University College London

London

ESPS interviews

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_denis_

now can anyone explain this thing to me:
so i am a slovak, i have done lots and lots of reading in politics, philosophy, history and economics and i am confident about this. my second language is czech /i am half czech/ my third is english, than comes german and french. however my french is poor, because i had done it only for like a year and my german is like i can read and write but my speaking skills are bad, because we just dont speak in class. but i couldnt apply for these languages anyways because i am not doing them on alevel. is there a possibility of starting a language from a scratch, like i dont know doing dutch or swedish without any previous knowledge? because if not than i am pretty much screwed. i could try russian because it is a slavic language but i have actually never studied it and i heard that the competition there is really fierce. please advice

have you got an interview? or phone one? because i got a generic email (tessa robinson) who said to specify which disciplines and combinations of languages.. prior to interview.

University College London

London

Reply 81

J-OD

Sary.H.

I'm up for an interview in March but I have doubts about what language I should pick...
My first choice would be French, which I used to have a decent knowledge about but now, huh...
So if I do a good interview but I completely suck in French I guess that's enough to get you rejected, right?
My other choice would be Italian instead, since no prior knowledge is required.
So basically, it's it worth taking a risk going for a language I know I rather want, but probably am too bad at?
Help, ideas, something... :smile:

i know i have hidden agendas here.. lol, but ESPS French along with the Russian one is really oversubscribed.
with ab initio Italian you arent expected to have an oral at interview..

Reply 82

ExDeusVenitBritannia

Yeah it's a real shame that the French one is oversubscribed because I want to do that one. Oh well, it's to be expected really, given it's the most common second language taught in our schools.

Do you have to speak much in your chosen language?

Reply 83

JimGrey

i just got an offer today! :biggrin:

Reply 84

J-OD

ExDeusVenitBritannia

you'll have to put up a good conversation. most of the people there who are interviewing are the french staff.. i think its prof munoz-darde (with acute e)
so if you are confident enough to talk with a native, about topics relevant to ESPS then you stand a good chance.

everyone seems to be getting offers! lol

Reply 85

Snufkin

Universities Forum Helper

Do many people go to study ESPS not liking politics? I dont particularly but i would like to study German and/or Norwegian, geography and history. I got the impression that most applicants are specifically interested in politics/economics/IR!

Reply 86

J-OD

Samual

the ESPS course is not solely specific to politics (despite the 'politics' in the title) but i think that the european common core - the bit thant bridges the gap between the language and the specialism.. relates specifically to Europe.. the EU... so inevitably there will be some focus on political institutions..

dont worry, politics is a great and quite accessible subject anyway!

Reply 87

JimGrey

Samual

you dont have to be so interested in politics.. but one of the mandatory classes in the first year is a european politics, philosophy, history and law class, so i suppose you've got to be just a little interested at least.. but you can choose geography or history for your specialisation! i chose norwegian as well (im half norwegian). im guessing by the flag, you're norwegian?

Reply 88

Snufkin

Universities Forum Helper

JimGrey

i chose norwegian as well (im half norwegian). im guessing by the flag, you're norwegian?

Nope, im just totally obsessed with Norway :awesome:

Do many people choose to specialise in geography do you know?

Reply 89

JimGrey

Samual

Nope, im just totally obsessed with Norway :awesome:

Do many people choose to specialise in geography do you know?

ummm, well i couldn't say tbh.. im not sure.. but i wouldnt say that weakens your application. if they give you the option, then it makes sense that you could choose it without a problem.. i chose politics myself. well you should do norwegian :tongue:

i was the only one at my interviews who had chosen norwegian, or a scandinavian language in general! hah!

Reply 90

J-OD

i only just realised the 4th of March is really soon... like next weds aha...
this weekend i will be on a diet of Bernard Crick, Machiavelli and Dawkins, followed by TSA preparations..
:frown:

im pretty nervous now..

Reply 91

J-OD

that meant a lack of talking..

i have the number and the pencil at the ready, good luck

Reply 92

username225380

Hey guys, any news, updates on ESPS applicants? My interview is getting closer, and I still have a lot of reading to do, I'm really scared..

Do you have any more tips, advice? :smile:

Do they ask you a lot about your specialization? I mean, are there very specific, tough questions?

Reply 93

Lizsco3

How did yesterday's interviews/TSAs go? Hope they were good, at least okay, for everyone! :smile:

Reply 94

J-OD

i had mine yesterday.. all the applicants seemed really nice but my interview was 5 minutes.. they didnt know which language or specialism and the only academic question (which isnt really that academic) was what books ive read/// i was hoping for more and i didnt seem to shine cos i wasnt given any way to.. :frown:

probably reapply next year but it seems amazing..

Reply 95

Lizsco3

Aw that's a shame. I wonder if that means the TSA holds more importance? :s-smilie:

I think they've got A LOT of applicants this year, as in the interview timetable they sent me in their first email it said interviews would only run till 5.15 PM, but I got an email a few days ago saying they'd now be running to 6 PM. Hmm.

Reply 96

username225380

J-OD

probably reapply next year but it seems amazing..

Wow, that sounds not only frustrating, but also weird.. Didn't they seem interested in that you had to say? Anyway, maybe you had already convinced them from your PS or something, so don't sweat, just wait for your answer. Did they tell you when should you expect your decision?

Reply 97

J-OD

darvulia

Well my Ps wasnt that special.. the conversation was going nowhere.. we will find out in ten to fifteen days.

Reply 98

Bowiephiles

Hi! I'm new here but I've applied for ESPS too and have an interview in like 2 weeks. I'm Spanish and chose Italian as my major language and French as a minor. Is anyone else having an interview in march? I think its on the 25th.

I really hope I can get in! I have no idea what the interview will be like, any advice?

Reply 99

Oh God its Monday

Hi Bowiephiles
you don't have to worry about the interview. The interview will be held in your major language which is French. The interview is short 10 - 15 minutes. You will be asked general questions. I think what is very important is the TSA. You have to prepare yourself good. Just be cool, relax and be yourself and I thing you make it. I hope you all the best :smile: