less competitive universities in london - for master's/post grad

I got into a more competitive (I'm assuming) uni - Royal Holloway, University of London - and all I had to provide was proof that my grades were good enough (3.2 GPA), an essay, and 2 recommendations.  There was no direct competition, but rather a you-get-in-if-you-meet-all-the-standards.  It was kind of nice, knowing I basically assured a spot while other students are having heart attacks over getting into US grad school.

very good to know, although i'm not rich either.  but what's another $30k in student loan when you've already got $20k? so my gpa is around 2.2 i believe... really not good, but i do test well. although i don't even know if they need gre scores.  so is 2.2 too horrible even if i've got the american money?

Honestly, if you're an international student and can speak English, you're in.  UK schools don't even use a GPA system so your grades won't translate.  They care if you have a BA, not what your marks were. 

I'm in the same boat as lisaletostak. I did my undergraduate degree as a political science major/ English and international studies minor and graduated with a 2.35 gpa so I've been wondering if that's too low for acceptance onto a postgrad degree as well. I was here as a study abroad student last year (University of Leicester) and had a slightly lower gpa when I was applying for programs and even then I realised that the admissions standards were relaxed when they considered how much money they would be getting from me as an overseas student. I realise that they could afford to be a little more lenient since I wasn't applying for a degree program but maybe the thought process will be similar for postgrad applications? Here's hoping!

Honestly, if you're an international student and can speak English, you're in.  UK schools don't even use a GPA system so your grades won't translate.  They care if you have a BA, not what your marks were. 

I just saw this and have to correct it. It depends very much on the university. We take a great many international students in my department, and always ask for a GPA of around 3.5. We insist on full transcripts. And we also check the academic standing of the awarding university if we can.

I got into a more competitive (I'm assuming) uni - Royal Holloway, University of London - and all I had to provide was proof that my grades were good enough (3.2 GPA), an essay, and 2 recommendations.  There was no direct competition, but rather a you-get-in-if-you-meet-all-the-standards.  It was kind of nice, knowing I basically assured a spot while other students are having heart attacks over getting into US grad school.

Sorry to resurrect such an old thread, but what year did you apply to Royal Holloway, Aless? That's one of the unis I'm going to apply to.

Egham is a lovely place to be.  I used to go to a uni down the road (Brunel Runnymede campus - it doesn't exist anymore ) and it was a deeply cool place to be.


Vicky

I was there last year! (2006 - 2007)

Keep in mind that every department runs differently, but that's how mine worked.  I won't say my time in Egham was the best ever, but it wasn't bad (I will say that do NOT move there and expect it to be like London - because it sure is not!!!).

Oh, I'm so glad you saw this post! I wasn't sure if you would since it was such an old thread.

Yes, one of my friends is starting her second year at Royal Holloway and she lived in Egham the first year. This year she's living in east London and taking the train in for classes, which she seems to be liking so far. I was thinking that's what I would do as well if I attended the uni, since I've always lived in east/central London.