LSE vs Edinburgh

[Sleepy432]

Thoughts and experiences much appreciated (social sciences). Based in south. Thanks a lot.

[Maybeicanhelpyou]

When shit hits the fan, Edinburgh is an awfully long way away!

[Piggywaspushed]

Which specific social sciences?

LSE is incredibly competitive for social sciences (obviously : clue in the name). Really really hard to get in even with stellar grades.

Edinburgh obviously has lots of prestige and cachet. I don't think its reputation is in social sciences really. I think most people would go there for soc sci for the place and the university name, not for anything special its degree courses offer.

[Maybeicanhelpyou]

I say that as a mum with one which is 4 hrs away and another which is 2.5 hrs away. However much you think they’re fine, sometimes they’re just not, and need you. Distance can be a pain!
They definitely need their space and independence, but do also bear in mind practicalities of access.
I know nothing about social sciences, sorry

[LanahLane]

We found the distance easier for those in the south to Edinburgh, than those ‘mid-country’ due to the flights being cheaper and quicker than the train.

[poetryandwine]

@Piggywaspushed

Which specific social sciences?

LSE is incredibly competitive for social sciences (obviously : clue in the name). Really really hard to get in even with stellar grades.

Edinburgh obviously has lots of prestige and cachet. I don't think its reputation is in social sciences really. I think most people would go there for soc sci for the place and the university name, not for anything special its degree courses offer.

I essentially agree with this, although Edinburgh is generally quite solid in SS.

[SandyIrving]

My DD is doing a SS at Edinburgh. The 4 year course has suited her (been able to study outside modules and more gentle start as only 3rd and 4th years count towards degree class - only 4th year if you go abroad). Does a "with quants" degree with a guaranteed paid placement. Can intermit (and remain a student) if you want to do a longer (year) placement. No fees for us. Cheap options for 1st year uni accomodation if you want to save money. Later years more expensive (£600pm plus bills this year in a prime student area). If you work for uni (they are usually desperate) you only pay 25% of halls fees.

[Piggywaspushed]

Does she do that really cool sounding degree that I have forgotten the name of sandy? The government one?

[Piggywaspushed]

I definitely do think the quants degrees are worthwhile!

[SandyIrving]

@Piggywaspushed. She does.

@Sleepy432 another advantage of Edinburgh is that if she is missing southerners there will be plenty around.

[mondaytosunday]

Yet to apply or deciding on received offers?
If yet to apply I'd rate Glasgow for Social Science over Edinburgh. It's ranked higher. We went to the open day last week (for Sociology) and my daughter said it was better than Durham talk. Also four years (and you now have to pay for the fourth at Glasgow, unlike if you enrolled in 2023). But beautiful part of the city and Glasgow was buzzing! Glasgow may offer much earlier than Edinburgh too. DD considered both and Glasgow got the slot.
DD has also applied to LSE. Last minute, but simply because it's London and we live there. But she's now coming round to it - partly because she's thinking the 'university experience' (which she's had a mini taste of) is not worth the debt as she couldn't care less about parties and drinking etc. It's the reputation she likes and she really wants a challenging course which she assumes it must be. No offer yet though, even with three A stars in hand.
London universities seem to be an extra challenge simply due to location - it certainly costs more and while the LSE university buildings are clustered together and near Kings and UCL, accommodation much more spread out from the get go and extra effort needed to join societies and get involved to get the most out of it.
I haven't looked myself at the course in much detail, but location and reputation must help in getting work experience and (I guess in the summer as I don't think they do a placement year but unsure).
Basically visit both, get the vibe. But for reputation and prestige I think it's LSE, for a more typical uni experience (even though it's also a big city) and still excellent course Glasgow (with an extra year). If offered already from Edinburgh same argument though less sure of the course.

[Piggywaspushed]

@SandyIrving

@Piggywaspushed. She does.

@Sleepy432 another advantage of Edinburgh is that if she is missing southerners there will be plenty around.

Thought so!

[campden]

LSE probably has more international 'prestige.' Having said this, LSE is mainly a postgrad institution and the undergrad experience is not particularly rated - socially, or in terms of academic support. On thr other hand, students at Edinburgh seem to be having a blast, by all accounts. This is based on friends of DC at both institutions over the years.

[Sleepy432]

Thanks all for your thoughts. Sorry wasn’t clear - she has offers . Course is social anthropology and politics and LSE is far ahead in terms of rankings (1st above Oxbridge in Times). Not helped by fact that anthropology at Edinburgh is Dexter’s degree in ‘One Day’! She knows the course at LSE is better for her, and the department probably more dynamic and friendly but is concerned about finding LSE as a whole harder socially and feeling more isolated. Likes London and didn’t want a campus uni but is smitten with beauty of Edinburgh and, probably correctly, thinks it will be much more fun. Distance wise I’d prefer LSE and I think she underestimates the impact!
As @campden has just pointed out, it does feel a bit like it’s prestige and course (Lse) vs social life and city (Edinburgh)!

[campden]

Given your location and the rankings as you describe them, I'd probably go for LSE on balance, but maybe go for one of the LSE only halls (Bankside)?

Edinburgh is far north (obviously)! if you're in SE and it is nice if they can come back for the odd weekend, or you can go to meet for lunch occasionally. Also, Edinburgh is quite a bit colder!

[SandyIrving]

What is she thinking of career wise?

[Wronginformation]

DD at Lse has made lots of friends and loves the international vibes of it. Has joined various student societies, Current room is 40min walk but has a membership of those Santander bikes (or similar). Cheaper than busses.
As it happens she had also applied to Edinburgh but withdrew late April when she got her Lse offer.
As she had some MH issues at secondary school I emailed wellbeing and they did contact her a few times to check on her.

[Sleepy432]

@SandyIrving no idea!

@Wronginformation thanks -
really good to hear a positive Lse story

[notgoingtoplan24]

LSE is brutal academically. Make sure she carefully checks the course spec to ensure she is happy with content

[CalisthenicsOnDemand]

@Sleepy432

Thanks all for your thoughts. Sorry wasn’t clear - she has offers . Course is social anthropology and politics and LSE is far ahead in terms of rankings (1st above Oxbridge in Times). Not helped by fact that anthropology at Edinburgh is Dexter’s degree in ‘One Day’! She knows the course at LSE is better for her, and the department probably more dynamic and friendly but is concerned about finding LSE as a whole harder socially and feeling more isolated. Likes London and didn’t want a campus uni but is smitten with beauty of Edinburgh and, probably correctly, thinks it will be much more fun. Distance wise I’d prefer LSE and I think she underestimates the impact!
As @campden has just pointed out, it does feel a bit like it’s prestige and course (Lse) vs social life and city (Edinburgh)!

Why does think that being in the middle of London will make her 'socially isolated'?
I went to LSE less than a decade ago and had a whale of a time! Especially if you join the AU (sport clubs) but there are so many others. London also has loads of free stuff and things going on.

I mean. If she wants pretty old buildings fair enough, LSE buildings are mostly 'modern' , or cheap rent, maybe but 'social life' is a bit ???

[Umbilicate]

I'd really go for the one she prefers and where she sees herself being happier - ratings etc are less important to employers than can-do personalities. Have a dc at Edinburgh having a great time. Distance is not a problem, it meant dd and friends - also a lot of southerners - couldn't come rushing home every weekend and helped them settle quickly. Third year options of a year abroad are very appealing. if you want to DM me any questions. Both are excellent choices, your dd needs to own that choice.

[LSEMum]

My son went to LSE for economics. Both unis are excellent. We've been to Edinburgh for holiday many times and yes it's a beautiful city and university.

LSE would only be 3 years though. And arguably it would be better academically and career wise. Socially LSE is perfectly fine, and DS has many LSE friends.

[Piggywaspushed]

@CalisthenicsOnDemand

Why does think that being in the middle of London will make her 'socially isolated'?
I went to LSE less than a decade ago and had a whale of a time! Especially if you join the AU (sport clubs) but there are so many others. London also has loads of free stuff and things going on.

I mean. If she wants pretty old buildings fair enough, LSE buildings are mostly 'modern' , or cheap rent, maybe but 'social life' is a bit ???

Definitely not cheap rent in Edinburgh anyway!

[CalisthenicsOnDemand]

@Piggywaspushed

Definitely not cheap rent in Edinburgh anyway!

Cheap'er', corrected.
My bridesmaids were all uni mates and the best part is a lot of them remained in london, so I can stay for free whenever I visit :)

[Ceramiq]

My DC, at a London university (not LSE) has made many friends from LSE in her intercollegiate halls of residence. The social life at LSE is whatever you make of it. If, by social life, you mean clubbing and partying, then LSE is probably not the right destination - students work hard. But there is plenty of time and room for a lot of social life of a less frivolous nature ;)

[LSEMum]

@Ceramiq my son went to LSE and he's told me he's been clubbing a lot.

The sports societies are very party heavy.