Doctoral School Frequently Asked Questions
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What facilities does the Doctoral School have?
The Doctoral School facilities in 53 Gordon Square include sixty work stations with PCs spread across three floors, and 26 more work stations with Wi-Fi for laptops on the lower ground floor. There are coffee stations on each floor, in addition to a small common room and kitchen in the basement. We also have two showers and 170 lockers.
In addition to the study spaces, there are three meeting rooms on the ground, lower ground and third floors. One holds six people and the other two hold ten people. The two larger rooms have AV equipment.
Postgraduate research students also have sole access to the following study spaces across SOAS:
- R301: 44 workstations, plus 6 for econometrics
- 22 Russell Square, 4th floor: 12 workstations
- Library carrels: 16 workstations
- Helen Kanitkar library: 5 workstations
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Who may use these facilities?
The study spaces are reserved exclusively for postgraduate research students.
The ground floor meeting room is to be particularly used for vivas throughout the year, but all the rooms may be used for any meetings, discussion groups, seminars or training, if these activities are dedicated to doctoral research for or with research students.
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What are the opening hours?
The building is open from 8am until 11:30pm, with a member of security present at all times.
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Does the Doctoral School have wheelchair access?
Yes. In 53 Gordon Square there is a lift, a disabled toilet, a meeting room and space for individual and group study for wheelchair users on the ground floor. There is also an ambulatory disabled toilet on the third floor. To access the building, call 0207 898 4915, which is the Brunei Gallery, and ask to be put through to Gordon Square reception to arrange for the security officer in the building to open the door for the lift.
R301 in the main building in Russell Square has full wheelchair accessibility.
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How do I book a room?
The room numbers are DSL10, DSG03 and DS303, and are available to view on the SOAS timetable. Please contact Karita Razzell to book a room.
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Is catering provided for 53 Gordon Square?
Refreshments can be ordered through the Conference Office as for events in other SOAS buildings.
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What are the SOAS research ethics guidelines?
Students are likely to have to go through an ethical review before starting fieldwork. It is a checking and approval process at the Faculty (or possibly School) level, which is not dependent on training attendance. Always remember to discuss with your supervisor and follow these links for further information:
