SOAS University of London Accreditation?

Something Americans need to keep in mind when studying with the University of London...in my abortive attempt to do a UoL D/L LL.M. I learned that the examiners for any given course are not the same people as the instructors and that the two groups don't necessarily communicate. This means that the student can be blindsided at exam time. I do not blame this situation for my failure to achieve a passing 50 (by about three points) on a double subject (which meant I could not even accept a "condoned pass") but it sure didn't help. Preparing for examinations in the UK system is not like preparing for exams in the U.S. Be warned.

 

I once knew a colleague who was planning to quit tbeir job to move to London and study at SOAS. Not the highest ranking college of the University of London that is hardly a criticism when your peer group includes the London School of Economics.

A relative started a distance program from UoL and I think there may be two challenges for some US students. First, very rigorous. Second, heavily exam based. You need to be the type of student who can suceed when most of your grade is based on a rigorous exam.

 

I did the Inter-Collegiate LLM in RESIDENCE some years ago (I believe the Inter-Collegiate has been replaced by colleges each having their own LLMs) and my experience was exactly opposite. It was obvious that the exams had each been devised by the lecturer for that course. The London system IS DIFFERENT, class attendance is not compulsory, no exams or papers during the term, no pleading for extra credit. For the LLM, just four big exams about two months after the term ends. When I was there both residential and external students took the same exams. There were about 600 candidates, about half passed. There was ONE who got Distinction and eight who got Merit. I got a merit and, and oddly, I knew three of the other Merits and had single date with the Distinction. I got the impression that many, if not most, of the external candidates came from countries where the quantity of first degrees can be questionabl (bribes, cheating). So, thru London LLM is used to sort of validate the first degree. Pretty much useless otherwise. Ll

 

Also, it's very self-directed study. They send you the materials and it's up to you to create the structure. That's the part that killed me, I was self-discipled enough to stick to the structure without any external pressures.

 

I work in the legal department of an international Fortune 500 and I can ensure that a distance LLM from the University of London would be highly respected. From my experience, the contrary view is absurd.

 

But why SOAS when there are UCL and the LSE?

 

Generally offer different programs / emphasis.