SOAS is the only higher education institution in the UK specialising in the study and research of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The school was founded in 1916 as the School of Oriental Studies.
SOAS uniquely combines disciplinary expertise, language scholarship and regional focus. SOAS has the largest concentration of specialist staff (350+ academics) concerned with the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East at any university in the world. SOAS is a global academic base, a crucial resource for London and a seat for international political debate and interaction. SOAS is based in the heart of London. The capital's rich cultural, social and intellectual life is on its doorstep. SOAS is well served by all forms of public transport. It has excellent travel connections with bus, underground and train within easy access of the main campus at Russell Square. The Russell Square campus is in historic Bloomsbury, well-known as the intellectual centre of the city while Vernon Square is close to many of Islington's boutiques and restaurants. SOAS is also placed close to Senate House, Birkbeck College and UCL libraries.
SOAS welcomes applications from students with a variety of qualifications and experience reflecting our commitment to recruiting a diverse student community. Admissioon tutors will consider the whole application, including the student's personal statement. Considerable weight is also given to the academic references. A level offers range from A*AA to BBB, depending on the subject.
The entry requirements detailed in the course descriptions represent the minimum for each subject. Applicants must demonstrate that they are able to achieve the appropriate qualifications.
SOAS has more than 5,000 students and welcomes students from more than 130 countries. About 50% of students are from countries outside the UK. There is a roughly equal split between undergraduates and postgraduates (55%:45%). The ratio of female to male students is 62:38.
24% of undergraduates are over 21 when they start their course. On average undergraduate applications to admissions are approximately 6:1. Over 50% of the staff submitted to the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise rated world-leading or internationally excellent. SOAS was ranked top in the UK for Asian studies and did well in anthropology, politics, history and music.
The SOAS Library is one of the world’s most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East and attracts scholars from all over the world to conduct research
SOAS produces a number of academic journals, books, working papers and newsletters alongside the research output of its academics.