SOAS, University of London, is the only European higher education institution specializing in the study of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. It offers a global academic base with a high concentration of experts in these regions and a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. SOAS is known for its strong focus on global issues, social justice, and international perspectives.
| Acronym | SOAS |
| Nickname | SOAS |
| Motto / Slogan | Knowledge is Power |
| Colour | Blue Grey Gold |
| Mascot | Arabian camel and Asian elephant |
| Founded | 1916 |
| Location | City of London, England, United Kingdom |
| Address | SOAS University of London 10 Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG |
SOAS's mission is to utilize its expertise in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East to address global issues and promote a more just and equitable world.
SOAS, University of London's vision is to be a leading global university with regional expertise, particularly on Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
SOAS, University of London's objectives are multifaceted, focusing on global understanding, interdisciplinary approaches, and social justice.
Our vision for equality, diversity and inclusion is focused on sustaining an environment where all staff and students achieve their full potential through an inclusive culture and community. We are fully committed to enabling a supportive and safe learning and working environment based on mutual respect and trust, and in which harassment and discrimination are neither tolerated nor acceptable.
At SOAS we aim is to tackle the world's biggest challenges through academic collaboration and cooperation. In our latest series, we bring together academics and analysts from different disciplines to discuss topics from climate change to human rights.
The world is facing urgent economic and social challenges. At SOAS, we tackle these issues with a global South perspective, using context-specific and multidisciplinary approaches. Our research moves beyond Eurocentric models to reshape economic thinking for a more just and sustainable future.
At SOAS we interrogate the great challenges of our time - climate change, political and social polarisation, and inequality - through a global lens. Our mission is to develop local and global knowledge, international perspectives, engage in robust debate, and teach the necessary skills required to be a global citizen - one who is capable of making an impact in a changing world.
The entry requirements are different for every course, so please check individual course pages for the grades you'll need to study with us.
If your qualifications are not listed, please contact our course enquiries team at [email protected]. Additionally, if you do not meet the standard requirements of the programme, please get in touch with course enquiries, as we may still be able to consider your application.
All international applicants must be able to show that their English is of a high enough standard to successfully engage with and complete their course at SOAS. Explore our course requirements on the English language requirements page.
For our Master’s programmes, we will consider a 2:2 or above Bachelor (honours) degree or international equivalent. Each programme has slightly different requirements so remember to check individual degree programme pages for any subject-specific entry requirements.
Check country-specific requirements on our entry requirements pages.
English language
All applicants must be able to demonstrate that their English is at the level required to successfully engage with their degree programme.
You can find the required scores and accepted evidence, tests, and qualifications for our courses on our English language requirements pages.
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS - this includes international students.
To submit your application, you'll need:
A step-by-step guide on how to fill out your application can be found on the UCAS website.
Email: [email protected]
Phone : +4402035106974
Accommodation: Whether you’re joining SOAS soon or studying here already, our Student Accommodation Team offers help and advice on finding a suitable place to live. We offer a wide range of accommodation, in locations that range from 5 minutes to 45 minutes travel to the SOAS campus in historic Bloomsbury. Our portfolio consists of halls of residence with 24-hour security and rooms in shared flats or houses.
Library: The SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The library attracts scholars from all over the world to consult its holdings and further their research. The Library houses over 1.3 million volumes at the SOAS campus at Russell Square in central London, together with a major collection of archives, manuscripts, rare books and special collections, an expanding Digital Library and a growing network of electronic resources. The mission of SOAS Library is to provide high quality information resources, services and systems to reflect and support SOAS' standing as a leading national and international centre of excellence for research, learning and teaching, for and about Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
She is one of the best-known broadcast journalists worki... read more
Zeinab is previously Chair of the Royal African Society, and amongst other posts she is a Queen’s appointment to the Board of Historic Royal Palaces, a founding and current trustee of the charitable arm of the BBC - BBC Media Action, a Patron of the United Nations Association UK, and a member of the high level group of the Africa-Europe Foundation. She serves on the international advisory boards of Afro Barometer and the Mandela Institute for Development Studies and is on the council of the UK Arts, Humanities and Research Council.
She has established multiple collaborations with academic and non-academic institutions across Global North and South, while acting as principal and co-investigator on a range of research projects. These include, among other, a GCRF funded research network on Equalities in Public Private Partnerships, an ESRC funded project on Trajectories of Infrastructure Finance as well as a European funded project on Financialisation, Economy, Society and Sustainable Development.
Justin originally trained as a geologist, with an MA from Oxford University and an MSc from the University of Toronto, Canada. He then gained an International MBA at Manchester Business School and was hired in 1992 by Procter & Gamble who trained him as a CIMA-qualified accountant.
Justin is an experienced CFO / Director of Corporate Services, whose career has spanned 20 years in multinational corporations, 10 years in large charities (including FD/CFO of Save the Children UK, and Director of Corporate Services at the Royal College of Physicians), and 2 years (so far) in the UK Higher Education sector with SOAS.
SOAS was founded in 1916 as the School of Oriental Studies, a college of the University of London, and inaugurated the following year by George V, King of the British Dominions and Emperor of India. This was one of the few ceremonies he attended during the First World War, and its attendees – former viceroy of India Lord Curzon, and other government officials – make clear that this was an institution of unusual purpose.