"Top" London Universities?

Hi Everyone,

In the last few days I've learned that my mission to live/work in the UK is going to certainly be more than a wish and a can of beans. I'm exploring both the  student route and the seemingly perilous end-stage Tetris game navigation of the T5 work visa (...yeesh).

This sounds horribly snobby, but maybe if I preface it with 'this is snobby' it will negate (some of) the snobbishness?   What are the "best" universities in London proper? Not for any specific program but for alumni achievements, endowments, library size and general 'oooh' CV factor.

I know there are many but what are the ones with the most, erm, clout for lack of a better word. My thought is if I'm paying absolutely out the nose for international schooling, it may as well be top-notch.

The plan is to apply to Yale after my time in the UK and I'm trying to stay consistent in the 'academic texture' of the places I attend. I can/will be bold and shoot for Oxford/Cambrige but they're much more expensive and most importantly, not in London where I want to be.

Any names that stick out?

Thanks!

UCL.

Imperial College London.

LSE.

Geeta is right, but it does also depend a bit upon what you intend to study. Aren't you in the arts or did I misread something else you posted? If so, that's a whole other kettle of fish.

Thanks Geeta. UCL seems a-m-a-z-i-n-g.

Balm, we meet again!

Yes, nearly all of my work experience has been in film and writing and I'm also a film major. But I'd never shell out thousands of pounds (agh, thinking about it in terms of dollars just breaks my heart) on an advanced film degree.

My interest in this past year has been social/community service and I've pretty much built my last undergrad year around relevant projects and courses. I'm thinking if I show some initiative in volunteer work, get good grades in a relevant certificate program that I'll be a good candidate for a 1-yr social services masters in the UK. Not only will the volunteer work I'm seeking be part of the curriculum but there's 20hrs per week I'm eligible to work and after my degree, I can stay for my second year that I planned and do what I wish post-grad (victory!!)

Trying to stay on an even keel. Both the T5 route and this one are pretty dodgy as of now, so...one step at a time, y'know?

I think in London you'd get Goldsmith's or London Met who do your course, but they're not as prestigious. Chances are the prestigious places won't do postgrad in that, it'll be the old polytechnics and probably some of the modern unis.

There used to be a division here between universities and polytechnics, with the polytechnics covering the more practical subjects like business, accountancy, social care, etc... That's blurred (particularly for the more marketable skills) but there still a big hangover from that old division, and given the unfortunately low status of social work in Britain (Baby P?) I'd hazard a guess and say that Oxford, Cambridge, etc... won't offer social work MAs.

Hey Peter,

Actually Oxford offers a PhD in the topic and UCL I've just found out, has a master's research program. Now, gaining entry is a whole ball of wax haha but at least they're there.

For those who end up googling this topic 5 years from now, here's an useful set of opinions...that happen to bash my alma mater, lol.

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=821326

Top London Universities

For MA / MSc in Social Work, I'd do research first to see if they would allow you practice in the US.

For social work at postgrad level, here is the table sompiled by the Guardian:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2010/feb/15/social-work-postgraduate-masters-table1

Bradford and York are very well respected in Yorkshire and the cost of living is much better. ETA: As far as I remember, only Brunel is in London in the top 10 in the last 5 years for social work -

the bonus of this is the ones not in London should have a lower cost of living.

I’d also read my old comments from this thread – they still apply, by and large:
http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=54677.msg780595#msg780595

Also look at http://www.prospects.ac.uk/: it has great job and postgraduate information. ETA: http://www.postgrad.com/

For undergrad rankings: http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/tol_gug/gooduniversityguide.php?AC_sub=Social+Work&x=13&y=9&sub=56

I would recommend York and Lancaster, to balance quality, cost of living and the location, myself.

I am in a similar situation to you, postnobills.  I am currently deciding which uni to apply to for my master's degree.  I'm looking for a public relations or marketing program in London.  As of now I've decided I'm going to apply to Metropolitan and King's, but I am continuing to look at other universities before I start to apply (very soon, hopefully!).

I am in a similar situation to you, postnobills.  I am currently deciding which uni to apply to for my master's degree.  I'm looking for a public relations or marketing program in London.  As of now I've decided I'm going to apply to Metropolitan and King's, but I am continuing to look at other universities before I start to apply (very soon, hopefully!).

It is not in London or even in England, but Uni of Stirling has an excellent PR program, the head of the programme is Jackie L'Etang.  What kind of PR are you looking to get into or are you really wanting the marketing side?

It is not in London or even in England, but Uni of Stirling has an excellent PR program, the head of the programme is Jackie L'Etang.  What kind of PR are you looking to get into or are you really wanting the marketing side?

Hi goods,

My dream job would be doing in-house PR for a performing arts organization, perhaps a theatre.  I'd also be fine with working for an agency that handled arts groups.  I mention marketing because I'm familiar with that side of it, too, having had some internships that combined marketing and PR.  I've noticed some schools have marketing programs with PR elements, which I think would suit me just fine.

My undergrad degree is in journalism and I love to write, but I think I'd like to pursue the PR side of things for my career.

Postnobills, York is cited here for social work as number one for undergrad social work, as I have mentioned it as a good school before:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/may/12/universities-degree

See also:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2009/may/12/university-guide-social-work

Hi Everyone,

In the last few days I've learned that my mission to live/work in the UK is going to certainly be more than a wish and a can of beans. I'm exploring both the  student route and the seemingly perilous end-stage Tetris game navigation of the T5 work visa (...yeesh).


The plan is to apply to Yale after my time in the UK and I'm trying to stay consistent in the 'academic texture' of the places I attend. I can/will be bold and shoot for Oxford/Cambrige but they're much more expensive and most importantly, not in London where I want to be.

Any names that stick out?

Thanks!

Hi.

I'm just curious why you want to spend all that money on a UK Masters degree if you are just going to apply for a US PhD after it? It very expensive and the almost zero funding for            masters degrees. 

I'm at LSE because there was access to the population I needed in London, not in the US. I love the program but I wouldn't accrue this debt if I didn't feel it was necessary.

I can understand if you want to live in London. But you're basically paying 20,000 pounds for the priviledge before living expenses. You should be sure that the degree is worth it. Or maybe you want to be in the UK after school and not go for US Phd?