LSE vs King's?

Question

Hi everyone,
I’m currently a BSc (Hons) Media and Communications student at Loughborough University and aiming for a career in management consulting. My degree isn’t directly related to this field, but I’ve built relevant experience: I worked as a Lead Product Manager at an ESG tech startup and as a funding strategy consultant for a children’s educational startup. I’ve also gained strong leadership skills through university roles.

I’ve received offers for two Masters programs:

LSE: MSc in Innovation Policy – offers top-tier ranking and brand prestige, which could stand out on my CV.
King’s: MSc in Management and Technological Change – seems more aligned with my career goals in management consulting.

I’m torn between the prestige of LSE (which might open more doors) and the course content at King’s (which feels more relevant to what I want to do). I aim to do some internships during my masters to also gain some work experience on my CV in relevant industries (probono consulting roles most likely). For those in management consulting or with insights on these unis/programs, what would you recommend? Does prestige outweigh course fit, or should I prioritise alignment with my goals?

Thanks for any advice!

Answer 1

Hey,

Congrats on the offer - they're both great universities.

In my opinion, LSE is the stronger choice for management consulting due to its prestige, network, and brand recognition, which can significantly impact recruitment. While the King's program aligns better with your interests, consulting firms prioritise top-tier university brands over course specificity.

I think if you were to have a quick scan of Linkedin of the top consultancies, you would see a lot more who came from LSE vs Kings. That being said, people do join these consultancies from Kings and you need to weigh up course enjoyment vs career prospects.

Hope this helps.

Will

Answer 2

Hi there,

Congrats!

Might be a bit biased here but I'd choose LSE.

The specialization of your master's has very little impact on what you will be able to do afterwards. The brand and reputation of LSE will open many more doors though.

All the best,

Florian

Answer 3

Hey there,

I'd go with LSE if i wanted to increase my chances of getting into management consulting because it has a stronger brand (in my opinion). The content of what you study is less important to top consulting firms vs the strength of the brand of the University.

So, from that point of view - I'd optimise on whatever would make my CV and profile stronger!

All the best! :-)

Answer 4

Hey there 😊,

For management consulting, LSE's prestige carries significantly more weight than course alignment—especially in the UK, where consulting firms value brand recognition and academic pedigree.

LSE vs. King's – What Matters for Consulting?

✅ LSE's Brand Name & Network – LSE is a target school for MBB and top-tier consulting firms. Recruiters instantly recognize it, which can give you an edge in applications.
✅ Stronger Recruiting Presence – More firms actively recruit from LSE, and you'll have access to better networking events and career support.
✅ Course Content is Secondary – Consulting firms focus more on your problem-solving ability, leadership experience, and networking than the specific MSc content.

King’s is a good school, but not a core target for consulting firms in the same way LSE is. Even though the course content aligns better, recruiters won’t place as much emphasis on that when reviewing applications.

Verdict: Go for LSE (PERSONAL OPINION)

Even if the course isn’t a 100% fit, the LSE brand name will open more doors. Since you plan to gain relevant experience through internships, you can still build consulting-relevant skills alongside your MSc.

Let me know if you need help positioning your profile! Best, Alessa 😇

Answer 5

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the offers from LSE and King's College London!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

I would advise you to weigh your individual preferences rather than asking others. If you're more concerned about the content of your master's program, you may want to choose King's College London. If you're more concerned about the (potentially) higher chances of being invited by consulting firms in London, you may want to choose LSE.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen