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Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Library Access For Students Interrupting Their Studies

Students who are not fully-registered do not always get the full range of student library privileges.

Library access is dependent on their status which has been authorised by the Registry following School rules and regulations. Direction is given to the Library by the Registry and the relevant privileges are granted on the basis of this.

There are many ways in which students interrupt their programme of study:

Examination re-sits
  • A letter from the registry must be produced
  • Reference membership is allowed for the period until the examination is completed
  • Membership is free
  • Access to e-resources is available on application to the Library
  • No access to Senate House, SCONUL Access or other reciprocal schemes
Leave of absence
  • A letter from the registry must be produced
  • Reference membership is allowed for the LOA period, up to a year at a time
  • Membership is free
  • No access to Senate House, SCONUL Access or other reciprocal schemes
Dissertation deferral
  • A letter or form from the registry must be produced
  • Borrowing at the student status is allowed until the approved deferral date indicated on the letter
  • Membership is free
  • Access to e-resources is available on application to the Library
  • Access to Senate House and other University of London colleges participating in reciprocal schemes is allowed during the borrowing period
  • The SCONUL Access scheme is not applicable
Dissertation re-submission
  • A letter from Registry must be produced
  • Reference membership is allowed
  • Access to e-resources is available on application to the Library
  • Access valid until the new submission date, or for one year, whichever is sooner
  • Membership is free
  • No access to Senate House, SCONUL Access or other reciprocal schemes
PhD Continuation
  • A letter or form from the Registry must be produced
  • The student pays a fee to the registry and continues to have staff supervision
  • No fee is payable to the library
  • Student borrowing privileges are allowed for the period of continuation
  • If continuation is for a term at a time library membership is for that term plus the following vacation period
  • Access to e-resources is available on application to the Library
  • Access to Senate House and other University of London colleges participating in reciprocal schemes is allowed during the period of borrowing membership
  • If continuation is for less than a year SCONUL Access scheme not applicable
PhD Fieldwork
  • Research students on fieldwork continue to be fully registered SOAS students
  • They continue to have full research student privileges
  • Research student borrowing membership continues throughout their period of registration
  • No fee is paid to the library
  • Access to e-resources is available as usual
  • Access to Senate House, SCONUL Access and other reciprocal schemes is available
PhD Maintenance
  • Students on maintenance do not pay a fee to registry
  • Students do not have staff supervision or any student privileges
  • They are NOT allowed free membership of the library
  • They may apply for external membership and pay the appropriate fee
  • Alumni rates are applicable if they have previously graduated from SOAS. They must apply via the Alumni Office
  • No access to Senate House, SCONUL Access or other reciprocal schemes
PhD Viva/amendments after viva
  • A letter from the registry/supervisor must be produced specifying the date of the viva (usually just a few days/weeks) or new submission date for amendments
  • Student borrowing privileges are extended to this date
  • Membership is free
  • Access to e-resources is available on application to the Library
  • No access to Senate House, SCONUL Access or other reciprocal schemes

Jane Phillipson
Head of Reader Services
November 2008/updated October 2009