SOAS University of London

Facts and figures

1st

rank in London in the Complete University Guide 2021 for Middle Eastern and African Studies, and 6th in UK

Alumni and student stories

• "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.

• "SOAS is a truly great institution that provides a stimulating learning environment with extensive resources and outstanding teaching staff."

  SOAS is a remarkable institution and I am happy to have chosen to study here. Students of the Middle East can really excel in their chosen fields and this year I have had the chance to study courses in the Politics and Media Studies Departments.

• "I happily give to SOAS, my two courses and my lecturers my warmest recommendation."

  My training as a specialist in the Middle East and Subcontinent would be rather incomplete without these languages or a stay at SOAS!

• "SOAS seemed the natural place to come, not only because of its fantastic location in the heart of London, but also because of its specialist focus and its diverse student body."

  I found my courses always challenging and intellectually stimulating, the lecturers first-rate and unceasing in their willingness to give their time and assistance, a library with a wonderful collection covering my research area.

• "SOAS is truly a microcosm in the heart of London."

  Living and breathing SOAS ensures you not only see and understand the complexities of our global world, but that you actually feel it, realising that you and I are inextricably linked in every way. This organic awakening to holistically see infinitely complex global situations is something found nowhere else than SOAS.

• "SOAS is situated in the heart of London, which as a global capital can offer you, if you try hard, anything you wish or fancy"

  What SOAS offers is the lectures with world-class academics, who give you not only a thorough knowledge on the subject, but also stimulate you for individual thinking and make you enjoy the course.

• "The atmosphere at SOAS is incredibly stimulating, and learning in an environment with such a diverse group of engaged students has really made for a very unique learning experience."

  I had studied in an international school in India that focused a lot on extracurricular activities, and going to SOAS seemed like a natural continuation of my studies.

• "SOAS is unlike most other places in the UK. It definitely has a unique feeling to it, being a relatively small university, and has a much friendlier atmosphere than larger more impersonal universities"

  One of the highlights of my course has been having the opportunity to study for one year at Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand. It was really daunting at first but there is no better way to learn a language than to totally immerse yourself in it and you learn all about the society and culture that you’re living in.

• "To describe SOAS in one word: enriching!"

  The name says it all – it specialises in areas you wouldn’t normally be able to study elsewhere, and is truly an outstanding academic institution.

• "University experience in SOAS is truly a colourful and unique experience. No other University comes close."

  Nothing can truly describe your own personal SOAS experience, but one thing I can say is that it will be something you will remember for a lifetime and learn from not only your classes, but through life experience while being here.

• "From the moment I first stepped into the SOAS gates, I thought ‘wow this place is different’, with a big gulp in my throat."

  It’s a global experience and, thankfully, everyone is included, no matter what their colour, religion, or ‘class’.

• "London is a phenomenal city to live in. On any given day there are plenty of things (free or cheap as well!) to do"

  I attended as many SOAS events as possible because it is the best way to meet non-study abroad students and interact with the community

• "London is definitely an ideal place for a university student and I believe that the city prides itself on that"

  I personally never even had time to stay in my room. Whether it was spending time with the clubs I joined, going to Covent Garden and watching the street shows, or travelling around the rest of Europe, there was always something to do. It’s amazing how diverse the city is

• "Despite the size of the city it’s also one that you can easily come to know and feel comfortable in."

  Academically studying at SOAS has been incredible.  At first I thought that getting to meet the big-name professors from my field would be the most enjoyable part of my experience but now I actually think it has been the other students.

• "If you ever have this opportunity, don’t think twice!"

  I also really appreciated the contact between professors and students and the exchange of knowledge that is established. I loved the way professors made us understand that even them, had something to learn from us students.

• "I met so many people from different countries, which was an unbelievable experience. Here you can find friends for a lifetime from all over the world and it definitely broadens your horizon."

  Here you have the possibility not only to read about other cultures, you can experience them.  Besides that, SOAS offers such a wide choice of exciting courses with interesting teachers, you will find nowhere else in the world and all that in the heart of London.

• "Taking an MA in Turkish Studies at SOAS has been an incredibly rewarding experience. "

  Taking an MA in Turkish Studies at SOAS has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The programme offers a unique opportunity to study various aspects of Turkey, the Middle East and the wider Turkic world including Central Asia and the Caucasus. With areas as diverse as contemporary geopolitics, Ottoman and Turkish history as well as outstanding language learning opportunities available for study, nowhere else offers a more comprehensive course.

• "The interdisciplinary approach of courses at SOAS made a huge impact on me. "

  SOAS is an institution that makes one not only think outside the box but also to question the box itself.

• "SOAS was the obvious choice of place to study and the MA in Palestine Studies, taught by Palestinian, Israeli and British academics, fitted the bill."

  I have enjoyed the combination of lectures and seminars as well as the challenge of researching and writing half a dozen essays over the course of the year.

Read more alumni and student stories