Is LSE ripping off MSc students?

[postgradecon]

Originally Posted by Epanechnikov

Most MSc students at LSE are internationals (90-95%, 40-45% Northern Americans!).

95% internationals? half north americans? Where do you get these numbers... it doesn't seem like reality at all, but I might be wrong.

[OneMoreEcon]

It's only a rip-off if you don't know what you're getting yourself into, but they make that info publicly-available... so it's your own fault if you don't do research ahead of time.

[levski07]

I m mostly likely going to accept the offer from LSE for next year... and while I could have accepted the cheaper alternative, Toulouse, LSE is just too big of an opportunity to pass up. While the MSC classes may be big, lectures will be taught by Danny Quah, Tim Besley, and Pisserides, amongst other great names. Toulouse does not offer this kind of exposure to great researchers at their department, i m not so sure about Oxford but I wasnt accepted there so I didnt do as much research about their program. I m 75% certain I want to do a phd and if the first year does not go well, at least I can fall back on a great MSC program for employment purposes. Thats why I don't think its a rip off.

[fp3690]

Originally Posted by postgradecon

95% internationals? half north americans? Where do you get these numbers... it doesn't seem like reality at all, but I might be wrong.

Ok, the place is very international, but the figure is wrong. LSE overall is 75% non-british (the figure is larger for psotgrad). North-americans are also a lot, mainly because of the many master's and exchange undergrad students. Americans are probably the biggest nation in postgrad, but not 45%.

[Epanechnikov]

Originally Posted by fp3690

Ok, the place is very international, but the figure is wrong. LSE overall is 75% non-british (the figure is larger for psotgrad). North-americans are also a lot, mainly because of the many master's and exchange undergrad students. Americans are probably the biggest nation in postgrad, but not 45%.

The number refers to postgraduates.As for Americans 40-45% seems very realistic to me (I don't have official statistics). If I am not wrong, around half the students lifted their hands in the 1st week's postgraduate event (several years ago) when H.Davies asked who was Northern or Southern American. A big proportion of people in my student residence were also American.

[fp3690]

Originally Posted by Epanechnikov

The number refers to postgraduates.As for Americans 40-45% seems very realistic to me (I don't have official statistics). If I am not wrong, around half the students lifted their hands in the 1st week's postgraduate event (several years ago) when H.Davies asked who was Northern or Southern American. A big proportion of people in my student residence were also American.

British passport holders officially are 20% of the postgrad population. One can find detailed statistics over there Statistics of students. Like I said (I think), Americans are the biggest nation, but together with the Canadians, they are about 17% of the student population.

[Epanechnikov]

Originally Posted by fp3690

British passport holders officially are 20% of the postgrad population. One can find detailed statistics over there Statistics of students. Like I said (I think), Americans are the biggest nation, but together with the Canadians, they are about 17% of the student population.

I would be interested to know how you got that British passport holders are officially 20% of the postgrad population. But anyway, even if the number is correct, bear in mind that in all European countries (as well as the US, China etc) but the UK undergraduate education lasts at least 4 years. Therefore the most important factor that leads somebody to do a master's at LSE is certainly not the one you implied .

[fp3690]

Originally Posted by Epanechnikov

I would be interested to know how you got that British passport holders are officially 20% of the postgrad population.

Howard Davies

Originally Posted by Epanechnikov

But anyway, even if the number is correct, bear in mind that in all European countries (as well as the US, China etc) but the UK undergraduate education lasts at least 4 years. Therefore the most important factor that leads somebody to do a master's at LSE is certainly not the one you implied .

It is if you have a UK undergrad, like I did. Also, Germany has 3 year undergrads.

[kushagra452]

I will be attending LSE MSc econ program.... regardless of this debate over LSE "ripping off" students. i think the cost vs benefit analysis of a LSE education will vindicate my stand

Peace!

[blowman]

Perhaps I should clarify my situation a bit:

I do hold an offer to go to LSE. And I probably would be able to get the money together (which is why, I suspect, I wasn’t given any financial aid). However, this would require me to take out a full CDL (£8000) and use up all my savings (which I was hoping to keep for a rainy day). My nightmare scenario is that, given the economy and its impact even at LSE, a year from now I won’t land a job. Then I’ll have this loan burden which I won’t be able to pay back and have no more savings. In short: I’ll be screwed.

Given the ease with which LSE gives out offers, and the fact that they give out very little financial aid, I’ve gotten the impression that LSE wants me only for my money.

(I do have an offer for a good, relatively free, education in Holland, but the problem is: it’s not LSE!)