The Student Room Group

SOAS Law

Hey everyone,

I just got an invitation to study law at SOAS and I have a few questions:

I'm not sure whether I want to accept the SOAS offer or re-write the LNAT and re-apply next year to some other schools (KCL, LSE, UCL). I'm going to be completing a degree in I.R. in my hometown next year and thought maybe having that degree might make me a candidate for a one of those schools. On the other hand, I want to go into human rights law, humanitarian-oriented careers and most likely want to place myself in the UN. For THAT kind of law, is SOAS the way to go? On top of that, is SOAS a very respectable school, along with KCL, LSE, UCL, etc? Thanks a lot.
SOAS has a FANTASTIC reputation!!! My Aunty employs people for a large firm in London, the one famous for being bitter for not being in the 'magic circle' ( you can guess which from that lol ). But the course at SOAS is internationally very very well respected. I would put the universities in this order:
LSE
SOAS
UCL
KCL

LSE is extremely difficult to get into! I would most certainly go to SOAS, plus it is part of the University of London, so you still have all the advantages that come with that!
:smile:
Reply 2
????
GOD no... How could you POSSIBLY put SOAS ABove UCL and KCL...

For employment in the MC:

LSE, KCL, UCL - all very similar..
then a decent drop

Then SOAS...

there is NO WAY that SOAS is on par, let alone ABOVE these universities.
Im not sure whether the joy of being put above Strand Poly balances the shame of being put behind SOAS...

But seriously, Lawz got it. 3 letters above 4.
Reply 4
I'm not looking for employment in the Magic Circle. I want to know if SOAS will be a reputable school to go to in order to pursue a career in teh United Nations, or something in international affairs. Thanks for all your feedback!
It is certainly a reputable school and a good 2.1 will stand you in good stead for a legal career. It is one of the country's better law schools: probably in most people's top 20.
Reply 6
SOAS is an excellent school to study law. If you fancy international and comparative law, this is the place to go. Furthermore, the class size is only 70-80 students, and it is arguably one of the most diverse schools in the UK.

Downside: since it is a small specialist school, it is underfunded. Having said thatthe quality of teaching will always be under threat. Also, it is not as established or well known as LSE, UCL and KCL, so when you go out to find a job, some people might not have heard of SOAS. Although I do have alot of friends at SOAS who have secured training contracts with MC's...and several prestigious firms will recruit at the SOAS law fair. My cousin read Law with Chinese at SOAS, and he is now working for the World Bank. Has nothing but good things to say about the programme.

Ifyou want to work for the UN, I think SOAS is a great option, especially with it being the only programme in the UK that has a very non-eurocentric focus. You cant go wrong with a LSE, UCL, KCL orSOAS degree. All are top lawfaculties. IF you graduate with a 2:1 in any of those schools, you will be fine in terms of job prospects.
Reply 7
jamesbrown
If you fancy international and comparative law, this is the place to go.


Cambridge is my preference for that... and I would still say go to KCL, UCL LSE for NGOs...
Reply 8
Phonicsdude
Im not sure whether the joy of being put above Strand Poly balances the shame of being put behind SOAS...

But seriously, Lawz got it. 3 letters above 4.


lol. You're awful in every way mate. simply awful.
and you're gooing to kings
Reply 10
international relations you say?

It's well known that a large amount of Law students at soas don't want to go into conventional law...they take the SOAS course FOR international careers in politics e.t.c. The course compares our legal system with that of China and Africa....from stage one.....no otherschool does that. You may get it as an option at other schools....but international relations is something that SOAS specialises in - for this reason - I wouldn't be surprised if SOAS law grads were ahead on the list for jobs in NGO'S etc
Reply 11
Baadshah
lol. You're awful in every way mate. simply awful.
I would come back with some witty retort but seeing as KCL is my insurance choice I had better not put all my eggs in one basket just yet lest something untoward happen with my A-levels. :p:

I don't think you can really put SOAS on the same leve as LSE, UCL and KCL. It's good, but probably not that good. For the sort of career that you want though it would undoubtedly suffice.
Reply 12
TommehR
I would come back with some witty retort but seeing as KCL is my insurance choice I had better not put all my eggs in one basket just yet lest something untoward happen with my A-levels. :p:

I don't think you can really put SOAS on the same leve as LSE, UCL and KCL. It's good, but probably not that good. For the sort of career that you want though it would undoubtedly suffice.


lol