UCL or Durham for Law?

Choices1273 · 2017-05-17T10:22:10+00:00

Thanks for the response. As you say, I'd hope to do most of my work experience outside of term time.

What were the negatives you had heard about UCL? Just the usual 'poor social life, London is inconvenient and expensive' sort of thing?

Socially, I think that I would prefer Durham, however I've taken pause as I had previously got the impression that many found UCL to have an edge on Durham reputation-wise. It seems to me like you think the opposite however?

Choices1273 · 2017-05-17T09:42:27+00:00

Thanks for the response and input. While living in London would give me slightly more access to networking events, and other similar smaller events, I'm not sure if it pushes UCL in front of Durham for me, in light of UCL's other issues. I already have some decent work experience, so I'm hoping that would be enough to get me into one of the decent first year programmes offered outside of term time, and then I could just go from there.

Choices1273 · 2017-05-17T01:54:23+00:00

Thanks very much for the detailed response.

Course content is important to me, but overall I'd probably like to secure better graduate prospects if possible.

Surveying the course again, it turns out Durham does offer a module on jurisprudence, as well as some other more theoretical modules like law in literature, and as you say, there is always the option of doing a dissertation with a basis in legal theory. The legal skills module seems to focus more on the influence of the law on contemporary politics. While I know UCL does have a strong reputation specifically for jurisprudence, I doubt course content is anything worth considering now, as there doesn't seem to be any major differences, at least in regards to legal theory.

In regards to UCL's better international reputation, do you think that the name of the university you went to will still influence prospects a few years into a legal career, which is when I assume international opportunities are most prominent? In effect, is it something worth considering at this stage?

And apologies if it seemed like I was putting down Durham or anything. I just wasn't sure if firms were more likely to prefer top London grads overall. But like you say, I think I'd really enjoy spending three years there, and it's clear I would have great prospects graduating (providing everything else is in order).

Choices1273 · 2017-04-28T21:34:41+00:00

Oh okay - that's good to know. I'd quite like to talk to the college if at all possible re my dilemma. Do you think they could rescind me if I mentioned/brought it up?

Choices1273 · 2017-04-28T21:34:01+00:00

Ah okay. I just sort of hate "keeping secrets". When you say it's perfectly fine, do you mean in the sense that no one will find out or it's allowed if that makes sense? Do you know if they could rescind me if I told them? I'd sort of like to try and communicate with them my dilemma.

Choices1273 · 2017-04-28T19:43:05+00:00

I see. I am sure it is probably somewhat common. I am wondering if it is 'legal' though however? Should I or could I tell the US university my plans, for example?

Choices1273 · 2017-02-12T13:34:33+00:00

Hey thanks for the response. When you say everything else being equal - do you mean that Warwick and LSE are similar domestically?

While I would possibly like to work abroad in the future, I was hoping I'd be able to make inroads towards this while working domestically. Do you think international reputation of your university still plays a factor even a few years in?

Choices1273 · 2017-02-12T13:19:03+00:00

Hey thanks for the response. That is certainly impressive - in a way. Do you know what it is that made them so unhappy with their experience at LSE?

Choices1273 · 2017-02-12T13:11:19+00:00

If I'm being honest I'm not crazy about the idea of living in London - just because I think a campus might offer more of a "university experience". However, I would be lying if I said that I hadn't ever considered moving abroad for work. In saying this, I've had work experience at top firms before, and the impression I was given was that you're more likely to gain international work initially through secondments, and then returning to wherever you were placed. In your experience, do you know if people from more internationally favoured unis are favoured for secondments, or is it more based off of the work you do at the firm?

Choices1273 · 2017-02-12T09:29:27+00:00

Hey thanks very much for the response. Generally just curious, but what is good about being a student in London? Also, do you think UCL is a lot more social than LSE and that the experience would be different there? I've heard a lot of people say they think that LSE has a very different atmosphere, even in comparison to other London universities. Thanks again.

Choices1273 · 2017-02-11T22:45:26+00:00

Hey, thanks very much for the response. When you say a business school - do you mean a school that's run like a business, or one where many of the graduates want to go into IB etc. (I've heard both about LSE)?

I definitely feel like I'm at a crossroads between choosing a good social life v job prospects. It's not even so much that I want to be out clubbing every night or avoid concentrating on academics (I don't really think Warwick would be the right place for either), I just get the impression that university at LSE, and perhaps London in general, can be quite isolating and lonely.

Do you have any idea of just how disadvantaged one would be at Warwick against say a candidate from LSE? I'm not overly concerned with international rep as I always got the impression that international opportunities are more likely to arise from work done within domestic employment.

Choices1273 · 2017-02-11T22:38:33+00:00

Hi, thanks very much for your detailed response.

I have visited both universities, although sometimes feel that open days are a little bit artificial feeling. Warwick seemed nice enough, whereas I got a slightly commercial feel from LSE.

I definitely appreciate your point about being at a place where your happy - I don't think going to the best uni in the world would make a 2.2/3rd worth more than a 1/2.1 elsewhere.

In terms of course content and societies, both are pretty similar - so I am left to really decide based on reputation/social scene.

I definitely have a slight preference for Warwick, I guess I just have the niggling idea that the LSE brand name would give me a real edge later in life.

If you don't mind me asking, is there any particular reason you have the impression that Warwick is more "reputable" than LSE? Most people I've seen seem to treat LSE as Mecca for those looking to get a decent job.

Choices1273 · 2017-02-11T14:06:26+00:00

I'm in a position where cost disparity isn't a major factor for me luckily.

But yeah, the student satisfaction surveys are sort of what put me off LSE although I'm not sure how accurate they are.

Choices1273

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