The Student Room Group
Reply 1
Cardiff, obviously:wink:
Reply 2
well obviously you are a cardiff student```
Reply 3
What do you want to study? I'd say SOAS is more prestigious but evidently course is all important. Cardiff has some damn good courses (my own included).
Reply 4
I would say Cardiff because I'm very biased.
Reply 5
the course at Cardiff i am applying for is intl journalism ,at SOAS it is film studies or something```

Cardiff was ranked higher than SOAS in Times league table this year and it is strong in journalism, but i want to know its general reputation among you UK students.
Reply 6
It does have a damn good journalism school and a multi award winning student newspaper and magazine. I'd plump for Cardiff. No employer takes a film studies student seriously.
Reply 7
"No employer takes a film studies student seriously."

OH```sad but thanks, I like SOAS only becasue it is in London and i do like some london bands.
Reply 8
Here is a list of SOAS's undergraduate courses. As you can see, there is nothing remotely resembling "Film Studies". Are you sure you aren't getting it confuzzled with another university or course?
Reply 9
Well if you're going to uni for the bands, then I suppose getting an education is the last of your priorities.

You know you can travel from Cardiff to London from £2 return. and that lots of bands come to Cardiff, and we have a Barfly too.
Reply 10
MA Cinemas of Asia and Africa, available as "MA International Cinema and Transcultural“ from 06-07
i am a postgrad
Reply 11
I think perhaps a more important consideration is whether you want be in London or a medium sized city like Cardiff. Going to uni in London has some positive aspects. The nightlife, music scene and if you're into films then arts scene, is second to none. However, the cost of living in London is extremely high and finding affordable accommodation in 2nd and 3rd years not so easy. In London you will probably have to count in extra costs of travelling by tube etc.
There is a totally different feel to life in London to that in any other city. Some like it but others don't. It is not just a question of university prestige.

To answer your original question. I think that SOAS being part of London University gives it more prestige. But reputation in the UK is often really dependent on the subject. Some unis are considered the best in their field for particular subjects.
Reply 12
As they specialise in different areas, I don't think you can really compare the two that easily. Firstly, Cardiff offers a lot of subjects SOAS does not and vice versa. There are differences within the subjects that they both offer as well. For example, Cardiff's Politics degree is strong on European politics but weak on Middle Eastern, African, Asian and South American politics. Conversely, SOAS' Politics degree is quite strong on most of those areas.

I think they're both reputable, respectable universities to attend and the choice between the two should come down to the subject you wish to pursue and the modules you want to take.
Reply 13
Cardiff is one of the best journalism schools in the country.