Got a very high 2:2 for BSc for Economics and Management Sciences from a top 15 uni.
Applied for masters and got the following offers:

LSE - Population and Development
SOAS/Notts/Manc/Glasgow - Development Economics/Studies

Rang them up and they just said i should send in my transcript - did that and waiting for a reply.

Now there are still some places left on the LSE course and one of my lecturers also sent a letter of recommendation stating i deserved to get a 2:1. I am 0.125% away from a 2:1 but the head of teaching will not round it off. I have appealed though so hope the outcome goes in my favour. My 2nd year results let me down as my grandmother died just before my 2nd year semester 1 exams. I mentioned this in the covering letter i sent to uni's along with my new transcript.

You guys reckon I have a chance at LSE or the other uni's?

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When you say the 'following offers' does that mean you've got the offers, or those are your considerations? Or your offers were conditional on a 2.1???

If you already have conditional offers, and you're just shy of meeting a 2.1, I reckon you'll still have a very good of getting into some of them and particularly if places are still available (if you were looking at international relations or law or economics, I'd say you had little chance) - for the most part, at masters level it's very much a bums-on-seats policy, but it also depends on how strict the admissions are in each uni - some places will not waiver from the 2.1 because they publish data on the calibre of their students.

I know people who have got into LSE and Manchester on 2.2s, but can't speak for the other uni's.

oh right. well i really do hope i get into LSE. There are still places left on the course according to a graduate admissions recruiter I rang on friday. How are Bristol and Bath in terms of reputation?

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Hi

Bristol and Bath are also top 15 universities.

Once a upon a time I also wanted to do that MSc at LSE! I don't want to put you off, but I think it is important to be aware that many people find it hard to get work in development when they have done degrees like that. In my opinion the people sought after in development have skills in Public Health, engineering, project management and other things more practical and less theoretical.

Anyway good luck and stay an idealist!

well i plan to join the UN in the future. So are you saying I should a degree such as Economic Development then?

I agree with Kbara, and I'd think that even Economic Development was not really practical enough. If you look at most UN jobs, they require both a postgraduate qualification and usually 2-5 years "relevant experience" by which they mean practical work in the geographical area(s) you wish to be involved in. As Kbara noted this is not theoretical abstractions of development.

so what kind of degrees would you guys recommend?

well im going to hopefully be doing work experience with UNDP Pakistan and then the UN next year in either geneva or new york.

It depends entirely on the capacity in which you hope to work for the UN... policy? statistics? law? I just had a quick look on their website, and even for a relatively basic job as an Administrative Officer they are asking for 'practical' degrees not more broad 'development' studies:

Education
Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or Human Resources or a first university degree with relevant a combination of professional and academic qualifications.

Work Experience
A minimum of five years relevant experience in administration, finance, accounting, human resources or related field. Familiarity with the UN system and/or other organizations with two years experience at the international level is essential.

What do you reckon is a good degree which can get me jobs in the public as well as private sector? I am so confused right now.

It's difficult to get into the UN or any other leading international organisation, unless it's admin or translator work. People normally progress through government work, and then are seconded to an international job. Or they've been in the private sector, and then moved over. It's very competitive!

Cyrus, you need to visit at careers advisor.

well i have some contacts so hope that helps. im thinkin of doing MSc finance and development s it might give me opportunities in the public and private sector. what do you guys think?

I would echo Missspacey's comments about seeing a careers advisor. Your contacts may also be able to help advise. It sounds like a challenging career path so you need advice more specialist than what many of us here could offer.

It sounds from your queries about public/private sector, and also course topics that you are perhaps still a little uncertain of your primary goal. You do indicate the desire to work for the UN, but I think it would help you at this stage to be more focussed in your goal and decide what kind of capacity you which to work for them? What excites you? What is driving you in your decision to take this kind of path? These answers may help you work out a more specific course of action.