SOAS University of London

SOAS University of London is home to a large postgraduate community, with 45% of students studying towards a taught or research degree.

SOAS University of London welcomes the brightest minds to study on its central London campus with like-minded individuals who feel passionately about contemporary world issues. All SOAS courses provide students with an understanding of complex contemporary issues and knowledge of non-Western theories. SOAS programmes are taught by respected specialists engaged in fieldwork and research, which influences both government policy and the lives of individuals across the globe. SOAS scholars debate pressing contemporary issues, which are shaping the culture, economics and politics of societies all around the world.

SOAS’s Russell Square Campus in Bloomsbury is within walking distance to the British Museum, British Library and the shops and entertainments of London’s West End.

The SOAS Library holds more that 1.5 million books and electronic resources. The Brunei Gallery holds regular exhibitions and, in the newly refurbished Paul Webley Wing of Senate House, there are a range of cafes, study and lecture rooms, and student social spaces.

During your time at SOAS, you will have access to the Careers Service, which offers advice on all aspects of the job-hunting process, including writing a cover letter, laying out your CV and preparing for an interview.

There are also careers fairs and workshops organised throughout the year for you to attend. You will be able to get information on internship and volunteering opportunities, as well as part-time jobs online.

Students often mention how helpful the careers team are and how hard they work in order to help them.

Students can choose from nearly 200 taught and distance learning programmes.

Postgraduate programmes at SOAS are recognisable for their specialist focus and international perspective. Open module options allow students to select modules from a wide range of subjects as part of their degree programme.

With around 300 leading academics specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East and over 50 research centres and institutes, research students will have access to modern teaching and facilities throughout their studies.

Student reviewers praised the high level of knowledge of lecturers, as well as regularly mentioning how supportive and helpful they are.

The Students’ Union at SOAS is led by three full time co-presidents, responsible for Activities and Events; Democracy and Education; and Equality and Liberation.

Members of the SU work at representing your views and opinions to the rest of the university, ensuring that university life is enjoyable and rewarding for all students. 

Student reviewers are very impressed with the “very engaged” SU team, telling us they always feel they can go to them for help and advice.

SOAS has a range of housing options for you to choose from, including Paul Robeson House which is exclusively for postgraduate students.

There are a mix of self-catered and catered halls of residence, with many rooms boasting ensuite bathrooms. Halls are located around London, with facilities varying, but including Mac rooms, TV lounges, table tennis rooms, cinema rooms and common rooms. All rooms also have laundry facilities and Wi-Fi.

SOAS is home to two galleries, the Brunei Gallery and the Foyle Special Collections Gallery, where you will find a range of artwork and artefacts from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, along with the university’s own special collections.

The university library is one of five National Research Libraries in the UK, and is considered as the world’s most important academic library for the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. You will find over 1.5 million books and electronic resources, in more than 400 languages.

The university also boasts several cafés and bars, while regular club nights and live music events are held for you to enjoy in your spare time. There is also a book shop, an ethical Co-op and over 200 Macs and PCs for you to use. 

The recently refurbished Paul Webley Wing in Senate House offers students a mixture of teaching spaces and breakout spaces in a bright, new, airy environment.

There is nowhere better to study than London, and SOAS is right at its heart.

London has been ranked as the best city in the world for university students (QS Best Student City Ranking 2018), with a greater number of international students than any other city in the world. It is something that SOAS students have known for years.

The university is located in the centre of the capital, with the British Library, British Museum and Regent’s Park all within walking distance from the Russell Square Campus. You will also be in close reach of the West End and Covent Garden. 

From nearby Euston, Kings Cross and St. Pancras stations, you will have the opportunity to explore the rest of the UK in your free time, with frequent trains to cities such as Manchester, Bristol and Brighton, along with the Eurostar to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.

Shopaholics will enjoy the broad range of department stores, specialist shops and bohemian markets across the four corners of the city, with popular retail therapy destinations such as Brick Lane, Oxford Street and the Kings Road.

Bloomsbury is an area renowned for its fashionable cafés and restaurants, green spaces, book stores, museums and arts venues. 

Student reviewers love the hustle and bustle that London living offers them, often telling us there’s always something exciting going on and how much they love living there.

During your free time, there are plenty of clubs and societies for you to join, learn a skill or meet new friends who share your interests. Societies include the Art Society, the Cinema Society and the Journalism Society, while sports fans will be able to enjoy a wide range of clubs, such as Boxing, Football and Swimming. 

Student reviewers were very complimentary about the range of clubs and societies on offer, as well as how friendly and inclusive its members were.

The Student Disability and Dyslexia Support Team offers disabled students individual support to ensure that your needs are catered for, from extra time in exams to assistive learning technology.

All students will benefit from a personal tutor, who will be on hand to help with any academic related questions.

The Student Union’s Welfare team offer help with various issues, including immigration and housing advice. There is also a free and confidential counselling service, dedicated faith and prayer rooms and specialist support for students looking to study abroad. 

UK students:

£9,225 - £16,315

International students:

£18,980 - £21,725

SOAS offers a diverse range of scholarships to help students finance their studies. Scholarships at SOAS are awarded through a competitive application process. The majority of application deadlines are in the January/February preceding the academic year of entry.

To see the full list and detailed entry criteria, head to their website.

SOAS Graduate Loyalty Discount: Undergraduate to Master's 

5% reduction is eligible to current undergraduate students progressing directly to a Master’s degree at SOAS.

Master’s to PhD

5% reduction is eligible to current Master’s students progressing directly to a PhD at SOAS.

Graduate Diploma in Economics/ to Master’s in Economics

5% reduction is eligible to current students studying a Graduate Diploma in Economics who will be progressing directly to a Master’s degree.

IFCELS Diploma to Master’s Degree

5% reduction is eligible to current students studying a Foundation Diploma who will be progressing directly to a Master’s Degree.

International Postgraduate Merit Scholarship

Partial fee waiver of £2,500 for new students in Economics, Law and Finance and Management based on academic merit achievement of a UK upper second class honours degree and higher or the international equivalent.

Postgraduate SOAS Global Impact Award

For new students based on academic merit and a 500-word essay.

SOAS International Postgraduate Excellence Scholarship

Partial fee waiver of £3,000 for new students based on academic merit achievement of a UK first class honours degree or the international equivalent. You will also be required to submit a 250-word personal statement.

Alphawood Scholarship

Scholarships for students from Southeast Asian countries to study for a Master’s qualification in Southeast Asian pre-modern Buddhist and Hindu Art.

Bernard Buckman Scholarship

Full tuition fees for one year is eligible to a successful student who boasts impressive academic merit, who is studying on either the MA Chinese Studies programme or the MA Advanced Chinese Studies programme.

Bishwa Bangla Scholarship

Two Master’s scholarships of £38,001 each for MA South Asian Area Studies for student residents in the state of West Bengal, India.

Students are drawn to SOAS by its international reputation for academic excellence, as well as for the opportunity to study in a lively and international environment with like-minded individuals who feel passionately about contemporary world issues.

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 not just accept the traditional status quo. 

Students looking to undertake a postgraduate degree in languages and linguistics, such as MA Korean, will be required to obtain a 2:1 or above at undergraduate level in a relevant discipline or related subject. 

If studying a MA in Music in Development sounds appealing, you will need to be able to demonstrate a strong background in music performance, along with an interest in development and creative communication, with a 2:1 or above in a social science degree.

To see the full list of subjects available to study, along with the required entry grades, head to SOAS’s website.

Research students will be assigned a supervisor, along with a member of staff with a close interest in your area of study. You will also attend training seminars, which will introduce you to a range of research methods. Students will be represented by the Research Students' Association (RSA) – where elected students will voice your concerns and feedback to the university, along with organising a range of academic and social events throughout the year. 

You will attend lectures, seminars and tutorials and take part in group discussions. Assessments will include exams, essays, coursework and presentations, while many of the programmes also require for you to complete a dissertation during the final part of your course. Along with compulsory modules, you will also have the option of choosing elective modules to customise your degree to suit your own interests. 

Some two-year Master’s courses include a period of study at partner institutions overseas.

Distance learning programmes are available to study at the university within the Centre for Financial and Management Studies, Centre for Development, Environment and Policy and Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy.

You will learn through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), where you will have access to tutor-led discussion forums for all your modules, along with interactive exercises and self-assessment questions.

You will also have the opportunity to discuss your modules with your fellow students, as well as networking with professionals from across the globe. Support is available through a team of experienced academic tutors and support staff. Modules are assessed by coursework and exams which can be taken at a local centre in your country of residence. 

University of London qualifications are recognised throughout the world for their high standards, and SOAS is the largest provider of online and distance learning courses in the University of London’s International Programmes.

All online and distance learning degrees are equal in standard to those taught on campus, and they have the advantage of allowing students to maximize their potential whilst fitting their studies around their professional and personal commitments.

The programmes provide flexible, cost-effective study opportunities, allowing students to pursue their academic training alongside carrying on a career, and with the added bonus that all the newfound skills and knowledge acquired from the course can be immediately put into practice professionally.

SOAS has also developed several MOOCs (Massive Open Online Course) to assist online learners. SOAS’s first MOOC entitled “Understanding Research Methods” attracted over 40,000 students from around the world.