I have received offers from LSE and for KCL for LLM. I always thought LSE is more reputed and renowned, however, the recent LLM UK rankings state KCL as 2nd while LSE ranks much lower. Have LSE ratings dropped? For now I have accepted both the offers. But I do need to streamline my efforts towards one. I am interested in human rights aspect of law.. so my subjects of interest are similar. Can anyone help me with this KCL - LSE confusion?

As an aside though, someone told me Essex is excellent when it comes to LLM in human rights. They have given me an unconditional offer too. But they later informed they are not running LLM in Health Care Law and Human Rights for 2011-12. So I have been offered LLM in International Humanitarian and Terrorism Law, which is not exactly what I wanna do later on. So, thats background. Anyone is similar situation?

where did you see that recent LLM ranking?

here!

http://www.llm-guide.com/most-popular/uk-ireland

hey.. now that i think of it.. this is "most popular" ranking.. perhaps even based on profile views.. which means it is unofficial and even misguiding.

hmm... however, the confusion remains.

thanks

Not sure that there is any degree of confusion here. I think it is acknowledged by all that LSE and King's both offer high calibre LL.M. degrees. But - and I'm an Ireland-based neutral - most people would acknowledge that the Law Faculty at LSE in one of the best in the world. King's also has a number of galacticos on its Law Faculty ; but the received wisdom is that LSE is marginally superior to King's.

If I were you, I think I would opt for either LSE or King's. The University of Essex is off the beaten track and it does not have the same reputation as the two London colleges.

thank u :)

Internationally, LSE is more recognized and reputed. KCL is also very good, but if I had offers from both (and I do from KCL...waiting for LSE) I would chose LSE, unless KCL offers me a big enough scholarship.

If reputation is a really important factor in your pursuance of LLM, go for LSE...else look at the course offerings and scholarships before deciding.

All the best! Do let us know which one you finally went to :-)

For what it's worth, you can't go wrong. I received offers from both universities as well and accepted LSE's offer. I concentrated on business law, and it might make a difference if you view KCL as having substantially stronger offerings in human rights, but I loved every second and aspect of my program.

why would kcl have better HR provision? i think the reverse is true since the LSE poached professor conor gearty...

Just to be clear, the offer you received for Essex would've been for the LL.M. in Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, not Humanitarian and Terrorism (they don't offer that program), so if your interest is in human rights and health care, then that's a good place to go. Paul Hunt is the former Special Rapporteur on Health and a former member of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. He was the first Special Rapporteur to do an official visit to a company rather than a country (looking at health responsibilities and treatments of Glaxo-Smith-Kline). He's highly approachable and gives a great deal of attention and assistance to his students.

Really on where to go it depends on what you want out of a program. The three schools you listed are all respected but each has specialties and individual professors who will make a difference in your decision. No one of them is going to suddenly provide you with a greater possibility of employment than the other so you have to decide based on what you want to learn and specialize in.

If I were you, I think I would opt for either LSE or King's. The University of Essex is off the beaten track and it does not have the same reputation as the two London colleges.