Student Engagement and Peer Support

At SOAS we create initiatives that enable all of our students to succeed, especially those who are already facing barriers, and help to ease the transition into university life.

Our aim to empower you to actively search and define what “success” means to you, develop the capacity to navigate higher education and make informed choices on your progression. We achieve this through delivery of a range of projects, interventions and policy which maximise engagement and creates a sense of belonging in the SOAS community. 

SOAS Peer Mentoring is a student-led initiative overseen by the Student Experience (Leadership) Officer within the Student Experience team. The programme connects new undergraduate and foundation year SOAS students with returning students, fostering an inclusive and supportive community on campus.  

Mentors are trained to offer guidance on university life, provide helpful study tips, and connect mentees with key services and resources. Mentoring can take place both in person and online through Microsoft Teams, ensuring all new students can participate, regardless of location. Matches are based primarily by department, but in some instances they will be based on shared identifying characteristics. 

For the 2026/2027 academic year, all new foundation year students will be matched with a mentor as standard as part of our pilot opt-out Peer Mentor programme with the Foundation College.

For more information and how to sign up, please visit Peer mentoring or email peermentoring@soas.ac.uk.