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Postgraduate

Applying for Taught Masters Programmes

If this does not answer your query, then please e-mail the Head of Admissions and Recruitment: mastersadmissions@soas.ac.uk, clearly indicating that you have read the Frequently Asked Questions in the Subject 

  • Am I eligible to study at SOAS?

    It is not always possible to give you any firm indication as to whether your qualifications and grades make you eligible to study at SOAS. We normally suggest that you submit an application for consideration, sending all the appropriate supporting documents. Admissions tutors take into account academic qualifications, relevant work experience, academic recommendations, professional references and your personal statement. Please refer to SOAS Admissions policies 

    You can also email the relevant admissions tutors to find out more if your current academic/work experience makes you eligible for a specific Masters programme. Visit the Department list to find the relevant academic selector or convenor of the programme.

  • Is there an application deadline?

    We recommend you submit your application and all supporting documentation by 30 June . This is to ensure you get a reply in time for September entry. However, it is advisable to apply much earlier, especially if you are applying for scholarships and need a decision on whether or not you have a place to study at SOAS.  

    Overseas students who must apply for a Tier-4 student visa should also consider applying as early as possible. Students will need an unconditional offer before they can be issued with a CAS . Visas procedures can be subject to delays and  all students are expected to register as per the programme start date on the offer letter.

  • Do I have to pay a fee when I submit my application?

    Currently you do not have to pay an application fee if you apply to study at SOAS.

  • What documentation is required to apply for a Taught Masters programme at SOAS?

    Please go to how to apply.

  • I have missed the recommended application deadline. Can I still apply?

    We recommend you submit your application by June 30  to give us time to assess it and get back to you to enrol in September . Applications submitted after that date can be considered but there is no guarantee that a decision can be given in time for registration.  

    Many academics and members of staff are on leave throughout the summer.  The decision making process can take longer than the usual 4/5 week it can take to make a decision.

    You will also need to consider being able to meet fully both Academic entry requirement and English Language evidence (if relevant) before the start of the programme. 

    MSc Economics, Finance & Financial Law and MA Law programmes have an earlier start date and no new applications will be considered after 31 July 2011.

    Finally Non EEA students who need to apply for a tier-4 student visa should not underestimate the time it can take for a visa application to be processed.  Submitting a late application to study at SOAS means that they might not get a decision in time to apply for their visa and get entry clearance .

  • What information needs to be included in the reference?

    Your reference should include an opinion (in English) on your academic and personal suitability for the proposed programme of study.

    If you are applying for any MSc Economics programme it is particularly important for the referee to comment on your grasp of basic mathematical and statistical concepts, and microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts.

    Furthermore it would be helpful if the reference could discuss:

    • ability to pursue your own initiatives
    • ability to work alone for short periods
    • ability to synthesise material from different sources
    • originality in interpretation
    • fluency in articulating an argument
    • discipline in submitting written work on time
    • ability to co-operate in the life and work of the academic community.

    Additionally, if you are applying for a Research degree (MPhil or PhD) rather than an MA or MSc, the referee must  give an assessment of your sense of enquiry and ability to generate research hypotheses.

    If there is a first degree examination outstanding, some indication of the class of degree you expect  to obtain.

  • How can I submit my references?

    There are several ways in which to submit a reference.

    • If you are applying for a degree programme via our online system, you can enter your referee's email address in the relevant section of the application form.  Your referee will be automatically contacted and will be invited to submit the recommendation online.  
    • If you submit a paper application , you can print off the SOAS Reference Form (page 8 & 9) and provide each of your named referees with a copy. References are confidential.  Your referees can send their recommendation directly to us at the address below. If the reference is returned to you, it must be in a sealed envelope signed across the seal and you should add it unopened to the application form.
    • If your referees don’t have a SOAS reference form, they can write their recommendation on letter headed paper and send it directly to us by post at the address below in a sealed envelope signed across the seal.
    • Referees can also email their reference directly to SOAS, clearly stating your name, the programme applied for and their full contact details. 

    The reference should be sent from the referee's university/ work email as references sent from a Hotmail/Gmail/Yahoo or similar accounts are not acceptable.

    If you are applying for a Taught Masters programme, please ask your reference to be sent to Mastersadmissions@soas.ac.uk
    If you are applying for a Research programme, please ask your reference to be sent to  Researchadmissions@soas.ac.uk

    Postal Address:

    For Masters Admissions SOAS, Student Admissions and Recruitment, Room G1, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H OXG

    For Research Admissions: School of Oriental and African Studies, Postgraduate Research Section, Registry, Vernon Square, Penton Rise, London WC1X 9EW

  • - I have graduated more than 3 years ago. Can I submit one academic reference and once professional?

    If you have graduated more than 3 years ago you can submit one academic reference and one professional. If you have graduated more than 5 years ago, we can consider two professional references as long as they are relevant to the course you are applying for.

  • I am applying online. Do I have to send the hard copy of the reference letters as well as the transcript?

    When applying online, you can enter the names and email addresses of your referees in the appropriate section of the online application form. An automatic request to submit references will be sent to the selected referees.

    References can also be emailed directly to us by your referees at mastersadmissions@soas.ac.uk. Emailed references must clearly state your name, the programme you have applied for and the referees contact details.

    References sent from a Hotmail, Gmail or Yahoo account will not be acceptable.

    References must be sent from the referee's work / University email address and preferably written on letter headed paper.

    You will not need to submit hard copies of the reference letters unless requested by Admissions.

  • I want to apply online. How do I proceed?

    You can apply online for Masters and MPhil/PhD programmes here.

    Please read the admissions guideline before completing the application form

  • I want to submit an application for a Masters programme but have not yet completed my degree studies. Will you consider my application?

    We would consider and assess your application based on a current transcript and grades obtained so far. If we offer you a place,  it will be conditional and you must send your final results and evidence that your degree has been granted as soon as they are available. These will be assessed and we will review the offer letter accordingly. No final decision will be made until we have received evidence of your degree with final grades and the condition on the offer letter have been met.

  • Will my application still be considered if it is not complete?

    Your application must be complete before we can start processing it.  Please refer to the notes accompanying the application form (online or paper ) to see what documentation is required.  We normally require two academic reference letters as well as a final or current transcript (if applicable) and official evidence of degree certificate with final grades if you have graduated.

    If  you have graduated over 3 years ago and have been working, you can submit one academic reference and one professional one.  If this is not possible please submit two professional references.

  • When is the starting /end date for Masters programmes?

    All taught Masters programmes, regardless of the mode of study, start in mid-September. There are no provisions to start in January. All full time MA programmes end on 30 September the following year, once the dissertation has been submitted. MA Results are available in December.

    For 2012-2013 academic year, the majority of full-time Taught Masters programmes will start on 24 September 2012 and end on 30 September 2013.

    Applicants for MA Law programmes, MSc Economics programmes and MSc Finance and Financial Law programmes will be required to register at an earlier date in September as each of those programmes includes a compulsory preparatory course. 

    Further details about the preparatory course will be included with your offer letter.

     

    Applicants who are required to undertake a pre-sessional English language course prior to attending one of the MA Law, MSc Economics and MSc Finance and Financial Law programmes will have to register on the four/eight week A English pre-sessional course. The information will be included in the offer letter. For further information please consult the Pre-sessional Courses pages.

  • How many Taught Masters programmes can I apply for per academic year?

    You can only submit one application at a time, and have the option of selecting two programmes. You will be initially considered for your first choice programme. Your alternative choice will be considered only if you are not successful with your first choice programme.

  • Could you give me the department or institution code to which I could send my GRE scores?

    GRE scores are not required to assess applications and therefore you do not have to include them when you apply.

  • Will I automatically be considered for the two programmes I put on the application form?

    No, you will only be considered for your alternative programme if you are not offered a place on the programme of your first choice.  In certain cases, the academic selectors might offer you a place on a programme other than the ones you have selected because they feel they are better suited to your academic background and interest. 

  • I have uploaded a scanned copy of my degree transcripts onto my online application form. Will this suffice? Or am I also required to send a certified copy of my transcripts by post to the SOAS admissions office?

    You will not be required to send certified copies of the transcripts and degree certificate you submitted with the online application if you have attached scanned copies of the original documents. 

    However, we may request you to send by post hard copies of the documents authenticated by the awarding university or a public notary stamp before we make a final decision . 

  • I am requested to submit a certified copy of my transcript and/or certificate. Where can I obtain this?

    Please do not send original certificates and diplomas, since certified photocopies will suffice prior to enrolment. Certification can be obtained from the Registrar Office of the awarding university. Documents can also be certified by Public Notary. 

    Photocopies of certified documents/ scanned copies or documents certified by academic tutors are not acceptable.  If you are offered a place, you will need to submit  the HARD certified copies issued with the original stamp before you can enrol. Please refer to the Notes on completion of the application form.

  • What if I need a translation of my transcript and/or of my certificate or diploma?

    If your transcript or degree certificate is not in English you are required to provide a certified copy of the original transcript and/or degree certificate, authenticated by the university as well as a copy of the same translated into English and authenticated by a legal translator.  We do not accept photocopies as final evidence. The British Council or British government bodies in your home country might be able to refer you to a list of accredited translators.   Please note that self translated documents are not acceptable