University of Oxford
Oxford
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1.As for the reason why I chose this programme, it's because I'm major in Urdu language (with a minor of Sanskrit) and also studied in Pakistan for about half a year, and worked as a volunteer teacher in Sri Lanka for a period of time, so I’ve developed deep interest and love toward south Asian culture. Also since I’m planning to become a Urdu language teacher (who also needs to teach and carry out researches related to South Asian culture) in a Chinese university, this subject satisfied both my academic and career goal.
2. Why I chose Oxford?
Actually I applied for both Oxford and SOAS, since both universities have the programme of Modern South Asia Studies, and got admitted to both uni. I like both universities a lot but I think I will chose Oxford since the research interests of professors in Oxford are very board and there are many world class courses which also match my interest to a large extent.
3. Did anyone in particular inspire me? (lecturers at previous uni, TV presenter etc)
Absolutely, one of my tutor in my undergraduate university graduated from Oxford and some of my senior schoolmates got admitted to Oxford, I’ve heard so much about Oxford, and studying at Oxford has become my dream.
4. Which resources did I use?
I downloaded a student handbook (for 18-19 entry)of my programme form the official website before applying, I think it helps me a lot, it contains the course structure, recommendatory bibliography, curriculum requirement and so on, I read some of the recommendatory books and thought thoroughly about whether the structure is suitable for me, and I think it helps me a lot in the writing of personal statement. I also download a student handbook of university, and learnt about how students’ daily life is like in Oxford, it’s so attracting and encouraged me a lot.
5. Did I need to write a personal statement?
Yes I write a statement of purpose(around 500 words) when applying.
6.Did I have to do any entrance test? Did i have to submit any written work from your first degree?
I didn’t have any entrance test but I submitted two written work(around 2000 words each). One thing I want to stress is that I think the written work is especially important(if your dept. require it), and it’s maybe the most important material in the process of applying.
7. How did I choose my college? Did I go to an open day and if so, did it help me to decide?
Actually I didn’t declare any preference when I submit my application, and I got admitted to the Brasenose College.
8.How did me find the interview process?
My programme did not need an interview.
9. Where were me when I got your offer? How did i react?
The university send the offer letter via email and it’s about on the 5 P.M. UK time, 20 March, 2020. And it’s about 1 A.M. in the morning in China, I was so excited that I couldn’t fall asleep the whole night.
Hope these will help!
2. Why I chose Oxford?
Actually I applied for both Oxford and SOAS, since both universities have the programme of Modern South Asia Studies, and got admitted to both uni. I like both universities a lot but I think I will chose Oxford since the research interests of professors in Oxford are very board and there are many world class courses which also match my interest to a large extent.
3. Did anyone in particular inspire me? (lecturers at previous uni, TV presenter etc)
Absolutely, one of my tutor in my undergraduate university graduated from Oxford and some of my senior schoolmates got admitted to Oxford, I’ve heard so much about Oxford, and studying at Oxford has become my dream.
4. Which resources did I use?
I downloaded a student handbook (for 18-19 entry)of my programme form the official website before applying, I think it helps me a lot, it contains the course structure, recommendatory bibliography, curriculum requirement and so on, I read some of the recommendatory books and thought thoroughly about whether the structure is suitable for me, and I think it helps me a lot in the writing of personal statement. I also download a student handbook of university, and learnt about how students’ daily life is like in Oxford, it’s so attracting and encouraged me a lot.
5. Did I need to write a personal statement?
Yes I write a statement of purpose(around 500 words) when applying.
6.Did I have to do any entrance test? Did i have to submit any written work from your first degree?
I didn’t have any entrance test but I submitted two written work(around 2000 words each). One thing I want to stress is that I think the written work is especially important(if your dept. require it), and it’s maybe the most important material in the process of applying.
7. How did I choose my college? Did I go to an open day and if so, did it help me to decide?
Actually I didn’t declare any preference when I submit my application, and I got admitted to the Brasenose College.
8.How did me find the interview process?
My programme did not need an interview.
9. Where were me when I got your offer? How did i react?
The university send the offer letter via email and it’s about on the 5 P.M. UK time, 20 March, 2020. And it’s about 1 A.M. in the morning in China, I was so excited that I couldn’t fall asleep the whole night.
Hope these will help!
University of Oxford
Oxford
Hi @AmberWu
South East Asia is my favourite part of the world, so I would love to ask you lots more questions about your course and about you!
Is this a new course?
What is unique about the South East Asia study centre? Has it already been opened?
Please remind us which countries comprise South East Asia?
Do you have a favourite country you would like to study, and why?
Will you need to study the whole area, or do you get to narrow it down to a few countries you would like to specialise in?
Which aspects of these countries do you study at Oxford? Will it involve a period abroad in a south east Asian country?
You tell us you want to become a teacher when you leave. Are there any other professions your degree can also lead to?
Can you also learn a south east Asian language at Oxford? Or several?
Does Oxford have any links with south east Asian companies, which will allow you to do work experience?
You mentioned that some of the tutors had similar interests to yours. What are they, and what is your own special interest?
You said you liked the structure of the Oxford course. Why did the structure appeal so much, and why was it better than, say, the structure of the SOAS course?
Part of the appeal of the Oxford Demystified chapters is a listing of the resources used, so our future applicants can see what they have to read for their prospective courses and which other media were used. I know you read the course handbook. This has been particularly useful to you, so could you please post your link to it on this thread, so that others can view it (it could make the difference between wanting to apply for the course and not).
Could you also please list (title and author) all the books you have read, and furthermore, others you will have used as sources for your two submitted essays?
Did you use any particular specialised news channels/youtube videos/other resources to find out more about the region (please list)
What appealed to you about Pakistan when you were there, and why?
When you looked at the handbook, what was it about the students' daily life that particularly filled you with enthusiasm?
Could you please let us know what you included on your personal statement. How did you manage to express your passion for the course? As a postgraduate student, is there anything you would particularly recommend to put in the personal statement? For example, do you have to talk about your first degree, and if so, what do you say about it?
I see you did not have an entrance test or an interview for your place, yet you needed to submit two 2,000 essays. What were these two essays about? How did you make them relevant to your future course? Were they about topics you wish to study further at Oxford?
Did you ever worry, whilst applying, that you might not get in? Did you go on TSR to talk to other students, and if you did, did it help? Does everyone hear about offers at the same time as the other postgraduate students (at undergraduate level, everyone hears on the same day).
Did you ever visit Oxford before you applied? Were you pleased when you were allocated Brasenose?
I have been looking at the Oxford postgraduate thread and most of the students are anxious about funding. Are there any other scholarships available in your country, or for other Chinese students, offered by Oxford?
What is your offer, ie do you have to get a first in your undergraduate degree as a condition of getting into Oxford?
Sorry about all the questions, but as I say this is an exciting course I never heard of before, and we want this chapter to be a kind of advert for it. Hopefully students will be inspired by you to apply in the future.
South East Asia is my favourite part of the world, so I would love to ask you lots more questions about your course and about you!
Is this a new course?
What is unique about the South East Asia study centre? Has it already been opened?
Please remind us which countries comprise South East Asia?
Do you have a favourite country you would like to study, and why?
Will you need to study the whole area, or do you get to narrow it down to a few countries you would like to specialise in?
Which aspects of these countries do you study at Oxford? Will it involve a period abroad in a south east Asian country?
You tell us you want to become a teacher when you leave. Are there any other professions your degree can also lead to?
Can you also learn a south east Asian language at Oxford? Or several?
Does Oxford have any links with south east Asian companies, which will allow you to do work experience?
You mentioned that some of the tutors had similar interests to yours. What are they, and what is your own special interest?
You said you liked the structure of the Oxford course. Why did the structure appeal so much, and why was it better than, say, the structure of the SOAS course?
Part of the appeal of the Oxford Demystified chapters is a listing of the resources used, so our future applicants can see what they have to read for their prospective courses and which other media were used. I know you read the course handbook. This has been particularly useful to you, so could you please post your link to it on this thread, so that others can view it (it could make the difference between wanting to apply for the course and not).
Could you also please list (title and author) all the books you have read, and furthermore, others you will have used as sources for your two submitted essays?
Did you use any particular specialised news channels/youtube videos/other resources to find out more about the region (please list)
What appealed to you about Pakistan when you were there, and why?
When you looked at the handbook, what was it about the students' daily life that particularly filled you with enthusiasm?
Could you please let us know what you included on your personal statement. How did you manage to express your passion for the course? As a postgraduate student, is there anything you would particularly recommend to put in the personal statement? For example, do you have to talk about your first degree, and if so, what do you say about it?
I see you did not have an entrance test or an interview for your place, yet you needed to submit two 2,000 essays. What were these two essays about? How did you make them relevant to your future course? Were they about topics you wish to study further at Oxford?
Did you ever worry, whilst applying, that you might not get in? Did you go on TSR to talk to other students, and if you did, did it help? Does everyone hear about offers at the same time as the other postgraduate students (at undergraduate level, everyone hears on the same day).
Did you ever visit Oxford before you applied? Were you pleased when you were allocated Brasenose?
I have been looking at the Oxford postgraduate thread and most of the students are anxious about funding. Are there any other scholarships available in your country, or for other Chinese students, offered by Oxford?
What is your offer, ie do you have to get a first in your undergraduate degree as a condition of getting into Oxford?
Sorry about all the questions, but as I say this is an exciting course I never heard of before, and we want this chapter to be a kind of advert for it. Hopefully students will be inspired by you to apply in the future.
Hey Mum, really happy to answer your questions.
No, MSc in Modern South Asian Studies is not a new course, it has been run for years and jointly under the supervision of OSGA and Oriental Studies. I think it's unique because it gives a specific focus on a certain area. And yes, it has been opened for years.
Actually I'm going to major in South Asian studies instead of South East Asia, and India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal are the main nations of the South Asian area. I think my research interests mainly focused on Pakistan and Nepal, as well as India. Since I'm doing Muslim leftist studies right now and have a strong interest in Subaltern studies, thus I think I will specialize focus on the above three regions. But I think general and broad knowledge of the whole area is also necessary. As for future studies in Oxford, I plan to study the history and religion of these areas, maybe as well as the international relationship. No, this course does not involve a period abroad in South Asian.
Yes, I think the choices of professions do not limit within teaching or researching, according to the information provided by Oxford, many graduated students choose to work in governments or international official or unofficial organizations. Definitely, I can South Asian languages at Oxford, such as Hindi, Persian etc., and I can also continue to study Urdu at an advanced level.
Yes, Oxford has cooperations partnerships with several South Asian universities and organizations which provided students vast opportunities to communicate or work with.
I think the course structure of Oxford covered more fields and provides students both general knowledge of the whole area and specific focus on certain nations such as Pakistan and Bangladesh, while the course structure of SOAS pay more attention to the nationalist studies of South Asia, which is a little more general, although the course focuses a lot on Indian studies, it really pays little attention to other smaller areas like Nepal or Bangladesh. But I think programmes in both unis are pretty fine.
Here is the link for the handbooks: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/new/contract?wssl=1#content-tab--2
And this is for course instructions: https://kdocs.cn/l/szgpbrqzm?f=111
The book list can be found from the handbooks above.
No, MSc in Modern South Asian Studies is not a new course, it has been run for years and jointly under the supervision of OSGA and Oriental Studies. I think it's unique because it gives a specific focus on a certain area. And yes, it has been opened for years.
Actually I'm going to major in South Asian studies instead of South East Asia, and India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal are the main nations of the South Asian area. I think my research interests mainly focused on Pakistan and Nepal, as well as India. Since I'm doing Muslim leftist studies right now and have a strong interest in Subaltern studies, thus I think I will specialize focus on the above three regions. But I think general and broad knowledge of the whole area is also necessary. As for future studies in Oxford, I plan to study the history and religion of these areas, maybe as well as the international relationship. No, this course does not involve a period abroad in South Asian.
Yes, I think the choices of professions do not limit within teaching or researching, according to the information provided by Oxford, many graduated students choose to work in governments or international official or unofficial organizations. Definitely, I can South Asian languages at Oxford, such as Hindi, Persian etc., and I can also continue to study Urdu at an advanced level.
Yes, Oxford has cooperations partnerships with several South Asian universities and organizations which provided students vast opportunities to communicate or work with.
I think the course structure of Oxford covered more fields and provides students both general knowledge of the whole area and specific focus on certain nations such as Pakistan and Bangladesh, while the course structure of SOAS pay more attention to the nationalist studies of South Asia, which is a little more general, although the course focuses a lot on Indian studies, it really pays little attention to other smaller areas like Nepal or Bangladesh. But I think programmes in both unis are pretty fine.
Here is the link for the handbooks: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/new/contract?wssl=1#content-tab--2
And this is for course instructions: https://kdocs.cn/l/szgpbrqzm?f=111
The book list can be found from the handbooks above.
Could you please let us know what you included on your personal statement. How did you manage to express your passion for the course? As a postgraduate student, is there anything you would particularly recommend to put in the personal statement? For example, do you have to talk about your first degree, and if so, what do you say about it?
As for the Personal Statement, I think the reflection of the thinking of a problem is the most important part of it, so I wrote about the experience of exchanging study in Pakistan , which social issues I found there and what courses I ever took in both my uni in China and in Pakistan, and then I wrote about my working experience in a think tank. My writing samples are highly related to my course, one is about the cultural exchange in the film industry between China and India, and the other one is about Islamic modernity. Yes, the latter one is related to the topics I want to study at Oxford.
Yes I was very anxious and worried when applying and waiting for the decision, and I check the TSR every day and communicated with the people who were also waiting for the decision, and that gave me a lot of comforts.
As for the Personal Statement, I think the reflection of the thinking of a problem is the most important part of it, so I wrote about the experience of exchanging study in Pakistan , which social issues I found there and what courses I ever took in both my uni in China and in Pakistan, and then I wrote about my working experience in a think tank. My writing samples are highly related to my course, one is about the cultural exchange in the film industry between China and India, and the other one is about Islamic modernity. Yes, the latter one is related to the topics I want to study at Oxford.
Yes I was very anxious and worried when applying and waiting for the decision, and I check the TSR every day and communicated with the people who were also waiting for the decision, and that gave me a lot of comforts.
Oh, what a wonderful course, Amber! I hope you enjoy it, and the Oxford life you dreamed of will be everything you expected, and more.
Original post by Oxford Mum
Oh, what a wonderful course, Amber! I hope you enjoy it, and the Oxford life you dreamed of will be everything you expected, and more.
Thank you!
Original post by AmberWu
Hi there, I'm an offer holder of Oxford, and this thread is for the applicants who have interest to study in the South Asian Studies programme in Oxford. If you have any questions about the application process, please feel free to ask.
Hi AmberWu, I’m so glad to come across your thread as I am planning to apply for the MSc in Modern South Asian Studies. Considering that you would have completed your course, can you please reflect on your experience? I have a few application related queries as well, if you don’t mind?
I'm confused which one is better: an MSc or an MPhil in Modern South Asian Studies at Oxford?
I think a better question would be this: is there a huge difference bw an MSc/MPhil in terms of credibility/prestige or the courses taught?
I think a better question would be this: is there a huge difference bw an MSc/MPhil in terms of credibility/prestige or the courses taught?
(edited 3 months ago)
Original post by aarushi1201
I'm confused which one is better: an MSc or an MPhil in Modern South Asian Studies at Oxford?
I think a better question would be this: is there a huge difference bw an MSc/MPhil in terms of credibility/prestige or the courses taught?
I think a better question would be this: is there a huge difference bw an MSc/MPhil in terms of credibility/prestige or the courses taught?
This thread is 3 years old - please don't bump old threads, make a new one!
In any event the difference is that one is a 1 year course and the other is a 2 year course. The latter involves an additional optional paper or two. The thesis may be longer for the 2 year course (they often seem to be at Oxford) although I can't find much further information on it.
Neither is better, they're just aimed at different students with different aims - I suspect those needing more language preparation would opt for the 2 year course for example, as might those aiming for a PhD. Note that they state on the website that students from both courses take the same papers and study in parallel.
(edited 3 months ago)
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