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SOAS

London, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
SOAS campus
Founded 1916

About SOAS

SOAS University of London is a distinguished institution specializing in the study of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, offering a unique global perspective within the heart of London. Established in 1916, it is a member institution of the federal University of London, known for its vibrant, cosmopolitan community and commitment to challenging global issues. SOAS attracts a diverse student body eager to engage with critical global challenges and make a real-world impact.

Academics


SOAS boasts a rich academic profile with expertise across a wide array of subjects related to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The university is structured into three colleges: Humanities; Development, Economics and Finance; and Law, each housing various departments, schools, and institutes. Notable programs include Development Studies, Anthropology, Politics, and Law, with many undergraduate courses offering a year abroad to immerse students in regional cultures and languages. The teaching approach emphasizes interdisciplinary study, encouraging students to explore subjects from multiple perspectives and engage in critical debate.

International Students


SOAS is renowned for its international student body, with students from over 135 countries, making it one of the most diverse universities in the UK. The university offers extensive support services for international students, including a dedicated welcome day, immigration and visa advice, and financial guidance. English-taught programs are standard, and pre-sessional and in-sessional English language support are available for those who need it. Cultural integration is fostered through numerous student societies, language clubs, and a dedicated International Officer within the Students' Union.

Campus & Location


The SOAS campus is situated in the historic Bloomsbury area of central London, a vibrant intellectual and cultural hub. It is conveniently located within walking distance of major transport hubs like Euston, St Pancras, and King's Cross mainline stations, ensuring excellent connectivity across London. Campus features include the world-class SOAS Library, one of the UK's five National Research Libraries specializing in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, and the Brunei Gallery, which hosts diverse exhibitions. Nearby attractions include the British Museum and the British Library, offering students ample opportunities to explore London's rich cultural offerings.

Career Outcomes


SOAS graduates are highly sought after, with the university ranking well for employment outcomes. The Careers Service, part of the larger University of London Careers Group, provides comprehensive support, including career counseling, workshops, internship guidance, and networking events. Graduates pursue diverse careers in international relations, law, business, and non-profit organizations, with alumni working for notable employers such as the United Nations, British Council, World Bank, Oxfam, and the BBC. SOAS also has a strong alumni network spanning over 100,000 graduates in more than 190 countries, offering valuable professional connections.

Highlights

  • Specialist in Africa, Asia, Middle East
  • Diverse global student community
  • Central London Bloomsbury campus
  • Interdisciplinary critical thought
  • Strong Development Studies reputation

Student Life & Support

Campus Housing

Photos

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Programs Offered at SOAS (56)

Offers programs in:

Arts & Design Humanities Law Linguistics & Literature Social Sciences

Bachelor Programs (22)

African Studies

African Studies

African Studies
study african studies in Englandafrican studies in LondonAfrican studies degreebachelor of african studiesAfrican history program
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

BA African Studies

African Studies

African Studies
african studies bachelor degreestudy african studies in londonbachelor african studies in englandbsc african studiesba african studies
36 months English Full-time

Arabic

Arabic Language and Culture

Arabic Language and Culture
bachelor of arabic language and culturearabic language and culture degreestudy arabic language and culturearabic programstudy arabic language and culture in england
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

Chinese

Chinese Language and Culture

Chinese Language and Culture
bachelor in chinese language and culturebachelor chinese language and culture in englandbachelor of science in chinese language and culturestudy chinese language and culture in englandundergraduate chinese language and culture
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

BA Chinese Studies

Chinese Studies

Chinese Studies
bachelor in chinese studiesbachelor chinese studiesbachelors chinese studiesbachelor's in chinese studiesstudy chinese studies in england
48 months English Full-time

Development Studies

Development Studies

Environmental & Earth Sciences
babachelorbsbscdevelopment
36 months English Full-time

Economics

Economics

Economics
bacheloreconomicsundergraduate
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

History

History

History
bachelor in history in englandbs historystudy history in englandinternational student bachelor historybachelor history
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

BA History

History

History
bachelor in historystudy historystudy history in englandbachelor history englandhistory program in london
36 months English Full-time

International Relations

International Relations

International Relations
bachelorenglandinternationallondonrelations
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

Law (LLB)

Law

Law
bachelorlawllbsoas
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

BA Linguistics

Linguistics

Linguistics
linguistics degreestudy abroad linguisticsenglish-taught bachelor linguisticsstudy linguistics in londonba linguistics
36 months English Full-time

Linguistics

Linguistics

Linguistics
babachelorbachelor's degreebachelor's in linguisticsbachelor's linguistics
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

Music

Music

Music
bs musicmusicstudy music in londonmusic degreesoas music
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

BA World Philosophies

Philosophy

Philosophy
bachelor in philosophybachelors in philosophystudy philosophy in englandbachelor in philosophy in englandbachelors philosophy
36 months English Full-time

Politics

Politics

Political Science
bachelorpoliticssoas
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

BA Politics

Politics

Politics
bachelorpolitics
36 months English Full-time

Study of Religions

Religious Studies

Religious Studies
bachelorreligionsreligiousstudiesstudy
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

Social Anthropology

Social Anthropology

Social Sciences
bachelorsoassocial anthropologysocial sciences
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

BA South Asian Studies

South Asian Studies

South Asian Studies
south asian studies degreesouth asian studies program in londonasian studies programstudy south asian studies in londonundergraduate south asian studies
36 months English Full-time

South Asian Studies

South Asian Studies

South Asian Studies
bachelors in south asian studies in englandbachelors south asian studies abroadonline bachelors south asian studiesbachelors south asian studies englandsouth asian studies career
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

Southeast Asian Studies

Southeast Asian Studies

Southeast Asian Studies
study southeast asian studies in LondonSoutheast Asian studiesBA southeast asian studiesbachelor's degree in southeast asian studiesstudy southeast asian studies in England
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

Certificate Programs (1)

Certificate in Arabic

Arabic Language

Arabic Language
arabiccertificatelanguageprofessional certificate
6 months English Part-time

Diploma Programs (1)

Diploma in Japanese

Japanese Language

Japanese Language
japanese language careerdiploma japanese languagediploma in japanese languagejapanese language degree programstudy japanese language in london
12 months English Part-time

Master Programs (21)

MA African Studies

African Studies

African Studies
master in african studiesmaster african studiesstudy african studies abroadafrican studies degreeafrican studies program
12 months English Full-time
Scholarships

MA Anthropology of Food

Anthropology

Anthropology
MSc Anthropologystudy anthropology in EnglandMA Anthropologyanthropology program in Englandgraduate school anthropology
12 months English Full-time
Scholarships

MA Arabic Language and Literature

Arabic Language and Literature

Arabic Language and Literature
master in arabic language and literaturema in arabic language and literaturemsc arabic language and literaturemaster programs in england for international studentsstudy arabic language and literature
12 months English Full-time
Scholarships

MA History of Art and Archaeology

Art History and Archaeology

History
art history and archaeologygraduatehistorymamaster
12 months English Full-time
Scholarships

MSc Development Studies

Development Studies

Development Studies
developmentgraduatemamastersmeng
12 months English Full-time
Scholarships

MSc Economics

Economics

Economics
master in economicseconomics masterstudy economics in englandmaster economics in englandeconomics program in london
12 months English Full-time
Scholarships

MSc Economics with reference to the Middle East

STEM

Economics

Economics
easteconomiceconomicsgraduatema
12 months English Full-time

MA Global Cinemas and the Transcultural

Film Studies

Film Studies
cinema studiesfilm productionfilm studiesgraduatema
12 months English Full-time
Scholarships

MA in Transnational Queer Feminisms

MA Transnational Queer Feminisms

Gender Studies

Gender Studies
MA Transnational Queer FeminismsGender StudiesMaster
12 months English Full-time

MSc Global Corporations and Policy

International Relations

International Relations
corporationsglobalgraduateinternationalmaster
12 months English Full-time

MA International Studies and Diplomacy

International Relations

International Relations
diplomacyinternationalinternational relationsma international studies and diplomacymaster
12 months English Full-time
Scholarships

MA Japanese Studies

Japanese Studies

Japanese Studies
masters in japanese studiesjapanese studies master programstudy japanese studies in englandjapanese studies in londonjapanese studies degree england
12 months English Full-time

LLM (Master of Laws)

Law

Law
master in lawmaster's in lawstudy lawlaw degreelaw master program
12 months English Full-time
Scholarships

LLM International Law

Law

Law
masters in lawmsc lawstudy law in englandstudy law in londonlaw degree abroad
12 months English Full-time

MA Media in Development

Media Studies

Media Studies
study media studies in englandmedia studies degree in englandmedia studies university programma media in development programmaster's in media studies
12 months English Full-time

MA Music in Global Cultures

Music

Music
master in musicstudy music in englandmsc musicma musicmusic degree
12 months English Full-time

MA Music in Africa and Asia

Music

Music
msc musicmasters musicmusic program abroadstudy music in englandmusic degree
12 months English Full-time
Scholarships

MA Politics

Politics

Politics
Politics master programstudy politicsMA Politics program abroadmaster degreegraduate program
12 months English Full-time
Scholarships

MSc Public Policy and Management

Public Policy

Public Policy
masters in public policymaster of public policyMSc Public Policystudy public policy in Englandpublic policy in London
12 months English Full-time

MA Religious Studies

Religious Studies

Religious Studies
graduate program religious studiesMS in religious studiesmasters in religious studiesMSc religious studiesreligious studies course
12 months English Full-time
Scholarships

MRes Social Anthropology

Social Anthropology

Anthropology
anthropologyenglandenglishlondonmaster
24 months English Full-time
Scholarships

PhD Programs (11)

PhD African Studies

African Studies

African Studies
africanafrican studiesphdsoasstudies
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

PhD Anthropology and Sociology

Anthropology and Sociology

Anthropology and Sociology
study anthropology and sociology in englandenglish phd anthropology and sociologyphd in anthropology and sociologyphd anthropology and sociology londonphd in anthropology and sociology in england
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

PhD Development Studies

Development Studies

Development Studies
doctoral program development studiesphd development studiesphd development studies londonphd development studies programdoctorate development studies
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

PhD Economics

Economics

Economics
study economics in londoneconomics doctorateenglish-taught phd economicsenglish phd economics in englanddoctorate economics
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

PhD History

History

History
doctor of philosophydoctoraldoctoratehistoryphd
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

PhD Law

Law

Law
lawphdsoas
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

PhD Linguistics

Linguistics

Linguistics
applied linguisticsdoctor of philosophydoctoraldoctoratelanguage studies
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

PhD in Music

PhD Music

Music

Music
musicphd
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

PhD in Politics and International Studies

PhD Politics and International Studies

Politics and International Studies

Political Science & International Studies
diplomacydoctoraldoctorategovernmentinternational
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

PhD Religious Studies

Religious Studies

Religious Studies
study Religious Studies in EnglandReligious Studies in LondonSOAS Religious StudiesPhD Religious StudiesReligious Studies degree programs
36 months English Full-time

PhD Study of Religions

Religious Studies

Religious Studies
phd in religious studiesdoctorate religious studiesstudy religious studies in englandphd religious studies in londonphd religious studies program
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships

SOAS Admissions Requirements & Acceptance Rate

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Frequently Asked Questions About SOAS

Common questions from international students considering SOAS.

When does SOAS start its semesters?

SOAS has intakes starting in . Application deadlines typically fall 3-6 months before the semester start date. International students should apply earlier due to visa processing times — we recommend submitting applications 6-9 months ahead of the intended start date.

How many English-taught programs does SOAS offer?

SOAS offers 56+ programs taught in English, accessible to international students without local language proficiency. These span Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD levels across multiple disciplines.

Where is SOAS located?

SOAS is located in London, United Kingdom 🇬🇧. The city offers an international student-friendly environment with access to academic facilities, accommodation, and cultural amenities.

How much does SOAS cost?

For specific details about SOAS, we recommend reviewing the program-specific information and contacting the admissions office. Each program may have unique requirements and considerations.

What are the admission requirements for SOAS?

For specific details about SOAS, we recommend reviewing the program-specific information and contacting the admissions office. Each program may have unique requirements and considerations.

Is SOAS a good university?

For specific details about SOAS, we recommend reviewing the program-specific information and contacting the admissions office. Each program may have unique requirements and considerations.

What programs does SOAS offer?

For specific details about SOAS, we recommend reviewing the program-specific information and contacting the admissions office. Each program may have unique requirements and considerations.

How does SOAS compare to other universities?

SOAS is a strong choice that compares favorably to peer institutions. Each university has different strengths — we recommend comparing specific programs, location, cost, and graduate outcomes for your field rather than overall rankings alone.

Does SOAS accept international students?

SOAS actively welcomes international applicants. The admissions process for international students typically requires English proficiency proof, academic transcripts, and may include additional documents like recommendation letters or statement of purpose.

What is SOAS known for?

For specific details about SOAS, we recommend reviewing the program-specific information and contacting the admissions office. Each program may have unique requirements and considerations.

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