SOAS or Edinburgh or Manchester for Chinese studies?

[lanalon]

Hello everyone, I hope to hear some views on our dilemma. DC did Chinese Pre-U at A level, predicted all A*. SOAS asks for AAB and Edinburgh/Manchester for ABB so should be able to get in all of them. Whilst Edinburg and Manchester are in a Russel group, SOAS is a specialist uni for Chinese, although is less known as a uni.

Which one is better from the academic and employment perspective? I’ve read mixed reviews about SOAS that it is a marxist place (which does not bother us), but also heard that it is small and friendly and everyone knows each other which is nice.

At the same time due to lowering interest in modern languages there were articles that SOAS might close.

Would be grateful for all your thoughts and feedback.

It's a dilemma isn't it?! Although soas undoubtedly has issues, I can't see it closing - it could well be taken over though (by UCL?) so don't worry on that score. Its second to none in terms of language teaching and opportunity which would be difficult to turn down. And yes it is very very left wing. Woke central...

I wondered what SOAS stood for. After visiting their website to find out, I am still clueless.

I know someone who went toSOAS about 10 years ago. They were a talented linguist but found it difficult as most on the course were native speakers. I would check on that . The Russell group thing in this context is not relevant as SOAS is a specialist college within the university of London. The other potential issue is being a student in London which is not for everyone.

School of Oriental and African Studies!

Presumably not made obvious as the term oriental seems to be disapproved of by the woke, which must give them an existential problem

To do Chinese, I'd pick SOAS. Specialist and offers the most opportunities.

I don't see it going under. It's too important from a soft power perspective. It'll be taken over or propped up if necessary.

I'd say SOAS is also the most prestigious place to have studied Chinese.

One of my biggest regrets is not doing Anthropology at SOAS, and choosing instead to read Law at UKC. (Not, btw, because I didn't like Kent: I did, enormously. And I quite enjoyed the course). But SOAS is a fantastic university.

@coogee

I wondered what SOAS stood for. After visiting their website to find out, I am still clueless.

I think they tend to only use the acronym these days as the term "Oriental" is considered Eurocentric and outdated.

School of Oriental and Asian studies

SOAS is a brilliant university, a friend went there to read law.

I think it is well known amongst people who are interested in the subjects it offers.

SOAS has some big sponsors I don’t think it will go under any time soon.

We live in London so from logistical perspective SOAS this is the nearest and easiest, but DC wants an independence so wants to go as far away from us as possible:) however she can live in SOAS halls if residence to achieve the independence.

Was it recently?

SOAS has a very strong reputation at post graduate. My feeling is that if your dc is really serious about their subject it’s the best choice. However edinburgh would give a broader education (don’t know about Manchester). The longer degrees in Scotland encourage more experimentation with related subject combinations in the first year or two which can be really valuable. I can’t even count the number of people I know who now work in an area that was their “extra” course in first year.

@lanalon

School of Oriental and Asian studies

Oriental and AFRICAN studies, not Asian (unless it’s changed recently?)

School of Oriental and African studies!

Sorry, my mistake, African indeed

@museumum thank you for your response. Courses in all three unis are four years with a year abroad in year 3.

She would be fine at any of them and should think about what kind of uni experience she wants.

I think SOAS might hold a bit of cachet for some employers, especially for very China focused jobs. I know a few people who went there and all liked it. Most were MAs though. I met all of them when living in HK and China.

The institution’s financial woes may be solved by a takeover, but in the meantime their budgets are slashed and staff posts cut, according to a report from last year (www.theguardian.com/education/2020/may/29/soas-to-slash-budgets-and-staff-as-debt-crisis-worsens-in-pandemic), though worth searching for up-to-date info.

I did a postgrad at SOAS. I think academically it would be the best choice, but it is quite a particular university experience compared to the one you would get in Manchester - I don't know Edinburgh but possible same is true for there? - worth thinking about what it is they want/would enjoy from their uni experience...

I love SOAS but I would rather be a student in Manchester than London (and I live in London). Think Chinese pretty well respected there too?

@ThePlantsitter we have not been to any open days due to Covid. Although I have been to Edinburgh as a tourist and like it.

@DistrictCommissioner thank you for your reply. What do you mean by particular?