Crossword Genius

East London college as an alternative (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

else

'as an alternative' is the definition.
('else' can mean 'otherwise')

'east london college' is the wordplay.
'east' becomes 'E' (synonyms).
'london college' becomes 'lse' (London School of Economics).
'e'+'lse'='ELSE'

(Other definitions for else that I've seen before include "Alternatively" , "In addition; different" , "Otherwise; different from" , "Besides; different" , "Other than (what is under consideration)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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