Module overview

Students studying abroad or on an exchange programme are able to choose from over 300 modules across our 12 departments at SOAS to build a unique programme.

Whether you are coming to SOAS for the full year or for one semester, you are not restricted to a Study Abroad ‘pathway’ or to one specific department (though some module restrictions apply).

Value of modules

• 15 credits: semester 1 or 2 only

These are credits not ECTS points. European students should note that 15 UK Credits are equivalent to 7.5 ECTS credit points.

To sign up to modules, submit your choices to the Study Abroad team by the relevant date:

• September starters (Semester 1 and Full Year): submit in July
• January starters (Semester 2): submit in November

Students will be able to add/drop modules in week 1 of each semester. All available modules are subject to change and some may have restrictions on class numbers so we cannot guarantee entry into every module. 

Modules for 2025/26

Number of modules to choose

The Study Abroad/Exchange Programme is designed to host full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students:

• Undergraduate: 120 credits if full year, 60 credits if only semester 1 or semester 2.
• Postgraduate: 120 credits if full year, 60 credits if only semester 1 or semester 2.

Any student on a Student visa is required by the UKVI to be enrolled full-time for the duration of their studies. We allow semester-only students who do not require a Student visa to take three modules, but only with explicit written approval from their home institution.

Restrictions

Most of the modules taught at SOAS are available to Study Abroad/Exchange students; restrictions are as follows:

• Independent study projects, dissertations and extended essays are not open to Study Abroad/Exchange students as they are not taught modules.
• Postgraduate modules are available to postgraduate study abroad/exchange students only.
• Modules with examinations are not open to Semester 1-only Study Abroad/Exchange students.
• Pre-sessional English courses and Language Centre courses do not carry academic credit and incur extra costs.

Language modules are found in the regional departments (South East Asia, South Asia, Africa, China and Inner Asia, Japan and Korea, Near and Middle East). Students interested in literature modules will be able to find these across the various schools.

Some modules have prerequisite classes; in these instances, you will be expected to prove that you have taken a similar module to the prerequisite at your home institution. It is your responsibility to contact the relevant module convenor in order to get permission to take a module that has prerequisites.

Non-Study Abroad/Exchange Study options

Our Study Abroad/Exchange Programme is designed for undergraduate and Masters-level students to take a full class load at SOAS, and then transfer the academic credit to their home institution.

If you are interested in only taking one or two modules at SOAS (or modules not for academic credit), you should apply as a Associate student. If you are interested in coming to SOAS as a visiting PhD student, you should apply as a Visiting Research Student.

See Study at SOAS for a range of non Study Abroad/Exchange options including undergraduate study, postgraduate study, distance learning, and foundation courses.