Why SOAS?
Every year SOAS attracts hundreds of students from around the world. There are many reasons why you should study at SOAS too.
- SOAS is unique. It is the only higher education institution in the UK specialising in the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The School also has the largest concentration of specialist faculty concerned with the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East at any university in the world.
- The SOAS Library has more than 1.5 million items and extensive electronic resources. It is the national library the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East and attracts scholars all over the world.
- SOAS offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees. Students can choose from more than 350 undergraduate degree combinations and from almosst 200 postgraduate programmes (taught and distance learning) in the social sciences, humanities and languages with a distinctive regional focus and global relevance, taught by world-renowned teachers in specialist faculties.
- SOAS is consistently ranked among the top higher education institutions in the UK and the world. In 2006 SOAS joined the top 20 European universities in the Times Higher Education Supplement rankings, and in 2007 the Guardian listed it again among the top dozen UK universities, which include other University of London colleges (UCL, LSE and King’s College) as well as Oxford and Cambridge.All of our departments assessed in recent Teaching Quality Audits have been awarded maximum or near-maximum ratings.
- The School’s academic excellence has also been recognised in research assessment exercises (RAEs). The 2001 RAE placed SOAS among the top research universities in the country, with 11 of its 18 departments rated 5 or 5*.
- SOAS offers a friendly, vibrant environment right in the buzzing heart of London. The capital’s rich cultural and social life is literally on its doorstep. It offers students an unparalleled environment in which to live and study, being a centre for government and law, Europe’s leading financial market, a style-setting centre of multi-cultural life and intellectual hub.
- SOAS is diverse and lively. The international environment and cosmopolitan character of the School make student life a challenging, rewarding and exciting experience. We welcome students from more than 160 countries, and 38% of them are from outside the UK.
- Small group teaching remains an important feature of study at SOAS. Our student-staff ratio (11.3:1) is one of the best in the UK.
- SOAS offers an unparalleled range of non-European languages, all of which may be studied without previous knowledge.
- SOAS takes student services seriously and offers many sources of support and advice on matters ranging from finance to exam worries. Among others, we have a dedicated Welfare team, Careers Service, Disability Advisor, Diversity Advisor and dedicated academic advisors for undergraduate, postgraduate/research and mature students.
- SOAS prepares you for todays job market... Over 100 employers take part in careers events on the SOAS campus every year. Many more advertise their vacancies through the SOAS Careers Service system. All are seeking the often unique combination of skills and knowledge acquired from the SOAS study programmes.
We welcome you to become part of the SOAS experience and invite you to learn more about us by exploring our website.
