I'm wondering whether to do my LLM in International Human Rights Law at LSE or SOAS. As many others on these boards I am torn between the great international reputation of LSE and the seemingly more specialised courses and vibrant environment at SOAS. Does anyone have any advice?

Thank you!

I really think this is a no-brainer. Not only is LSE Law ranked much higher (http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2011/subject-rankings/social-sciences/law; http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2008/dec/18/rae-results-2008-law-degree; http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings?s=Law), I also think there is no question as to the differences in entry standards. SOAS accepts a lot of students that would never get into LSE, and I think it is fair to say that the vast majority of people with offers from both unis choose LSE over SOAS. Things may be different if you want to do your PhD with a specific Prof at SOAS, but for the LLM I'd not even consider choosing SOAS over LSE..
Also, SOAS is 10 min walk from LSE, and you can attend all events there if you want. Finally, LSE has quite some Human rights stuff, too (http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/law/subjects/humanrights.htm)..
But of course I'm very biased, holding an LLM from LSE myself ;)

Thank you for your reply :) You have swayed me quite a lot towards LSE, but it also weighs heavily for me that SOAS has a Human Rights Clinic, which I can't see that LSE has. It's a tough choice.

SOAS Human Rights Clinic is unique and no other UK university will provide you expertise in Human Rights other than Essex ( with some exceptions)

If you wish to go for rankings, than LSE is better. If you wish to attain specialist knowledge and skills, then SOAS is excellent, just compare the modules!

On a module comparison, I think in my opinion, that SOAS offers more on issues pertaining to international law and Human Rights law ...

Post conflict reconstruction and reconciliation, International criminal law in practice, Jurisprudence and policies of tribunals and peacebuilding modules focusing on Israeli and Palestine case - all these modules and more, provide a wealth of differentiation from the conventional UCL, KINGS, QM, UCL modules...