Are you interested in understanding how different nations interact with each other? Do you imagine yourself studying in the British capital among students from all over the world? If so, then studying International Relations in London is the International Relations in the style of London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) could be the perfect choice for you.
Meeting with Ambre
We recently spoke to Amber who decided to follow this exact path but with a slight twist.
As a Frenchwoman who grew up in Hong Kong, she developed an interest in international relations and chose to study International Relations and Chinese in this prestigious London institution, consistently ranked among the best universities not only in the UK but also in the world.
We met Ambre while she was in her second year to find out how her first year went and to gather her advice for future students.
Why International Relations and Chinese?
The International Relations course has approximately 200 students, but Ambre knew she wanted to specialise in this field, so she opted for the International Relations and Chinese pathway, which comprises a much smaller cohort of 15 students who study both with the main cohort and also take specific modules. Other popular pathways include studying international relations with history or politics. Ambre explains:
«The community on my specific course is really great because it is small and we all get on very well, but it is also interesting to meet other people and get different points of view, so mixing with all the other students is also beneficial.»
For Ambre, focusing on Chinese was a natural choice due to her childhood spent in Hong Kong, but she explains that this is not the case for the majority of her classmates, who have no pre-existing connection with China but wish to explore how the country operates on the global stage and view this as a career path.
Experiencing university life at LSE
Amber is now in second year but vividly remembers her first year and what it's like starting at a new university in a different country:
«The first year is stressful as you can feel a bit lonely and far from home, but I recommend getting involved in societies quickly to meet people! This is particularly useful if you are on one of the courses with a large cohort, as it can be a bit daunting.»
Amber is a member of the Chinese Development Society, of the Grimshaw Society (which focuses on diplomacy) and she and her friends have just joined the wine company ; there are really a lot of different options for students to find friends and spend time with like-minded people.
In addition to that, Amber likes to make the most of life in London by choosing to study in small local cafes and she and her friends often go to British Film Institute to use the free library facilities: «Living in London is amazing and we really try to make the most of what the city has to offer!»
Work-life balance in academia
For many students, starting a full-time university course can come as a shock. Not only are they away from home for the first time, often in a different country, but it is also the first time they are truly responsible for themselves, and this is particularly true when it comes to staying on top of their academic workload. Amber told us how she managed this:
«The end of term is the most stressful because there can be a lot of exams and deadlines for assessments. My day can start at 9 am and finish at 7 pm, but there are often many breaks in between, which means I have to balance my own workload by going to the library and doing self-study in the gaps.»
Now in second year, Ambre explains that she feels very comfortable and acknowledges that, although there is a strong academic accent to LSE, there is still a social life and time to relax,
«You have to manage your own time and balance your self-study with lectures and your social life, but you already have your friends that you made in first year, so there's much less social pressure.» She also reflected on the fact that her course is linked to the language centre and how she and her peers have close relationships with their lecturers, «I don't worry if I have questions or need help.»
Finding accommodation in one of Europe's largest cities
One of the main concerns regarding moving to university for students and their parents can concern the place where they will live during their studies. For the majority of British universities, the provision of on-campus accommodation is guarantee for the first year of the degree for international students, provided that certain requirements are met.
Deciding to study in a major city like London can mean that securing accommodation after the first year requires a proactive approach and involves higher rental costs, but there are plenty of options available. We asked Ambre about her experience over the 2 years:
«In my first year, I stayed at Bankside, which is just for LSE students and about 20 minutes from campus. I had a great experience and made lots of new friends studying all sorts of different courses, but I had to share a bathroom, which took a bit of getting used to. This year, I'm staying at CRM, which has students from LSE, King's and UCL, so it's a great mix. It's more expensive, but it's really close to Trafalgar Square, so it's actually closer to the university and getting around London is very easy.»
Life after university
Choosing to study a Bachelor's degree in international relations allows students to cover a wide range of fields such as politics, economics, history and security, which means that the career opportunities or postgraduate options available span a number of areas. Ambre was unsure which path she would choose but explained how LSE offers career guidance to all students.
UCAS applications
As is the case for many British universities, the entry requirements for LSE are high, so it is important that you are aware of this very early on and that you do everything in your power to meet expectations.
However, for UK applications, meeting the entry requirements for your grades alone will not guarantee you access to your chosen university and selected course; this also depends on the content of your personal statement. At Expat Student, we provide expert guidance not only on the personal statement but on your entire application. This can involve recommendations for relevant work experience or participation in a summer school that will help ensure your personal statement stands out from the rest.
We discuss the different options with you and help you to identify the right course and university for you and your future. Ambre told us about her experience with Expat Student, «Louise was incredible throughout the whole process. I felt supported and guided to make the right decisions for myself and what I wanted to study!»
If you need advice or support with your application to LSE, please do not hesitate to contact International student
