History of Art and Archaeology Department | SOAS University of London

Our Head of Department Says

Our research and teaching focusses on objects of art and material culture from the arts and cultures of Asia, the Middle East and Africa, and their global diasporas. In this respect our location in central London, surrounded by museums, galleries and cultural centres, contributes to an unforgettable and enriching student experience. We are also deeply committed to thematic and theoretical investigations into art, architecture, archaeology and museology: we want to foster the kind of critical thinking that we believe our graduates should have in order to face the challenges of and make a difference in our changing world.

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Introduction to the Department of History of Art and Archaeology

History of Art and Archaeology Degree Programmes

Facts and figures

44th: in the world in the 2021 QS World University Rankings for Arts and Humanities

Teaching

100% of students said that staff are good at explaining things, according to the National Student Survey 2015
100% of staff have made the subject interesting (NSS 2015)
100% of staff are enthusiastic about what they are teaching (NSS 2015)
94% of students found the course intellectually stimulating (NSS 2015)
89% students believe that library and IT resources meet their requirements (NSS 2015)

Research

In the 2014 REF more than 80% of the Department’s research was judged either world-leading or internationally excellent; the third highest proportion of any institution researching the history, practice and theory of art in the UK.

Alumni and student stories

Gregory Bilotto

"SOAS has a long tradition of training future academics, linguists and leaders for the fields of Oriental, African and Middle Eastern cultures."

SOAS has a long tradition of training future academics, linguists and leaders for the fields of Oriental, African and Middle Eastern cultures. The specialization, particularly in the areas of art, archaeology and language connected to these cultures is in my opinion almost unchallenged in the academic world
Beatriz Cifuentes BA History of Art/Archaeology and Tibetan

"When I heard about SOAS I immediately knew it was the school for me."

When I heard about SOAS I immediately knew it was the school for me. An institution like SOAS is the ideal platform for students who want to learn a language and gain insight into a culture. It is also a leading school in Tibetan studies.
Xavier Fournier MA History of Art and Archaeology (Near & Middle East & South East Asia)

"The insight provided, knowledge delivered and understanding transmitted during lectures, seminars and conferences at SOAS is impressive and requires real personal involvement in the topics."

The insight provided, knowledge delivered and understanding transmitted during lectures, seminars and conferences at SOAS is impressive and requires real personal involvement in the topics.
Elizabeth Kelly MA History of Art and Architecture of the Islamic Middle East

"Studying Islamic Art History at SOAS has been one of the most engrossing, pleasurable and rewarding pursuits I have undertaken."

Studying Islamic Art History at SOAS has been one of the most engrossing, pleasurable and rewarding pursuits I have undertaken.The SOAS academics I encountered are exemplary. Their scholarship, first hand experiences and enthralling anecdotes brought their subjects to life. Within this rich and rigorous environment, also supported by access to other SOAS departments and the numerous co-curricular resources available in London, it is inevitable that students strive for excellence.
Vaishnavi Patil

"SOAS is a vibrant place filled with diversity."

With the guidance of an eminent team of professors, and the support of the various resources SOAS has to offer, my time here has indeed been very productive, academically and professionally.
Katja Utz, University of Heidelberg Erasmus Programme

"The UK and especially London is a great place to study. SOAS in particular offers a warm and hearty atmosphere with the opportunity to study at a renowned university and get to know people from everywhere in the world."

The public transport in London is just great as it is easy to get around and also to get to other cities in the UK. The beautiful cities Cambridge and Oxford are basically around the corner and definitely worth visiting and many other nice British cities and places are also easy to get to from London.
Guillaume Vandame BA History of Art and Archaeology

"My initial impression of SOAS was that it was extraordinarily different. I used to describe it as the ‘United Nations’ to friends and family, because of its diversity."

I really wanted to study History of Art and I knew that was my calling. After research, I found out that SOAS was a prestigious school with notable alumni and also that I could study History of Art and Law as a joint degree, which is perhaps the only school in the world that offers this at the BA level.