UK University Grad Programs - Are they any good?

[Salva135]

I have a number of friends who have, over the past couple of years, left the States to get 1 or 2-year grad degrees at a number of UK universities, mostly from LSE and King's College, although a few from places like Edinburgh, etc.

Has anyone who is from the U.S. and went to a U.S. undergrad program gone across the pond for a grad degree? Exactly how good are these programs compared to U.S. grad programs, and how tough is it to get into these schools? Is there any benefit to getting a UK degree instead of a U.S. one?

I personally don't have any friends who have actually been rejected from any of these programs, including those who had suspect undergraduate careers. I'm wondering if standards are easier for Americans, and whether or not some of them chose to go abroad for grad school because it's much more difficult for U.S. employers to place the quality of some of these programs along the spectrum against better-known U.S. programs.

Thoughts?