LSE, KCL,UCL - Law

[Maggiethecat]

All of these London ones have a good reputation for law, grade requirements seem about the same , will probably have the same accommodation issues and pros/cons of living in London.

If your Dc was considering these ones for law, which did they choose and what were the deciding factors for them?

They are ranked 3,4 and 5 in the CUG. So just behind Oxbridge. Take your pick. I’ve no further knowledge but maybe look at modules offered. Does LSE have a more political science focus? What are career objectives?

Cost of living is cheaper in Oxford or Cambridge! Consider these as well.

Thanks Tizer. She’s looked at modules.

Curious to know what swung it for people who were considering these 3 London ones.

I went to LSE but not for Law, look at it very very carefully as it’s NOT a campus uni and has a huge % of international students which very much changes the culture and the vibe. People actually thought MY upbringing (same village entire life) was fascinating as a lot of people there had lived abroad/away from home/several different countries already. I’d be getting to know someone and find out they’d been bought a flat in Covent Garden or something ludicrous- my UK state school background was definitely not in a majority! People either love that or hate it- it’s great if you want to expand your worldview and meet people from all over.

I found LSE courses to be incredible as they went SO much wider than the subject- I was allowed to chose modules from other courses etc so I did a Law course in my first year and an economics course another year, neither my main degree subject and there were a HUGE range of guest speakers and lectures open to all students e.g. on climate change, current affairs. Therefore the value add beyond the core subject is massive. However, core teaching is often by postgrads and can vary in quality so check if this is something they still do and is okay for you.

I understand KCL and UCL have a very different vibe from the social side- they were known for basically being way more fun than LSE students!

LSE is also known to have an exceptional careers services and the large investment banks are sniffing around campus from day 1. I now work for one of those banks and have a career beyond my wildest dreams. In my first term at LSE I found myself in a careers evening at one of the top 4 law firms! The doors that open for me and actually continue to open because of where my degree is from is amazing- people see LSE and go wow- it has a tough reputation (for a reason) so getting the degree is a big deal!

Can’t help there. Surely it’s personal choice. Not everyone feels the same about modules. What about size of law departments? All will have lots of overseas students. LSE possibly more. Maybe look at what students do afterwards? What’s her goal?

@user1471548941 - good to hear your experience. Though not law specific it gives an insight into the social/ student environment which is important. Interesting that UCL/KCL students were considered more fun! Also good to hear of the exposure to field experts.

@TizerorFizz - Dd is not entirely sure what she wants to do afterwards and may not even consider law practice.

As a lawyer and previously responsible for choosing for magic circle trainees I would say either UCL or KCL and choose whichever she thinks she will enjoy most, irrespective of the randomness of the reasoning, they are both excellent for law. I must say I do like the newly refurbed law school campus and accommodation at KCL which is in Somerset house and on the river and just across the road from the royal courts of justice. But UCL has a fab dept and a slightly different vibe which your dc might prefer.

My perspective is as a barrister and chair of a pupillage committee (civil/commercial). These are all excellent choices, but we do notice particularly good engagement from the KCL Law Soc who work hard to nurture good contacts with sets of Chambers and also the specialist Bar associations.

Not relevant if your DD doesn’t want to be in practice, but there you are!

@Delphigirl - can you say why you favoured these 2 over LSE? I also thought that these were more highly regarded for law, had strong law faculties.
Shes not said but I feel that Dd might be drawn to LSE because she’s also interested in politics although not looking to do a joint law/politics degree.

@Marisquita - She’s still working out what she wants to do so you never know!

LSE is very small. So although of course it will give your DC a high quality and respected degree, it won’t give them the very much wider option lists in the later years and the benefits that come from being in a really large and thriving law department like at KCL and UCL: @Marisquita names some of those, other examples are things like participation in specialist moots. So a law degree from LSE is not going to be worth less on paper but she will have probably less opportunity to develop her legal interests in whatever direction she wants to take them, and have fewer of the more intangible benefits which will ultimately make her a better lawyer and a more interesting person to choose to interview. She will also probably have less fun.
if she really loves politics then Kings is also a good choice - do any option available to her out of the world-leading war studies department!

@Delphigirl - that is helpful insight. She’s a very good researcher so may well know some of this already but perhaps not.

She only has a couple of days to fill her last 2 UCAS slots and although I’m trying not to interfere too much I’ll share this information with her.

It’s interesting - LSE is in top 5 for law but I think it might be a bit niche as you don’t see it listed as one of the top unis for barrister pupillage. This might indicate grads go into other roles but of course if dd wants politics as well then it’s in the mix.

I do actually think end goals are quite important for law. My DD didn’t do law but is a barrister. However she knew before she did her first degree what career she wanted. She just did a different route. Law is very competitive so career planning does need to start quite early.

I think she hasn’t focused on law as a career and therefore may not have been considering what firms/chambers are looking for and selecting uni according to where will improve her competitiveness.

Although she may be just considering law as a subject at the moment, personally I feel she may as well go somewhere that will provide the greater contacts and opportunities that may be useful if she does decide to practise.

But that’s just me….

Def KCL or UCL for all the reasons stated above - she’ll have a proper uni experience if she goes to either one.
Has your dd not submitted her UCAS form yet? The deadline is coming up shortly- is she sure she wants to do law?

@geoger - how not so for LSE?

I think she is but not necessarily for practise.

She is inclined to oppose my opinion (generally) so it can be difficult to offer other perspectives.

Of course I know nothing 😂

LSE is smaller and has a much higher proportion of post-grads and international students. Most of its students seem so much more serious and less bonded with each other. KCL/UCL have a much better vibe and feel much more geared towards undergraduates.

LSE's name recognition internationally will be higher. A great place if she were interesting in an international career, either with an international organisation or in an international firm.

One advantage all three have is that London based academics will engage in all sorts of things beyond the University, and LSE is right by the law courts. Look at who is in the department and what interests her.

I am not sure that it is fair to say that LSE is less social. I think Tizer's DDs experience of studying in London was quite different from that of mine. There is a new and lovely Student Union building and lots of active societies. It is very international, which is a real advantage if you have half an eye on an international career and enjoy having friends from all over the world. The LSE hosts the European Institute, plus a very strong development and social policy research.

You can't go wrong with any. It is worth doing the research as to a large extent it is horses for courses.

@Needmoresleep If you actually read my posts I have not said a word about social activities at any of these unis . Or about DD2 who was at LCF!!!! That’s clearly not relevant to law. DD1 did law conversion and BPTC in London and practices as a barrister in London. I only mentioned info about her career and barrister recruitment stats so would you mind not throwing my name out there incorrectly. Thank you.

@geoger - not sure she’s considered this as she does like to have a good time alongside her studies!

@Needmoresleep - the international aspect may be a factor but good to remember that it’s good for its degree too even if a disproportionate number don’t go on to practise.

Does she want to do a year abroad as part of the degree? As far as I can recall, they provide quite a few differing opportunities for this, and is worth looking at this and where may want to go if this a factor.