Need advice from people who have done postgrad studies at the following schools:

[a fragrant plant]

Since I've only received rejection letters so far, I have started thinking about next year and the possibility of doing grad studies in the UK. I would like to hear from folks who have done or are doing their postgraduate studies (taught master or MPhil/PhD) at the following institutions: SOAS, LSE, Oxford and Cambridge.

In particular, what do you think of the taught master programs (i.e., Medical Anthropology) at SOAS, Cambridge, and Oxford? Is admission to the taught master programs at these three schools competitive? Also, do you think I stand a chance for MPhil/PhD admission at the above institutions if I already have a research master degree in the UK (my dissertation mark was 68%)?

I'm only considering LSE for MPhil/PhD because their taught masters are prohibitively expensive (nearly £9000 for home/EU students; unbelievable).

Many thanks in advance.

[Gigsed]

Since I've only received rejection letters so far, I have started thinking about next year and the possibility of doing grad studies in the UK. I would like to hear from folks who have done or are doing their postgraduate studies (taught master or MPhil/PhD) at the following institutions: SOAS, LSE, Oxford and Cambridge.

In particular, what do you think of the taught master programs (i.e., Medical Anthropology) at SOAS, Cambridge, and Oxford? Is admission to the taught master programs at these three schools competitive? Also, do you think I stand a chance for MPhil/PhD admission at the above institutions if I already have a research master degree in the UK (my dissertation mark was 68%)?

I'm only considering LSE for MPhil/PhD because their taught masters are prohibitively expensive (nearly £9000 for home/EU students; unbelievable).

Many thanks in advance.

Having relatively recently completed a taught Mphil in Cam I might be of some service here:-

1/In my year I think they enrolled 21 but the usual enrolment figure was 11-12 out of 100 or so applicants.

2/The course is regarded as a conversion course; the immediate question is going to be 'why is someone with a research masters coming to do a taught Mphil?'. It largely involves material that if you've done a BA in anthropology you will be familiar with i.e. the work of Bourdieu, Radcliffe-Brown, Geertz, Gluckman etcetera. Thus I would imagine much of it will be redundant for you.

3/At around £7,000 in fees as an EU or Home student, and 13,000 for an overseas student, it is expensive and beyond that you need to have almost 10,000 for maintenance costs.

Seriously you have a high pass in an MRes if you want to go to Cam you are better off applying immediately to the doctoral program.

Also who do you intend to work with?

[a fragrant plant]

Having relatively recently completed a taught Mphil in Cam I might be of some service here:-

1/In my year I think they enrolled 21 but the usual enrolment figure was 11-12 out of 100 or so applicants.

2/The course is regarded as a conversion course; the immediate question is going to be 'why is someone with a research masters coming to do a taught Mphil?'. It largely involves material that if you've done a BA in anthropology you will be familiar with i.e. the work of Bourdieu, Radcliffe-Brown, Geertz, Gluckman etcetera. Thus I would imagine much of it will be redundant for you.

3/At around £7,000 in fees as an EU or Home student, and 13,000 for an overseas student, it is expensive and beyond that you need to have almost 10,000 for maintenance costs.

Seriously you have a high pass in an MRes if you want to go to Cam you are better off applying immediately to the doctoral program.

Also who do you intend to work with?

Hi Gigsed, first of all thanks for your reply.

I asked about the taught master degrees because I am not sure where I stand with a research master in the U.K. I know that anything above 70% is good but my grade did not break the 70% line (68%).

Ideally I'd like to go straight into a PhD program. Unfortunately I have not (yet) been offered any acceptance by the U.S. universities. That's why in the past few days I have started thinking about my second round application. For MPhil/PhD program I'm only considering SOAS and LSE (based on fit). The taught masters are sort of a back-up plan and that was why I asked how competitive it was to get into Oxford or Cambridge's taught master program (Medical Anthropology). Alas, you're right, what will schools think of me if I apply to taught master with a MRes?

[Gigsed]

Hi Gigsed, first of all thanks for your reply.

I asked about the taught master degrees because I am not sure where I stand with a research master in the U.K. I know that anything above 70% is good but my grade did not break the 70% line (68%).

Ideally I'd like to go straight into a PhD program. Unfortunately I have not (yet) been offered any acceptance by the U.S. universities. That's why in the past few days I have started thinking about my second round application. For MPhil/PhD program I'm only considering SOAS and LSE (based on fit). The taught masters are sort of a back-up plan and that was why I asked how competitive it was to get into Oxford or Cambridge's taught master program (Medical Anthropology). Alas, you're right, what will schools think of me if I apply to taught master with a MRes?

The cut-off at cambridge is 65%. However you are right I can only think of one medical anthropologist in Cam and she specialises in the Amazon.

My advice, if you are flexible regarding where you are prepared to go to earn your PhD cast your net wider. Look at places like Leiden, the Max Planck Institute and ANU. At least two of these allow you to apply year round and have an application process that is supervisor based. Furthermore, you are not going to pay more than you do in the UK.

[a fragrant plant]

The cut-off at cambridge is 65%. However you are right I can only think of one medical anthropologist in Cam and she specialises in the Amazon.

My advice, if you are flexible regarding where you are prepared to go to earn your PhD cast your net wider. Look at places like Leiden, the Max Planck Institute and ANU. At least two of these allow you to apply year round and have an application process that is supervisor based. Furthermore, you are not going to pay more than you do in the UK.

Thanks Gigsed. Do you mind me PM you if I have further questions?

[Gigsed]

Thanks Gigsed. Do you mind me PM you if I have further questions?

No worries. Feel free to PM me.