Overview and entry requirements

The BA Languages and Cultures degree introduces students to the cultures and societies of Africa, the Middle East, South and South East Asia through the study of literatures, screen cultures and language.

In the first year, students are equipped with a broader understanding of these regions in order to gain a vital comparative perspective. Students will have the opportunity to explore particular regional interests through their language study, selected optional modules and in their course work throughout the degree, culminating in the final year Study Project where, guided by lecturers, they will draw on skills gained over the course of the degree to produce their own original research.

Language is crucial to the understanding of culture and therefore all students will be required to choose from a range of languages in their first year of study. We encourage students to further develop their language skills as the degree progresses.

Key critical thinking, project management and study skills are built into the programme to ensure that students graduate with a range of transferable skills ensuring they are prepared for a range of careers.

See School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics

Why study Languages and Cultures at SOAS

• SOAS is specialist in the studies of Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and South East Asia
• SOAS is ranked 1st in London in the Complete University Guide 2021 for Middle Eastern and African Studies, and 6th in the UK
• Ranked 8th in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2021 for South Asian Studies
• gain in-depth understanding of one these key world regions, grounded in the study of one or more languages of the region
• access SOAS’s comprehensive cross-regional expertise and gain an understanding of the interconnectedness of these regions in an increasingly globalised world
• solid methodological and interdisciplinary foundation
• students have an opportunity to develop a holistic and integrated approach to the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East through their languages and cultures

Explore

• Centre for African Studies
• Institutes and regional centres

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full-time

Structure

Year 1 Guided Curriculum: Foundations

All students will take two 15 credit modules from the list of languages below plus all of the following modules:

Year 2 Guided Curriculum: Momentum

All students will take two 15 credit modules from the list of languages or from List A below plus all of the following modules:

Year 3 Optional Year Abroad

Year Abroad for Students taking the 4-year programme

Final Year 3/4 Guided Curriculum: Designing your own Pathway

Students have the option to take either a 15 credit Arabic module level 5 or 6 from the Language List below or Directed Readings in Asia, Africa and the Middle East or a 15 credit module from List A or B

AND

Students will take either a 30 credit Independent Study Project (ISP) or a 30 credit Translation Project.

AND

Students will take modules to the value of 30 credits from List A or B and/or Open Options

AND 

Students will take one 15 credit module from either List B, open option or list of Languages

List A

List B

List of Languages

Please note the 30 credit languages will be split into two 15 credit modules (A and B)

Important notice

Teaching & Learning

Teaching is normally provided by lecture or seminar and students are required to attend such classes. Most modules involve a 50-minute lecture as a key component with linked tutorial classes.

Contact hours

All full-time undergraduate programmes consist of 120 credits per year, taught in modules of 30 credits (taught over 20 weeks) or 15 credits (taught over 10 weeks). The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional. 

As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study (see Approaches to teaching and learning at SOAS). It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others.

In the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, undergraduate modules take various forms. Modules may be taught through 1 or 2 hours of lectures a week, and some may have an additional 1-2 hours of weekly seminars. Languages classes may be 4-5 hours per week in the first and second year, typically less at higher levels.

More information is on the page for each module.

Year abroad

For those students who choose to take a year abroad, the resulting improvement in all-round language skills will allow students to work at a more advanced range of linguistics competence in their final year work back at SOAS. The culturally immersive experience of the year abroad equips students with key skills which are invaluable for those wishing to go on to work in the region.

SOAS Library

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Tuition fees

Fees for 2021/22 entrants per academic year

Please note that fees go up each year. 

For full details of undergraduate tuition fees, see our Registry's undergraduate tuition fees page.

Scholarships

For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section

Employment

After graduating, Languages and Cultures graduates, with the regional specific expertise gained through this degree programme and enhanced by the year-abroad experience, are able to move between careers, using their language, communication and intercultural skills to adapt to different sectors and industries and become successful leaders, innovators and managers.

Skills gained

The BA Languages and Cultures provides a rich context for the development of higher-level skills and lifelong learning that will allow the workforce of the future to cope, adapt and thrive.

• advanced linguistic skills
• high degree of cultural awareness
• communicative competence and ease of adopting different perspectives and think outside the box

These are qualities highly valued in any professional context, and by employers from across the spectrum, and having proficiency in more than one language qualifies you to work for a much larger selection of clients and employers. Internationally oriented companies, in particular, recognise the significant importance of language knowledge at recruitment stage and further into employment.

Careers

Languages and Cultures graduates are found throughout the creative industries and the cultural sectors, as well as in education, the media, policy making and service industries where they apply the skills and knowledge of their disciplines more directly.

Found out more on our Careers Service website

• How to Apply
• UCAS website
• Request a prospectus
• Got a question - use our enquiry form (opens a new window)
• Funding options
• English language requirements
• Tuition Fees
• Admissions Contacts