Study Abroad students in China return to SOAS

30 January 2020

SOAS has decided to teach the remainder of its China Study Abroad year for 2019-20 back in London, as a response to the Wuhan flu outbreak. The 18 students who have been based at Beijing Normal University are returning to complete their studies in the UK. Other UK universities with students on study abroad in China are understood to be taking similar steps for their students.

Griseldis Kirsch, Head of the East Asian Languages and Cultures Department, said: "Our overwhelming concern is the wellbeing and safety of our students. The experience at BNU in China is an exceptional one, but in these circumstances completing the year of their studies here in London has to be the right thing. We will be doing all we can - with the resources at SOAS and the wider opportunities in London - to make the completion of this study abroad year a good one for our students."

SOAS is also in contact with the smaller number of PhD students based in China - who are all Chinese nationals - to ensure they are properly supported when undertaking their research work.

More generally, SOAS is providing advice to its students and staff on what precautionary approaches to take in relation to safety in the UK - following latest Public Health England guidance and FCO travel advice .