The short answer is a resounding yes. :-) (perhaps I am biased since I did my undergraduate degree in law at UCL). I can't comment on the LLM programme for lack of first-hand experience, but I can tell you that UCL has one of the finest law schools in the UK. Huge numbers of my LLB classmates at UCL who got job offers from various international law firms (both UK Magic Circle and US firms).

I can also tell you quite confidently that at least within the undergraduate law circles in the UK, LSE is NOT generally regarded as any much better than UCL.

Congrats on your acceptance. I have also applied to the UCL only very recently, today in fact. From my understanding (I am not an expert but did my own research) UCL is ranked higher than King's College and LSE in every poll I have seen. Check out the law school rankings on this site. From what I have been told LSE has better name recognition outside of the UK. But I think you are really talking about very little seperating UCL, Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, and King's College. When I asked the same questions to lawyers I know from the UK said that it was like spliting hairs. The best way to check is to find some alumni of the LLM at these schools and ask their opinions. Its what I plan on doing when I hear from schools.

Hey, ny2miami! My sincere congrats!!!
I also obtained an offer from schools of UoL group.
I will accept UCL's offer, by the end of April I need to submit my acceptance. BUT besides that, I need to choose accomodation type. Therefore, could you or any respected member of this forum help me.

WHAT KIND OF ACCOMODATION WOULD BE MORE REASONABLE (and cheaper)??
- Find and rent an small appartment somewhere near the school; or
- Rent a room in Halls offered by UCL.

Hey, future UCL students - where are you planning to leave?
Maybe we can jointly rent some appartment there?

Thank you for advice in advance.

Hi Gamayun,

I will be doing my LLM elsewhere, but I did my undergraduate law degree at UCL. It will DEFINITELY be far cheaper and more convenient for you to live in university halls. I had the privilege of living in a catered university hall throughout my undergraduate life - I saved thousands of pounds!

I agree; UCL has a good reputation domestically, however, LSE has a solid international reputation, especially in the States. Also, many world leaders and noble prize laureates have attended LSE so that adds to their fame and prestige.

Another point, LSE is known for being cutting edge and progressive while UCL is more traditional and black letter; it comes down to personal preference here.

Progressive, cutting edge... It's just a euphemism for overt leftism.
LSE is a hotbed of leftwing sentiment, I doubt that this is what most employers are after. However LSE is super prestigious, but not because of It's 'progressivenes'.

Sure thing, LSE was a hotbed for leftism 25 years ago but has moved to a more centrist position today. For instance, Cherie Blair - as much as she'd like to believe - is in no way left wing. Her Matrix Chambers represent some of the fattest cats in the UK and I know of several ex students who are hamming it up in the corporate world quite nicely indeed. That being said, there are many out there (call us lefties) who do not espouse the cut and thrust lifestyle of corporate law city firms and would rather have more than 4 hours of sleep a night.

UCL is a much better law school. LSE has the international fame and reputation but in terms of law I think you would be crazy to go there over UCL.

A better comparison with the US would be
Oxford = Harvard
Cambridge = Yale
UCL = Columbia
LSE = NYU

Within the UK, other Universities like Warwick may well be rated higher by many employers.

Thank you for advice, mate!
I am sending acceptance letter this week and will have to decide re: accomodation now! Your and participant's thoughts are invaluable! Good luck!

g

Hi Gamayun,

I will be doing my LLM elsewhere, but I did my undergraduate law degree at UCL. It will DEFINITELY be far cheaper and more convenient for you to live in university halls. I had the privilege of living in a catered university hall throughout my undergraduate life - I saved thousands of pounds!

I would agree with Joseph1. LSE definitely has more international fame, but as law schools, LSE is no better than UCL. In fact, I think UCL may have a slight edge as a law school. Plus, UCL is generaly regarded as the third best multi-faculty university (i.e. thus excluding Imperial College and LSE) in the UK after Oxbridge.

Joseph1:
Any reason to match up Cam with Yale, and Ox with Harvard?
I thought Cam had a larger LLM programme than Ox's MJur/BCL (200 v. 150 students), thus it would be wrong to compare it with the more selective Yale.

Perhaps, in terms of student numbers. The real comparison was on a University level - Oxford is older and, although people speak of "Oxbridge" or "Harvard and Yale", Oxford and Harvard have the edge in terms of prestige and age.

Of course, it's never that simple. Cambridge routinely tops the overall league tables and, especially in the natural sciences, is seen as a clear leader (with some putting Imperial ahead of Oxford even).

However in law and philosophy (and probably other traditional arts and social sciences, though not all), Oxford retains its lead.

Yale may be more selective but do you really think it has the prestige of Harvard? Maybe amongst a few people in New England but not outside that sphere.

Hi!

Let me join the discussion...

Through my personal experiences, I find Cambridge students more 'down-to-earth' than Oxford students. That's just my opinion.

I also like the diversity at Cambridge because there is a good mix of social sciences, arts and science students at Cambridge.

The Oxford BCL has an 'edge' over the Cambridge LLM in terms of more individualised supervisions. On the other hand, Cambridge offers more options in terms of international law.

Well, I think that UCL and LSE are pretty similar. I'm definitely enjoying my time at the LSE (both the law course and the intellectual/cosmpolitan buzz on campus).

gamayun~
While I was a visiting student at UCL last summer, I stayed in Astor College on Charlotte St. The location was great, but the accomodations were dorm style (tiny rooms, shared bathrooms and kitchens on each floor, the lifts stopped at midnight). I don't know if this is representative of all of UCL's student housing or not. Astor has an information packet describing the accomodations, so maybe the others do as well. A caveat- the packet Astor sent me was quite out of date, so some of the things listed were no longer available. Good luck in your search :)

Dear modestphairy:

Do you know whether it is possible, first, to rent the room in student house and, later, to move (leave the student house) to a private apartment. Will the policy allow that? Because I am planning to move with a friend of mine, but she will arrive later on in September. I might come in August and live in student house while searching for another place?


modestphairy
Today, 05:41 AM

While I was a visiting student at UCL last summer, I stayed in Astor College on Charlotte St. The location was great, but the accomodations were dorm style (tiny rooms, shared bathrooms and kitchens on each floor, the lifts stopped at midnight). I don't know if this is representative of all of UCL's student housing or not. Astor has an information packet describing the accomodations, so maybe the others do as well. A caveat- the packet Astor sent me was quite out of date, so some of the things listed were no longer available. Good luck in your search :)

Yes, it's possible.

Check out the various Uni of London colleges accommodation websites. Some colleges like LSE offer accommodation at the various student halls of residence until mid-September. These halls are centrally-located and suitable for students who are hunting for a place to live.

g~
They were very liberal while I was there. I actually moved out for 2 weeks (to save money) while I ran around Europe, and then returned to my same room. That may have been permissible only because I was there during the summer when housing was not at a premium. Overall, the staff at Astor was quite accomodating, helpful, and friendly.

~m

Dear modestphairy:

Do you know whether it is possible, first, to rent the room in student house and, later, to move (leave the student house) to a private apartment. Will the policy allow that? Because I am planning to move with a friend of mine, but she will arrive later on in September. I might come in August and live in student house while searching for another place?