Services to employers

The demand for intercultural awareness and people skills is growing. Through our unique combination of language scholarship, disciplinary expertise and regional focus, SOAS students are exceptionally well-equipped to meet the demands of top recruiters across the globe. 

The SOAS vision is that our graduates can challenge and interpret the world, change and impact the world, and connect communities and cultures. Inspired by the vision, SOAS has agreed on a list of attributes that our students graduate with. A SOAS graduate is: 

• a skilled communicator 
• an experienced collaborator 
• a subject specialist 
• a problem solver 
• a critical thinker 
• digitally capable 
• reflective and self-aware 
• personally and intellectually autonomous 
• globally engaged and culturally aware 

Contact the Employer Engagement Team at employerengagement@soas.ac.uk to book a consultation. 

Benefits of collaborating with SOAS Careers 

• Access to highly motivated students with a global perspective 
  We will advise you on engaging the students and graduates you want to recruit. 
   
• Opportunities for diversity and inclusion 
  The SOAS student cohort is a diverse community that reflects our institution. We can also advise on how to focus your recruitment strategy on equity, diversity and inclusion.  
   
• Potential for long-term partnerships 
  We aim to work with partners over the long term to help create a graduate talent pipeline. 

Recruitment events 

Facilitate an event with SOAS to attract and engage potential candidates and gain benefits:

• Attract top talent: Highlight opportunities to SOAS students and graduates. 
• Develop brand awareness: Develop your organisation's reputation amongst students.
• Engage with a diverse student community: The SOAS student community is one of the most diverse in London.
• Showcase organisational culture and values: Present your mission, vision, core values and working culture.
• Educate students: Explain specific job roles and responsibilities; share advice on applications.
• Network and build relationships: Interact with potential candidates, answer questions, and establish personal connections.

SOAS Careers Fair 

The Autumn Careers Fair will take place on 9 October, 1-4pm

A career fair is a great opportunity for an organisation to raise brand awareness and share recruitment opportunities. We recommend career fairs as the first step in engaging with our students. Students will attend looking to find out more about your organisation, the roles you are recruiting for, and the application process. Advice on how to pass assessments is also always appreciated! Available on campus.

For more information, and to book on access CareersZONE (requires registration) or email employerengagement@soas.ac.uk.

Recruiter in Residence 

This session is aimed at organisations looking to hire students for graduate roles and internships and develop a talent pipeline. The session offers the chance to run a presentation on opportunities at your organisation, talk about your company culture, and what you look for in applicants. This will be followed by a student Q&A. Available online and on-campus. 

Skills Workshops 

This session is for organisations looking to meaningfully engage with SOAS students and graduates. The session aims to introduce the attendees to the skills that are required for graduate-level employment. We have a range of skills we advise that organisations focus on, but we are also open to suggestions. 

Previous workshops have covered commercial awareness, networking, and showcases of projects or functions. Available online and on-campus.

Employer Panels 

We can partner with you to develop a panel on your industry or a particular theme. We can advise on what will engage our students, and work with you to recruit panellists. Available online and on-campus.

SOAS Careers offers funding for organisations taking part in our Summer Internship Programme. This year, the SOAS Internship Programme is available for Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Taught Masters programmes) students. Organisations can apply to hire on 1-2 interns per year. 

What are the criteria for the internship? 

• The internship should be structured for 5 weeks full-time (35 hours per week) or 10 weeks part-time (17.5 hours per week), paid at the national or the London Living Wage.   
• The organisations should be small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and charities based in the UK and abroad.  
• The internship should be project-based, with clear learning objectives and tangible support from the organisation.  
• Internships take place between mid-June and mid-September, 
• Relevant employer liability insurance for in-person and remote working must be in place.  

How will my organisation benefit from taking a SOAS intern? 

• Organisations will access the wonderful talent of SOAS students & graduates. 
• Our students' specialisms are in the languages, laws, literature, cultures, economics and politics of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and beyond.  
• SOAS students are dynamic and engaged citizens with a propensity for critical thinking within their global communities.  
• Each organisation will receive a contribution to the intern’s salary (£1000 in 2024) 

Applications for the programme opens in Autumn 2024.

You can advertise part-time, full-time, volunteering and internship opportunities to our students and alumni.  

CareersZONE is our students and graduate jobs board. Once registered employers may advertise their vacancies and volunteering opportunities, for free, to the SOAS community.