Student ambassador scheme

Represent SOAS as a SOAS Student Ambassador

Every foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate student is invited to become a SOAS Student Ambassador.

Our ambassadors are enthusiastic, passionate, confident and reliable. They love their chosen programme of study, get involved with student life at SOAS and want to make the most of their University experience whilst enjoying flexible, paid work.

Student ambassadors have a diverse role, which typically includes: showing prospective students around the SOAS campus; working at large public events; answering questions about student life and SOAS courses; supporting administrative departments and working with schools to inspire young people.

Ambassadors who fulfil certain criteria also have the opportunity to receive additional, specialist training to work on two programmes. Outreach and Capital L, which are designed to improve access and participation in higher education and to promote the uptake of language studies.

Student Ambassador (Outreach)

Student Ambassadors working with the Outreach programme support the Access, Participation and Student Success team in providing opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain further insight into higher education and provide information and motivation to school/college students.

Visit the Access, Participation and Student Success pages for more information on Outreach activities.

Student Ambassador (Capital L)

Student Ambassadors working with the Capital L programme become part of a consortium of student ambassadors from partner HE institutions. They provide information and motivation to school/college students, offering them insights into the world of higher education and language learning and encouraging them to pursue or continue foreign language studies.

SOAS and the University of Westminster are the lead institutions in Capital L, working in partnership with King's College London, Queen Mary University of London, The Open University and UCL.

For further information on the role, please see the Capital L Student Ambassador Job Description and Person Specification (PDF).

Visit Capital L - Routes into Languages for more information on Capital L activities.

Enrich your university experience

Benefits of becoming a SOAS Student Ambassador

As a SOAS Student Ambassador, you will become part of a social network and active community of students. In addition to monetary payment for your work, you will also receive the following benefits:

  • Exclusive access to flexible work opportunities that fit around your timetable. 
  • Ambassador Scheme participation for the duration of your studies.
  • Development of a range of transferable skills to prepare you for work or future study including public speaking, presentation, communication, organisational and time management skills, as well as developing your confidence and ability to multitask.
  • Extra-curricular opportunities to meet with a variety of people and develop a social and professional network that could follow you into the future.
  • References for future employment.

Pay, working hours and role information

Essential information

  • Student Ambassador work is currently paid at £13.59 per hour plus holiday pay (£15.23 per hour inclusive of holiday pay).
  • Payments are made monthly through BACS transfer to a UK bank account on the last working day of the month.
  • Ambassadors must be current registered students at SOAS University of London.
  • All ambassadors must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK before employment.
  • Ambassadors will be provided with comprehensive paid training at the start of their role, with additional training available for specific work opportunities, as required.
  • The number of hours you work each month will vary based on the number of shifts available, your availability and how proactive you are in applying for work opportunities. 
  • Ambassador work opportunities are only available when requested by organisers. This means that regular working hours on the Student Ambassador Scheme cannot be guaranteed. We therefore advise students in need of a fixed income during their studies to seek regular, part-time work in addition to participating in the Student Ambassador Scheme.
  • Ambassadors must complete at least one work opportunity each academic year.
  • Full role details can be found in the SOAS Student Ambassador Job Description and Person Specification (PDF).

How to apply

Apply to join the SOAS Student Ambassador Scheme

Applications are currently closed. To be contacted when we are next recruiting, you can register your interest through the link here.

Recruitment for 2023/24 will open in September/October 2023. You can register your interest in becoming a Student Ambassador and be notified of the next recruitment cycle, by completing this form

Information for 2023/24 applicants

Applications are reviewed and scored against the job description, person specification and requirements of the Scheme for the academic year. Applicants shortlisted will be invited to book and attend an online interview on Microsoft Teams. Interviews are expected to take place in late October-November.

Applicants successful at interview stage will be invited to join the SOAS Student Ambassador Scheme and begin the onboarding process.

New student ambassadors will attend a compulsory training day (to be confirmed). Completion of the training day will allow ambassadors to participate fully in work opportunities.

Further details will be provided to applicants in due course.

Contact us

If you have further questions, please contact:

Student Ambassador Officer
SOAS Student Ambassador Scheme
Access, Participation and Student Success
Email: ambassadors@soas.ac.uk

Information for SOAS staff

Please visit MySOAS to find out more about how your academic or professional services department can work with student ambassadors.

I was an ambassador for 5-6 years from my initial year as an undergraduate to my final days as a Master's student. Being an ambassador was one of my core roles at the School (beyond being a student) that gave me an opportunity to demonstrate the great and unique institution I was in, as well as gain notable skills that helped me secure my first internships and later on, work. This was an experience where the impact was tangible and the opportunity to help, offer advice to students and give them a glimpse of being a student at SOAS made it a very worthy and rewarding experience for me.

— Former Student Ambassador and SOAS Alumnus