This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

Soas Economics 2015 - Any good?

I have been offered an adjustment place at Soas for Economics Bsc. My question is considering the fact that they are so low in the league tables for economics (55th) and overall (43rd) why are their entry requirements so high AAA -AAB ?

Id like to know more about what currents students think about the university and if any one else is applying here for the same course

*Source CUI

Reply 1

haider6

Hi. I'm studying economics BSc at SOAS and joined last year through adjustment. Firstly the league table on complete university which is probably where you got the economics ranking from isn't in my opinion something to base the course on as it's missing some info e.g. research quality. Secondly, with SOAS being small and highly specialised, it doesn't help its ranking against other universities which are far bigger and less specialised.

In terms of the course, I really enjoyed the blend of modules, particularly in the first year, with modules on economic analysis, development economics and quantitative methods. Then there was the opportunity to take an open option (with SOAS being specialised in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, it was great to experience a module outside economics and make use of the amazing lecturers in the field - I chose an International Relations module).

With the university, its very vibrant,active and people are very friendly. Society events are very regular with some great speakers! The library is amazing and Senate House Library (The library for the collective universities of London) is basically a 1 min walk round the corner.
Personally, in terms of the university, I think its such a great time to join given the SOAS centenary in 2016. https://www.soas.ac.uk/centenary/ .. we'll also be moving into the Northern block of Senate House during that time too, so there'll be one central campus!

Sorry for quite a bit of info. I just want you to make a good choice about what university you want to go to, as I was in the same position as you last year. I enjoy SOAS for a couple of the reasons above. Of course, if you do come here, I'll be here to provide any support if needed!Any more questions and I'll be more than happy to help!

Reply 2

kingshiv

Original post by haider6

Hi. I'm studying economics BSc at SOAS and joined last year through adjustment. Firstly the league table on complete university which is probably where you got the economics ranking from isn't in my opinion something to base the course on as it's missing some info e.g. research quality. Secondly, with SOAS being small and highly specialised, it doesn't help its ranking against other universities which are far bigger and less specialised.

In terms of the course, I really enjoyed the blend of modules, particularly in the first year, with modules on economic analysis, development economics and quantitative methods. Then there was the opportunity to take an open option (with SOAS being specialised in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, it was great to experience a module outside economics and make use of the amazing lecturers in the field - I chose an International Relations module).

With the university, its very vibrant,active and people are very friendly. Society events are very regular with some great speakers! The library is amazing and Senate House Library (The library for the collective universities of London) is basically a 1 min walk round the corner.
Personally, in terms of the university, I think its such a great time to join given the SOAS centenary in 2016. https://www.soas.ac.uk/centenary/ .. we'll also be moving into the Northern block of Senate House during that time too, so there'll be one central campus!

Sorry for quite a bit of info. I just want you to make a good choice about what university you want to go to, as I was in the same position as you last year. I enjoy SOAS for a couple of the reasons above. Of course, if you do come here, I'll be here to provide any support if needed!Any more questions and I'll be more than happy to help!

Hey Haider,Thanks for all that info!How daunting is the maths on the course?

Reply 3

bigmansouf

20

Original post by kingshiv

Hey Haider,Thanks for all that info!How daunting is the maths on the course?

maths is ok
the help is there but you have to grasp the concepts quickly in order to stay ahead
The lecture for maths is very good but equally demanding to push you to do better.

In tutorials, if you are prepared the instructors are willing to help you. make sure you do your homework

Reply 4

bigmansouf

20

Original post by hxy

I have been offered an adjustment place at Soas for Economics Bsc. My question is considering the fact that they are so low in the league tables for economics (55th) and overall (43rd) why are their entry requirements so high AAA -AAB ?

Id like to know more about what currents students think about the university and if any one else is applying here for the same course

*Source CUI

they are trying to match UCL and LSE who are also partners on university of london

Reply 5

Anonymousee1

4

Do they have office hours? Are any of the lecturers have really monotone voice that makes you want to fall asleep?

I studied at city uni and the author of lipsey and crystal taught us. But his voice was so monotone it made everyone fall asleep.

Original post by bigmansouf

maths is ok
the help is there but you have to grasp the concepts quickly in order to stay ahead
The lecture for maths is very good but equally demanding to push you to do better.

In tutorials, if you are prepared the instructors are willing to help you. make sure you do your homework

Reply 6

bigmansouf

20

Original post by resolutewolf

Do they have office hours? Are any of the lecturers have really monotone voice that makes you want to fall asleep?

I studied at city uni and the author of lipsey and crystal taught us. But his voice was so monotone it made everyone fall asleep.

the professor seem to not care and class was not exciting but it was 3 years ago. Possibly it is change now i left
go and vistit the uni and ask around

Reply 7

Anonymousee1

4

So overall you detract what you initially made of SO AS when you have the opinion above?
I just need some good teaching and support really

Original post by bigmansouf

the professor seem to not care and class was not exciting but it was 3 years ago. Possibly it is change now i left
go and vistit the uni and ask around

Reply 8

bigmansouf

20

Original post by resolutewolf

So overall you detract what you initially made of SO AS when you have the opinion above?
I just need some good teaching and support really

No i do not detract from what I said maybe I should have made my point at bit more clearer. When I was there, the maths professor was good no doubt. I like maths and you will learn. The problem is that the maths professor did not coordinate with the tutorial teachers about what topics he is teaching and how far of a particular concept did he teach. This led to the tutorial teachers drifting into their own world about what we ought to know and leaving the students such as I confused. The maths professor for the economics degree as far as I know did not have a office time hours. The professor explained that was because he is teaching at other universities and thus he cannot fit it in his schedule. Also, on Moodle the maths course that he professor was in charge of was not updated, he will say that he will upload links and slides and forget to do it. In the lecture then tells us that we only need to use the book. This is the part that seemed to me that he did not care. Although his teaching was good as he explain things thoroughly, the problems mentioned destroyed one's excitement for his class.

For me the miscommunications was the biggest problem, the issue with SOAS is that the Uni needs to enrol economics student without A level maths early for a pre-math booster course like LSE use to do so back then but now LSE decided to move to making a level maths a compulsory.
From my time, the tutorial teachers were willing to make time if you show interest and you do the work they set you.

I hope that helps you.

Reply 9

Anonymousee1

4

Thank you for taking the time to provide detailed information about the sort of environment you were exposed to. I can get a clear picture of what it must have been like now. Just out of curiosity was it just the maths lecturer that was a visiting lecturer?On the main note, I don't think I will go to SOAS because I haven't heard back from them. I got an offer today to study Economics and Econometrics at Royal Holloway. Do you by any chance have any idea how royal holloway is perceived instead of SOAS from the experience you have had of being a SOAS economics graduate in the real-world? such as perhaps in graduate prospects?the fact that SOAS offered quality teaching in a language that could be an elective, was very appealing to me.

Soas Economics 2015 - Any good?

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Trending

Articles for you