Information for prospective students from Hong Kong

We are delighted to answer any questions you may have about applying and studying at SOAS.

Phone: +44 (0)20 7898 4700
Email: study@soas.ac.uk

If you would like to get in touch with Maggie Dziem, our International Recruitment Manager for China and East Asia, you can email her directly (md73@soas.ac.uk) or through the following apps:

• WhatsApp: +447548240546
• WeChat: maggie_soas
• LINE: maggie_soas
• Kakao: SOASUoL

For further information on upcoming visits, please see events in your region.

You can follow us on our Twitter and Facebook. You can also follow us on Weibo or our Chinese microsite , our Bilibili and WeChat:英国伦敦大学亚非学院教育SOAS, Douyin:英国伦敦大学亚非学院SOAS.

The following are guidelines only and do not guarantee entry. Each application will be judged on its own merits.

Undergraduate

SOAS welcomes applicants taking the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE), the International Baccalaureate (IB), A-Level and other qualifications. For details of the IB requirements for individual degree programmes please refer to our undergraduate entry requirements.

Our HKDSE entry requirements are:

• AAA-AAB - 555-554 in two electives and one core module (excluding Liberal Studies) with all other subjects minimum grade 3
• ABB-BBB - 544-444 in two electives and one core module (excluding Liberal Studies) with all other subjects minimum grade 3
• A grade 4 in core Maths for BA Economics, BSc Management and BSc Accounting and Finance.
• A grade 4 in core Maths and a grade 3 in extended Maths for BSc Economics.

Postgraduate

SOAS welcomes applications from those with a good Lower Second Class degree (2:2) or above in their Bachelor degree. Whilst graduates from a Hong Kong University are expected to have a minimum 2.7/4.0 GPA (75% overall grade or overall B minus) we are happy to consider a minimum 2.5/4.0 GPA. In addition, applicants should also refer to the individual programme entries in the postgraduate prospectus or postgraduate entry requirements, which may have additional requirements.

Research applicants would normally be expected to have completed a Masters qualification equivalent to a UK Masters degree from a good university.

English language proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English must also show their level of English. For more information please visit English entry requirements. SOAS does offer English summer courses (‘pre-sessionals’) for those who do not meet the exact entry requirements so that students have the opportunity to improve their language skills before beginning academic study.

For 2024 entry onward, SOAS will accept HKDSE English Level 4 as sufficient proof of English proficiency. Students achieving Level 4 or above will be SELT-exempt.

Students who completed their undergraduate programmes delivered fully in English at one of the approved HK universities can be SELT-exempt.

The list of approved universities includes:

• The Chinese University of Hong Kong
• City University of Hong Kong
• The Education University of Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Baptist University
• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Hong Kong University
• Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
• Lingnan University Hong Kong

SOAS has a fully integrated ‘Study Abroad’ programme for both undergraduates and postgraduates, where students can study at the School for either the Fall or Spring semester or a full academic year as part of their degree at another university. More information and an application form can be found in our Semester Abroad and Exchange section or please contact studyabroad@soas.ac.uk

SOAS offers a range of scholarships, bursaries and awards to support students. A number of scholarships are also provided by the University of London, the British Government and other external organisations, for a list please visit scholarships and bursaries.

SOAS has recently launched a new International Postgraduate Scholarship for East Asia .

If you apply for a visa before you arrive in the UK then you should be eligible to work part-time or volunteer during your programme of study. This visa will allow you to work part-time during the term (up to 20 hours a week) and any number of hours during the vacations. However, you should check before you apply for a job that your visa will allow you to do this particular kind of work.

Please be aware that to meet immigration rules for students, you have to show that you have enough money to support yourself during your studies without needing to work. For comprehensive advice on working in the UK, please visit the UKCISA website: www.ukcisa.org.uk.

The SOAS Careers Service can help you to find volunteering opportunities and can provide information and advice on finding paid employment during your studies and after graduation. There will be a number of jobs (both voluntary and paid) within SOAS itself (for example, in the Students’ Union or cafe) and you can look out for these opportunities through the Careers Service or via the Students’ Union.

SOAS works with a number of approved agent representatives who can support you with your application as an international student. For more information, please visit our Global Educational Representatives webpage. 

If you have any questions for SOAS alumni in Hong Kong then please contact the alumni association through SOAS alumni.