Esps

That's what i'm tending to believe as well, that we'll mainly concentrate more on the practical aspects of the language/culture so as to be prepared for the year abroad&research. But anyway if it's modular at UCL like you said at KCL then there should be a wide range to choose from...

Reply 82

UCL isn't KCL. :p:

Sorry, couldn't resist. :redface:

Reply 83

Well done for that discovery! No, UCL is indeed not KCL. But still, the courses might be similar in structure in content; only that ESPS is better of course... (insert cheeky smiley here)

Reply 84

Lol... however, you're allowed to do two languages IIRC, so they might put an emphasis on the "practical aspects" of language studies.... Just a thought.

Reply 85

I guess there's a difference if you're doing a language ab initio or if it's following on from the A-level. The more advanced you get, the less practical, perhaps, the language courses will become...?
There should be quite a heavy focus on oral skills in any case, again for the year abroad, as well as things like translation skills etc.

what does 'IIRC' mean?

Reply 86

FarEastGerman

I guess there's a difference if you're doing a language ab initio or if it's following on from the A-level. The more advanced you get, the less practical, perhaps, the language courses will become...?
There should be quite a heavy focus on oral skills in any case, again for the year abroad, as well as things like translation skills etc.

what does 'IIRC' mean?

If I remember correctly. I guess you're right.

Reply 87

kolyainamerika

::shudder:: ugh......first years! :wink:

. Great to read about the enthusiasm. Just take it easy once you get here. First-hand experience is all you need, not advice or reassurance. The one thing everyone regrets at first year ESPS is not that they didn't study enough or plan enough, but that they didn't party enough while they had the chance! Be as fun-loving as you are now and hang out with eachother as often as you'd like, you'll be paying for it all in the second year :biggrin:

Reply 88

Hey are you a current ESPS student kolyainamerika? Because if so, you're the first i see here on TSR and I( and i bet my fellow applicants too) are going to be bombarding you with questions as soon as i get some sleep and think about what it is i want to know. But hi anyway! Ill keep your advice in mind.

To start off with, what exactly do you do for ESPS (ie social science/language).

Reply 89

Hehe, must be typical for UCLers. :p:

I don't worry to much about this... the first year only counts 1/12, so... :biggrin:

.

Reply 90

Eidothea

1

kolyainamerika

::shudder:: ugh......first years! :wink:

. Great to read about the enthusiasm. Just take it easy once you get here. First-hand experience is all you need, not advice or reassurance. The one thing everyone regrets at first year ESPS is not that they didn't study enough or plan enough, but that they didn't party enough while they had the chance! Be as fun-loving as you are now and hang out with eachother as often as you'd like, you'll be paying for it all in the second year :biggrin:

Hey, thanks for the advice! And there was me thinking how hard I must study for the first year to prove my worth . . .LOL!

Reply 91

serendipity06

Hey guys, I'm also a current ESPS student at UCL...just a couple of words of advice...the reading list that you have been sent is purely suggested and under the assumption 'that you will have little to do over the summer'. It is in your interest to read around the subjects that create Introduction to European History, Law, Politics and Philosophy (including Political Philosophy) as this is a crucial unit which counts 1/8 towards your final degree (which is roughly the same as the research paper in the final year), but you are not expected to have necessarily read the books.

For those of you who are already trying to decide on a pathway for your degree, I would definitely wait until the end of your first year. Take a selection of different units because you will find that it is not only how you engage with the subject, but also how you engage with the staff and department. I for example, was convinced that I would be doing French and Politics, but hated Politics throughout the year and have instead decided on History. From past experience, most of those doing combined languages or economics have struggled during their first first year, so think carefully if you are doing either of these.

The department is highly supportive of first year students. You must anticipate, however, that lecturers and seminar leaders are not at your disposal as teaching staff are at school. There is a very different dynamic between lecturer and student. You must also anticipate that you will not belong to one department, but several. This includes ESPS itself, as well as your language(s) and social science/humanity. This can be very advantageous, but you will have to make sure that your organisational skills are refined by September...

Most importantly, have an amazing first year!! Make the most of being in London and the opportunities that arise (freshers week, for example, is so much fun). Do take your work seriously...you must attend 70% of all lectures and seminars in order to take the exam at the end of the year...but at the same time enjoy yourself. I did very very little work during my first year and ended up with a 2:1...

Reply 92

Wow, that was a really long (and helpful) post. Cheers. :smile:

Reply 93

So, serendipity, you're suggesting to pick from the reading list what is in our interests to read; ie we shouldn't feel compelled to slave through all those books before September just because they're on there?

I think i'll wait for my results in August and then begin reading, especially on Politics/Political Philosophy which, right now, i think will be my chosen area...From your account though it's not that hard to change the political/social science one does in the first year, right?

Reply 94

tailindil

hey there.

Cheers, some people.

Just to know, I am in London at the moment. Would be cool to meet ESPS people here. Just write me an email at [email protected] (I do not garantee I will be able to read it right away but I am a bit reluctant to give out my phone number on here)

Damien

Reply 95