Ortigia Scholarship

Eligible course of study

One Ortigia Scholarship is available for the 2026/27 academic year running from 28 September 2025 to 4 August 2026. Recipients of the scholarship will complete the following modules:

• Arts of India
• Analysing and Exploring the Arts
• Arts of China
• Arts of Japan & Korea or Arts of the Buddhist World
• the Independent Study Project in Asian Art History or Asian Art: Theories, Practices and Objects

Candidate eligibility criteria

Applicants must:

• Already hold an offer of a place on the SOAS-Alphawood Postgraduate Diploma in Asian Art.
• Possess or expect to be awarded a 2:1 or above, an equivalent non-UK qualification, or equivalent professional experience. Students with a non-UK degree are to be adjudged by their referees and transcript.
• Be either the first in their family to go to university or resident in a country where there is conflict, extreme challenge or adversity.
• Provide a supporting statement (two pages maximum) stating why they wish to take this programme and how this scholarship will make a difference to them. This statement must also speak to how they meet the eligibility criteria as either the first in their family to go to university or resident in a country where there is conflict, extreme challenge or adversity

International students must demonstrate that they meet SOAS's English language requirements by the 17 July 2026.

Please apply for the Ortigia Scholarship by completing and submitting the online application form. As part of this form you must also submit:

• A recently submitted piece of academic work at least 1,000 words in length, or equivalent piece of writing from a professional context (i.e., auction or museum catalogue essay). If you have not recently submitted a piece of academic work please produce a new piece of writing on an art historical topic of your choosing at approximately 1,000 words in length (please note that the panel may only review the first 1,000 words).
• Two references providing an opinion on your suitability for this programme of study as a scholarship student. Academic references are preferred, but one professional reference is acceptable. Two professional references can be provided if you have been out of academia for more than 5 years.

Referees can email references directly to Programme Manager Patrick Monger at asianart@soas.ac.uk but these must be received by the application deadline.

Candidate assessment

Candidates will be assessed by an Advisory Panel consisting of three members of SOAS staff.

The panel will be looking at the applicants’ degree results, references, professional experience, supporting statement, writing sample, and other relevant information.

The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of a combination of academic potential, financial need, and impact of the scholarship on the applicant’s academic and professional development.

Terms

• The scholarship cannot be held along with any other major scholarship.
• The scholarship is specifically to support in-person study in London; you cannot take online modules as part of the programme for the scholarship holder.
• We expect successful candidate to dedicate themselves to the course full time and not undertake any further form of work or study during term-time.
• We expect the successful candidate to attend all teaching sessions.
• Continuation of the award will be conditional on satisfactory attendance and contribution, which will be assessed at the end of every term as well as monitored throughout.
• London residency during term-time is a requirement. There is a stipend of £19,400 to cover accommodation and living costs, paid in three installments over the course of the year. We are happy to offer assistance in arranging accommodation for the scholarship recipient.

If you have any queries about the application process, eligibility requirements, or any other aspects of the programme, please contact asianart@soas.ac.uk.