SOAS University of London

Facts and figures

19th

in UK for Law, and one of Global Top 200 universities for Law (QS World University Rankings 2020)

Alumni and student stories

• "Environmental law at SOAS has a perfect balance of what might be considered ‘traditional’ legal thinking and more ‘radical’ approaches to pressing societal problems."

  Environmental law at SOAS has a perfect balance of what might be considered ‘traditional’ legal thinking and more ‘radical’ approaches to pressing societal problems.

• "I was keen to increase my knowledge of International Law and so chose the SOAS LLM."

  Because SOAS is quite a small institution is really beneficial, both academically and personally. I feel like I know everyone and I feel that I have grown in all aspects of my life.

• "SOAS was my first experience of studying overseas. SOAS has certainly exceeded my expectations...you will find an unparalleled student experience."

  What distinguishes SOAS from other leading universities is the variety of law modules that it offers, ranging from Law and Nature to Chinese Law.

• "My LLM at SOAS was a real added value in my professional career. "

  What I liked at SOAS was that the law lectures were very multidisciplinary, including references to environmental science, anthropology, sociology and development.

• "I thoroughly enjoyed studying alongside other students from all over the world."

  SOAS ticked all these boxes: it’s located in the heart of London, has a very international student body and it’s a relatively small and very friendly place. Most importantly, it offers a broad range of courses and a number of unique modules that really set it apart from other universities.

• "In my two major roles subsequently the legal training at SOAS has been invaluable. "

  If I was to say one thing about the LLM at SOAS, it is that it grounded me thoroughly in legal thinking and legal processes. The international reach of the course enabled me to easily transfer these skills to other jurisdictions.

• "SOAS has the cosmopolitan outlook which is indispensable today"

  From a personal experience, I can confirm that today’s employers become extremely impressed with you if you have a law degree from SOAS, as it provides you with the necessary intellect needed for today’s globalised world.

• "Simply put, I can't imagine a better study abroad experience than the one that SOAS provided."

  SOAS' location - in the heart of London, one of the world's great cities - made it a great base from which to explore surrounding areas. I spent much of my time, especially weekends, exploring London's diverse neighborhoods, its epic museums and delicious food markets.

• "SOAS challenges the way that I think. The quality of teaching is exceptionally high, and the law curriculum is academically rigorous. "

  SOAS offers a range of law modules rarely seen at other institutions, this played a significant part in my decision to make SOAS my first choice of university ... It is my belief that these are the modules that set SOAS graduates apart from the graduates of other universities.

• "The courses were as varied as the experiences and perspectives of the conveners and my classmates, and the discussions inside and outside the classroom at SOAS were enriching."

  The courses were as varied as the experiences and perspectives of the conveners and my classmates, and the discussions inside and outside the classroom at SOAS were enriching.

• "I am the United Nations Representative and Environmental Programs Coordinator for the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD)."

  I am responsible for managing the GFDD’s programmes at the UN, including attending the public sessions of inter-governmental meetings and conferences, organizing publication briefings, and circulating written material.

• "I have worked as an Environment Officer for a local environmental consulting firm."

  I have worked on a range of activities including Environmental Impact Assessments and Management Plans.

• "After my introduction to the complexities of international environmental law at SOAS, I was inspired to not just learn about the law but be an active part in changing it."

  After my introduction to the complexities of international environmental law at SOAS, I was inspired to not just learn about the law but be an active part in changing it. The impassioned and diverse perspectives from professors and classmates at SOAS have colored my continued focus on making connections between the laws of the world

• "If I was to describe SOAS in one sentence it would be, ‘strong, ongoing, aspiring, successful’"

  SOAS has an excellent reputation and its specialisation in the study of the Middle East was one of the main reasons I decided to come here.

• "There are so many subjects at SOAS! This means you are likely to find something that will keep you interested for the next few years."

  SOAS is a unique British university, as it adopts a global view, but specialises in Asia, Africa and the Middle East: something it is very good at. This is evident in the passion and expertise of the teachers, the interests of the students and the many colourful exhibitions and cultural events regularly hosted here.

• "Deciding to gain admittance to SOAS was one of the best decisions I made!"

  Studying at SOAS helped me develop a strong work ethic, augment my analytical and communication skills, understand law from a multicultural perspective and love so many diverse cultures and religions of the world.

• "After graduating from the SOAS LLM in environmental law I completed an internship at the IUCN Environmental Law Centre in Bonn, and worked for the UNFCCC secretariat as a conference assistant."

  After graduating from the SOAS LLM in environmental law I completed an internship at the IUCN Environmental Law Centre in Bonn, and worked for the UNFCCC secretariat as a conference assistant.

• "From lecturers to your fellow students, the University as a whole is so welcoming and you’re instantly immersed into all that it has to offer. "

  SOAS has a wonderful environment that encourages you to learn everywhere you go and from everyone you meet. There are always events and lectures taking place, covering social, cultural and academic interests. No matter how niche your interests may be, there is something for everyone to get involved with!

• "I am able to explore a variety of fields in business and law thanks to my strong foundation at SOAS."

  The SOAS School of Law has not only provided me with a solid understanding of the English Legal System but has also given me the opportunity to delve into jurisdictions in Asia and Africa.

Read more alumni and student stories

Our publications

• The Right to Sanitation in India – Critical Perspectives

  Cullet, Philippe and Koonan, Sujith and Bhullar, Lovleen, eds. (2019)

  Oxford University Press

• Rethinking the Role of African National Courts in Arbitration

  Onyema, Emilia, ed. (2018)  

  Wolters Kluwer

• Colonial Lives of Property: Law, Land and Racial Regimes of Ownership

  Bhandar, Brenna (2018)  

  Durham, North Carolina: Duke University Press. (Global and Insurgent Legalities)

• Writing Chinese Laws: The Form and Function of Legal Statutes Found in the Qin Shuihudi Corpus

  Caldwell, Ernest (2018)  

  Abingdon: New York: Routledge.

• International human rights law and practice, Second Edition

  Bantekas, Ilias and Oette, Lutz (2016)

  Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

• Masking Barbarism: Human Rights in the Contemporary Global Order.

  O'Connell, Paul (2015)

  Hart.

• Muslim Women and Shari'ah Councils, Transcending the Boundaries of Community and Law.

  Bano, Samia (2012)

  London: Palgrave MacMillan.

• Sexual and Gender Diversity in the Muslim World: History, Law and Vernacular Knowledge.

  Hamzić, Vanja (2015)

  London: I.B.Tauris. (Islamic South Asia series)

• The Constitutional Systems of the Independent Central Asian States.

  Newton, Scott (2017)

  Oxford: Hart.

• The Legal Reasoning of the Court of Justice of the EU.

  Beck, Gunnar (2013)

  Oxford: Hart Publishing.

• The Transformation of Islamic Law in Global Financial Markets.

  Ercanbrack, Jonathan G (2015)  

  Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

• Unconditional Life: The Postwar International Law Settlement.

  Otomo, Yoriko (2016)

  Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• British Rule in China: Law and Justice in Weihaiwei 1898-1930, (2008) Tan, Carol G.S.

  Tan, Carol G.S. (2008)

  Wildy, Simmonds & Hill. (Law in East Asia series)

• Water Law in India – An Introduction to Legal Instruments, (2017) P. Cullet & S. Koonan eds

  P. Cullet & S. Koonan eds

  New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2nd ed, 2017