At SOAS, Africa, Asia and the Middle East provide the lenses through which we interrogate the most pressing questions of our time. Building on our values of social justice and equality, you’ll be encouraged to challenge conventional views and think globally.
Be part of SOAS, a community as diverse and inclusive as the city it's in.
Our central London campus is one of the most international student communities in the country. Here you will be well-connected to everything London has to offer. Plus, you’ll meet people from all over the world. Want to be part of a Chinese percussion ensemble? Join a society for Iranian art? Learn Swahili? Then this is the place for you.
Learn from internationally renowned scholars.
87% of our research is ranked ‘world-leading or internationally excellent' (Research Excellence Framework 2021). Our academics take a global perspective, an inter-disciplinary approach and have a wealth of regional expertise.
Gain the knowledge and skills to make an impact.
SOAS grads are well regarded by employers for their global outlook and unique specialisms. We are ranked 6th in the UK for Employment Outcomes (QS World University Rankings 2023). Study at SOAS and be ready for a career within the global economy and a multicultural world.
Courses and Fees
SOAS is a place for people interested in global issues, who want to gain a more profound understanding of the world, and are not afraid of challenging their own set of assumptions.
Courses at SOAS cover a range of disciplines, including anthropology, development studies, economics, finance and management, gender studies, history, history of art and archaeology, languages, cultures and linguistics, law, music, politics and international studies, and religions and philosophies.
QS World University Rankings 2023
- 6th in the UK for Employment Outcomes
- 2nd in World for Development
- 10th in World for Anthropology
- 15th in World for Politics
- World Top 50 for Internationalisation
What makes SOAS stand out?
SOAS provides a diverse, multicultural and vibrant campus in the heart of London, one of the best student cities in the world. Our campus is located on a single site just a short walk away from the British Museum, British Library, Senate House Library as well as the entertainment hotspots of Camden and Soho.
The SOAS Library houses over 1.3 million volumes, including manuscripts, archives and digital collections - and it’s ever-expanding. It’s one of the UK’s five National Research Libraries in the UK, and attracts scholars from across the globe.
We also have our own exhibition space, right on campus -- The Brunei Gallery hosts exciting events and exhibitions throughout the year, presenting stunning artwork that reflects the subjects and regions being studied at SOAS.
Our thriving Students’ Union (SU) is known throughout SOAS and Bloomsbury as the place to be -- tune in to SOAS radio, head to the SU Bar, or join one of the many societies on offer, and really get stuck into life at SOAS. Students also have access to Student Central, where there is a student gym as well as live events venue. The Student Hub, part of a recent 40 million development programme, is situated in Senate House - a historic Grade II listed building that has revolutionised the student experience.
Accommodation
SOAS offers a variety of housing options in halls of residence, student homes, and privately rented houses. Many of our halls are located within walking distance of the SOAS campus, and we offer both catered and self-catered options. Prices vary dependent on room style and building -- find out more information here. SOAS can also help you find privately rented accommodation.
Open Days
SOAS is a unique place and the only way to get a real sense of what it is like to study here is to join us for one of our open events! See the website for our upcoming dates.
Living Here
We think that London is the best place to be a student - and SOAS is right at the centre of it all. SOAS’s buzzing and cosmopolitan campus is surrounded by leafy green squares, quirky cafés, bars and restaurants, green spaces, bookstores, museums and arts venues -- the British Museum, British Library, Regent’s Park and the West End are all within walking distance.The SOAS campus is very well-connected, close to several London Underground stations. Students are also eligible for 30% of Transport for London travelcards.
London is also home to influential graduate employers – and with 350,000+ students, there are more international students here than any other city. With as many as 300 languages spoken, the capital is a colourful fusion of cultures – and never dull, whatever your budget.
General Information
SOAS Accommodation
SOAS offers a variety of accommodation options: in halls of residence; student homes; and privately rented houses.
For more comprehensive information about accommodation options, please visit our webpages.
Course List
For a comprehensive list of Undergraduate degrees click here
For a comprehensive list of Postgraduate degrees click here
For Online and Distance Learning courses click here
Student Life
SOAS is situated in the very heart of London, surrounded by fashionable cafés and restaurants, green spaces, bookstores, museums and arts venues. The British Museum, British Library, Regent’s Park and the West End are all within walking distance of SOAS’s vibrant campus.
There are a multitude of clubs, restaurants and bars within a short walk of the SOAS campus, and it is also close to the West End with its cinemas and theatres, and Covent Garden, famous for its café society, shops and lively street entertainment.
Open Days
Discover what it would be like to study at SOAS by joining us at one of our student Open Days.
At our Open Events there are opportunities to have one-to-one discussions with academics, current students, and staff from across student services; discover information about accommodation and finance; learn tips about how to fill in application forms; take a campus tour; do a language taster; plus experience what it’s really like to study at SOAS.
For details of our next Open Event dates, please visit our webpages.
Top Questions
What do you look for in your students?
A SOAS student is typically passionate about their subject; opts to learn a second language; loves to learn, to travel, to be surprised; and is interested and engaged with the world around them.
What's the weirdest thing to happen at the university?
Something weird happens at SOAS every day! A highlight though was when two Bactrian camels appeared on campus as part of a conference.
Do you have any famous or notable alumni?
Paul Robeson, John Atta Mills, Zeinab Badawi, David Lammy, Freya Stark, Luisa Dias Diogo, and Dom Joly.
What grants/scholarships do you offer?
For most up-to-date information, please visit our our website.
How much of an emphasis do you place on building workplace skills like presenting, project management and people skills?
SOAS Careers Service and SOAS Student Enterprise help to develop skills in students in readiness for the workplace. Please visit the SOAS Enterprise website to discover how SOAS supports entrepreneurship.
What's university welfare and disability support like?
SOAS Student Advice and Wellbeing are focused on helping students to complete their course successfully through the specialist, professional services on offer including: international student advice; welfare and financial advice, support for students with disabilities and student counselling. Please visit our website for comprehensive information.
What support is available to students who are struggling for any reason?
For Student Advice and Wellbeing, please visit our website.
Do you offer any courses/sessions to help mature students with the university experience?
For Student Advice and Wellbeing, please visit our website.
What's university welfare and disability support like?
Orientation and enrolment at SOAS is called Welcome Week. The week is designed to help all new students with their transition to living and studying at SOAS. There is a wide selection of social events, plus information about accommodation, ID cards, setting up a bank account, and registering for a doctor.
What will my first few weeks at your uni be like?
Lively, busy, entertaining, hectic, stimulating, but above all fun!
Is it a campus or city based university? What advantages do you think this offers?
SOAS has a friendly, intimate campus, located in the heart of London, close to a range of social, cultural, academic and historic attractions, and with excellent transport links to the rest of London, the country, and the continent beyond.
What sort of societies are there?
Clubs are as the South Asian Film Society, which celebrates Bollywood and South Asia’s rich film culture; the Women’s Rugby Team; to the much-discussed Hummus Society. For a complete list of clubs, societies and sports team, please visit our website.
How far is the campus from the town centre and what is the public transport like?
SOAS is located in the centre of London with excellent transport links. Russell Square tube station is a five-minute walk from campus; Euston mainline train station is a ten-minute walk away, as too is St Pancras International, which provides regular Eurostar trains to continental Europe. Buses and taxis are available on the doorstep and, for students venturing further afield, Heathrow Airport is quickly accessible from a direct tube link from Russell Square station.
How far apart are different university buildings, and how far away is the accommodation?
The main buildings on the SOAS campus, including the new student hub in Senate House are all no more than a couple of minutes walk from each other. The main student accommodation is close to Vernon Square, and is about twenty minutes walk from the main campus.
How much one-to-one contact time do students receive from their lecturers?
One-to-one contact time between students and lecturers varies from course to course.
How much is a pint at the student union?
SOAS has one of the liveliest student bars in the country. The cheapest pint is £2.90.
What fields of study is the university best known for?
Languages; politics; law; economics; finance, business and management; area studies; development studies; anthropology; music; religion.