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I'm currently looking into universities, which would you recommend?

I'm looking into SOAS, Southampton, Brighton and Exeter universities for politics, international relations and/or global politics. I'm making pro and con lists for each and I think that having student opinions of the uni itself and the courses. Thank youu
Original post by 1910_
I'm looking into SOAS, Southampton, Brighton and Exeter universities for politics, international relations and/or global politics. I'm making pro and con lists for each and I think that having student opinions of the uni itself and the courses. Thank youu

Hi @1910_ !
It's great to see that you're looking at studying at Brighton!
I'm a current student at the Uni of Brighton and I thought I could give you a bit of information about what it is like to study here.

The student experience at Brighton is great in my opinion. I find there's a good mix of timetabled sessions and expected independent learning. Lecturers are always available by email and also have pretty good office hours (the length of these does depend on the lecturer though) if you prefer talking face to face. We have lots of support to help with the transition to more independent study, such as student support and guidance tutors for each subject who are here to help students with pretty much everything.

Our accommodation is pretty good as well. I stayed in Mithras Halls in my first year, and though it was a bit expensive it was deffo worth the money. I was across the road from the Mouslecoomb campus (which is where you would be studying) so I didn't need to wake up super early to get to my classes. All the rooms in Mithras halls are also ensuites so I didn't have to share a bathroom with anyone which I really liked. We also have a bit further away campus called Varley park which is a 15-20 min bus ride away from the Mouslecoomb campus and the Falmer campus. We also have Phoenix halls which is a 15 min bus ride away but tends to be for our city campus.

Living in Brighton is pretty cool! We are surrounded by some of the most beautiful nature, from the seafront only 15 mins away from campus to the South Downs if walking in nature instead of rocks is more your style 😂. We are also one of the sunniest campuses in the UK! We have lots of pubs and bars in the city as well as a massive library and lots of independent cafes and restaurants.
The Mouslecoomb campus has The Venue which is our student bar where there are always events going on. There are also loads of bars close to the campuses and in the city centre. We also have loads of nightclubs in the city and by the seafront as well as the gay club Revenge. Most clubs and quite a lot of bars have student nights/hours and quite a few have student themed events at the beginning of the year.

I don't study politics so I can't tell you much about what its like to study these courses, however I can give you some info about them!

Our Politics course gives you the opportunity to specialise in whatever you would like, whether it is international relations or gender studies. You are assessed in many ways, not just essays such as films, podcasts, data visualisations, political speeches, social media campaigns. This is because these are the types of projects that employers love!
The course has had some pretty interesting guest lectures from some cool people such as Caroline Lucas and Sue Shanks from the Green Party and Yousef Eldin who is a BBC documentary producer!

Our Politics and International Relations course offers all the same facilities and teaching approach as our general politics course but with some interesting additions.
This course allows you to apply to spend a semester studying abroad with a partner university!

Our Globalisation: History, Politics, Culture course is completely different to our politics courses in terms of teaching however the end career prospects are pretty much identical. All humanities courses have the same first year to develop the skills that are central to all of those courses. During your second year you can choose to take a 50-hour work placement module at a not-for-profit organisation!

I hope this helps you build your pros and cons list, if you have any more questions feel free to ask!
Blue- TSR Student Ambassador
Hi @1910_

I am a final year Philosophy, Politics and Economics student at the University of Southampton so I can tell you a bit about the university as well as about the Politics and International Relations department, as I study some of modules within this department, to help you make your decision.

From my experience, I have found the teaching very engaging. Many modules tend to be interactive so you get the chance to discuss with fellow coursemates and develop your opinions. There's a variety of modules to choose from. You can find out more here. In second and third year, most of the modules are optional meaning you can tailor your degree according to your interests. There is also the opportunity to do a year abroad or year in employment in between 2nd and 3rd year.

The degree is highly employable. Within 6 months of graduation, 96% of graduates are in employment or further study. The Careers department is very strong and good at getting people into jobs. Throughout the year, they run numerous different events such as careers fairs and they also invite alumni in to discuss they jobs they now work in. The Careers department also runs a number of workshops such as how to write a CV or interview skills. In addition, they invite employers to come on campus - for example, recently Pwc, Deloitte and EY have been on campus. The Careers department also offers individual appointments so you can discuss anything career related with them.

The University of Southampton has a variety of accomodations with a variety of room types as well as the option for either self catered or part catered. You can find out about all the different types here.

In addition, regarding student life, there are a variety of clubs and societies to choose from. You can find out about all the different types here. This includes clubs related to your course such as the Politics Society or Model UN. And if there is a club you want to be part of that doesn't exist you are free to create your own one. The Student Union hosts a number of events throughout the year also such as many fresher events, Christmas events and club nights.

Hope this helps.

If you have any questions feel free to ask,
Gulcin
Student Ambassador
(edited 2 months ago)
Reply 3
Original post by UniOfBrightonRep
Hi @1910_ !
It's great to see that you're looking at studying at Brighton!
I'm a current student at the Uni of Brighton and I thought I could give you a bit of information about what it is like to study here.
The student experience at Brighton is great in my opinion. I find there's a good mix of timetabled sessions and expected independent learning. Lecturers are always available by email and also have pretty good office hours (the length of these does depend on the lecturer though) if you prefer talking face to face. We have lots of support to help with the transition to more independent study, such as student support and guidance tutors for each subject who are here to help students with pretty much everything.
Our accommodation is pretty good as well. I stayed in Mithras Halls in my first year, and though it was a bit expensive it was deffo worth the money. I was across the road from the Mouslecoomb campus (which is where you would be studying) so I didn't need to wake up super early to get to my classes. All the rooms in Mithras halls are also ensuites so I didn't have to share a bathroom with anyone which I really liked. We also have a bit further away campus called Varley park which is a 15-20 min bus ride away from the Mouslecoomb campus and the Falmer campus. We also have Phoenix halls which is a 15 min bus ride away but tends to be for our city campus.
Living in Brighton is pretty cool! We are surrounded by some of the most beautiful nature, from the seafront only 15 mins away from campus to the South Downs if walking in nature instead of rocks is more your style 😂. We are also one of the sunniest campuses in the UK! We have lots of pubs and bars in the city as well as a massive library and lots of independent cafes and restaurants.
The Mouslecoomb campus has The Venue which is our student bar where there are always events going on. There are also loads of bars close to the campuses and in the city centre. We also have loads of nightclubs in the city and by the seafront as well as the gay club Revenge. Most clubs and quite a lot of bars have student nights/hours and quite a few have student themed events at the beginning of the year.
I don't study politics so I can't tell you much about what its like to study these courses, however I can give you some info about them!
Our Politics course gives you the opportunity to specialise in whatever you would like, whether it is international relations or gender studies. You are assessed in many ways, not just essays such as films, podcasts, data visualisations, political speeches, social media campaigns. This is because these are the types of projects that employers love!
The course has had some pretty interesting guest lectures from some cool people such as Caroline Lucas and Sue Shanks from the Green Party and Yousef Eldin who is a BBC documentary producer!
Our Politics and International Relations course offers all the same facilities and teaching approach as our general politics course but with some interesting additions.
This course allows you to apply to spend a semester studying abroad with a partner university!
Our Globalisation: History, Politics, Culture course is completely different to our politics courses in terms of teaching however the end career prospects are pretty much identical. All humanities courses have the same first year to develop the skills that are central to all of those courses. During your second year you can choose to take a 50-hour work placement module at a not-for-profit organisation!
I hope this helps you build your pros and cons list, if you have any more questions feel free to ask!
Blue- TSR Student Ambassador

Thank you so much for getting back to me, I'll definitely take this all into consideration to add to my pro/cons list!
Reply 4
Original post by GEUoS
Hi @1910_
I am a final year Philosophy, Politics and Economics student at the University of Southampton so I can tell you a bit about the university as well as about the Politics and International Relations department, as I study some of modules within this department, to help you make your decision.
From my experience, I have found the teaching very engaging. Many modules tend to be interactive so you get the chance to discuss with fellow coursemates and develop your opinions. There's a variety of modules to choose from. You can find out more here. In second and third year, most of the modules are optional meaning you can tailor your degree according to your interests. There is also the opportunity to do a year abroad or year in employment in between 2nd and 3rd year.
The degree is highly employable. Within 6 months of graduation, 96% of graduates are in employment or further study. The Careers department is very strong and good at getting people into jobs. Throughout the year, they run numerous different events such as careers fairs and they also invite alumni in to discuss they jobs they now work in. The Careers department also runs a number of workshops such as how to write a CV or interview skills. In addition, they invite employers to come on campus - for example, recently Pwc, Deloitte and EY have been on campus. The Careers department also offers individual appointments so you can discuss anything career related with them.
The University of Southampton has a variety of accomodations with a variety of room types as well as the option for either self catered or part catered. You can find out about all the different types here.
In addition, regarding student life, there are a variety of clubs and societies to choose from. You can find out about all the different types here. This includes clubs related to your course such as the Politics Society or Model UN. And if there is a club you want to be part of that doesn't exist you are free to create your own one. The Student Union hosts a number of events throughout the year also such as many fresher events, Christmas events and club nights.
Hope this helps.
If you have any questions feel free to ask,
Gulcin
Student Ambassador

Woah, thank you, Southampton uni has moved up my favourites lists, mostly due to the societies and the study abroad options, which are very important to me, but the careers department seems soo good too. Thank youu
Original post by 1910_
I'm looking into SOAS, Southampton, Brighton and Exeter universities for politics, international relations and/or global politics. I'm making pro and con lists for each and I think that having student opinions of the uni itself and the courses. Thank youu

Hi! I’m a final-year International Relations and Arabic student at SOAS and would be happy to share my experiences!

One of my favourite aspects of SOAS is its focus on decolonising world politics and teaching from a non-eurocentric lens. This means that we cover a lot of interesting issues and areas that are historically under-examined in mainstream IR. For example, in my Republicanism module, we’re exploring how slavery and colonialism in Haiti challenged the claims touniversality of French Revolutionary and Enlightenment values of liberty, equality and fraternity.

SOAS is also very diverse, and a large portion of the student body and faculty are from outside the UK. This makes for a melting pot of different ideas and a very global environment to study in. Moreover, when taking regional modules, the staff are often from those areas, so they can provide really authentic and first-hand insights. SOAS specialises in Asia, Africa and the Middle East so we also offer open language modules that are relevant to these regions and difficult to find in other institutions, such as Amharic, Sanskrit, Swahili and more!

Another great thing about SOAS is that it’s located in the heart of London, in Bloomsbury. This area is well-known as a haven from the bustle of the city and filled with pockets of green spaces. It also has great transport links to most other areas of London, so there’s always somewhere to go and something to do.

I see that you’re also interested in societies and study abroad options, and SOAS has a lot to offer in those departments! Language students (single and joint honours) study abroad in a country where the language they’re studying is spoken, so as an Arabic student, I spent last year in Jordan. However, second-year students who aren’t studying languages also have the opportunity to apply to study abroad at one of SOAS’s partner universities in India, Hong Kong, the USA, and more.

We have a range of different societies that cover politics, faith, cultures, arts and entertainment, sports and more. Our societies are free to join and hold lots of exciting events! For example, the Performing Arts Society have held an interactive murder mystery party, and other societies hold regular open mic events. A recent open mic hosted by the feminist society centred on voices of resistance and included spoken Arabic poetry, traditional Indian folk dance, and a Kazakh music performance. You can read more about our societies here: https://soasunion.org/get-involved/societies/

I hope this helped, let me know if you have any other questions!
-S, BA International Relations and Arabic
Reply 6
Original post by SOAS Student Rep
Hi! I’m a final-year International Relations and Arabic student at SOAS and would be happy to share my experiences!
One of my favourite aspects of SOAS is its focus on decolonising world politics and teaching from a non-eurocentric lens. This means that we cover a lot of interesting issues and areas that are historically under-examined in mainstream IR. For example, in my Republicanism module, we’re exploring how slavery and colonialism in Haiti challenged the claims touniversality of French Revolutionary and Enlightenment values of liberty, equality and fraternity.
SOAS is also very diverse, and a large portion of the student body and faculty are from outside the UK. This makes for a melting pot of different ideas and a very global environment to study in. Moreover, when taking regional modules, the staff are often from those areas, so they can provide really authentic and first-hand insights. SOAS specialises in Asia, Africa and the Middle East so we also offer open language modules that are relevant to these regions and difficult to find in other institutions, such as Amharic, Sanskrit, Swahili and more!
Another great thing about SOAS is that it’s located in the heart of London, in Bloomsbury. This area is well-known as a haven from the bustle of the city and filled with pockets of green spaces. It also has great transport links to most other areas of London, so there’s always somewhere to go and something to do.
I see that you’re also interested in societies and study abroad options, and SOAS has a lot to offer in those departments! Language students (single and joint honours) study abroad in a country where the language they’re studying is spoken, so as an Arabic student, I spent last year in Jordan. However, second-year students who aren’t studying languages also have the opportunity to apply to study abroad at one of SOAS’s partner universities in India, Hong Kong, the USA, and more.
We have a range of different societies that cover politics, faith, cultures, arts and entertainment, sports and more. Our societies are free to join and hold lots of exciting events! For example, the Performing Arts Society have held an interactive murder mystery party, and other societies hold regular open mic events. A recent open mic hosted by the feminist society centred on voices of resistance and included spoken Arabic poetry, traditional Indian folk dance, and a Kazakh music performance. You can read more about our societies here: https://soasunion.org/get-involved/societies/
I hope this helped, let me know if you have any other questions!
-S, BA International Relations and Arabic

Thank you, I find the decolonised view so interesting and important. I do have one question, about the accommodation, I've looked into it and it's quite expensive and further away from campus, how much of an issue is that? Thank you againn
Original post by 1910_
Thank you, I find the decolonised view so interesting and important. I do have one question, about the accommodation, I've looked into it and it's quite expensive and further away from campus, how much of an issue is that? Thank you againn

Hi again!

Given that rent is notoriously high in London, students studying here can access a higher amount in maintenance loans. However, many students still take additional measures such as part-time work or budgeting to manage their living costs. It might not be ideal but it's definitely doable since hundreds of thousands of students across London overcome this every year!

You can read tips on making the most of London on a student budget here:
https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/blog/cost-living-my-advice-saving-money-student-london

Best, S
Original post by 1910_
I'm looking into SOAS, Southampton, Brighton and Exeter universities for politics, international relations and/or global politics. I'm making pro and con lists for each and I think that having student opinions of the uni itself and the courses. Thank youu

Hi 1910_,

Thank you for considering Exeter!

Whilst I don't study these courses myself, I am heavily involved in extracurriculars involving these subjects, and subsequently have met many people studying these courses. What I can tell you is that they really do love it, and that the staff are really passionate about what they teach, which is quite refreshing.

At Exeter, you can study Politics and International Relations as one degree, and take modules related to global politics, so you can really hit all the birds with one stone. You can also do employment experience with this, or study abroad, so it is very flexible. The typical offer is AAA, but you can find all the information here: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/politics/politicsir/

In terms of politics/IR societies, we have many - I really like the Model United Nations Society, but we also have Debating Society, IR Society, Politics Society, and many more. There are plenty of opportunities to meet like-minded people through societies such as these, or even more niche societies like Toucan Appreciation Society, if you fancy a step away from the course. You can find a full list of societies here: https://my.exeterguild.com/

As for the university / city itself, Exeter is definitely a smaller city, but a perfect mix of green and bustle. There's lots of greenery here, with Reed Hall and its gardens on campus, and Belvidere Meadows very close to the university, but also Dartmoor is not too far away if you fancy having a day away. They're all super lovely places and remind me a lot of home. There's also a lot of wildlife! You will see plenty of squirrels, and at night time I have caught badgers and foxes on central campus. There's also the more built-up part of the city, such as the shopping district (Princesshay) and High Street, and there's plenty to do, with a really safe nightlife scene.

Do come to an Open Day! Here, you can ask questions to students and staff, but also get a feel for the university and city itself: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/visit/

Grace
University of Exeter Student Ambassador
Reply 9
Original post by ExeterStudentRep
Hi 1910_,
Thank you for considering Exeter!
Whilst I don't study these courses myself, I am heavily involved in extracurriculars involving these subjects, and subsequently have met many people studying these courses. What I can tell you is that they really do love it, and that the staff are really passionate about what they teach, which is quite refreshing.
At Exeter, you can study Politics and International Relations as one degree, and take modules related to global politics, so you can really hit all the birds with one stone. You can also do employment experience with this, or study abroad, so it is very flexible. The typical offer is AAA, but you can find all the information here: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/politics/politicsir/
In terms of politics/IR societies, we have many - I really like the Model United Nations Society, but we also have Debating Society, IR Society, Politics Society, and many more. There are plenty of opportunities to meet like-minded people through societies such as these, or even more niche societies like Toucan Appreciation Society, if you fancy a step away from the course. You can find a full list of societies here: https://my.exeterguild.com/
As for the university / city itself, Exeter is definitely a smaller city, but a perfect mix of green and bustle. There's lots of greenery here, with Reed Hall and its gardens on campus, and Belvidere Meadows very close to the university, but also Dartmoor is not too far away if you fancy having a day away. They're all super lovely places and remind me a lot of home. There's also a lot of wildlife! You will see plenty of squirrels, and at night time I have caught badgers and foxes on central campus. There's also the more built-up part of the city, such as the shopping district (Princesshay) and High Street, and there's plenty to do, with a really safe nightlife scene.
Do come to an Open Day! Here, you can ask questions to students and staff, but also get a feel for the university and city itself: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/visit/
Grace
University of Exeter Student Ambassador

Thank you so much for replying!!
Reply 10
Original post by SOAS Student Rep
Hi again!
Given that rent is notoriously high in London, students studying here can access a higher amount in maintenance loans. However, many students still take additional measures such as part-time work or budgeting to manage their living costs. It might not be ideal but it's definitely doable since hundreds of thousands of students across London overcome this every year!
You can read tips on making the most of London on a student budget here:
https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/blog/cost-living-my-advice-saving-money-student-london
Best, S

Ahhh ok, ok, thank you again!!

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