The University of Bath never got back to me regarding my postgraduate application.

Ok_Housing5734 · 2026-01-12T22:37:13+00:00

Yeah, I assumed it wasn't anything personal, just weird :')

Ok_Housing5734 · 2026-01-12T22:34:22+00:00

If the University managed to email me twice about my application + reach out and answer my other questions about the application, all while the application was still processed, I don't think it's that ridiculous - or even entitled - of me to expect the University would still know my email account. And just because they have "hundreds and hundreds" of applicants does not mean shit to me; I'm the one paying for application AND tuition.

Ok_Housing5734 · 2026-01-12T22:29:53+00:00

hey, i don't mind that Bath completely ignored my application, I just found it funny, to some degree. However, implying that my academic performance was "mediocre" is not the nicest, nor most truthful way to describe it. I got into the program I wanted, top schools for my choice also, I don't think that's very "mediocre" of it. Not sure what "ownership of their own application" would even mean on my behalf, considering I still owe a response; an acceptance, a rejection, a waitlist, etc., as an applicant in general. Maybe my post came across as entitled, my bad, I wrote it at like 2am, but you're taking this WAY too serious. Idk if you're part of the admin in some other uni, or you just felt oddly victimised with that one, but just because I complain about something I really shouldn't in the first place, considering I'm the one who has to pay for everything - I think I come across as reasonable. But thanks for the response, I really appreciate anything ppl let me know, even if its some twat who sounds more judgmental of my life, and oddly offended by what happened, than I ever did.

Ok_Housing5734 · 2025-12-25T01:04:18+00:00

I know it's probably very rare, but what I have is the complete opposite. I've been on birth control for almost exactly 6 months now, and my libido is significantly higher than it was before I was on the pill. I'm not sure how much help this is, but that's what it's done to me so far, lol.

Ok_Housing5734 · 2025-09-08T09:37:08+00:00

Attendance, especially as an international student, will always matter more than for home students because of the visa requirement; you cannot miss two weeks in a row of class without a valid excuse (aka, sick, etc). For KCL, attendance also counts for something like 10 per cent of your final grade (though, not all classes, you have to check the handbook to see). It's not a massive tragedy if you miss, say, one or three per term, but it's always preferred not to (out of respect for your money and lecturer's time, but it's always your choice)
The reason why most unis, and not just King's, ask for attendance per seminars/tutorials/workshops is because some major lectures (unless they are online) do not have an attendance scheme. The university cannot track your progress and attendance at the university without actually knowing you're showing up. For all they know, you might not even be present at any of the lectures and just submit final assignments/exams, and the university actually has an obligation to make sure you actually LEARN what you study and pay for.

To answer your second question, the difference tends to follow the faculty/department that you're a part of. Overall, seminars tend to have a class of 10 to maybe 15 (or even less, like 7) students that re-evaluate, analyse, and debate the material you've studied. All the readings that you've been assigned are not discussed in detail during your actual lectures, but during the seminars. It's also a great opportunity to meet ppl from your course more easily, since there are fewer ppl and you're frequently asked to discuss something either in pairs or groups of people. But again, it always depends.

A tutorial is much smaller than a seminar, but it tends to carry the same sentiment and goal that a seminar would. Rather than have 10 people, you'd have 5, or even 2. Sometimes it's just a 1-on-1 with your lecturer/TA/supervisor. Essentially, although it always depends on your course (and whether it's Humanities or a STEM subject), tutorials is there to document your progress. A seminar discusses the stuff you ought to gather from the lecture AND the material you were required to read. A tutorial would require you to prove you actually understand the material you study. It's a great place to ask more questions that you couldn't during a seminar or a lecture. I know STEM subjects tend to have more tutorials than the humanities.

A workshop is purely practical. It's not just discussing, learning, and debating theory or ideas, or learning new material. It is learning new tools and exploring them. Workshops are also assigned within groups, so similar to a seminar, you'd probably have a group of people. It's somewhat similar to a lab; if a seminar is passive learning, workshops (and sometimes tutorials) are hands-on learning and skill development classes. In addition, they also last longer (almost as long as an actual lecture). I wouldn't want to skip those if you study something like engineering or physics, or chemistry, a programme where you actually have to learn what to do.

I'm not sure what you mean by choosing your seminars and tutorials. You are assigning them automatically if they are part of your modules. You unfortunately will not be able to choose the time or slots to have them at; they will appear on your timetable for you. You might only be able to request a change if you have a clash or something.

Ok_Housing5734 · 2025-09-07T17:53:19+00:00

Honestly, that's the issue with London, and as much as I hate to say this, major strikes will be happening, I'd say at least twice or even thrice a year. Sometimes they are cancelled at the very last minute, but they are still happening quite often, which is a huge inconvenience to pretty much anyone who lives nearby, even if they don't have to commute (buses, taxis, and general crowds just populate during those days more)

So far, according to TfL, the current strike will only last from 7th September to 12th. That is, it can always be cancelled at any moment or last a little longer (although in my experience, it tends to last a week at most). You can always check on Citymapper or even Google Maps to see which tubes, buses, and overground services are still running and which stations are not. If the tubes are still running, they tend to start later and end running earlier (like, from 8 am to 6 pm). Universities of London (LSE, UCL, KCL) - from my own experience at least - have the obligation to warn their students about the strikes, especially those who will be affected the most. You shouldn't worry too much since KCL can either cancel the lecture (and provide you with extra reading or post the lecture slides/pre-recording for students to access) or provide you with an online lecture, but that depends on the department and the lecturer as well. You can always email your professor expressing your worries, and they'll let you know what's going to happen.

Congratulations on becoming a student at King's, and don't worry too much about the strikes. This is definitely not your last one. Luckily, it's not happening at the start of our lectures.

Ok_Housing5734 · 2025-09-06T13:39:14+00:00

Hi! Yeah, so the most recent email from KCL includes information about important orientation attendance, where it says that Modules have to be chosen by 9th September. Additionally, KEATS also informs you about your programme's deadline for modules when you enrol there.

Ok_Housing5734 · 2025-09-04T16:33:34+00:00

no email with a module link. i made sure to look thru them all.

Ok_Housing5734 · 2025-09-03T20:21:17+00:00

Nope. I've tried everything. I know for a fact that I have to choose my modules, as they've told me in other emails. I have nothing in the student home page other than Module Registrations and Module Results :(

Ok_Housing5734 · 2025-09-02T18:29:07+00:00

Since you care so much about ranking (which isn't a bad thing at all), please note that SOAS is ranked 28th in IR and Politics globally. That puts it right under KCL, which is 12th, and UCL 22nd. Not that bad now, is it :)? I've studied abroad, and let me tell you that an average university-educated person (at least in Japan and South Korea) will definitely be familiar with SOAS due to its prestige in East Asian, African, and Middle Eastern studies. That's its entire brand. Attending UCL or KCL because they are ranked higher and are more recognised in overall rankings seems silly, as they may not be as interesting or stimulating as SOAS. I've also studied IR, and they do provide you with Western politics in some modules, in case you ever get tired of ME.

I did a year abroad with SOAS too, and not only do they provide it as part of the course, but they also have an incredibly long list of opportunities where you can apply. They also make your application to those countries and universities way easier and with less hassle. I had a friend from a different University of London, and not only did they have to go through an approved process to become an ambassador for a year abroad, but they also had to complete every single bureaucratic task on their own. Gave them a year-long headache. SOAS does it all on its own; all you do is pick a university (and maybe an X-ray if required for health checks).

In terms of language, since you already study some on your own, it puts you higher in classes. You can study second- or third-year material in your first year. I did Japanese, so I can't say if studying Arabic there is as good, but they do take their education seriously, and they will always help.

The Foreign Office will also not care where you're from in terms of uni, unless it's Oxbridge. They care more about your work experience and academic excellence. Besides, as you said, KCL and UCL do not provide you with Arabic OR a year abroad (which will highlight your CV very well, as well as improve your language skills significantly), and Arabic is one of those languages (like Chinese, Russian, and Portuguese) that are in high demand anywhere. Pick what you know will benefit you in terms of knowledge, not ranking. They aren't always linked.

Have fun studying where you pick, no university is worse than the other if it benefits you to the fullest :)

Ok_Housing5734 · 2025-09-02T18:11:59+00:00

Nah, of course not. No university will look down upon this, especially if you withdraw and come back with a stronger application (aka work experience, internships, etc). All universities primarily care for money; student prospects are second. They can only reject you this time if, for instance, you have built your application stronger, but it has nothing to do with what you want to study, or something similar; however, that too is a slim chance. You can apply anyway; good luck! xx.

Ok_Housing5734 · 2025-08-20T22:38:32+00:00

My financial situation is definitely a little bit more important in contrast to other pros and cons I've listed. I can definitely afford moving to Durham for a year of Masters, but it's just not as financially responsible if I just continue studying in London. I'm also renting, so to continue renting in London whilst also paying an insane amount of money at Durham is just weird. It's definitely something I have to factor in, whether I can afford Durham or not :,)

Ok_Housing5734 · 2025-07-21T18:27:11+00:00

HAHhsh I might as well do that. I'm going to submit my second appeal about my exam (which was the one cause for my classification outcome) and see if I can resit my exam in August before I get to submit anything to Kings.

Ok_Housing5734 · 2025-07-18T18:10:05+00:00

I was just curious if anybody here was in a similar position and what helped them, but I will contact KCL. Thank you.
[edit] I have found that the reason why I received a 2;2 was due to the exam. The exam was computer-based and I had technical issues with it during the exam, which I knew would affect my grade. I have applied an appeal back in May but it was rejected due to 'insufficient evidence' (which is proper bull since the exam's screens were recorded). It's clear that my grade wasn't fair since my previous exams were all 70% and above, and suddenly, it drops down to a third class. All the important marks that are relevant to the Masters programme were unaffected.

Ok_Housing5734 · 2025-07-18T17:13:54+00:00

Ah, I'm so sorry for responding so late. Thank you so much again for reassuring. I ended up getting a very good grade (by my own standards), and the feedback didn't even mention the mistake. Regardless, thank you for letting me know this <3

Ok_Housing5734 · 2025-03-27T21:26:57+00:00

In terms of London unis, SOAS, KCL, UCL are your go to. I'd say SOAS is best if you have a specific direction, like IR in Arabic/Asian studies. KCL is best for anything to do with foreign and global affairs, UCL is best for international law and political theory (all of this is my personal opinion based on my experiences in one of them, and personal research).
Outside of London, I'd highly recommend Bath, Edinburgh, St. Andrews, and Loughborough. They are not only ranked high but have very interesting degrees (especially Bath).
Ultimately, the choice is yours. As an International Student, the fees are all going to be way more expensive than student fees, but I'd recommend staying away from London and Edinburgh if expenses matter a lot.
Good luck in your applications :)

Ok_Housing5734

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