Work-aligned learning at SOAS

Work in small teams on a two-week intensive project responding to an employer brief. Open to students from all disciplines, these projects offer realistic insight into industry challenges. 

• Duration: 2 weeks
• Format: virtual team project
• Access: advertised through SOAS and Careers Service
• Eligibility: undergraduates 

Structured, supervised experience with an employer in a field connected to the student's degree. Currently available in BA Global Development, MSc Global Development, and BA Economics programmes. 

• Duration: 4 to 8 weeks (typically semester 2: late January to March)
• Format: in-person, hybrid, or remote
• Access: through academic departments with Careers Service support
• Eligibility: students enrolled on BA/MSc Global Development and BA Economics. 

Paid, short-term experiences exclusively for SOAS students. Students explore sectors and build their CVs through opportunities across NGOs, charities, finance, tech companies, and consultancies. 

• Duration: 5-10 weeks (June to mid-September)
• Format: In-person, hybrid or remote
• Access: Apply through the Careers Service
• Eligibility: Undergraduate and postgraduate taught students 

Paid internal internships where students work on projects across SOAS departments. Students co-create aspects of the student experience, from curriculum development to library exhibitions. 

• Duration: 64 hours (flexible within Spring Term)
• Format: On-campus, SOAS-based
• Access: Apply through the Careers Service
• Eligibility: Undergraduate and postgraduate research students  

A number of postgraduate degrees include a full-time, 10-12 month paid work placement as part of a two-year programme. This extended professional experience provides deep sector knowledge and valuable contacts. 

• Duration: 10-12 months
• Format: Full-time placement
• Access: Student-sourced with Careers Service support
• Eligibility: Specific postgraduate programmes. 

Several undergraduate degrees include a full-time, 10-12 month paid work placement as part of a four-year degree. This extended professional experience provides deep sector knowledge and valuable contacts. 

• Duration: 10-12 months
• Format: Full-time placement
• Access: Student-sourced with Careers Service support
• Eligibility: Specific undergraduate programmes. 

As part of its strong commitment to social justice and experiential learning, SOAS Law School offers a range of clinical legal education opportunities across undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes. Through partnerships with external organisations, students apply legal theory to real-world cases, develop professional legal skills, and contribute to access to justice using a ‘law-in-action’ approach. 

• Duration: varies by clinic and module (typically across an academic term or year)
• Format: supervised legal clinics, volunteering placements and policy projects
• Access: embedded within specific law modules or via competitive application
• Eligibility: SOAS LLB/BA and LLM/MA students enrolled on eligible law modules or programmes 

Examples include: 

• Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID): students support migrants in UK detention centres and prisons as part of asylum and immigration law modules.
• University of London Refugee Law Clinic: selected students provide supervised legal advice to refused asylum seekers, including legal drafting and case preparation.
• Pro Bono Community Placements: training and placements within legal advice centres, such as Citizens Advice, with a focus on housing and benefits law.
• Environmental Law Foundation (ELF) Policy Clinic: students work on public interest environmental and human rights policy projects, including climate and environmental justice.
• Lawyers for Nature Partnership: research-led projects exploring legal models recognising the rights of nature across different jurisdictions.
• SOAS Detention Law Clinic: in partnership with Wilsons Solicitors LLP, students deliver legal advice to people held under immigration powers and contribute to law reform and advocacy projects. 

Paid virtual internships where students work on short, project-based placements with external organisations, including charities, social enterprises and purpose-driven ventures. Students contribute to real projects while gaining experience. The programme also includes CPD-certified training and mentoring to support students’ professional and skills development. 

• Duration: 60 hours (flexible within the internship period)
• Format: virtual placements completed remotely with host organisations in the UK and internationally
• Access: apply through the SOAS AES application process (fully recruited for this academic year)
• Eligibility: this programme is open to Home/UK undergraduate students only, who are either:
  • Current full-time foundation year, first and second year students who are part of the Student Success Programme
  • Undergraduate final year students with 0 to 2 years of work experience, from any course

Serve on a Students' Union committee or lead a student society. Gain hands-on experience in leadership, teamwork, and event delivery.

• Duration: Academic year commitment
• Format: On-campus activities
• Access: Through the Students' Union

Some academic modules at SOAS include activities that mirror workplace tasks, enabling students to apply knowledge in practical contexts. These experiences are embedded within degree programmes. 

• Duration: 1 week to 1 term
• Format: varies by module
• Access: through academic departments 

SOAS-Museum Rietberg Internship Programme 

The School of Arts, in partnership with the Museum Rietberg, Zurich, Switzerland, supports three internships with a focus on South and Southeast Asia. Eligibility extends to all students (full-time or part-time) currently enrolled on any School of Arts taught MA programme. In the UK and Zurich. 

Fondation Chu Teh-Chun internship 

The School of Arts, in partnership with the Fondation Chu Teh-Chun supports SOAS students to travel to Venice to work at the Venice Biennale.  

School of Arts students can access the School of Arts – Careers, Internships and Grants Information Page for more information. 

Hyundai, in partnership with SOAS, offers postgraduate students of African Nationality the opportunity to work at their HQ in Seoul, Korea, as part of a 4-week paid summer internship. 

Paid opportunities for students to represent SOAS at events, support outreach and widening participation activity, and help bring the SOAS community to life.  

• Duration: flexible, parttime work across the academic year
• Format: on campus and occasional online activities
• Access: apply through the Access, Experience and Success Team 
• Eligibility: undergraduate and postgraduate taught students 

Paid opportunities for students to produce engaging multimedia content that showcases life at SOAS.

• Duration: flexible, creative work throughout the academic year
• Format: on campus and remote content production
• Eligibility: undergraduate and postgraduate taught students 

Self-paced online simulations delivered through platforms including SpringPod and Forage. Complete employer-designed tasks that replicate real workplace activities. 

Observe professionals in their daily work environment. Gain insights into different roles, understand workplace culture, and explore career pathways.

Paid roles available on campus or in the local area through CareersZONE. Students develop professional confidence and transferable skills while studying.

Opportunities to offer time and skills to support causes, charities, or community organisations. Students develop employability skills while contributing to positive social impact.

SOAS Careers delivers tailored workshops, employer-led sessions, and skills-focused activities that support students’ professional development and develop their understanding of the workplace.

• Duration: Workshops and sessions throughout the academic year
• Format: On-campus or virtual
• Access: Through the Careers Service

Some study abroad programmes include international volunteering, short internships, or traineeships. Students develop cross-cultural awareness and practical experience in international contexts.

• Duration: varies by programme
• Format: international placement
• Payment: varies
• Access: Study Abroad Team