Academic Requirements at SOAS
Undergraduate
SOAS accepts a range of international qualifications for entry onto its undergraduate programmes.
International Baccalaureate and European Baccalaureate
SOAS welcomes applicants with these qualifications, many of whom are from international schools in the UK or overseas.
IB applicants require a minimum of 32 points (with higher points required for several degrees). EB applicants should aim for 70%.
Frequently accepted qualifications
The following list includes the most commonly offered qualifications, although others will be considered. The grades indicated represent the minimum acceptable and the actual offer may be much higher.
| Country | Common qualifications |
|---|---|
| Australia | School-leaving qualifications that meet the matriculation requirements of Australian universities |
| Austria | Reifezeugnis with 2.5 |
| Belgium | Diploma van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs with overall Grade 6 |
| Brunei | Matriculation subjects at UK A level equivalent grades |
| Cyprus | Apolytirion with 18.5/20 |
| Denmark | Studentereksamen with and average mark of 10 |
| Finland | Ylioppilastukinto/Studentexamen with 5 (magna cum laude approbatur) |
| France | Baccalaureate with overall 12-13/20 |
| Germany | Abitur with 2.5 |
| Greece | Apolytirion of Eniaio Lykeio with 17-18/20 |
| Hong Kong | Advanced level certificate - at same grades as UK A Levels |
| India | Indian School Certificate (ISC or SSC) with at least five subjects passed at grade 1 or 2 |
| Ireland | Irish Leaving Certificate with BBCCC at Higher level |
| Israel | Bagrut with 8 |
| Italy | Diploma Consequito con L'Esam di Stato with 75/100 |
| Luxembourg | Diplome de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires with overall score 40-45/60 |
| Malaysia | Advanced Certificate of Education/STPM - at same grades as UK A Levels |
| Netherlands | VWO with 8 (goed) |
| Norway | Vitnemal from 4.5-5.0 |
| Portugal | Diploma de Ensino Secundario with overall score of 15-16/20 |
| Singapore | Singapore/Cambridge A level - at same grades as UK A Levels |
| Spain | COU with an average mark of 7 |
| Sweden | Fullstandigt Slutbetyg with VG overall |
| Switzerland | Maturita (or equivalent in other languages) at 5 |
| USA | SAT combined score of 1800 OR three subjects in Advanced Placement Test with 4 in each OR completion of one year in a US university with a GPA of at least 3.0 |
Non-eligible countries
School-leaving qualifications of some countries are not recognised by SOAS as meeting its minimum entrance requirements. Applicants from these countries are required to supplement their studies with GCE A levels, a bridging or a foundation course. SOAS offers a relevant one year Intermediate Certificate Course which is recognised throughout the UK.
The countries in question include Bahrain, Brazil, China, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Kuwait, Russia, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
If you live in Bangladesh, Cyprus, Kenya, Pakistan or many of the Commonwealth African States you will also need to supplement your school-leaving qualifications by either taking A levels or a bridging course such as the Intermediate Certificate Course.
Masters Courses
Most Masters courses require the equivalent of a good UK Honours degrees. In some cases a degree in a relevant subject area is required. More information is available in the postgraduate prospectus.
SOAS also runs the Foundation Diploma for Postgraduate Studies, designed to meet the needs of graduates from countries where the style of learning and teaching at undergraduate level differs from that of the British University system. For more information on the Foundation Diploma and English Language courses visit the IFCELS web site.
If you require further information about your entry qualifications please contact mastersadmissions@soas.ac.uk.
