London uni for sociology

[changer121]

Does anyone have experience of UCL or lse for sociology/psychology.
Dd is very keen on a London uni but I've heard that the social side can be difficult because of the high number of foreign students?
We don't live far away and she could commute in but we aren't sure if she would be more limited doing that or living in halls .
Thanks

Both very good, obviously. Very hard to get a place at either, tbh, especially LSE. Loads of unis offer both subjects so she will also need to look outside London for safer bets.

The subjects, once regarded as similar, rarely cross over these days. Psychology teachers are often asked to teach sociology at school and vice versa but really they have little in common. Which is she more drawn to?

LSE would be better than UCL for these I feel (albeit marginally). Your DD can make friends with the internationals and/or the home students.

I feel the London uni students who live at home do miss out.

Thank you both
She's more drawn to sociology and is keen to live out so it looks good on that front.
She's predicted 3x A* grades so hopefully she might get an offer from one.
She is very set on London so we are also looking at Kings for psychology and Goldsmiths as an insurance.

Do King's not do sociology?

I think LSE has stuff on its website about applying and personal statements so do check that out. She needs to read read read. Maybe enter BSA essay competition.

She hasn't thought of HSPS at Cambridge with those grades?

Eh? Sociology and psychology have a LOT in common

I feel the London uni students who live at home do miss out.

Eggsbenedict123, why?

Lots of London students commute, and seem to do fine. It is also common to spend a year in halls and then move back home, rather than pay rent. London often suits London raised kid who are used to the city and have few problems adjusting to the diversity of the student body. Living in London allows them to continue with a mix of university and school friends or, say, club sport, and they leave with less debt.

The UK is an exception. In other European countries, including Ireland, most students stay at home. They do fine.

To d psychology at a 'top' uni you will possibly find students who require or have another science and maths. This is not true of sociology (Lang Lit is the most common second A Level). The two subjects are distancing themselves.

Ask any sociology teacher who suddenly gets told 'psychology is he same. You ca teach that' or vice versa. They would be terrified, ill equipped and probably not awfully good.

They're both the study of human behaviour. I've got degrees in both as well as criminology. They overlap all the time.

But I agree that the subjects in regard to teaching are entirely different

Criminology and sociology, yes.

I think it's at the schools stage and then admission to uni that the differences are clear, is what I meant. And joint honours is quite rare. Some unis offer social psychology.

My impression is that psychologists are working very had to do the 'we're a proper science ' business, very cannily.

I did joint honours. Psychology is a real science (which is why I got BSc not BA)

Psychology involves statistics and lab reports. As well as neuroscience. I can tell you every part of the brain, what it does and the consequences when they don't work as they should. Is that not science?

In terms of behaviour they overlap very much.

And if the degree doesn't have these modules then they aren't accredited, therefore a waste of time. It used to be that graduate membership of the BPS was desirable for jobs or more education. It's pretty much a requirement now. You can't join the BPS without an accredited degree.

Yes, I agree psychology is a science. My DSis , however, has a BA in psychology.

But, actually , your second para explains what I mean by psychology and sociology being really different ! (although sociologists do of course deal in statistical data).

you did a joint psych/sociology degree? When was that? They are quite rare now.

It was joint psych/crim. LJMU. I did postgrad in other subjects though.

I meant those who don't live in halls in year 1 at all

Yes, but what is your opinion based on.

An opinion will only be helpful to OP if they have some context so they can give weight to it.

Really lots and lots of kids commute. It is normal. Even in my day I had plenty of friends who did. London University campuses tend to be far more active than elsewhere, as people tend to meet there.

Yes, there is a strong MN view that you need to go away to have a "full" university experience, but OP's DD is interested in studying in London, and if she does she will find she is far from alone. I am not sure that MN DC are that representative of those who choose to study in London and who enjoy it there.

if my child was predicted 3 A* i would really be steering them away from sociology.

And if those A* are in humanities?

Maybe they WANT to do sociology. In fact I think it should be a mandatory subject at school. Watching the penny drop about social injustice, how it came to be, why voting matters in young students is bloody satisfying.

Suppose they could do something totes worthwhile instead.

Why??

As established, LSE, UCL offer sociology to very able people (most applicants are rejected, in practice). So do virtually all RG unis, and Bath and Loughborough. Oh, and Cambridge.

Your prejudice is showing.

Sociology is now the 5th or 6th most popular A level. It's a growing GCSE, too.

Piggy, that makes me happy!

And psychology is 2nd bottle!

Why?

(Disclaimer my dc has applied for Sociology so maybe I’m biased)