London School of Economics and Political Science - LSE
speciality: International Relations

I love it. LSE has lots of opportunities and support for students, amazing lecturers, lots of events, constant visits from industry-leading professionals, helpful staff. I’m really enjoying my Master’s here.

LSE helps students to reach their academic full potential and allows them to succeed in terms of their careers and dreams. LSE continues to be the top university in the UK for human sciences. Not only do they support students to pursue their careers in international organisations, LSE also allows students to pursue their careers in banking and consulting firms.

Generally good, but as a political science student, I find it difficult to land on the best opportunity for career. Maybe more help in career service would be great. Confused about the all formative essay stuff at first

Half way into my second year, LSE has been a positive experience so far, mostly due to the people I’ve met. Managing your studies is largely left up to you with little contact time with teaching staff, which requires independence and self-motivation. While there are opportunities on campus to get involved with societies, sports, and other groups, seeking out these opportunities is entirely the student’s responsibility. LSE lacks the community often found in campus based universities, but students proactive with their social lives will not find this a challenge. Overall I would recommend the university, but keeping in mind that some students would struggle with the lack of support LSE is known for.

Good place to do a social sciences degree. Lectures are pretty engaging (in IR at least) and the classes (1hr per week per module) are not that long, but still enough time to discuss. Personally I really enjoy the topics. Some seminar teachers are better than others. Learning is quite independent – most of the information comes from the three readings you do each week – but the uni are doing things to try and offer more support. ____Nothing comes close to LSE if like me you like to learn languages as a way of getting to know the society and politics of other countries. It’s one of the only places where you can do a language within a social science degree at 5 levels going from beginner to advanced. Since it’s LSE, the courses focus on politics and economics as opposed to literature for example. ____There isn’t quite the same close-knit community feel that some campus/collegiate unis have but so many other things go into making friends anyway. The buildings are mostly modern, unlike Durham or Oxbridge. It’s very multicultural and at least 50% of students are from outside the UK. Halls vary but Rosebery is very good. Nights out are expensive as it’s London but at least it’s not too far to get home. There are lots of societies – not quite 200 like the website claims as some are from previous years – but still plenty to do. And if it’s your thing there are talks about politics, economics etc. from renowned speakers almost every day.

LSE puts a lot of emphasis on academic rigour and performance. Whilst some may find this approach a little too serious, I found it to be stimulating. ____The large international student body truly enriches class discussion further adding to the academic life.

I have only been here for some months now but I particularly enjoy the quality of education. All my classes and class teachers are great. The professors are all passionate about the subjects and I learn interesting things everyday. I think the atmosphere at LSE Can be scary at times but as long as you make an effort to be social (clubs, societies, halls) you’ll have a good time!

For International Relations: perhaps down to sheer fortune but had fantastic professors with only maybe one or two exceptions, programme was academically rigorous albeit heavily theoretical. Personally enjoyed the theory but this can also be a downside for some

Personally, I think LSE is a great RESEARCH university however when it comes to teaching and its ability to support you throughout the year it lacks the ability to make classes the most engaging, provide handouts or summaries of content and at times it feels super difficult to engage with professors and ask for help.

In my field i.e. international relations, the LSE is well known. Professors from the department have been pioneering research in the field for years. What I benefitted from was the unique ability to access their research and even assist them with it. I had numerous opportunities to reflect on my academic education through these projects. Overall the LSE is research intensive and international. When you combine this with the high reputation of the school, you have an education that will serve as as asset throughout your career.