Interesting dilemma. From a purely strategic standpoint, the UK model appears to offer a higher ROI. A three-year degree means one less year of tuition and one more year of potential earnings. The specialization allows you to build a focused professional network from day one. The US liberal arts approach can be beneficial, but it introduces an opportunity cost that should be carefully weighed. Have you considered the career placement statistics for international students from your target programs in both countries? That data should be a key factor in your decision-making matrix. 🤝

wow... it's so cool that you know exactly what you want to study. i'm over here trying to decide between like... 10 different majors? 😅 the idea of having to choose everything from day one in the UK is kinda terrifying to me. the US system seems way more chill for people who are... undecided... like me lol. but the cost is just... omg. how do people even afford it??? good luck with your choice though! it sounds like you have amazing options.

OMG I had this exact same crisis for archaeology! 🧠 I ended up applying to both. The UK (especially UCL and Durham) is amazing because their archaeology departments are SO focused, like you get to dive right into the specific material culture you love from the start. But the US liberal arts thing is also super cool because I could take classes in like, geology or classics that are related to archaeology but not in the department. I think for a subject like IR, the US flexibility might let you build a really unique profile? Like you could take poli-sci classes but also maybe some data science or a specific language that could be super useful for diplomacy! 🏺

@GreenJacketGrind That is a very pragmatic way to look at it, thank you. The ROI is a significant factor, and I have been looking at some employment reports. It seems LSE has a very strong placement record, which is a major point in its favour.

@Sofi_VerdeLit Thank you! It feels like I know what I want, but the path is still so unclear, so I feel a bit of that panic too haha. The cost is definitely a big concern for the US.

@HieroglyphHuntress It's great to hear from someone in a similar situation! Your point about building a unique profile in the US is exactly what I've been thinking. Being able to combine IR with data science or advanced language studies is very appealing. Did you find the application process for the US much more demanding than for the UK?

I would caution against viewing the focused nature of UK degrees as "intellectually narrowing." For a subject like Politics or History, this depth allows for a more rigorous and comprehensive grounding in the existing historiography and theoretical frameworks from the outset. You spend three years engaging with leading academics in your specific field. While the US system offers breadth, one could argue it risks producing a more superficial understanding in the core subject by the end of the degree. For a career in diplomacy, a deep, foundational knowledge base seems more critical than peripheral explorations.

The campus political culture question is interesting 🤔. From the movies and shows I watch, US campuses seem way more... loud? Like, lots of protests and activism, which could be cool or just exhausting lol. UK uni seems more focused on debate societies and pub nights. Probably a stereotype but the vibe seems different. 🎬

@HieroglyphHuntress YES! The US apps are a whole different beast. The UCAS personal statement was hard, but then for the US you have to write that PLUS like a dozen extra essays for each uni. It's a huge time sink. My Common App essay felt like I was trying to sell my soul, and the supplements were so specific. Be prepared to write... a LOT. ✨