jarry Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Hi, I am deciding between pursuing MSc in Economics at the Barcelona GSE (funded) and MPhil in Economics at Cambridge University (unfunded). My ultimate goal is PhD (but not necessarily at these two unis) and my interests are in macroeconomics and monetary policy. I guess that Cambridge enjoys better reputation in private sector, but does this extend also to academia and governmental institutions (e.g. central banks, IMF)? And if so, is the difference worth taking out loan for 15k pounds tuition fees? Given my interests and plans, which option would you recommend? Thanks for your advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddyb Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Since your interests are macro and monetary, Barcelona GSE is a better choice. With regards to placement to PhD program, I heard Barcelona is doing well. I have no information on Cambridge. In my opinion, if you will do the PhD, Barcelona GSE > Cambridge MPhil, even without considering the funding issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantinity Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Obviously, BGSE, even without considering funding. Better in macro, better placement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR14 Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Agree with previous poster. For the IMF though, I would argue Cambridge is one of the best choices (>BGSE). Central Banks probably doesn't matter much. Something he didn't mention is PhD continuation, which at Cambridge is competitive. Don't know how much weeding out occurs at BGSE, but this should be a very relevant variable in your decision. You should also try to switch to the MRes (MPhil Research) if you decide to go for Cambridge (better funding opportunities). Private sector reputation was my main reason to go for Cambridge; should you ever wish to pursue that path, Cambridge reputation will do you much good. Do note that college funding may become available; that is how I funded my MPhil (both tuition + expenses). Specific Cambridge questions are welcome through PM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Santigarza Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Without any doubt I would say Barcelona GSE. Their placement is absolutely awesome and their faculty in macro seems much better. Congratulations, by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrdonsimoni Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 BGSE > Cambs. Cambs would really only be a serious contender if you'd want to stay in the UK, for that it would be better hands down, whether you're looking at a PhD or private sector. Since I imagine you'd like your chances to extend beyond the English Channel, I would say that elsewhere BGSE would give you as good a chance, if not a better one anywhere else. Perhaps Asia-Pacific or Africa might be less aware of BGSE (which could be a factor if you want to do development-related work there; for which macro and monetary can both be relevant, at various levels). US and continental Europe, BGSE would give you the same chance or better (like I said), both for a PhD placement and for the private sector. I assume both programmes are hard and competitive, so not a big differentiator, but being funded and living in Barcelona is a major plus (Cambridge sucks [ok Im exaggerating a little :)], lived there 3 years, yes it s cute and kinda nice in the spring, but thats it: high street is boring, clubs are dull, bars are worse). I know you wouldnt have much time for yourself, but those times that you do, you'll enjoy sunshine and a vibrant city to change your mind from your exams and revisions :) On the plus side for Cambs, the colleges are quite beautiful and punting on the Cam is quite nice in the Spring/Summer (also you can brag about how Newton also studied there ;) ). Bar that, I can't see a rational reason for picking Barcelona over Cambs. Good luck, and congratulations on both admits, they really are great programmes otherwise (I just think BGSE is better:) ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Econhead Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 BGSE > Cambs. Cambs would really only be a serious contender if you'd want to stay in the UK, for that it would be better hands down, whether you're looking at a PhD or private sector. Since I imagine you'd like your chances to extend beyond the English Channel, I would say that elsewhere BGSE would give you as good a chance, if not a better one anywhere else. Perhaps Asia-Pacific or Africa might be less aware of BGSE (which could be a factor if you want to do development-related work there; for which macro and monetary can both be relevant, at various levels). US and continental Europe, BGSE would give you the same chance or better (like I said), both for a PhD placement and for the private sector. I assume both programmes are hard and competitive, so not a big differentiator, but being funded and living in Barcelona is a major plus (Cambridge sucks [ok Im exaggerating a little :)], lived there 3 years, yes it s cute and kinda nice in the spring, but thats it: high street is boring, clubs are dull, bars are worse). I know you wouldnt have much time for yourself, but those times that you do, you'll enjoy sunshine and a vibrant city to change your mind from your exams and revisions :) On the plus side for Cambs, the colleges are quite beautiful and punting on the Cam is quite nice in the Spring/Summer (also you can brag about how Newton also studied there ;) ). Bar that, I can't see a rational reason for picking Barcelona over Cambs. Good luck, and congratulations on both admits, they really are great programs otherwise (I just think BGSE is better:) ) JR has turned into the forum's specialist in European programs. -And we're glad to have him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZYX Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 If you don't mind me asking, when you say BGSE is funded, is that tuition fees at well as a stipend for living costs, or funding just for the tuition fees? For BGSE the most funding I've seen is tuition only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrdonsimoni Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 JR has turned into the forum's specialist in European programs. -And we're glad to have him. :D thanks for the compliment, in fairness there aren't that many people here who've studied here (old continent), and I did absorb as much as possible on the forum and at my various universities (so far 5), and going through 2 full application cycles helpled a lot too. I did do a lot of research on most major european programmes while applying, so if I can help out :) I can also assist remarkably well if you're thinking of buying a new mercedes, laptop, smartphone, hard drive, italian leather shoes and coffee (we all have our addictions :p ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Econhead Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 :D .. :)... I can also assist remarkably well if you're thinking of buying ... italian leather shoes and coffee (we all have our addictions :p ) Sorry, just bought a new sexy pair of leather Zamberlan's for "town." I'm not ashamed to say that sometimes when I take them off, i check, and am remarkably glad they still smell like new leather. /derail off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarry Posted February 26, 2015 Author Share Posted February 26, 2015 If you don't mind me asking, when you say BGSE is funded, is that tuition fees at well as a stipend for living costs, or funding just for the tuition fees? For BGSE the most funding I've seen is tuition only. I meant only tuition fees. They offer also teaching assistantships which allow one to cover the living expenses as well, but I did not get that.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarry Posted February 26, 2015 Author Share Posted February 26, 2015 BGSE > Cambs. Cambs would really only be a serious contender if you'd want to stay in the UK, for that it would be better hands down, whether you're looking at a PhD or private sector. Since I imagine you'd like your chances to extend beyond the English Channel, I would say that elsewhere BGSE would give you as good a chance, if not a better one anywhere else. Perhaps Asia-Pacific or Africa might be less aware of BGSE (which could be a factor if you want to do development-related work there; for which macro and monetary can both be relevant, at various levels). US and continental Europe, BGSE would give you the same chance or better (like I said), both for a PhD placement and for the private sector. I assume both programmes are hard and competitive, so not a big differentiator, but being funded and living in Barcelona is a major plus (Cambridge sucks [ok Im exaggerating a little :)], lived there 3 years, yes it s cute and kinda nice in the spring, but thats it: high street is boring, clubs are dull, bars are worse). I know you wouldnt have much time for yourself, but those times that you do, you'll enjoy sunshine and a vibrant city to change your mind from your exams and revisions :) On the plus side for Cambs, the colleges are quite beautiful and punting on the Cam is quite nice in the Spring/Summer (also you can brag about how Newton also studied there ;) ). Bar that, I can't see a rational reason for picking Barcelona over Cambs. Good luck, and congratulations on both admits, they really are great programmes otherwise (I just think BGSE is better:) ) Thanks for your reply. You are right that I would like to increase my chances also outside of UK, but my top choice for PhD will probably be the LSE. Do you think that Cambridge would give me a better chance to get there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrdonsimoni Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Honestly I think so yes. LSE is one of those excessively selective departments that doesnt let you in their MRes/PhD unless you have an MSc from a high-quality institution, which in their mind means: oxbridge, UCL.... thats pretty much it. In the UK everybody knows Cambridge, and if your goal is a PhD at the LSE, then perhaps Cambs would be the better choice. Besides it would smooth out the transition ( I assume you re not from the UK), once there it'll be easier to sort out all the paperwork and crap about movingdown to London. Besides, you dont repay student loans until you earn enough, so during your PhD you wouldnt have to repay your loan for Cambs (obviously), and afterwards it ll be scaled up to your net income (taking living costs into consideration). Now do take into account: cambridge is expensive to live in. So living costs might be a bit high, but being at Cambridge, you might be able to get decently priced accommodation within your allocated college (otherwise Mill Road is cheap :) ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZYX Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Honestly I think so yes. LSE is one of those excessively selective departments that doesnt let you in their MRes/PhD unless you have an MSc from a high-quality institution, which in their mind means: oxbridge, UCL.... thats pretty much it. In the UK everybody knows Cambridge, and if your goal is a PhD at the LSE, then perhaps Cambs would be the better choice. Besides it would smooth out the transition ( I assume you re not from the UK), once there it'll be easier to sort out all the paperwork and crap about movingdown to London. Besides, you dont repay student loans until you earn enough, so during your PhD you wouldnt have to repay your loan for Cambs (obviously), and afterwards it ll be scaled up to your net income (taking living costs into consideration). Now do take into account: cambridge is expensive to live in. So living costs might be a bit high, but being at Cambridge, you might be able to get decently priced accommodation within your allocated college (otherwise Mill Road is cheap :) ) Personally I think that the OP can easily get into LSE with a masters from BGSE. I haven't heard of LSE being 'excessively selective' before regarding where a student obtained their MSc from, but UPF/BGSE is one of the best department's in Europe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okun Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 As far as I know, in both programs you will need to be a top 5 student to get good LoRs... and if your goal is LSE, then as JR said above, Cambridge sounds like a much better option due to faculty and idiosyncrasy proximity between the departments. BGSE is a great choice though, specially if you want to have a nice time living in Barcelona! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrdonsimoni Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Personally I think that the OP can easily get into LSE with a masters from BGSE. I haven't heard of LSE being 'excessively selective' before regarding where a student obtained their MSc from, but UPF/BGSE is one of the best department's in Europe. Nah of course, BGSE is an excellent department regardless, my comment is just looking at both programmes alone in isolation, kinda like when you look for variations in data and it looks super significant with very large cycles, then you see on the left that the data is truncated between 60 and 64. Thats kind of where Im coming from with my comment. Truncating their absolute merits and any other measure of absolute quality, and looking only at the margin I'd say Cambs gives you an edge. That edge is meant in the sense of getting you straight onto their MRes/PhD track and not first into their MSc, like they advise most students. But you re absolutely right, BGSE is a great department in its own right, evidently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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