|
|
|
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)
From The Student Room(Redirected from School of Oriental and African Studies)
TSR Wiki > University > Choosing a University > University Guides > School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)
 The School of Oriental and African Studies, or SOAS as it's better known, is the leading institution on Asian and African Studies in the UK. As well as some arts, humanities and social science subjects, it offers an unrivalled range of non-European languages from Arabic to Vietnamese. FacilitiesLibrarySOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, which attracts scholars from all over the world to conduct research. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes at the SOAS campus at Russell Square in central London, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources. Also, because of the location of the university, SOAS students can take advantage of having the British Library and several other libraries on their doorstep. IT and ComputingThere are three computer rooms in the main building, all of them on the Lower Ground Floor, the biggest one is L53, followed by L62 and then RB01. There is also a computer room in Vernon Square on the first floor which tends to be less crowded and more relaxed! Language CentreThe Language Centre offers courses in more than 50 African, Asian and Middle Eastern languages, for people at three different levels; beginner / intermediate / advanced. The teaching staff consists of more than 100 highly trained native speakers. The centre also offers full-time certificates and diplomas in Modern Chinese / Japanese / Standard Arabic. SportsWelfareThe Student Welfare Office is located at on the Vernon Square campus and provides confidential advice on issues ranging from finance to childcare to special needs and personal issues. There are opportunities for prayer and worship, as the university has three single-sex prayer rooms, available for private use.
HealthcareHealth provision is available at the Gower Street Practice. ShopsBloomsbury, the area in which SOAS is located, is the height of stylishness and boasts the newly opened 'The Brunswick' which in addition to the great variety of eateries also houses leading high street brands such as Gap and FCUK. RestaurantsYou're never too far away from a good place to eat; if you're into Italian, Strada is your place; if you're more oriental liking, then there's Hare and Tortoise; and of course who doesn't like Nando's? If you're looking for something a little less upmarket, then the Chicken Cottage on High Holborn (and the Old Dutch Pancake House right next to it) will be right up your street. BanksThere's a HSBC right opposite Russell Square, and there's a Halifax in the Brunswick. The Tesco Express, open 24 hours, 7 days a week, right opposite the tube, also has a free withdrawal cash machine. (There is a cash machine in the JCR, but it does tend to be temperamental). TransportI've yet to find a place (let alone a university) as well connected as SOAS. On my last count, there are six tube stations that are less than a ten minute walk from the Russell Square campus - Russell Square, Tottenham Court Road, Goodge Street, Holborn, Warren Street and Euston - while Vernon Square campus is close to both Kings Cross and Angel. Careers servicePart-time jobsReligous facilitiesThere are Muslim and Christian prayer facilities in the main campus at Russell Square, and there is a multifaith prayer room in v220 of the Vernon Square campus. SocialBars, Pubs and clubsEventsClubs and societiesAccommodationThere are two self-catering houses solely for students at SOAS, Dinwiddy House and Paul Robeson House. They are both located on Pentonville Road; the nearest train and tube station is King's Cross. Each house is grouped into flats of 5-7 en-suite rooms which cost, as of 2006/7, £108.01 per week. Dinwiddy House is the undergraduate accommodation and has 510 single en-suite rooms. Paul Robeson House is the postgraduate accommodation and has 252 single rooms. There are also 7 double en-suite rooms in Paul Robeson House for undergraduate and postgraduate couples. SOAS students are also able to live in the University of London's Intercollegiate Halls, which is the only option for people wanting catered accommodation. Student unionPricesEnvironmentArchitectureLocal areaSOAS is located in the heart of London, and thus gives you access to all things that the capital has to offer. The Russell Square campus is based in Bloomsbury, an historic area well known for its pretty parks and formal squares, eg. Bloomsbury Square and Bedford Square. It's an intellectual area, often associated with the arts, education and medicine. Famous buildings in this area include the British Library, the British Medical Association and University College Hospital. Within easy walking distance you can also reach the West End, Oxford Street and Covent Garden. The Vernon Square campus is situated a bit further East, towards Islington with all it's restaurants and boutiques. Teaching qualityTeaching and learning programmes at SOAS are distinctive, and students can pursue courses combining languages, disciplines and regional studies unavailable elsewhere. SOAS continues to rely heavily, at undergraduate and postgraduate level, on small group teaching and the cultivation of independent, critical thought by its students. 71% of SOAS degrees earn first or uppersecond class passes, a performance that has seen the School rank in the top ten nationally for the past five years. Students pursue courses in law and the social sciences (46%), in the humanities (36%) and in language, literature and linguistic studies (24%). SOAS teaching has consistently been awarded high grades by the Quality Assessment Agency. The QAA teaching assessments have consistently awarded high marks for the quality of the School's teaching and our student/staff ratio remains one of the best in the country (11:1). SOAS offers over 300 undergraduate Bachelors degree combinations, over 70 one-year intensively taught Master's degrees, and MPhil/PhD research degree programmes are available in every academic department. As well as a wide range of non-degree programmes, including Foundation courses, Language courses, JYA, Exchange and Erasmus programmes. Applying to SOASThinking of applying to SOAS? Why not read some Personal Statements which were used for applying here? Other SOAS ArticlesWhy not read these other London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Articles?
Links
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
