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School of Oriental and African Studies
London

SOAS University of London Applicant Thread 2016

Thinking about SOAS? We are too! Ask us a question, leave a comment, or just chat to other applicants. Starter for 10...

What are you applying for?
What A levels are you studying?
What are you most looking forward to?
What are you looking to do after uni?

Any questions, tag us at @SOAS Student Helper We are here to help you out! :h:

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1
Hi

I am looking to apply for the BA Economics and Chinese degree.
Currently doing an Access to HE Social Science including economics modules.


I just wanted to ask about tailoring my personal statement for this particular degree. I have already begun learning basic Mandarin via evening classes and want to pursue it further, along with being excited at the prospect of spending a year in the country. There are hardly any universities however which offer a level of Economic/ Chinese study which SOAS offers so my personal statement unfortunately has to be mainly on the Economics side of things.
Will my PS be viewed by each department separately or on the whole? I was just worried that I won't be able to convey the enthusiasm expected on the Chinese side without ruining my chances with other unis. (with the other universities I would just be doing Chinese through open modules).

Thanks for any help.
School of Oriental and African Studies
London
Original post by JimJimJim
Hi

I am looking to apply for the BA Economics and Chinese degree.
Currently doing an Access to HE Social Science including economics modules.


I just wanted to ask about tailoring my personal statement for this particular degree. I have already begun learning basic Mandarin via evening classes and want to pursue it further, along with being excited at the prospect of spending a year in the country. There are hardly any universities however which offer a level of Economic/ Chinese study which SOAS offers so my personal statement unfortunately has to be mainly on the Economics side of things.
Will my PS be viewed by each department separately or on the whole? I was just worried that I won't be able to convey the enthusiasm expected on the Chinese side without ruining my chances with other unis. (with the other universities I would just be doing Chinese through open modules).

Thanks for any help.


Hello @JimJimJim

It's great that you're taking Mandarin via evening classes. It's that hardwork, dedication and initiative that will make you successful at SOAS!

Since we are the only uni on your list that offer Economics and Chinese, you can submit what we call a supplement statement (a second personal statement) straight to us in an email to this address --> [email protected] along with your personal UCAS ID number. By doing this, the personal statement you write with your UCAS application wouldn't affect / ruin your chances with other unis. I suggest sending us your supplement statement 5-7 days after you submit your UCAS application just to give the UCAS system a chance to update properly :smile:

Your supplement statement, your personal statement and your UCAS application will be reviewed by the admission team and by each department. From there, you'll receive a decision.

Selecting a university can be a difficult and stressful time. Trust me.. I know Lol. In my eyes, the most important thing you can do is to visit an institution. Have you ever visited SOAS or have you attended one of our open days yet?

~ Mike
Reply 3
Thanks for the great reply. That's reassuring then, that I can send a supplementary PS.

I haven't yet visited but I am registered for the open day on the 21st so look forward to coming to check it out.

Many thanks
What are you applying for? Politics and International Relations
What A levels are you studying? Economics and Geography (completed Maths) - predicted A*A*A*
What are you most looking forward to? After sitting in on a lecture in SOAS, I can't wait to begin the course. But I also look forward to studying and living in such an exciting and multicultural place like London.
What are you looking to do after uni? To work in an NGO, the UN, or the civil service.

SOAS does seem like a unique place so I really hope that I get an offer!
Original post by Chrissy.98
What are you applying for? Politics and International Relations
What A levels are you studying? Economics and Geography (completed Maths) - predicted A*A*A*
What are you most looking forward to? After sitting in on a lecture in SOAS, I can't wait to begin the course. But I also look forward to studying and living in such an exciting and multicultural place like London.
What are you looking to do after uni? To work in an NGO, the UN, or the civil service.

SOAS does seem like a unique place so I really hope that I get an offer!


Hi @Chrissy.98 !!

Welcome to the conversation :banana2:

Poli & IR is one of the most prestigious departments in the world! We were recently ranked 35th in the world! With A*A*A* you'll hopefully help us crack the top 10 next year! :h:

When did you come and visit us? Where will you be coming from?

P.S. London is such a lively place. London has something to do 24/7. If you want to party all night, you can. There's art, shows, musicals, great food, awesome museums, and if you ever feel like it's too metropolitan there's some real hidden gems where you can get away and relax, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

~Mike
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by SOAS Student Helper
Hi @Chrissy.98 !!

Welcome to the conversation :banana2:

Poli & IR is one of the most prestigious departments in the world! We were recently ranked 35th in the world! With A*A*A* you'll hopefully help us crack the top 10 next year! :h:

When did you come and visit us? Where will you be coming from?

P.S. London is such a lively place. London has something to do 24/7. If you want to party all night, you can. There's art, shows, musicals, great food, awesome museums, and if you ever feel like it's too metropolitan there's some real hidden gems where you can get away and relax, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

~Mike


Thanks!

It's great to hear that the department is ranked so highly.
I went to the last undergraduate open day, and then got invited to sit in on a lecture which I went to a week ago, which was very interesting.
I'll be coming from Suffolk, where not much really happens so I always love visiting London.
What are you applying for? Social Anthropology and Archaeology and Art History (that's a mouthful...)

What A levels are you studying? Art, Classics and English (dropped Physics after AS because it's utterly irrelevant - I just did it for the love of it and decided I didn't want it to take a toll on my A2 grades)

What are you most looking forward to? Actually learning about the things I'm interested in in detail! All of my A levels touch on them, but for the most part that's all they do. I can't wait to not have to think about anything else. I also love what I know of the atmosphere of SOAS specifically - I never went to an open day because I only decided a few months ago that I didn't want to do Art Foundation, but I hear it's very focused on diversity, open-mindedness and thinking outside the box and I think that's so so so important for social anthropology especially.

What are you looking to do after uni? I have no idea. At all. Academia? Art? Writing? No clue whatsoever. Hopefully uni will help me figure that out.


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Reply 8
Hey, for law LLB at SOAS what are the grade requirements? People are telling me either A*AA or AAA but which is it?

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Original post by AithyTilly
What are you applying for? Social Anthropology and Archaeology and Art History (that's a mouthful...)

What A levels are you studying? Art, Classics and English (dropped Physics after AS because it's utterly irrelevant - I just did it for the love of it and decided I didn't want it to take a toll on my A2 grades)

What are you most looking forward to? Actually learning about the things I'm interested in in detail! All of my A levels touch on them, but for the most part that's all they do. I can't wait to not have to think about anything else. I also love what I know of the atmosphere of SOAS specifically - I never went to an open day because I only decided a few months ago that I didn't want to do Art Foundation, but I hear it's very focused on diversity, open-mindedness and thinking outside the box and I think that's so so so important for social anthropology especially.

What are you looking to do after uni? I have no idea. At all. Academia? Art? Writing? No clue whatsoever. Hopefully uni will help me figure that out.


Posted from TSR Mobile


Hey @AithyTilly

Social Anthropology and Archaeology and Art History --- I bet you can't say that 3 times fast!!

All the courses here will definitely develop and go into a lot more details. You'll learn what you already learned again but with a different perspective which will be exciting and then in year two and year three, you'll be able to specialise in particular regions or themes.

Did you happen to see that one of our professors actually made a historic archaeological discovery? It's a pretty cool article. It's called A new chapter in the world's oldest story definitely take a look at it.

Diversity, open-mindedness and thinking outside the box - wow, I think you summed up SOAS in three words better than I ever could. You'll definitely enjoy it here then. You learn just as much in the classroom as you do outside of it. Well-rounded graduates is what we preach. Don't worry about not knowing what you want to do after you graduate. As long as you get involved, use the careers service, speak to your professors and stay true to yourself, then you'll do just fine :bigsmile:

You said you never been to an open day. You sure you still don't want to come to one? We have one on the 21st of October.

~Mike
Original post by GOKU27
Hey, for law LLB at SOAS what are the grade requirements? People are telling me either A*AA or AAA but which is it?

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@GOKU27 - awesome name!

The requirement for LLB is AAA-AAB. The guardian ranked us a top 10 law school, so we do receive a lot of applications. So obviously the higher you obtain the better!

Is there a specific type of law you're interested in? If I were a lawyer, I would have done International Law. But I think part of that is because I love to travel and I like to make up my own rules!

~Mike
Original post by SOAS Student Helper
Hey @AithyTilly

Social Anthropology and Archaeology and Art History --- I bet you can't say that 3 times fast!!

All the courses here will definitely develop and go into a lot more details. You'll learn what you already learned again but with a different perspective which will be exciting and then in year two and year three, you'll be able to specialise in particular regions or themes.

Did you happen to see that one of our professors actually made a historic archaeological discovery? It's a pretty cool article. It's called A new chapter in the world's oldest story definitely take a look at it.

Diversity, open-mindedness and thinking outside the box - wow, I think you summed up SOAS in three words better than I ever could. You'll definitely enjoy it here then. You learn just as much in the classroom as you do outside of it. Well-rounded graduates is what we preach. Don't worry about not knowing what you want to do after you graduate. As long as you get involved, use the careers service, speak to your professors and stay true to yourself, then you'll do just fine :bigsmile:

You said you never been to an open day. You sure you still don't want to come to one? We have one on the 21st of October.

~Mike


Thank you for the prompt reply! That's fascinating, I hadn't heard about that. I actually go to school outside the UK, so I couldn't go to an Open Day this month - are there any in December?


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Reply 12
Original post by SOAS Student Helper
@GOKU27 - awesome name!

The requirement for LLB is AAA-AAB. The guardian ranked us a top 10 law school, so we do receive a lot of applications. So obviously the higher you obtain the better!

Is there a specific type of law you're interested in? If I were a lawyer, I would have done International Law. But I think part of that is because I love to travel and I like to make up my own rules!

~Mike


Thanks for the reply, yeah I know its best to get higher grades.I am predicted A*AA myself I just wanted to know what the average offer was for law as I have applied to SOAS

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Reply 13
Sorry I didn't see your question, I am interested in human rights law and criminal law:smile:

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Original post by Chrissy.98
Thanks!

It's great to hear that the department is ranked so highly.
I went to the last undergraduate open day, and then got invited to sit in on a lecture which I went to a week ago, which was very interesting.
I'll be coming from Suffolk, where not much really happens so I always love visiting London.


You have that African Safari there! I'm sure Suffolk isn't that bad. SOAS can be your home away from home. If you have any more questions about SOAS, about London life or anything. Feel free to give me a shout :smile:

~Mike
Original post by AithyTilly
Thank you for the prompt reply! That's fascinating, I hadn't heard about that. I actually go to school outside the UK, so I couldn't go to an Open Day this month - are there any in December?


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@AithyTilly


Aww shucks :frown: There isn't any in December. But if you plan ahead and give us a date, we could schedule you in for a tour of the campus and for you to meet some of the academics (assuming they're not off discovering new and exciting things!). It could be a weekend trip and then you can go out in London and get a taste of the city!

Since you're an international student have you heard about UCAS and how to apply? I know today our International twitter channel has a series of tweets that will help you apply. Definitely worth giving them and their Facebook channel a like. Here's the link to their Twitter and their Facebook

~Mike
Original post by GOKU27
Sorry I didn't see your question, I am interested in human rights law and criminal law:smile:

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@GOKU27

Cool! The first thing you'll learn is criminal law. Then you'll go on to tort, public law, human law and get options to learn about law and society in asia. There's human rights and the human element in everything we do here.

When you become rich, famous and win the nobel peace prize, make sure you remember the little people like me! :colondollar:

~Mike
Reply 17
Original post by SOAS Student Helper
@GOKU27

Cool! The first thing you'll learn is criminal law. Then you'll go on to tort, public law, human law and get options to learn about law and society in asia. There's human rights and the human element in everything we do here.

When you become rich, famous and win the nobel peace prize, make sure you remember the little people like me! :colondollar:

~Mike


Haha no chance:redface:. But SOAS does look the best in terms of the modules as many of them you cannot do at other universities such as legal systems of China etc

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Original post by GOKU27
Haha no chance:redface:. But SOAS does look the best in terms of the modules as many of them you cannot do at other universities such as legal systems of China etc

Posted from TSR Mobile


@GOKU27

Lol. Always worth a try!

We keep it unique, creative, competitive and innovative. You can't change the world without knowing it first. #SOAS

O.o sounds like something I should tweet!

~Mike
Looking forward to the open day next Wednesday! Should I have received an Email with open day timetable details by now? It was about a month ago I registered and at that time I was told I would get another Email.

Just checking as I'm having to get the 4am bus from South Yorkshire so want to be sure :tongue:

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