LSE climbs UK league table

The London School of Economics and Political Science has overtaken the University of Oxford to be placed second in the Complete University Guide 2013.
subject areas. LSE topped the tables in a number of fields, including accounting and finance, economics, and social policy. All of the subjects offered by the School came in the top five of each individual league table, with the vast majority being placed in the top three. Dr Bernard Kingston, principal author of the Complete University Guide, commented that the top three institutions, Cambridge, the London School of Economics and Oxford are outstanding in their fields. The LSEs range of disciplines is less broad than Oxfords, and it has a better record for graduate prospects. To view the full league table, please see www.thecomplete universityguide.co.uk

Focus on... The Department of Social Policy P2

Settling into LSE P3

The league table, published at the end of April this year, uses a range of data to produce the ranking, including entry requirements, student satisfaction, research assessment and graduate prospects. Perhaps most notably, LSE recorded the highest employment rate of the 116 universities in the league table,

with 87.8 per cent of its graduates in graduate jobs or further study six months after graduation. This is 24 per cent higher than the average of all UK universities. As well as the overall league table, the Complete University Guide also published rankings for individual

Volunteering P4

Undergraduate

OPEN DAY
Wednesday 27 June 2012
Thinking of studying for a degree? Find out more about LSE by attending our next Open Day for prospective undergraduate students. You will be able to meet current students, academic staff, tour the campus and a hall of residence, and learn more about your subject by attending a range of academic talks. Booking is essential, see lse.ac.uk/opendays for further information and to reserve your place.

Contact: LSE Student Recruitment, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE

Answer these three simple questions about this edition of Focus LSE for your chance to win 50 in Amazon vouchers. 1.  How many universities were featured in the Complete University Guide 2013? 2.  What percentage of employers would employ candidates with volunteering experience over those without? 3.  Name one of the speakers who have given a lecture at LSE as part of the Public Events series? To enter, visit: lse.ac.uk/FocusQuiz

The London School of Economics and Political Science is a School of the University of London. It is a charity and is incorporated in England as a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Acts (Reg No 70527). PUBLISHED BY: LSE Student Recruitment DESIGN: LSE Design Unit (lse.ac.uk/ designunit) 1

SUMMER 2012

FOCUS

FOCUS ON...

The Department of Social Policy

What is social policy?
Social policy is an interdisciplinary and applied subject concerned with the analysis of societies responses to social need. Students study contemporary issues connected with areas such as health, social services, education, housing, crime and criminal justice, youth policy and problems posed by poverty, social exclusion and globalisation.
recognised as world-leading, and 100 per cent ranked as internationally recognised. The study of social policy at both undergraduate and postgraduate level is unique as students learn to understand theory and evidence drawn from a wide range of social science disciplines including economics, sociology, psychology, geography, history, law, philosophy and political science. Those thinking of applying for a social policy course should be enthused by this mix of approaches combined with the opportunity to examine, study and discuss responses to vast social issues. The Department of Social Policy at LSE is the longest established in the UK and has received the highest possible rating in all Research Assessment Exercises (RAE). In the most recent RAE, carried out in 2008, it led the field nationally with 50 per cent of its research The Department prides itself on being able to offer teaching based on the highest quality research in the field and the interests of staff in the Department embrace virtually all major issues which confront the world today. They are continually involved in policy debate and in advising local, national and international organisations, both governmental and non-governmental, and their research is frequently referred to in both the national and international media. The interdisciplinary nature of social policy means that students in the Department develop a wide knowledge base and a broad range of transferable skills. Graduates fill senior policy-related and academic positions around the world and many go on to work within non-profit organisations such as charities, the civil service and local or national governments. The Department of Social Policy at LSE offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate taught courses and research opportunities. For more information, please see: lse.ac.uk/SocialPolicy

Seyi Akiwowo Third Year, BSc Social Policy

STUDENT PROFILE
Q. Why did you choose to study at LSE? I decided to study at LSE for its reputation as an outstanding university and high graduate employment rates. Q. Why did you choose your course? I had never heard of social policy before applying to university. I initially wanted to study straight politics, however, after a lot of time researching different universities and different undergraduate degrees, I unexpectedly came across social policy. The different areas within the course are areas I was (and still am) very interested in, particularly education policy. The course at LSE is unique and provides more depth than other courses I came across. The leading academics in the UK who teach the wide-ranging modules within the Department are a massive bonus. Q. What is the best thing about your course? My dissertation! At first, the thought of having to write 8,000 words is daunting, but you are not on your own. The support from the Department is very encouraging and I thoroughly enjoyed researching and conducting my own statistical analysis on an area I was interested in. My dissertation is Academies in England and writing this has enabled me to become a mini-expert on an area of social policy I would not have been able to cover in so much depth.

Ask your own questions to current and past LSE students through

Settling into LSE

your settling in swiftly guide

Starting a new academic course in a new city can be daunting. Here we give you an insight in to what its like to be a new student at LSE.
structure, registration and academic life. There is also a specialised orientation for disabled students run by the Disability and Well-being Service. In addition to the School wide induction, academic departments organise their own programmes including events where students can meet academic members of staff, socialise with other students and meet their academic adviser. Your academic adviser will give you academic guidance throughout your time at LSE and should be on hand to assist with any problems or queries that may arise. In addition to the services mentioned above there is help available from other departments such as the Medical Centre and the Chaplaincy. Whatever your query whether in your first week at LSE or at any time during your studies, LSEs initial and ongoing support will help you make the most of university life in London both academically and socially.

The first few weeks at LSE are designed to get you organised and settled before the hard work really starts!

Social life
The Freshers Fair is a huge two day event that brings together all the clubs and societies at LSE to give you the chance to sign up. From sports clubs to academic societies there are over 180 groups, including some less mainstream but equally popular ones such as the Hummous Society and the Beekeeping Society. These groups cost from as little as 1.50 to join and give you a chance to socialise with those who share similar interests. Utilising the many social spaces LSE has to offer, the Students Union arranges fantastic events during the first week of term. Highlights include the Welcome Party in the Three Tuns Pub and CRUSH a top London club night with student prices! As well as making friends from your degree and any societies you join, a large amount of socialising will be with your neighbours in your halls of

residence. To break the ice, Student Hall Committees organise welcome events and parties for residents so you can get to know the people you live with. If you need some insider information to help with life on campus LSEs Student Mentoring Scheme might be just the thing. Every new undergraduate and General Course student at LSE is allocated a Student Mentor and a Mentoring Group. Mentors have received training and know first-hand what it is like to be new. They can offer tips on every aspect of university life and can really help first year students to settle in. For any technical queries, such as financial issues, the Student Services Centre holds

topic specific drop in sessions providing specialised advice.

Academic life
Settling in academically is equally important so the School offers a comprehensive programme to ensure that this happens. The School Orientation for undergraduate and General Course students provides vital information on the university

For more information please see: lse.ac.uk/lifeatlse/studentsupportandservices www.lsesu.com 3

our Email a student/alum services at lse.ac.uk/emailastudent

Volunteering opportunities
opportunities. Volunteering is very flexible, and no matter how much or how little time you have, the Centre can match you up with a project that suits your interests and your availabilities.

What LSE Student ambassadors say:

The programme has given me the chance to share my knowledge and experiences and at the same time has helped me to develop my communication and interpersonal skills Its good to do something for students who perhaps otherwise wouldnt consider going to university It has been very rewarding to help young people and share information about university life and LSE

Volunteering can boost your career

Research by Reed Employment amongst 200 leading businesses revealed that:

73 per cent of employers would employ

candidates with volunteering experience over those without

94 per cent of employers believe that

volunteering can add skills

94 per cent of employees who

Help others, help yourself

Volunteering is something which can make a real difference to the lives of others whilst, at the same time, allowing you to develop your own skills, enhance your CV and have fun. Volunteering is a rewarding experience and provides a great opportunity to meet new people from different walks of life. Whether you have two hours to spare every Wednesday or are looking for something to do every once in a while on a Sunday morning, volunteering could be for you.

volunteered to learn new skills had benefited either by getting their first job, improving their salary, or being promoted

LSE student ambassadors

LSE Student Ambassadors is a scheme that gives LSE students the opportunity to engage with the London community and prospective students from around the world. Ambassadors are involved in many of the recruitment activities run by the LSE Student Recruitment Office, including Open Days, campus tours and Taster Courses. They also work with pupils and students in the London community to help raise their awareness, aspirations and achievement levels so that they consider going on to university and institutions like LSE. Student ambassadors receive full training and support from the Student Recruitment Office.

LSE Volunteer Centre

LSE has a small but dedicated Volunteer Centre that matches students with opportunities throughout London. These include both ongoing roles, whereby a student commits a certain amount of hours per week (for example to help with an afterschool club), and one-off events and

Find out more at lse.ac.uk/ volunteercentre and sign up for the Student Ambassador scheme at LSEs Freshers Fair during Orientation Week.

Public Events at LSE

The London School of Economics and Political Science brings the outside world onto campus by regularly welcoming some of the most influential figures in the social sciences to speak at lectures and conferences throughout the academic year. In recent months the School has welcomed many people including Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr Madeleine Korbel Albright, former US secretary of state, Mario Monti, prime minister of Italy and Sri Mulyani Indrawati, managing director of the World Bank. For details of upcoming public lectures please see lse.ac.uk/events

Whats going on Summer 2012

LSE Visits You
UK Visits
Various UCAS fairs and school/ college visits.

Visit LSE
Campus Tours
Student ambassadors run campus tours during half term weeks only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. Please see the website for further details: lse.ac.uk/meetLSE

Overseas Visits
May
Mauritius Correct at time of going to press. For more information about our visits, please see our website: lse.ac.uk/LSEVisitsYou

LSExplorer
Pick up a copy of the self-guided tour, the LSExplorer, from the Student Services Centre or download it from our website.

Email a student
Get in touch with current LSE students through our website: lse.ac.uk/emailAStudent

Email an alum

lse.ac.uk/study
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Get in touch with LSE alumni through our website: lse.ac.uk/emailAnAlum