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Why Choose SOAS University of London?
The only UK university around Asia, Africa and the Middle East
Every degree, every research centre, every module is built on deep regional expertise that no other UK university offers at this scale or depth. For students interested in international development, geopolitics, Islamic finance, African history or East Asian business, there is simply no equivalent.
1 in 3 international postgraduates received a scholarship
SOAS states directly that 1 in 3 of its international postgraduates received a scholarship this year. That is an unusually high proportion. For fee-sensitive international applicants, the scholarship ecosystem here is more accessible than at many comparable London universities.
Over 320 postgraduate scholarships
The PG scholarship portfolio is substantial and diverse — GREAT Scholarships for Indonesia and Pakistan, Felix Scholarships (fully funded, covering tuition and stipend) for students from India and select other countries, the Allan and Nesta Ferguson Scholarships for low and middle income country nationals, and multiple SOAS-branded merit awards. There is something targeted at most regions of the world SOAS specialises in.
Language combined with law, economics, politics or development
SOAS offers combinations like Arabic and Law, Arabic and Economics, Arabic and Global Development, Africa and Black Diaspora and Economics, and East Asian Studies and Global Development. These are degrees designed to produce graduates who can operate in the language, legal, economic or political environments of specific regions.
Central London, inside the University of London
Bloomsbury puts students minutes from the British Museum, central government offices, major NGOs and the City's financial district. SOAS is a constituent member of the University of London, which gives students access to a wider network of institutions, libraries and student facilities in one of the world's most internationally connected cities.
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Rankings &
Achievements
#62 in UK
Complete University Guide 2025
#511
QS Ranking
Campus Locations
Bloomsbury, Central London
- Location: Bloomsbury, central London — within the University of London precinct near Russell Square, Senate House and the British Museum
- Campus type: Single integrated campus; SOAS buildings are clustered in Bloomsbury with access to shared University of London facilities including the Senate House library
- Library: SOAS library is one of the most significant specialist research collections on Asia, Africa and the Middle East in the world — directly available to students
- City access: Walking distance to the City of London, government ministries, major NGO offices and international organisations; Holborn, Russell Square and Tottenham Court Road underground stations nearby
- Accommodation: SOAS does not manage large campus halls; students use University of London intercollegiate halls and private providers — ensuite rooms from approximately £274/week in the Bloomsbury area
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Course Highlights
|
Subject Area |
What Makes It Distinctive at SOAS |
Degree Combinations Available |
Career Pathways |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Languages — Arabic, Chinese, Swahili, Persian, Japanese and more |
One of the widest ranges of specialist language programmes in Europe, including less commonly taught languages; compulsory year abroad in language-specific regions |
Pure language degrees or combined with law, economics, history, politics, development or philosophy |
Diplomacy, international organisations, intelligence services, international business, translation, academia |
|
Development Studies & Global Policy |
SOAS is a world-recognised centre for international development; modules cover climate change and development, NGO management, development economics and environmental valuation |
BA/BSc and MA/MSc options; combined with economics, law, politics or specific regional studies |
UN agencies, World Bank, NGOs, government departments, policy consultancies, academic research |
|
Economics & Finance (with regional focus) |
Economics degrees are taught through the lens of emerging markets, global development and non-Western economic systems — a distinct angle that mainstream economics departments don't offer |
BSc Economics; combined degrees with regional studies, development or law; MSc with financial econometrics and corporate finance modules |
Financial services, central banks, international organisations, development finance institutions |
|
Law — International, Human Rights and Commercial |
SOAS Law integrates international law, human rights and comparative legal systems across African, Middle Eastern and Asian jurisdictions; LLM options include International Commercial Law and Dispute Resolution |
LLB Law; combined with Arabic or other languages; LLM programmes |
International law firms, NGOs, human rights organisations, international commercial arbitration |
|
Politics & International Relations |
Politics taught with deep regional expertise across the Middle East, Africa and Asia — not generic global politics; combinations with language degrees create graduates who understand political systems in both the academic and linguistic sense |
BA Politics; combined with Arabic, East Asian Studies or African studies |
Civil service, foreign policy, international affairs, journalism, research institutes |
|
African Studies & Black Diaspora |
One of the UK's only dedicated centres for African studies; covers history, politics, economics, development and culture across sub-Saharan Africa and the diaspora |
BA Africa and Black Diaspora; combined with Economics, Development or History |
African development organisations, cultural institutions, policy roles, academic research |
|
Business & Management |
Business and management taught with an Asia, Africa and Middle East orientation; relevant for students targeting careers in emerging market economies |
BSc Management; combined degrees with economics or area studies |
Multinational companies with operations in SOAS's core regions, consultancies, trade organisations |
|
Islamic Finance & Economics |
SOAS is one of a small number of UK universities with serious academic depth in Islamic economics and finance — relevant to growing demand across the Gulf, South and Southeast Asia |
MSc-level programmes; modules within economics and finance degrees |
Islamic banks, sovereign wealth funds, development finance, Gulf-based financial institutions |
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Popular Study Areas
Languages
Development Studies & Global Policy
Economics & Finance
Law
Politics & International Relations
Business & Management
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Entry Requirements
Undergraduate:
- Academic: Equivalent to UK A-levels; standard offers typically around AAB for competitive programmes; Foundation Year route available for students needing additional academic preparation
- Portfolio/audition: Not required for standard academic degrees at SOAS
Postgraduate (Masters / LLM):
- Academic: Minimum UK 2:1 honours degree in a relevant subject for most programmes; some programmes accept 2:2 with relevant experience
- Work experience: Not required for most taught masters; relevant for NGO management and some professional LLM routes
English — all levels:
- General requirement: SOAS is a central London academic institution; check soas.ac.uk/apply for the official IELTS and equivalent test thresholds by programme
- Alternative tests: TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and other UKVI-approved tests accepted; confirm equivalencies per programme
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Scholarships at SOAS University of London
- £5,000 towards first-year tuition
- Overseas fee-paying (non-UK) applicants with strong academic results — equivalent to approximately AAB at A-level or above; offer for a UG degree starting September 2026
- £10,000 tuition-fee waiver
- Indonesian and Pakistani passport holders; offer for full-time 1-year on-campus PGT starting September 2026
- £8,000 tuition-fee waiver (verify current value at soas.ac.uk)
- Overseas fee-paying students with offer for eligible full-time taught master's; academic merit-based
- Confirm value at soas.ac.uk
- Overseas fee-paying master's applicants; academic merit
- Confirm value at soas.ac.uk
- Overseas fee-paying students on selected new or growing programmes
- Fully funded (tuition + living stipend) — confirm current total at felixscholarship.org
- Students from India and other specified low-income countries entering eligible SOAS master's programmes; highly competitivea
- Full or partial funding — confirm current value at soas.ac.uk
- Nationals of low or middle income countries; master's level
- Confirm value at soas.ac.uk
- African nationals at master's level
- For UK-fee students only
- UK-domiciled master's applicants
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Student Support Services
SOAS has one of the most international student bodies of any UK university — students from across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and beyond, which creates a natural community for international students from day one
The SOAS Library is one of the world's leading research collections on Asia, Africa and the Middle East — directly accessible to all students and of particular value for language, area studies, law and development research
Personal tutors, study skills workshops and subject-specific guidance are available through SOAS's academic schools; the University of London framework also provides additional shared resources
Counselling, mental health support and disability services are available on campus; SOAS's student body includes many students who have lived and worked internationally, which shapes a supportive and globally aware community
The SOAS Careers Service provides 1-to-1 guidance, employer talks and networking events; the university's connections to international organisations, NGOs and government bodies give students direct access to career-relevant contacts in London
Not sure where to start? Our team of experts can provide free end-to-end assistance.
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