Department of History

The SOAS History Department is internationally recognised for its expertise in the histories of Africa and Asia and for advancing new approaches to global history beyond Eurocentric perspectives. As part of the School of History, Religions and Philosophies, we place the experiences, voices and histories of people across Africa and Asia at the centre of our teaching and research.

Our work is shaped by a long-standing commitment to examining colonial legacies and understanding how historical knowledge is produced. Through close collaboration with the SOAS Archives and Special Collections, we help contextualise collections from the colonial era and encourage critical engagement with the past.

What sets SOAS apart is our approach to history from the perspectives of Africa and Asia themselves. We explore the forces that have shaped societies across these regions, from politics, economics and religion to culture, gender, law, technology and warfare. Our teaching is informed by world-leading research and deep regional expertise, including proficiency in the languages and sources that underpin our scholarship.

Studying History at SOAS will equip you with the critical thinking, research and communication skills needed to understand complex global challenges and pursue a wide range of careers. We offer innovative BA, MA and PhD programmes that prepare students to engage with history in a truly global context.