Soas 2025

Hi guys! I’m planning to apply for SOAS Korean subject for September 2025 after a 1.5 gap year full really bad mental health struggles after alevels.
I also didnt apply to uni because of financial struggles, I just immediately wanted to earn money to help my mum afford basic necessities.
I was predicted, from what I remember, A*AB during alevels, but because of my mental health (and disabilities I later got diagnosed with) I fell under pressure and got ACD.
I was incredibly disappointed, and payed £90 for my philosophy papers to be remarked as I was 3 marks off a B, but unfortunately my grade didn’t change 🥲 (grading was so harsh that year …)
Do I have a chance of getting into SOAS? I’m very passionate at Korean, I can read Hangul and form basic sentences, I’m also interested in the general East Asian studies of the course.
I wasn’t sure if SOAS only take grades into consideration, so I wanted to come here for advice on whether its worth applying or not

Hi! I hope things are going better for you now and that you and your mum are ok. I too took a gap year after not receiving the grades I wanted, I applied for International Relations and Japanese at SOAS which required AAA, but I had ABB and still got in - so I think you absolutely have a shot of getting in!
BA Korean I think has ABB requirements (plus it sounds like you could get contextual which is BBB), so I reckon that if you show the university you are passionate about the language in your personal statement you can get in! Best of luck, I hope this helps!

Hi guys! I’m planning to apply for SOAS Korean subject for September 2025 after a 1.5 gap year full really bad mental health struggles after alevels.
I also didnt apply to uni because of financial struggles, I just immediately wanted to earn money to help my mum afford basic necessities.
I was predicted, from what I remember, A*AB during alevels, but because of my mental health (and disabilities I later got diagnosed with) I fell under pressure and got ACD.
I was incredibly disappointed, and payed £90 for my philosophy papers to be remarked as I was 3 marks off a B, but unfortunately my grade didn’t change 🥲 (grading was so harsh that year …)
Do I have a chance of getting into SOAS? I’m very passionate at Korean, I can read Hangul and form basic sentences, I’m also interested in the general East Asian studies of the course.
I wasn’t sure if SOAS only take grades into consideration, so I wanted to come here for advice on whether its worth applying or not

Hi guys! I’m planning to apply for SOAS Korean subject for September 2025 after a 1.5 gap year full really bad mental health struggles after alevels.
I also didnt apply to uni because of financial struggles, I just immediately wanted to earn money to help my mum afford basic necessities.
I was predicted, from what I remember, A*AB during alevels, but because of my mental health (and disabilities I later got diagnosed with) I fell under pressure and got ACD.
I was incredibly disappointed, and payed £90 for my philosophy papers to be remarked as I was 3 marks off a B, but unfortunately my grade didn’t change 🥲 (grading was so harsh that year …)
Do I have a chance of getting into SOAS? I’m very passionate at Korean, I can read Hangul and form basic sentences, I’m also interested in the general East Asian studies of the course.
I wasn’t sure if SOAS only take grades into consideration, so I wanted to come here for advice on whether its worth applying or not

Here is a link to the foundation years
https://www.soas.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/foundation-years
Hope this finds you well! Wishing you all the best - take care!

Hi!
I was in almost the exact situation as you and I got in easily. I am currently studying Korean but tbh with you the department is very unorganised and I have seen much better results from Japan and even the Chinese department. I've just started but the first impression is very important. I feel I didn't see the true reality on open days or offer holder days, therefore I am out here being open and honest.
I don't feel supported here with my mental health. I considered York St John as another option and they were actually much more supportive from what I saw and I have friends there who have said they're really great. Also the admin is 10000x better.
PM if you want more specific info, I am an open book!!

Hi!
I was in almost the exact situation as you and I got in easily. I am currently studying Korean but tbh with you the department is very unorganised and I have seen much better results from Japan and even the Chinese department. I've just started but the first impression is very important. I feel I didn't see the true reality on open days or offer holder days, therefore I am out here being open and honest.
I don't feel supported here with my mental health. I considered York St John as another option and they were actually much more supportive from what I saw and I have friends there who have said they're really great. Also the admin is 10000x better.
PM if you want more specific info, I am an open book!!