London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

[DualCitizenIR]

I accepted my offer at LSE the other day for the MSc in International Relations, and I was wondering if there were any others accepting their offer (or seriously considering one) during this application cycle for entry in 2012. I know there aren't that many people applying to European schools on GC (at least compared to TSR, which I am not a member of), but wouldn't mind chatting here about things like accomodation, visas, registration, logistics of living in London, etc., or even just LSE in general.

Also, there is a nice facebook group for LSE offer holders (2012-13) here: http://www.facebook.com/groups/127797960671511/

[jpedge]

I did the M.Sc. in IR at LSE back in 1996-97, but I just wanted to say have fun and enjoy! I lived in an LSE residence hall, whose name escapes me (Rose-something, near the Angel tube station). It was very convenient - maybe a 20-30 minute walk, or a quick bus or tube ride. I remember it seemed to take about a half an hour to get anywhere in London, regardless of how close or how far it was. Feel free to send me a message if you want info on courses, etc., though I don't know how many of the faculty are still there now. Gosh, I feel old.

Loved the library there! I could literally find something of interest of every single shelf. I would like to live in that library...

Jenni

[DualCitizenIR]

Thanks for the response, Jenni! Sounds like Rosebery Hall, and I have heard good things about it here. Thanks for the offer. I've been to London once or twice and I feel the same way about the time to get places...odd. Ooh, and I like the sound of that library.

Now it is just the waiting game... I am just waiting on the results of my application for LSE accomodation, then the visa application and loans etc.

Thanks again,

DC

[nossessell]

Hi. I'm considering attending LSE this year. I just can't seem to make a decision. its been 3 months since i got the offer.

[DualCitizenIR]

^Hi nossessell, what are your other offers? Any funding to consider?

[nossessell]

My other offer is University of Warwick (which is a lot cheaper!). And no word on funding yet. I applied to a few scholarships. What about you? Any funding?

[DualCitizenIR]

Hmm I see your dilemma. I've heard good things about Warwick for IR from my professors (and then there are the league tables), but obviously there is the draw of LSE to consider. I didn't get any funding from any of Durham, SOAS, and LSE, so the choice was pretty obvious for me as the US schools funding was underwhelming at best and still overall more expensive than LSE or SOAS. Plus I couldn't bear to go all the way to Durham to save some money...

The problem with my LSE application was that I applied very late compared to others so there wasn't really a chance of getting anything when the general lack of money in UK schools for international students is added to the equation.

That is good to hear that you have hope yet on the funding front... Do you have any area in IR you want to specialize in?

[nossessell]

Actually I'm not doing MSc IR. Is this thread for IR?

But I think our fields might be related.

I got admitted to MPA International Development. I want to work in the Development Sector.

I was thinking of deferring but then I heard that MPA LSE doesn't even grant deferrals.

Problem is I'll have a lot less relevant work experience compared to others in my class. Like 1/2 a year compared to others.

On the other hand at Warwick I don't need work experience but LSE is my dream school!

Anyways, I think hardly anyone gets funding at LSE, unless you are really lucky. And for me, I come from a country where higher education is highly subsidised. So any school abroad is definitely a huge loan for me.

What will you specialize in? Which halls have you applied for?

[DualCitizenIR]

Yeah sorry for mentioning IR... I wasn't thinking properly as you never mentioned your program/field.

Well in my case, I don't have any work experience related to IR but I am not letting it hold me back from going to LSE. If you really think LSE will be worth the extra cost then go for it is what I think. Concerning funding, the Graduate Support Scheme at LSE is closed so if you haven't applied and heard back from that already, you most likely won't be getting any funding from LSE.

So my specialty is the Middle East (and/or religion). There are a few modules on the region's politics so I might take one or two of those depending on how things pan out at registration.

I applied for Rosebery, Lilian Knowles and Sidney Webb. As for Intercollegiate, it was Lillian Penson, International, and Canterbury. (Preference was LSE accommodation.) I basically tried to find the postgraduate halls that were somewhat cheap and not too far (Rosebery has a PG wing, apparently by the way.)

[nossessell]

I did apply for funding. But was rejected in 30 seconds.

I hadn't heard of Rosebery before this. But I applied to Butlers wharf, High Holborn and Northumberland. As for intercollegiate, I applied to Lillian Penson, commonwealth and Canterbury. LSE halls are where I want to stay.

Interesting specialty by the way.

[DualCitizenIR]

Yeah Rosebery is a predominately UG hall, but they seem to have a PG wing.

Thanks, and do you have a specialty within IntDev?

[nossessell]

Well I'm most interested in Poverty & Inequality reduction, financial inclusion. Since I'm currently working in a related field.

I'm hoping to take options on African Development, Complex emergencies, etc. But the ID Department has so many fascinating courses, I think I'll be auditing a lot as well.

[DualCitizenIR]

Wow, I am really interested in inequality as well, but I didn't apply for a Dev degree because I don't have any experience and didn't take many classes related to it...

Hmm interesting that you mention auditing because I didn't know you could audit courses at LSE in different departments. Or I suppose I just never thought about it.

[nossessell]

Well since I'm in the development studies department which has a multidisciplinary approach, I would be allowed to audit courses from many departments.

I think you can check your graduate prospectus to see if they'll let you audit in different departments.

[JChuinkam]

Did you live in the halls you spoke of? How were they? Which would you recommend?