Deciding between Birkbeck, SOAS and Royal Holloway

Hi guys,

I'm struggling to make a decision about which university to join for my MA.. so far I have acceptances from:

Birkbeck: MA Modern and Contemporary Literature
Birkbeck: MA Contemporary Literature and Culture
Royal Holloway: MA Modernism and Contemporary Literature
SOAS: Comparative Literature (Africa/Asia)

(Waiting to hear back from two courses at Kings)


I know SOAS is probably the most reputable- and I absolutely love their campus, but the course is a little restrictive in the sense that we would be studying mostly translated works from Africa/Asia- and basically skipping over American and English literature (which makes sense because its the School of Oriental and African Studies). I would ideally like a career in editing/publishing. I'm of South Asian background and speak fluent English and Urdu so the SOAS course is perfect in terms of course content- I'm just nervous that it'll inhibit my career opportunities. Does anyone have an advice regarding Birkbeck or RH? I live in London Bridge so I'm a little hesitant about making the trek over to RH. Birkbeck seems to be popular with students here at TSR.. So it seems my decision would be between SOAS and Birkbeck.

Thanks in advance!

RoHo if you don't mind the travel or are going to live there

SOAS otherwise.

Any specific reason? Thanks

Hi guys,

I'm struggling to make a decision about which university to join for my MA.. so far I have acceptances from:

Birkbeck: MA Modern and Contemporary Literature
Birkbeck: MA Contemporary Literature and Culture
Royal Holloway: MA Modernism and Contemporary Literature
SOAS: Comparative Literature (Africa/Asia)

(Waiting to hear back from two courses at Kings)


I know SOAS is probably the most reputable- and I absolutely love their campus, but the course is a little restrictive in the sense that we would be studying mostly translated works from Africa/Asia- and basically skipping over American and English literature (which makes sense because its the School of Oriental and African Studies). I would ideally like a career in editing/publishing. I'm of South Asian background and speak fluent English and Urdu so the SOAS course is perfect in terms of course content- I'm just nervous that it'll inhibit my career opportunities. Does anyone have an advice regarding Birkbeck or RH? I live in London Bridge so I'm a little hesitant about making the trek over to RH. Birkbeck seems to be popular with students here at TSR.. So it seems my decision would be between SOAS and Birkbeck.

Thanks in advance!

Hi guys,

I'm struggling to make a decision about which university to join for my MA.. so far I have acceptances from:

Birkbeck: MA Modern and Contemporary Literature
Birkbeck: MA Contemporary Literature and Culture
Royal Holloway: MA Modernism and Contemporary Literature
SOAS: Comparative Literature (Africa/Asia)

(Waiting to hear back from two courses at Kings)


I know SOAS is probably the most reputable- and I absolutely love their campus, but the course is a little restrictive in the sense that we would be studying mostly translated works from Africa/Asia- and basically skipping over American and English literature (which makes sense because its the School of Oriental and African Studies). I would ideally like a career in editing/publishing. I'm of South Asian background and speak fluent English and Urdu so the SOAS course is perfect in terms of course content- I'm just nervous that it'll inhibit my career opportunities. Does anyone have an advice regarding Birkbeck or RH? I live in London Bridge so I'm a little hesitant about making the trek over to RH. Birkbeck seems to be popular with students here at TSR.. So it seems my decision would be between SOAS and Birkbeck.

Thanks in advance!

Hi guys,

I'm struggling to make a decision about which university to join for my MA.. so far I have acceptances from:

Birkbeck: MA Modern and Contemporary Literature
Birkbeck: MA Contemporary Literature and Culture
Royal Holloway: MA Modernism and Contemporary Literature
SOAS: Comparative Literature (Africa/Asia)

(Waiting to hear back from two courses at Kings)


I know SOAS is probably the most reputable- and I absolutely love their campus, but the course is a little restrictive in the sense that we would be studying mostly translated works from Africa/Asia- and basically skipping over American and English literature (which makes sense because its the School of Oriental and African Studies). I would ideally like a career in editing/publishing. I'm of South Asian background and speak fluent English and Urdu so the SOAS course is perfect in terms of course content- I'm just nervous that it'll inhibit my career opportunities. Does anyone have an advice regarding Birkbeck or RH? I live in London Bridge so I'm a little hesitant about making the trek over to RH. Birkbeck seems to be popular with students here at TSR.. So it seems my decision would be between SOAS and Birkbeck.

Thanks in advance!

The commute for RHUL isn't too bad - I had a flatmate when I lived in Waterloo who used to commute to RHUL everyday.

(Can't contribute anything more helpful as no idea about literature courses, sorry!)

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Unless you're most interested in postcolonial theory and/or African or Asian lit, then SOAS isn't better thought of than the other unis on your list. Just generally, Birkbeck and RHUL are extremely well regarded English departments, and Birkbeck especially so for C20th lit.

Is there any critical approach you're especially interested in, or particular period or group of authors - that might help narrow down which dep't would suit you better.

That's the problem- I'm most interested in South Asian/ Oriental literature (Murakami, Lahiri, Roy etc) and that's what I do in my free time- read these authors. It's why I chose to apply for the SOAS course. I just don't know if it's viable- specially given how ultra competitive finding a job in the publishing and editing sector has become. The Birkbeck/RHUL courses at least provides some breadth in their modules- from studying Post colonialism and diaspora to more contemporary works... but SOAS is a branded university. So that's my problem- deciding between a more feasible course or a branded university...