Foreign MA advice

[carlstreator]

Hello all--

I'm well aware that U.S. schools are the best choice for IR, particularly for those wishing to go into the public sector or academia. I also know that LSE is well-respected, even in the U.S.

That said, I am applying for a scholarship to study outside the U.S. to attain a Master's in one year. I have to choose 5 schools in 3 different countries; no two schools can be in the same city, and I cannot apply to any schools in the U.S. or Madrid, Spain, where I have previously lived.

My goal is to report internationally; I will be attending the Medill School at Northwestern this fall and will get an MSJ. I think an MA in IR will really help my career prospects--my interest is specifically on the EU, and I've previous work experience in Spain and studied Spanish literature and culture for my B.A. I'm open to just about anything, with one caveat; the language has to be English, Spanish, or French. I don't speak anything else and have to prove my proficiency to study at these places. The schools on my initial list:

1. IBEI in Barcelona

2. LSE

3. Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona

4. Universitat de Valencia in Valencia, Spain

5. College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium

6. Universidad Aut

[jackassjim]

2 lesser known but good ones:

The European University Institute in Florence is apparently very good. Plus, it's located in one of the most wonderful cities on earth. I'm not sure if they grant MAs, but the info should be rather easy to find.

Zurich ETH might also fit the bill: http://www.ethz.ch/prospectives/program ... urse_id=53

2 obvious and very good ones:

Science Po, Paris is another obvious choice, no?

What about Oxbridge?

PS: I'm curious to know why you didn't include the last two I mentioned.

My optimal list:

LSE

Oxford

Florence

Science Po (the one in Paris, not the others)

Pick one in Barcelona

[natofone]

Are you planning to become an academic in Europe? If not, I'd suggest sticking around here for the PhD.

[carlstreator]

2 lesser known but good ones:

The European University Institute in Florence is apparently very good. Plus, it's located in one of the most wonderful cities on earth. I'm not sure if they grant MAs, but the info should be rather easy to find.

Zurich ETH might also fit the bill: http://www.ethz.ch/prospectives/program ... urse_id=53

2 obvious and very good ones:

Science Po, Paris is another obvious choice, no?

What about Oxbridge?

PS: I'm curious to know why you didn't include the last two I mentioned.

My optimal list:

LSE

Oxford

Florence

Science Po (the one in Paris, not the others)

Pick one in Barcelona

I didn't include Sciences Po because of the language situation. My French isn't up to snuff now for me to consider doing an MA in French. And as far as Oxbridge...well, I guess I was just being an idiot. I was reading up on Oxford the other day, and it appears their programs are 2 years. I'll have to read up on Cambridge. Really, though, I appreciate any input I can get. I've been reading up on which schools are best, but I'm a laymen on the subject.

[carlstreator]

Are you planning to become an academic in Europe? If not, I'd suggest sticking around here for the PhD.

I'm not really thinking about doing a PhD or getting into academia. I plan to be a journalist. I thought I made that clear, but I guess I didn't. Sorry.

[natofone]

Oops, I missed that line. My bad.

[swr22]

you can pm me for any advice on Cambridge.