Hey there,

I'm going to do the LLM in European Law. Since I have received unconditional offers from five Universities and aren't able to decide, which offer I should accept, by myself, I wonder if there is anyone who could help me making the right decision. Perhaps someone was/ is in the same situation or has experience with the Universities or cities.

I want to go to the best University for my subject (European Law), also regarding the international reputation and the last, but not least important factor is the city itself (living costs, entertainment factor, etc.)

(I list them in the order they replied to me, not in my favorite order):

1. Durham
2. Edinburgh
3. Bristol
4. Aberdeen
5. Nottingham (NOT Trent)

Thank you very much in advance!

I think that in this subject Edinburhg has a better reputation... plus you can't beat Edinburgh's city as regards living experience... but it might not come as cheap as one would expect... maybe in this regard Aberdeen would be a better choice. In addition, I think Aberdeen is a pretty good law school also. From your list, I would put Edinburgh first, followed by Aberdeen, Durham, Nottingham and, finally, Bristol...

Hy,
thanks for your reply .... I didn't make a decision in the meantime ... and - as a matter of fact - I also have not received a decision from one of the London Unis ... so no news in that field ... and I keep on guessing :-D

Hi there.
Many people are in your same dilemma it seems. For European Law I would have to say Edinburgh, even if I didn't study here. It is home to Professor Jo Shaw who has her finger in almost every aspect of European law development. She has actually stopped teaching undergrad so that she can focus on European law research projects funded by the EU. All of her research students are going non-stop supporting her efforts.
The European student groups are very active at Edinburgh as well so you'll get a lot of extra-curricular support in the field.
Best of luck.

So,
I was rejected from UCL ... no answer from KCL und QMU so far ... for the time being, I'm leaning towards Bristol ... partly because of the courses and partly because of it's geographic lay ... hmmm

Hi Go_to_the_UK. Just would like to know why are not you considering Edinburgh? don't want to be a pain in the a... or anything, but I really think you'd be better off in Edinburgh than in Bristol...

hi beicon,

I think my decision between edi and bristol is manly based on the countryside ... I rather prefer living in the south of UK, than in the north. and besides that, regarding the courses offered, it seems to be, that bristol has the better programme for european law. but I still don't know ... there is only little hope, that qmu or kcl will accept me, I applied in the middle of february ... so I think, I must come to a decision in time ...

Well, if your reasons are based on life quality and where you'd like to live, I really support you on going to Bristol... it's really important to go to a university based at a place where you'd like to spend time... after all, most of the time you'll have to study by yourself so it must be a pain to stay somewhere you can't stand... But, as regards quality of the programme, I still think Edinburgh is better.

Unconditional Offer from KCL ... beicon ... and now ;-)

As Professor Wish teaches at KCL...KCL would be my number one choice for EC Law! I attended his lecture a few years ago. He is just the top academic in the field!

I'd still prefer Edinburgh. But I have to admit that it's a tough choice. As regards the city, I personally think Edinburgh is much nicer... I like smaller places, so I guess London really isn't the right place for me... Now, given the programme, I guess European Law is a very good subject to study at Edinburgh (mostly because of the Europa Institute). But KCL is a very reputable university. In my country, as a matter of fact, it's seen with better eyes than Edinburgh... But comparing KCL and Bristol really isn't fair... I think KCL is light years ahead of Bristol... (sorry, dont want to offend anyone) It's great to see that you have such a problem in your hands, having to choose between such great places to go to... To wrap it up, my votes are:

1st - Edinburgh
2nd - KCL
3rd - Durham
4th - Aberdeen
5th - Bristol

But, taking into account that you wouldn't like to live in Edinburgh, KCL is the most smart and obvious choice. And you should have in mind that I'm totally supportive of your choice to give the place where the university is based the importance that it deserves... I think many people should also consider this factor when choosing where to go.

Regards,

Hy beicon,

first of all, thank you very much for showing so much attention to my "problem"! I really appreciate your effort!

I think I'm totally leaning towards KCL for 3 reasons:

1. The reputation
As a matter of fact, KCL has a worldwide reputation. As far as I know, it only counts, if you gain the LLM in Oxbridge or in somewhere in London. Since I am from Germany, the reputation of the university is a very important factor.

2. The city itself and the location
For me London is one of the most thrilling cities in Europe. And like I already said for Bristol, I think I generally like the south of the UK more, than the north.

3. career options
As far as I know, the big law offices are inviting the german students for diner and perhabs I will get the opportunity to work for a few years in the UK.

So, the only thing between London and me is probably the money :-D I hope I will find a afordable flat, if I do not get a room at the campus.

So, finally QMU is also on board. I'm now thinking of going to QMU because it is a little bit cheaper and I will also be able to take courses at Kings, because they both belong to the University of London. Therefore it does not seem to be a question which one really is the better university.

Any guessing on that?

the inter-collegiate LLM has been cancelled for some time now.

Hi Go! (may I call you Go!?) just kidding. I'm more than happy to help you. I know it's not easy to choose where to go. I only hope that next year I'll have the same ''problem" as you do.

Now, as regards the KCLxQML question, if you really wanna go to London, I think you'd be better off at King's. Don't get me wrong, QML is a great university, but in my opinion it is the lowest brand from the University of London (I'm not considering other colleges of the university, I'm referring only to UCL, LSE, KCL and QML). And, like nok said, I'm quite sure the inter-collegiate has been cancelled.

Gotta admit though that money is a big issue when it comes to going to London... it's not the only reason why I have decided not to apply to London schools, but it has had an important role in my decision. Hey, but I'm sure you'll manage to afford it somehow.

Best of luck. And be sure to let me know where you'll end up going.

Regards,

Hy beicon,
YOU can call me whatever you want ;-) my unknown decision-helper :-D ... just kidding too!

Guess what, I'm still unsure, which one I should go to. I checked the programmes and I think, that QM has the better courses. I also talked to a girl who is already doing an erasmus year at QM, having courses in European Law and she told me, that they are very good and that the courses have a very good reputation.

So perhaps KCL is the better uni and has the better reputation in general, but when it comes to the European Law, QM is at the same level even a little bit higher, I would say.

Therefore taking this in account (and the saving of w1900 pounds) I think I'm leaning more and more towards QM.

Comments desired !!! All kind of!!!!

Hi Go.

May I ask from which country you are?

Because from a Brazilian perspective, I really recommend you to go to KCL (sorry if I'm repeating myself). Here in Brazil, most people (around 90% - the other 10% are LLM prospectives) never heard of Queen Mary. I know that we (Brazilians) are wrong and outdated as regards law schools in the UK (most Brazilian lawyers end up going to the US, so that's why just a few British universities - Oxbridge, LSE, UCL and KCL - are known here).

But depending on where you live (and if you want to go back after the LLM), it's really important that you take this into consideration. You can take my case as an example, I've been adviced by most people I know here in Brazil to apply only to Oxbridge and LSE (these are the best - and some times the only - universities in the UK from a Brazilian legal market perspective). But I really plan to stay in Europe after the LLM, so Ill be applying to other universities that I know to be well known in Europe (like Edinburgh - which here is considered a losers option). You should think about this before making up your mind...

Just one other thing, I think that even inside the UK, Kings has a better reputation than QML...

And I understand your money concern... I REALLY do!!! I'm kindda in the same situation... I'm safing every penny I can to pay for my LLM next year... Im almost giving up on this eating every day thing!!!! So 1,900 pound sterling less is a great deal... but you have to consider that its 1,900 youll be spending on something youll carry for the rest of your life... so, assuming youll live at least for other 30 years, its 63,3 pounds per year... 5,275 per month... its really not that much when you look at the big picture!!!

Regards,

I can not believe that you choosing QMUL over KCL for 2000GBP!

I did not only choose qmu over kcl for 2000 GBP. if you reread my post, you will see, that I'm also taking the courses offered for my subject into consideration!

I also think, that at QMU they take a little bit more care for their students. My Emails are answered directly and things like that. You know what I mean.

But, to calm you all down, I think I will go to KCL. Last night I had a long discussion with a friend of mine and she convinced me, that it's all about the reputation of the University (and also in Germany, where I'm from, they only know LSE, UCL and Kings). Courses and stuff like that is second-rate, when it comes to upgrading your job opportunities. If I can tell, that I was at KCL, it will open more doors as if I would tell, that I was at QMU. So I will a have another talk with a friend on Tuesday. She already did her LLM in London and I'm hoping for the ultimate help ;-)

So, expect my decision by Wednesday :-)

no need to think about it,
the reputation of the university is, unfortunately, what matters most
if you can go to oxbridge
if not, LSE/UCL/KCL depending on the specialization
for European Law it is KCL
end of story :)