George Hajipavli - Politics and East European Studies BA

Deciding on an undergraduate university course is probably one of the toughest decisions we are faced with in the very first moments of our lives as adults. In a way, this decision and the impact it carries, signals our transition into the world of responsibility. Like many other applicants I was faced with challenging key questions which would determine my final decision: a) in the given range of my current interests, which course should I go for, and b) what university should I apply for? There are always multiple considerations – which are often conflicting – such as choosing a course which we have a genuine interest on, and one with positive career prospects and returns.

I decided that UCL SSEES and BA Politics and East European Studies with a Year Abroad stroke the perfect balance. We always hear stories about successful applicants who are very unsatisfied with their university and/or course. In my case, it is two years later, and I could not be happier!

Certainly, the prestige UCL carries undoubtedly render it one of the top universities globally. This is affirmed by QS Rankings which places us 7^th on the global scale. As a research-intensive university you also actually get to know people who are spearheading research in their respective field. They are the academic leaders of today or tomorrow and you get the exclusive opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with them. This is simply fascinating! What also makes UCL top is the fact that it is a completely university, with schools and departments across every academic discipline. This year I had the opportunity of taking Law and Psychology modules, which might had been difficult elsewhere. Finally, London as a location is simply unparalleled. Especially for the people studying social sciences or humanities, the opportunities (whether this is lectures, workshops or internships) are vast. London has helped me find more than one internship in different fields and has engaged me in a variety of programmes and schemes. An important and big plus is the year abroad to one of the most fascinating, under-discovered, diverse and beautiful regions of the world, where you can select up to two different destinations. You have the potential to graduate with a good understanding of two extra languages, a deep understanding of the respective local societies and memories which are guaranteed to be astonishing!

Some of the reasons which currently make me so satisfied about my choice are ones I did not even think of previously. UCL SSEES is the leading school on East European Studies. The availability of content and guidance, and the prestige gained from studying or having graduated in the top educational institution in whatever your field is has incredible benefits. It simply means that in whatever you are doing you are part of the best. Secondly, being part of an area-studies departments gives you an amazing benefit. It means that by the time you graduate you will have practically mastered a region of the world and not just a theoretical framework. When thinking about EU enlargement, the internal East-West tensions in the Union, and the increasing debate about Cold War III, the East Europe region appears to be of fundamental importance. By studying at UCL SSEES you gain a deep understanding of what, why and how events and developments are unfolding in the region and in relation to the West.

I recommend UCL SSEES to both students who wish to pursue an academic career or have no intention of doing a postgraduate degree; I also recommend it to those who are not sure yet. The vast diversity and unique interdisciplinary nature of UCL SSEES means you will find the area which makes you happy, whether that is in the field of economics, business and trade; culture; languages; history; politics or sociology. Apart from the Law and Psychology modules, I have taken modules within SSEES on: Political Sociology, the Theory of Sociology, Macroeconomics, Political Economy, International Relations and many more. I have also taken modules specifically on studying the political systems and societies of Russia and the Western Balkans. UCL SSEES and broadly UCL, gives you the opportunity to have a go at all sorts of modules connected to your degree: think of this as a taster-menu!