SOAS University of London

Facts and figures

5th

in the UK in the 2021 QS World University Rankings for Anthropology, and 16th worldwide.

Alumni and student stories

• "Truly, deeply and sincerely, I love my time at SOAS and I cannot but seriously recommend that you choose to come here. I guarantee you that you will feel like part of the ‘family’ straightaway!"

  Being at SOAS has been one of the most interesting experiences in my life, from both a social and academic point of view. The School has an atmosphere like no other place I have ever been. In fact, after my first visit to the university, I decided that if I did not get my grades, I would not go to any other place!

• "If you’re looking for a truly unique and inspiring university experience, look no further than SOAS."

  What has been the best thing about my time here? Everything. The course, the societies, the people. It’s sometimes hard to believe that it’s such a small university when you see how active all of the societies are. There’s always something to do, and the vibrancy and energy we have at SOAS both matches and is a testament to its prime location in London.

• "I’m from Haiti, and my experiences there have helped me become sensitive to social and class struggles and political turmoil, which are topics that Anthropology provides tools for analysing."

  I’m from Haiti, and my experiences there have helped me become sensitive to social and class struggles and political turmoil, which are topics that Anthropology provides tools for analysing.

• "I was nervous about the prospect of getting back into higher education. But staff and students alike have made the transition a really easy process for me; SOAS feels like home, after only 4 months of study here."

  I was nervous about the prospect of getting back into higher education. But staff and students alike have made the transition a really easy process for me; SOAS feels like home, after only 4 months of study here.

• "I loved every aspect of my MA. The teaching was exceptional; our seminars were intellectually stimulating and fascinating."

  When I first came here I was very surprised on how kind, polite and caring everyone was. From the staff to the students, everyone was very welcoming and enthusiastic. Coming from a corporate world and living in a big city like London, SOAS has been like an oasis in the desert; a very colourful, blissful environment which makes you feel at home.

• "My commitment to the organisation shown through volunteering was a key factor in getting my current position, as well as my knowledge of the sector."

  My commitment to the organisation shown through volunteering was a key factor in getting my current position, as well as my knowledge of the sector.

• "This approach to teaching in the Department, in which theory is balanced with real life examples often results in passionate and thought provoking debates. If you miss a class, you miss out on an experience."

  This approach to teaching in the Department, in which theory is balanced with real life examples often results in passionate and thought provoking debates. If you miss a class, you miss out on an experience.

• "Considering media in different cultural contexts from my course at SOAS helped me to think more deeply about the paper's role within its own society."

  Considering media in different cultural contexts from my course at SOAS helped me to think more deeply about the paper's role within its own society.

• "There are always things going on, whether it’s a spoken word event, protest, or jam session in our JCR. I definitely think that it’s hard to feel bored at SOAS!"

  There are always things going on, whether it’s a spoken word event, protest, or jam session in our JCR. I definitely think that it’s hard to feel bored at SOAS!

• "The range of academic expertise and specialised postgraduate courses show why the Department of Anthropology and Sociology continues to be so popular."

  The programme is structured so that students are given a huge choice of options covering a wide geographic, thematic and conceptual scope. This breadth and the inter-disciplinary nature of the programme guarantee that students bring diverse academic knowledge and professional experiences to tutorials and the postgraduate community. Further, the seminars and events organised by the Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies really complement the course, convening scholars and students from various disciplines to discuss migration and diaspora issues.

• "The MA fundamentally challenge the perceptions students have of migration and allow students to critically question our own perceptions."

  At the MA Migration and Diaspora studies, students are allowed to see the human aspects of the topics which is often hidden behind the the endlessly debated theories, policies, numbers and finances.

• "The decision to study anthropology at SOAS has turned out to be one of the most important professional and personal decisions I’ve ever made. "

  I can say without a doubt that engaging with anthropological study at SOAS has a universal practical application that is becoming increasingly valuable in our interconnected world. I cannot recommend it enough.

• "What helped me get the job was my previous experience working with the government [and] my knowledge of sustainable development as part of my degree."

  What helped me get the job was my previous experience working with the government [and] my knowledge of sustainable development as part of my degree.

• "My time within the Anthropology and Sociology Department at SOAS has afforded a number of opportunities to fine tune my research skills and broaden my academic horizons. The calibre of research among members of my cohort has been particularly inspiring."

  My time within the Anthropology and Sociology Department at SOAS has afforded a number of opportunities to fine tune my research skills and broaden my academic horizons. The calibre of research among members of my cohort has been particularly inspiring.

• "Beyond academia, there is a lot of opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities at the SOAS. "

  More than anything, I like the radical spirit nurtured by the SOAS despite attacks on activists and the spirit of protest by all manner of socio-political and economic institutions. The faculty, in what and how they teach, enhanced the analytical tools I have to make myself a better person, trying to make what one of my favourite philosophers, Judith Butler, has called 'a more livable world.' Thank you SOAS. 

• "I considered a number of schools in Canada, Singapore, the USA and the UK, but SOAS intrigued me most: the choice to choose what I wanted to learn with South East Asia at a world-class institution."

  I considered a number of schools in Canada, Singapore, the USA and the UK, but SOAS intrigued me most: the choice to choose what I wanted to learn with South East Asia at a world-class institution.

• "As an international student, I am lucky that I could study in the lovely city of London; and moreover, I am proud that I am in SOAS."

  SOAS creates a unique atmosphere that I have never tasted before. I truly love the SOAS community, or what I termed anthropologically as ‘SOAS-ism’.

• "Students come to SOAS with an interest that soon develops into a passion and, in time, an obsession with their discipline."

  You will establish and hone key analytical skills, amass a broad and in-depth knowledge of your chosen field and, from day one, befriend students from around the globe.

• "SOAS offered the opportunity to study a more specific field of Anthropology than had been available during my undergraduate studies."

  My course has opened up the possibility of lots of exciting career paths; I am currently considering the option of travel writing, trainee journalism with the BBC, or digital marketing.

• "Everything I knew before was challenged in a way which was so rewarding. "

  My time studying Social Anthropology at SOAS was characterised by expert teachers sharing an overwhelming amount of fascinating ideas, perspectives and experiences for us to learn from

• "The Department of Anthropology embodies the unique and independent SOAS spirit."

  The SOAS Department of Anthropology's uncompromising range of perspectives, diverse student body and friendly supportive staff who always have time for their students make it without a doubt the best Social Anthropology undergrad experience around.

• "The energy from course discussions, which brought texts and classmates into rigorous dialogue with each other, would often carry on after seminars. "

  During the MA, I had the opportunity to supplement the food courses with fantastic modules on migration studies, which provided a human and historical context for my dissertation and appreciation for the SOASian spirit.

• "A deep dive into Anthropology is like living in a monochrome world and having it suddenly illuminated by vibrant colours."

  There is no greater privilege than choosing to study Anthropology at 'our' wonderful, diverse, exciting SOAS. SOAS is a place of the soul; a place of profound inquiry; of kindness, but most of all, of support and friendship

• "SOAS's MA in Anthropology of Food had been my dream programme and it did not disappoint. "

  The professors' investment in their courses and accessibility outside them; the camaraderie among similarly passionate students; the number of events on campus and nearby--and indeed the opportunity to live and study in London--all delivered on my greatest hopes.

• "Being part of SOAS is to be part of a genuine community which feels like home, but connects globally. "

  The Food Studies Centre is truly interdisciplinary in its approach, bringing together political, economic, cultural, and geographical perspectives to better understand the crucial and complex role food plays in people’s lives.

Read more alumni and student stories