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At SOAS University of London, students are encouraged to challenge conventional views and to think globally.
SOAS is the leading higher education institution in Europe specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East, offering over a hundred postgraduate programmes, all taught by world-class specialists.
The central London campus is home to a large postgraduate community, with 45% of students studying towards a masters or research degree. Students at SOAS gain the skills required to be global citizens who are capable of making an impact in a changing world.
Courses are taught by respected academics engaged in groundbreaking fieldwork and research, which influences both government policy and the lives of individuals around the world.
SOAS’s Russell Square Campus in Bloomsbury is within walking distance to the British Museum, British Library and the shops and entertainment of London’s West End.
The SOAS Library holds more than 1.5 million books and electronic materials renowned particularly for its resources on the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
On campus, students can also visit The Brunei Gallery which 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.
Postgraduate
SOAS has a yearly intake of 6,000 students in total, with 45% of the study body enrolled in master's degrees, giving an almost equal balance between undergraduate and postgraduate students.
The university offers almost 200 one year intensive postgraduate courses and MPhil/PhD programmes are available in every department.
As an example of graduate success, within the Centre for Development, Environment and Policy at SOAS, 75% of postgraduates were in work within six months of graduating (2017) with a further 13% in further study.
Postgraduate degrees at SOAS are particularly notable for their international perspective, flexible learning options and specialist teaching. Some of the top-ranking degrees include anthropology, geology, history, politics, development studies, linguistics and modern languages.
A study by Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance 2021 revealed that SOAS ranks within the top five institutions for producing the most CEO’s, entrepreneurs and managing directors, reflecting the high quality of teaching and ambition within the institution.
It is commonly agreed that a master’s degree from SOAS prepares students for work in a multicultural world and global economy.
SOAS offers nearly 200 taught and distance learning programmes at postgraduate level which are highly acclaimed for their specialised and international perspective. Postgraduate students have great flexibility within their degrees with the option to enrol in modules from a variety of other subjects.
With around 300 leading academics specialising in the study of Africa, Asia and the Near and Middle East, a master’s degree from SOAS equips students with a unique international outlook that is desirable to many organisations dealing with social and political issues facing the world today.
Students have praised the high level of expertise of SOAS lecturers, as well as regularly mentioning how supportive and helpful they are.
Postgraduate programmes at SOAS include:
Taught degrees, including MA and MSC programmes
Research degrees, including MPhil and PhD programmes
Non-degree courses, including Postgraduate Certificates/Diplomas
Students looking to undertake a postgraduate degree at SOAS will be required to obtain at least a high 2:2 or above at undergraduate level in a relevant discipline or related subject. North American students would need a GPA of 3.0-4.0.
For example, an MA in Social Anthropology requires at least a 2:2 or higher in a social science or humanities subject. Postgraduate applicants will be assessed on grades, a personal statement and academic references which will be particularly useful for students with lower grades.
If students do not have an appropriate undergraduate degree, they may be asked to complete a preparatory course or one year diploma before beginning their masters programme to make sure they are up to speed.
To see the full list of subjects available to study, along with the required entry grades, head to the SOAS website.
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Students are drawn to SOAS for 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 research includes:
Working with the Vatican to realise global disarmament
Finding policy solutions to transform drug economies into peacetime economies in the aftermath of war.
SOAS researchers were the first to find that Fair Trade failed the poorest workers in some African nations
SOAS researchers found that the UK government’s counter-terrorism strategy, Prevent, has reinforced negative stereotypes of Muslims
SOAS has one of the best student/staff ratios in the UK
SOAS is therefore a place for those who want to re-examine preconceptions and not just accept the traditional status quo. Students choose this university to have a lasting impact on the world by tackling some of the most pressing issues such as poverty, migration and social change.
SOAS is also particularly well known for its expertise in the study of Africa, Asia and the Near and Middle East as well as the Arts and Humanities, specifically politics, law, anthropology and development studies.
The international expertise of SOAS graduates is highly valued across a range of careers and industries. London is home to some of the most influential graduate employers in the UK and SOAS alumni also go on to find careers across the world.
Students can take advantage of the Careers Service which runs and advertises full-time and part-time jobs online. There are also careers fairs and workshops organised throughout the year for students to attend.
Other careers support includes help for students trying to find internship and volunteering opportunities and graduate schemes online via CareersZone, an online careers management system exclusively for SOAS students.
On this platform, students will also be able to access useful career guides to help them find a job after graduation such as ‘Job Hunting During Covid-19’.
SOAS also collects data from students six months after graduating to find out what they are doing such as work, further study, travel or something else. As an example, 77% of postgraduate gender study students were employed after leaving SOAS. Find out more about graduate destinations for specific courses on the website.
SOAS Students’ Union (SU) is a bustling and diverse environment which offers support and representation for all SOAS students.
The SU is led by four full-time co-presidents, responsible for Activities and Events; Democracy and Education; Equality and Liberation and Welfare and Campaigns.
SU officers work to represent the views and opinions of students to the rest of the university, ensuring that university life is enjoyable and rewarding for all students.
With more than 100 clubs and societies managed by the SU, there is something for everyone at SOAS. Whether it's debating, rugby, rock climbing or baking, students have plenty of choice when it comes to extracurricular activities. Plus, the SU is home to the student bar, a popular place to meet other students and relax.
Students can also turn to the SU for academic and personal support for issues such as housing, immigration, appeals, mitigating circumstances and more.
Student reviewers are impressed with the “very engaged” SU team, saying they always feel they can go to them for help and advice.
Clubs and societies
There are over 100 clubs and societies to join at SOAS, from the Art Society to Cuban Big Band, Netball to Anime. Whether it's learning a new skill, meeting like-minded people, or joining a sports team, there’s something for everyone.
Students can also gain valuable work experience by joining a society which reflects their career aspirations. For example, there is a radio station, student newspaper and magazine for those who want to break into the media industry. Or students can join a society which directly relates to their degree such as the SOAS law society.
For students who are feeling extra ambitious, there is also the option of creating their own club or society which demonstrates leadership and drive to future employers.
Students are very complimentary about the range of clubs and societies on offer, as well as how friendly and inclusive its members are.
City life
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, with a greater number of international students than any other city.
The British Library, British Museum and Regent’s Park are all within walking distance from the Russell Square Campus. Famous attractions such as the West End and Covent Garden are just a stone's throw away, offering an abundance of restaurants, cafes, theatres, cinemas and shops.
There are also a 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 another area renowned for its fashionable cafés and restaurants, green spaces, bookstores, museums and arts venues, all on the university’s doorstep.
Students can also travel to other parts of the country via Euston, Kings Cross and St. Pancras stations, offering the opportunity to explore other parts of the UK, with frequent trains to major cities such as Manchester, Bristol and Brighton, along with the Eurostar to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.
Students love the hustle and bustle that London living offers them, often saying there’s always something exciting going on.
SOAS has a range of student halls and accommodation options, some with a mix of students from other London universities and some with SOAS students only – all located between five and 30 minutes’ of the Bloomsbury campus and within close proximity to transport links.
Students can choose from shared flats/houses, homestays, family housing, studios, twin, single and double rooms, depending on personal preferences and budgets.
All halls of residence are located close to local amenities and transport links with 24-hour security to ensure the safety of students.
There is a mix of self-catered and catered halls of residence, with many rooms boasting ensuite bathrooms. Depending on the choice of halls, facilities can include Mac rooms, TV lounges with vending machines, bike sheds, table tennis, cinema rooms and common rooms. All SOAS housing also has laundry facilities and Wi-Fi.
To apply for SOAS accommodation, students must have a firm application offer.
Facilities
SOAS is home to two of its very own galleries, the Brunei Gallery and the Foyle Special Collections Gallery, where students will find a range of artwork and artefacts from Africa, Asia and the Middle East, in addition to the university’s own special collections.
SOAS library is one of five National Research Libraries in the UK, and is considered one of the world’s most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Students have access to over 1.5 million books and electronic resources, in more than 400 languages.
The university also boasts several cafés and bars, hosting regular club nights and live music events for students to enjoy in their spare time. There is also a bookshop, an ethical Co-op, more than 200 Macs and PCs and approximately 1,000 work spaces.
The recently refurbished Paul Webley Wing in Senate House offers students a mixture of teaching spaces and breakout areas in a bright, new, modern environment.
There is a wide range of support available to students at SOAS, including an Advice and Wellbeing department with expertise in finance, visas and immigration, accommodation and so on. Students will also have access to free counselling services where they can speak to specialists for confidential support.
Other services include the Student Disability and Dyslexia Support Team which offers disabled students individual support to ensure their needs are catered for, from extra time in exams to assistive learning technology.
There is also The University Central Institutions Health Service located close to SOAS, with resources and advice for students who need support with issues ranging from managing stress, exam nerves to fatigue.
All students will benefit from a personal tutor, who will be on hand to help with any academic-related questions.
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 the SOAS website.
SOAS Master’s Scholarships
A £4,000 fee discount is available for students with outstanding academic performance.
International Postgraduate Scholarships 2021/2022
New international students on taught masters programmes could be eligible for a £3,000 fee reduction. Students must be from one of these countries.
Paul Webley Alphawood Scholarships
For postgraduate students undertaking a full-time taught masters programme in MA Human Rights Law, LLM in Human Rights, Conflict and Justice and LLM in Law and Gender. This scholarship will cover the cost of tuition fees.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship
A programme run by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission with funding from the UK Department of International Development and UK universities to support students from developing commonwealth countries.
Bernard Buckman Scholarship
Full tuition fees for one year for two successful students who boast impressive academic merit, studying either the MA Chinese Studies programme or the MA Advanced Chinese Studies programme.
Interested in scholarships?
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SOAS MA and MSc courses are all taught master’s. On these programmes, students will attend lectures, seminars and tutorials and take part in group discussions. Assessments will include exams, essays, coursework and presentations, and the majority of the programmes also require students to complete a dissertation.
Along with compulsory modules, students will also have the option of choosing elective modules to customise their degree to suit their own interests.
Some two-year master’s courses include a period of study at partner institutions overseas.
Research
Research students generally undertake a research project of their choosing, and will be assigned a supervisor, along with a member of staff with a close interest in their area of study. Students also attend training seminars, introducing them to a range of research methods.
Online and Distance learning
SOAS Online and Distance Learning degrees bring the expertise of SOAS University of London to students, no matter where they live or work.
Equal in quality to those taught on campus, SOAS qualifications are recognised throughout the world for their high standards. With more than 20 years of experience and expertise in delivering specialised distance learning programmes, SOAS courses are designed to meet the needs of students and industry.
Research
Research students will be assigned a supervisor, along with a member of staff with a close interest in the chosen area of study. Students will also attend training seminars, which will introduce them to a range of research methods.
Students will be represented by the Research Students' Association (RSA) – where elected students will voice their concerns and feedback to the university, along with organising a range of academic and social events throughout the year.
There are a range of research master’s degrees at SOAS including MRes Social Anthropology, MRes Law, MPhil/PhD in Economics, MPhil/PhD in Linguistics and so on. These postgraduate courses use seminars, courses and individual supervision to equip students with strong research skills.
Much of the research conducted by SOAS students, lecturers and alumni focuses on key themes such as global voices, heritage of humanity, sharing a small planet, global interactions, global diplomacy and governance.
SOAS also has many research centres and institutes focusing on specific regions of the world each running their own research projects, events and workshops.
Distance learning
Distance learning programmes are available to study at the university within the following fields:
Development studies
Development, environment and policy
Finance and management
Gender studies
International studies and diplomacy
Media studies
Students learn through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), where they will have access to study materials, tutor-led discussion forums, interactive exercises and self-assessment questions.
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.
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.
Online and distance learning students will also have access to the SOAS library and the University of London’s online library plus they can learn from their peers using online discussion forums.
Sound interesting?
Get in touch, if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications.