I have been offered a place to study an MSC in International Politics for this academic year 08/09. In addition, I am also in the process of applying for the LSE-PKU Double MSC programme.

I would really like to know if anyone else is in the same situation as myself i.e. have you been offered a place to study this MSC at SOAS? Are there any students on this forum who are taking this MSC currently or have taken it in the past? I can’t seem to find any information regarding this course on the Student Room. From the research which I have carried out to date, I am led to believe that politics is perhaps one of the weaker areas at SOAS, is this so?

I primarily want my focus to be on Chinese politics and how it affects the Asia-Pacific region and further a field in the UK/EU etc. Even though SOAS, as its name testifies, is a specialist in African and Asian studies, it seems to be the case that LSE offers more breadth and detail in relation to China.

Any suggestions are testimonies as to the quality of this course at SOAS would be greatly appreciated!!

Hi. I've also been offered a place to study for the MSc International Politics for 08-09. Did you attend the open evening?

According my one of my lecturers here at Edinburgh, taught masters in politics are not SOAS's strong point. Perhaps LSE is better thought of in this regard, I'm not sure? That said, I'm told that SOAS do have some really good people looking at China at the moment (they have recently hired specialists on China at the expense of other areas). I felt that the open evening made a convincing case for SOAS being the place to study Asian and African politics...and I get the impression that, as a SOAS student, you would get some benefit from LSE's expertise because of pan-University of London research groups.

Anyway, I think I'm definitely going to accept my offer at SOAS. Good luck with making your decision!

Peter

Peter,

Congratulations on receiving the offer to study at SOAS!

It will be at least another 4 weeks until I hear back from LSE as their application window doe not close until the end of this month. I have had the chance to meet some of the staff from LSE in relation to this course so it has helped to enlighten me somewhat.

In regards to SOAS...I met with one of their senior recruitment officers who was able to give me the most wonderful of introductions regarding SOAS in general. He was a true gentlemen and definitely shows the university in a good light. LSE on the other hand seem a little on the unwelcoming side.

I'll see how it pans out.

What about you...what is your background/interests? What do you hope to do after you study the master?

Ah you've got a good while to make your decision then.

I chose SOAS because their course allows you to focus on the government and politics of individual states and regions more. I am interested in IR theory and how states interact with one another and stuff, but I wanted a course that allows me to focus on one or more particular regions. SOAS provided the best flexibility in that regard... I'm interested in Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa, mostly how Islamic movements affect those regions!

Afterwards, not sure. I definitely want to do a PhD at some point but probably not straight after. I think I'll a year or two out working somewhere, putting my master's to good use hopefully!

Hey, I want to apply to SOAS for the MSc Middle East politics, but i'm really worried about what makes a good personal statement. I've had really bad experiences in the past.- does anyone have any advice?
thanks xx

Hi hbatten - I think that it is important to be specific in your personal statement. Tell them what it is in particular that interests you about Middle Eastern politics - for example the role of Islam, the region's experience of colonialism, state formation or democratisation. Basically, why are you interested in the Middle East and not any other region of the world? What's so special/different about it? Make it sound like you have some ideas and that you'd be an exciting and interesting addition to the graduate programme!

I also think it's good to mention specific texts or authors that you have found inspiring, but be careful not to sound contrived! And definitely make a point about why SOAS is a particularly good place for you to conduct your studies.

Hope that helps?!

I've been to a few lectures as SOAS (Im a student at the University of Sussex) and I can only say that I wish I had looked into this program SOAS as I've heard great things about the department. A great resource for all things realated to postgraduate study in the United Kingdom, check out www.postgrad.com

Cheers and Good Luck