Msc Economics Admissions Guide (including a Warwick specific post)

So i have started all of my applications except LSE. Warwick's form is the best by a mile imo.

Two questions:

1) I can't find the MSc Economics on UCL's application website?
2) Is the one document you upload in Warwick's form supposed to be a single document (i.e. CV or transcript), or can i pdf merge all my documents (CV and transcript and award letters) into one pdf and upload it?

Thanks and good luck everyone!

I have another two or three questions:

1) Are "Research" degrees more or less difficult to get into? I am tending to apply to research ones instead of taught due to me harbouring an ambition to do a PhD later on. But i would prefer a taught MPhil at Cambridge over no MPhil at Cambridge, if you know what i mean?!

2) Some Unis say they want two LoRs. I have three excellent LoR's lined up. Can i just have one of the Professors send it in without me listing them on the online form?

3) Will it make a bad impression if two of the LoRs are online uploaded and one is paper-sent? Or should i have all paper-sent, since probably my best LoR wants to send it by post

4) Do you think it makes a difference to funding chances if i write my family would finance my studies?

Thanks again.

Can anyone who has already done a Masters in Economics (or MPhil at Oxford/Cambridge) explain what is unique about their course?

Looing on the university websites, the courses are all very similar, with some compulsory core modules, some optional and a dissertation. It seems the only things that differentiate them are the reputation of the department at whihc they are taught, how they are taught, and the their fees!

yeah sorry I didnt make that clear - i mean both i and ii really. Its difficult to identify what is unique about each department unless you look at its reputation and research interests, and im not sure these are suitable discriminatory factors to include in an application form...

lse economics, got high firsts in both first and second year - i read your comments about it not being a scompetitive (in terms of applications per place) but i suspect that the quality of the applicants is higher, as only those who've done well at undergrad level and seriously stand a chnace would apply

lse economics, got high firsts in both first and second year - i read your comments about it not being a scompetitive (in terms of applications per place) but i suspect that the quality of the applicants is higher, as only those who've done well at undergrad level and seriously stand a chnace would apply

I have counted (and checked) and it is 4 not 2 or 3.

I don't think Cambridge will discriminate against you depending on which option you choose.

Physically posisble but not sure it will achieve much.

Well yes absolutely. So don't mention your family funding option: it will not help you get a places and will harm dramatically your funding chances.

Okay, so i have a few more questions. The number of questions x being an integer between 1 and 10.

I have a bit of a weak spot in the sense that German studies are divided into two parts, the basic studies (not all econ, but also law, accounting and business) which dont count towards your final BA result and the advanced studies (all econ) which do count. I have a solid 2:1 in the basic studies (a 1st in the econ part) and am top 14% in the basic studies. In the advanced studies i am at a very good 2:1 (including a 3.86 GPA from my US exchange year), nearly 1st. I have no percentage for those sadly. But i reckon i'd be top 10%. My questions are:

Will this harm my application at Oxbridge/LSE?

Will universities discriminate in a positive way and look at my econ classes?

Should i explain this system in my personal statement and say how much better i am at the econ classes?

Can i explain that most people either get a fail or a "D" pass at law?

Will UK unis know that the German system is not geared towards people gaining 1sts? In a way, what i mean is that with my high 2:1 i have chances of being the best in my year! But sadly i cannot write that on to my application since its only official in february.

Also: German unis don't do "expected/predicted" grades, am i supposed to predict myself???

Another one: If my former adviser in the US said to me in an email it is safe to assume i am top 5% in the econ department, can i use that in my ps? Or do i need an official ranking of some sort?

I like my uni, but the bureaucracy and the constant changing in standards is ****** up.

A lot of the stuff, you have said should be done through references. If you are in the top 10% in your class, your referee should say that. If top 5% in your year abroad, get a reference from your advisor. I expect universtities to focus on economics and math classes.

I wouldn't worry about universities not properly converting your degree to a UK standard. If a high 2.1 is equal to being in the top 10% in your class, then oxbridge/lse will know that. They have many german students accepted and so should be experienced in this department.