UCL vs Warwick for undergrad Economics?
Hi! I’m blessed to have gotten undergrad offers for the BSc Economics course for both UCL and Warwick and I’ve heard that they’re both generally pretty interchangeable in terms of economics rankings for UK universities. In terms of my career, I ultimately want to work in PE and I’ll probably take the standard IB -> PE route, but I was wondering which uni I should pick?
I’ve heard that UCL students generally break in easier and that it’s going to be easier to attend networking events and insight days, however won’t there be more competition for spring weeks and internships? I was thinking this as LSE and Imperial are in the same city and they’re more prestigious so there’s a chance that firms will go for students from there before UCL students. Comparatively, there’s less competition in the Warwick area and a lot of my friends who went to Warwick have gotten spring weeks and internships for the big firms like MS, GMS, JPM, Lazard, etc.
Thanks for all your help!
UCL — Better reputation and in London so better for networking. Many more UCL students at my BB, only know 1 ex-Warwick student here in IBD.
Had the exact same decision to make 2 years ago. Chose UCL almost based on nothing at the time. Definitely one of the best decisions I've ever made. Being in London is a MASSIVE advantage, especially during recruitment season. If you wanna meet someone for a coffee, head to an event, or have an interview - everything is there. To get my SA offer in IBD this year I had 6 separate Interviews. The logistics of getting to each one wld hv been way more difficult if I didn't live in London.
Choose UCL. It's a no-brainer.
Also with regards to reputation and brand both globally and in the industry, UCL defo has the edge.
Yeah I wasted so much money on train fares + hotels for various SWs/interviews/events etc
UCL is the undoubted winner here. In London + better reputation
Applied to warwick this cycle and got an offer, couldn’t apply to ucl econ because they under no circumstances would accept a student that’s resitting an alevel (currently on gap year).
I would absolutely take ucl in a heartbeat if given the opportunity. Don’t pass up the opportunity to be in london for the rigorously brutal style of teaching that warwick puts it’s students through. It’s the only reason a non-london uni (excluding oxbridge) stands a chance in recruitment for the hardo-type of firms like lazard and its not worth it lol
Lazard is the complete antithesis to a hardo type firm lol
Is Warwick actually that rigorous lol
I thought all unis (including crap ones like Westminster) were like this
A fish doesn’t know it's in water i guess.
If cost isnt a factor - take UCL. Sure, the econ department at Warwick might be of a similar standing to UCLs but in terms of proximity to working professionals and firms, global prestige and the fact you have London at your doorstep instead of Coventry, UCL is the winner imo.
Made this decision a while back - went with UCL, and don't regret it. Echoing the above, both will do you well from a recruiting standpoint but, unless you have an aversion to studying in London, UCL definitely has an edge.
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