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Students are drawn to SOAS not only for its international reputation for academic excellence but also for the opportunity to study in a lively and international environment with like-minded individuals who feel passionately about contemporary world issues.
Undergraduates discover a fascinatingly diverse, lively and close-knit community on SOAS’s central London campus, and friendly fellow students who share the same intellectual interests in the international issues in which SOAS specialises.
SOAS is a place for those who want to expand their horizons and develop a deeper understanding of the world; for those who want to re-examine preconceptions and challenge the traditional status quo.
Degree combinations in law, politics, economics, finance, business, management, arts, humanities and languages provide many options for study, in either single-subject or two-subject (combined) degrees. Additionally, more than 40% of undergraduate programmes offer the opportunity to spend a year studying in another country.
SOAS undergraduates aim for varied and ambitious goals. Whether it be developing a career as a UN diplomat, dreaming of staging a kabuki play or championing human rights, SOAS develops the skills for students to excel in their chosen area when they graduate.
Student reviews of SOAS university often praise the enthusiastic and knowledgeable lecturers, many of whom are world renowned within their field of study. SOAS lecturers are also involved in leading research and fieldwork which has been significant in influencing government policy around the world.
Courses are structured so that students can tailor their degrees to their interests, with the option of studying a single or joint honours degree. Teaching is offered through a combination of lectures, tutorials and seminars where students will be expected to discuss the class readings in group discussions.
Assessments include essays, exams and group study projects, which will vary according to the chosen course. Plus, SOAS values small-group teaching at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level, giving students the opportunity to work closely with lecturers, cultivating independent thought and open discussion.
Over 40% of the undergraduate programmes at SOAS include the option to study abroad, enabling students to learn in a new environment, experience a different culture and meet new people.
With 71% of SOAS students earning a first or upper second class degree, it’s no surprise that the university has placed within the top ten in national rankings over the last five years.
Interested? Order a prospectus to find out more about the uni and the courses on offer.
GET PROSPECTUSTo be accepted for a place on the majority of undergraduate programmes, students will need to have obtained at least ABB grades in any subject at A level (or equivalent). However, entry requirements do vary according to each programme.
Alternative accepted qualifications include the International Baccalaureate, BTEC and Scottish Highers. The university understands that students may have a combination of qualifications such as A-levels and BTEC’s which will all be taken into consideration by the admissions team.
An applicant will be considered for a place at the university based on a combination of grades, their personal statement and academic references to assess their suitability and eligibility for the chosen course.
To find out more about the different programmes to study at the university, along with specific undergraduate entry requirements for each course, head to the SOAS website.
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ASK A QUESTIONSOAS offers a range of accommodation options for students, meeting the needs of varied budgets and preferences. These include halls of residence, self-catered vs catered housing, shared flats/houses and homestays. There are ten different halls of residence across London for SOAS students between two and 45 minutes from campus, offering single, twin and double rooms plus self-catered studios.
If choosing catered housing, students will have two meals prepared for them on weekdays plus brunch on the weekends, taking away any stress of food shopping or preparing meals, all of which is included in the price of accommodation. College Hall for example is fully catered, costing from £249.48 to £287.28 per week.
Alternatively, a self-catered option will ensure students never have to worry about missing mealtimes and can eat according to their own schedule. Dinwiddy House is one of the university’s self-catered halls of residence located near King’s Cross, with single ensuite rooms starting at £173.73 per week, rising from £226.90 to £283.10 for studios.
Facilities vary depending on the type of accommodation but can include Mac rooms, common areas, bike sheds, TV lounges with vending machines, table tennis, cinema rooms and en-suite bathrooms. All halls include laundry facilities and WiFi.
Covering six floors with over 1,000 work spaces, the university’s library is one of five National Research Libraries in the UK. It is also considered to be one of the world’s most important academic libraries for the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, with over 1.5 million books and electronic resources in more than 400 languages, attracting scholars from all over the world.
There are two galleries on campus, the Brunei Gallery and the Foyle Special Collections Gallery, both of which showcase a great range of artwork and artefacts from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, along with the university’s own collections.
Other facilities include an internet café, a book shop, an ethical co-op, a language centre and over 200 Macs and PCs across the two campuses.
The university also has a lively bar, with club nights, live music events and daily happy hours and drinks deals for students to enjoy. Plus, SOAS is based in the centre of London, giving students more options for food, culture and entertainment.
What's it like to study at this institution? Current students and alumni share their opinion...
VIEW 730 REVIEWS WRITE A REVIEWO Oliver Reviewed 05 Mar 24 MA Buddhist Studies It is in a great location; has a great feel / 'culture'; and is extremely diverse In terms of improvement, it is rather small which is nice/intimate but can feel more like a school than a University at times. Is also on the 'woke' spectrum and can get quite political which are not bad things of... READ FULL REVIEW
H Halima Reviewed 01 Mar 24 LLB Law LLB (Hons) The area certainly makes Soas the ideal place to study as a law student. Hosted in the heart of London the university offers a range of oppportunities and new spots to visit - you never get bored! I love the vast range of subjects at SOAS which offer a different perspective to how one views world... READ FULL REVIEW
The university offers a free and confidential counselling service for all students managed by its Welfare team. All students are also assigned a personal tutor to answer any academic-related questions or concerns.
The Student Disability and Dyslexia Support Team provides support for students with disabilities, depending on their needs and requirements. Faith and prayer rooms are also located across the campuses, while close to SOAS students will find The University Central Institutions Health Service, offering advice in dealing with student-related issues such as stress and exam nerves.
SOAS also offers different types of wellbeing services for students, covering a range of topics from finance, wellbeing, housing to immigration. Students can gain further support by attending one-to-one counselling or wellbeing workshops to learn how to deal with anxiety, overcoming procrastination, resilience and so on.
Students found the support services at the university to be easy to use and inclusive for everyone.
Find out more about the student support offered on the university’s website.
VISIT WEBSITESOAS is a prestigious UK institution with a worldwide reputation for excellence, particularly within the fields of politics, development studies, law and anthropology.
Academics at SOAS are regularly engaged in fieldwork and research which provides students with skills and training to tackle contemporary global issues as well as influence government policy and the lives of individuals around the globe.
Languages and linguistics
There are over 50 languages to study at SOAS, including languages of Africa, the Near and Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, and Central Asia. The department is also closely linked to the Language Centre, where it is possible to study additional languages, including European languages: French, Portuguese, Italian, Russian and Spanish.
Students studying languages and linguistics are in demand in a variety of industries, with graduates finding work as translators, teachers and research assistants.
Students can also attend study skills sessions to improve their academic outcomes.
The Student Union (SU) at SOAS is made up of an executive committee, which includes four co-presidents representing Activities and Events; Democracy and Education; Equality and Liberation and Welfare and Campaigns. The student union officers raise issues and fight for changes across the university based on what students want to see.
SOAS also has a Class Representative scheme, where representatives from each class are invited to department meetings, becoming a vital part of the decision-making process at the university and ensuring that all students’ voices are heard.
With approximately 200 clubs and societies, students have plenty of opportunities to get involved whether they have an interest in sport, politics or cooking, there’s something for everyone. The SU also offers both academic and personal support relating to issues such as plagiarism, academic appeals, immigration, housing, and more.
Students specifically praised the SU for being inclusive and open to all students, in particular, their 'suggest your ideas' section on their website.
Students at SOAS have described the societies at the university as diverse and welcoming to everyone of all levels and abilities.
Students are able to join societies ranging from the Alternative Fashion Society to the Bee Keepers Society, the Chinese Culture Society or even the Journalism Society. There is also a student newspaper, radio station and magazine for students to get involved with to get a taste for the media industry. Sports clubs include boxing, swimming and volleyball.
Joining a society at SOAS can also lead to employment opportunities, skills workshops and networking events. So whether it's meeting new people, learning a new skill or gaining work experience, SOAS has a wide range of clubs on offer to suit the needs of every individual. For those who are feeling ambitious, there is also the option of creating a society from scratch.
Student reviews of SOAS often highlight the city as being a fun, diverse and exciting place to live and study. With the main campus located in Bloomsbury, students will be within walking distance to the West End and many of the capital's most iconic attractions, including The British Museum, the British Library and Regent’s Park.
Students can also take advantage of the many parks and green spaces, farmers’ markets and Covent Garden, which is famous for its quirky shops and street performers. With all of this just around the corner, students have plenty of choices no matter what their interests.
Sports fans will be able to enjoy visiting Wembley Football Stadium, the tennis grounds at Wimbledon and the rugby at Twickenham, all within easy access from campus via the tube. There are also plenty of restaurants, cafes, cinemas, theatres, bars and clubs all within walking distance from the university.
At SOAS, students can take advantage of the careers service to receive one-on-one advice when applying for a job, from writing a standout CV and cover letter to preparing for a winning interview. There are also careers fairs, events and workshops available throughout the year to help students find out what industry they may want to get into after graduating.
If looking for work experience, internships, graduate schemes or voluntary work, SOAS students can refer to the CareersZone, the university’s online careers management system, to find what they need.
With this resource, graduates have gone on to find work in companies and global charities such as The International New York Times, Oxfam America, UNICEF and Save the Children, in roles varying from finance managers to journalists.
Students will also have access to SOAS Connect, an eMentoring platform for current students who wish to receive peer-to-peer careers advice from SOAS alumni based all around the world.
Hardship Fund
SOAS offers an Access to Learning Fund, which is awarded using national guidelines to provide financial support to home students where access to education may be limited by financial considerations.
SOAS Childcare Fund
Limited funding is available for students who require support with the costs of childcare.
SOAS Excellence Bursary
Eligible students can receive £7,500 over the course of their degree if in need of financial support. Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic potential.
Undergraduate SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship
20 cash awards of £7,000 are available for new students based on academic merit and subject to meeting progression criteria.
Undergraduate SOAS Global Leadership Scholarship
10 scholarships for new students based on academic merit, a personal statement, and a 500-word essay.
SOAS Sanctuary Scholarship
Six scholarships are available for UK resident students with Limited Leave to Remain status, which will cover the fees of up to three years of studying.
To find out more about available scholarships, head to the SOAS website.
UK students per year
£9,250
International students per year
from £19,560
Send a message directly to the uni to learn more about their scholarships and bursaries.
ASK A QUESTIONThere are currently no undergraduate open days available to book at this university.
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You'll be shocked by the number of clubs and societies on offer at SOAS University of London. There's something for everyone! As well as being able to pick different clubs and societies, most courses let you choose modules at different points through your degree.
As well as personalising your course through optional modules, you may have the chance to do a work placement during your studies. Developing your professional skills through work placements is a great way to add to your CV and boost your employability.
If you want a job you love (and who doesn't?), getting a job in a field you're passionate about is a great place to start. By studying a subject you really enjoy, you'll be qualified for a range of jobs relating to that subject, which you'll hopefully love.
For those who aren't ready to give up on education after an undergraduate degree, you'll have the opportunity to progress to postgraduate study such as a master's or even a PhD.
SOAS University of London's accommodation is designed to be as straightforward and stress-free as possible. All your bills are included in your rent, you'll have free WiFi and your rent also includes security and maintenance.
You'll have access to communal areas like kitchen and dining facilities, where you can socialise with other students you're living with. Disabled students will find several rooms adapted in accessible halls to suit a range of access requirements.