of the Asian and a considerable number of Caucasians sat at the ground floor typing away at the computers. There were a few African students on the fourth and fifth floors but hardly visible and very quiet. I made a friend with a BSc Economics student and he showed me his lecture notes and it was obvious you would be at an advantage if you studied A-Level Further Maths. Also, he showed me the amazing internships available after year 1.

Also, LSE accommodation is spread on fewer sites than UCL. However, UCL accommodation is slightly cheaper. More importantly, UCL has a more diverse student body. LSE is much more international than UCL too. So, if you want to meet other Home UK students then it is less likely to happen at LSE. UCL also has more societies and clubs, and is therefore better for those who want a social life. LSE is far more academic and less social. But careers for some sectors are better at LSE, perhaps than UCL, but if you ‘refine’ your CV and apply for internships, then you can succeed as a UCL student too. Because for Law, I have seen on LinkedIn, many barristers and solicitors with UCL Law degrees but more LSE Law students were at the most elite American firms, earning close to £200,000 per year, than UCL students.

LSE also has a huge library on over 5 floors with 5000 study spaces, and it is one of the largest of its kind in the country. However, UCL has dozens of libraries spread all over Central London.

So, I would choose LSE if I were not concerned about social life and UCL if you wanted to meet and network with Home UK students.

(edited 3 weeks ago)

Reply 10

thegeek888

I was a member of the LSE library. Because anyone can join and everyone is issued with a membership ID card for entry. I sat on all 5 floors and it was self-segregated. The Caucasians sat together near the huge windows on the second floor and some sat near the computers. Whilst a lot of the Asian and a considerable number of Caucasians sat at the ground floor typing away at the computers. There were a few African students on the fourth and fifth floors but hardly visible and very quiet. I made a friend with a BSc Economics student and he showed me his lecture notes and it was obvious you would be at an advantage if you studied A-Level Further Maths. Also, he showed me the amazing internships available after year 1.
Also, LSE accommodation is spread on fewer sites than UCL. However, UCL accommodation is slightly cheaper. More importantly, UCL has a more diverse student body. LSE is much more international than UCL too. So, if you want to meet other Home UK students, then it is less likely to happen at LSE. UCL also has more societies and clubs, and is therefore better for those who want a social life. LSE is far more academic and less social. But careers for some sectors are better at LSE, perhaps than UCL, but if you ‘refine’ your CV and apply for internships, then you can succeed as a UCL student too. Because for Law, I on Linkedln, I have seen many barristers and solicitors with UCL Law degrees but more LSE Law students were at the most elite American firms, earning close to £200,000 per year upon qualification, than UCL students.
LSE also has a huge library on over 5 floors with 5000 study spaces, and it is one of the largest of its kind in the country. However, UCL has dozens of libraries spread all over Central London.

So, I would choose LSE if I were not concerned about social life and UCL if you wanted to meet and network with Home UK students.

Reply 11

Anonymous #3

Original post by thegeek888

I was a member of the LSE library. Because anyone can join and everyone is issued with a membership ID card for entry. I sat on all 5 floors and it was self-segregated. The Caucasians sat together near the huge windows on the second floor and some sat near the computers. Whilst a lot of the Asian and a considerable number of Caucasians sat at the ground floor typing away at the computers. There were a few African students on the fourth and fifth floors but hardly visible and very quiet. I made a friend with a BSc Economics student and he showed me his lecture notes and it was obvious you would be at an advantage if you studied A-Level Further Maths. Also, he showed me the amazing internships available after year 1.
Also, LSE accommodation is spread on fewer sites than UCL. However, UCL accommodation is slightly cheaper. More importantly, UCL has a more diverse student body. LSE is much more international than UCL too. So, if you want to meet other Home UK students, then it is less likely to happen at LSE. UCL also has more societies and clubs, and is therefore better for those who want a social life. LSE is far more academic and less social. But careers for some sectors are better at LSE, perhaps than UCL, but if you ‘refine’ your CV and apply for internships, then you can succeed as a UCL student too. Because for Law, I on Linkedln, I have seen many barristers and solicitors with UCL Law degrees but more LSE Law students were at the most elite American firms, earning close to £200,000 per year upon qualification, than UCL students.
LSE also has a huge library on over 5 floors with 5000 study spaces, and it is one of the largest of its kind in the country. However, UCL has dozens of libraries spread all over Central London.
So, I would choose LSE if I were not concerned about social life and UCL if you wanted to meet and network with Home UK students.

You didn't mention this M25 thing? You stated that accommodation for 1st years is only given to those who live outside of the M25 please can you point us to where you have seen this as myself and others believe this to be untrue and someone has posted info from the UCL website that contradicts your statement!

Reply 12

Orla234r

Original post by Anonymous

Current and past students please give me your honest opinions on social life (genuinely), career guidance and prospects, organisation of the course, quality of teaching from professors, societies like IndianSoc, Dance, Mooting etc. Any opinions welcome!
Debates in my head currently (feel free to disagree) -
LSE is more prestigious as a uni as a whole but UCL seems to be better in rankings for Law especially.
UCL seems to have a much better social life but LSE has a reputation for students saying 'it's what you make of it' with lots of finance bros.
UCL seems to be better for dance and societies I've mentioned.
Student satisfaction seems to be low for LSE with the LLB course.
I've received offers for both but the threads comparing the two are quite outdated now.
Please help me decide and warn me if I'm making the wrong decision!

omg I’m in the exact same boat and STRUGGLING

Reply 13

Anonymous #4

Original post by Orla234r

omg I’m in the exact same boat and STRUGGLING

I'm in the same position - have you decided 😭

Reply 14

thegeek888

Original post by Orla234r

omg I’m in the exact same boat and STRUGGLING

If you want a social life then UCL, otherwise LSE for careers in the City of London, West End and Docklands. 🙂

Reply 15

Orla234r

Original post by Anonymous

I'm in the same position - have you decided 😭

think I’m gonna go with lse the offer holder day was pretty good and ac way less neeky ppl than I expected

Reply 16

Picnicl

If you want even more of a social life and even more percentage of home students, you go to KCL or, even better, a non-London university. However, I worked out that KCL Law students may be on average up to 15% less likely to become Law trainees than Law students at either of the other 2 universities, even though they all have about the same A Level entry standards. But most KCL students will be in the other 85% anyway. And KCL has about double the Law students of LSE so you'll still see more KCL Law trainees than LSE ones overall.