Study at SOAS, University of London

Why study at SOAS University of London

The university offers around 350 undergraduate degree combinations, more than 100 one-year taught master's degrees, and research degrees across the humanities, social sciences, law and languages. It is noted for development studies, anthropology, politics, law, history, languages and cultures, and its library is a UK national resource for materials on Asia and Africa. In the QS World University Rankings 2022 it was placed 2nd in the world for development studies.

Location and student life

SOAS is based on a single central London campus in Bloomsbury, close to Russell Square. Its buildings include the College Buildings (the Philips Building and the Old Building), the Brunei Gallery, and the Paul Webley Wing in the north block of Senate House. The nearest Underground station is Russell Square, with Euston, King's Cross St Pancras and Holborn nearby.

The Bloomsbury location places students near other University of London institutions, Senate House Library, the British Museum and the British Library. The Students' Union has a long record of political activity and runs clubs, societies and sports teams, including fixtures in the British Universities and Colleges Sport competitions.

Courses and subjects

Teaching is organised into three colleges: the College of Humanities, the College of Social Sciences, and the SOAS School of Law. Humanities covers art, history, religions and philosophies, languages, cultures and linguistics, and anthropology, media and gender. Social Sciences covers development studies, politics and international studies, economics, and finance and management. The School of Law focuses on the legal systems of Asia, Africa and the Middle East alongside English common law.

SOAS also runs pathway routes, including an International Foundation Programme and a Foundation Diploma for Postgraduate Studies (FDPS Pre-master's), plus pre-sessional and in-sessional English support through its language centre.

Entry requirements for international students

International applicants qualify with secondary or university results assessed against country-specific requirements published on each course page, so requirements vary by course and country. For English, direct entry to on-campus undergraduate and postgraduate taught degrees is typically IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all subscores; applicants just below this may be offered a 4-week or 8-week pre-sessional English course. Foundation and pre-master's routes start from lower scores, and applicants should check the exact course page before applying.

Accommodation

SOAS offers places in its own and University of London halls, including Dinwiddy House for first-year undergraduates, Paul Robeson House for postgraduates, and intercollegiate halls such as Garden Halls, College Hall, Connaught Hall, International Hall and Nutford House. Applications are made through the SOAS accommodation portal in set windows, with separate routes for first-year and returning students, and offers are only secured once a contract is signed and the deposit or advance rent is paid.

Scholarships and funding

SOAS publishes a wide set of awards for overseas students, including the SOAS Master's Scholarships (International) worth £8,000 as a tuition fee waiver, the Undergraduate International Academic Excellence Scholarship worth £5,000, and the SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship offering full and £20,000 partial fee waivers. It also partners with the British Council on GREAT Scholarships of at least £10,000 for one-year master's study for students from selected countries. Awards change each year, so applicants should check eligibility and deadlines on the SOAS scholarships pages.