SOAS University of London, UK - Ranking, Reviews, Courses, Tuition Fees

Overview

About SOAS University of London

SOAS University of London is the UK’s leading institution for the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, a world‑renowned centre of global expertise, critical scholarship and real‑world impact. Students will study alongside world-class academics, researchers and practitioners who bring global insight and real-world experience into the classroom.

As recognised in the most recent QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, SOAS has five subjects ranked in the global top 40 and 13 subjects in the global top 100. This includes development studies (ranked 2^nd globally), politics (16^th), anthropology (19^th), history of art (24^th) and history (36^th). The arts and humanities subject area is also ranked 88^th globally. Other subjects featured in the top 100 include archaeology, linguistics, modern languages, classics and ancient history, sociology, theology, divinity & religious studies.

The institution is based in cosmopolitan Bloomsbury, at the heart of central London and has everything to make international students feel at home. SOAS houses state-of-the-art learning facilities, dedicated student spaces and a library that is among the best academic resources in the world for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Beyond the classroom, there are over 100 societies and clubs that students can be a part of, including ones for dance, drama, film making, hiking, journalism, music, origami and photography and many more. Students can also take advantage of career support services at SOAS should they need help gaining employment.

London is among the best places in the world to graduate, being home to world-class employers. SOAS graduates will join a network of more than 55,000 alumni from over 130 countries across the globe. SOAS academics, students and alumni are widely recognised for their work on issues that contribute to meaningful change in today’s multicultural and interconnected world.

University Ranking

QS World University Rankings

2026 511 3

2025 508 3

2024 511

Times Higher Education World University Rankings

2026 401

2025 401

2024 401

Graduate outcomes

SOAS students graduate from a world-leading university that provides a truly unique learning environment. The university promotes a culture of dynamic social discourse, and students will spend several years immersed in an environment which expands their worldview, perspective, and skillsets. As such, SOAS graduates are highly desirable to professional employers due to the standard of their education and unique critical skills.

At SOAS there is a dedicated careers service team on hand to help students throughout their time at the university. The careers service offers one-to-one sessions for advice on writing a standout CV and cover letter while helping students prepare for successful interviews. There are also dedicated employer skills sessions, careers fairs, alumni workshops, an online CareersZONE, and e-mentoring with alumni offered at the university.

Additionally, SOAS students have access to the University of London Careers Group throughout their studies. The service offers expert guidance to help students find out which industry they may want to enter after graduating.

There are also a number of SOAS-exclusive paid internships available to students at the university. SOAS Careers partners with organisations across a diverse range of sectors to offer summer internship opportunities, while SOAS’s Co-creator Internship scheme provides opportunities for students to work on projects with staff across departments.

SOAS graduates have gone on to find work in companies and global charities such as the United Nations, Amnesty International, EY, Deloitte, The New York Times, Google, the BBC, the World Economic Forum, Save the Children and more.

What's new

Online learning

SOAS has launched a reimagined portfolio of online degrees for September 2026 entry, offering new ways to study with one of the world’s leading institutions for global, interdisciplinary education. These are designed to be equal in quality to programmes studied on campus at the university.

Scholarships

SOAS has a long history of supporting students from around the world. For the 2025/26 entry, one in three international students who study a postgraduate taught degree received a scholarship. For the 2026/27 entry, SOAS is offering more than 320 awards with a total value of GBP 4 million to help support the undergraduate and postgraduate journey.

In addition, SOAS is offering up to 15 scholarships valued at GBP 10,000 for applicants on the select new master’s programmes launching in September 2026, including:

MSc Data Science
MSc Data Science and Economic Policy
MSc Global Sustainability
MSc AI and Sustainability
MA Race and Empire

Global Partnerships

SOAS is an international, forward-thinking institution committed to developing equitable partnerships with universities throughout the Global South.

In collaboration with Nazarbayev University, SOAS offers a joint MA in Global Affairs and Eurasian Studies. This interdisciplinary programme focuses on Eurasia as a region shaped by major global forces, including energy and trade, security and technology, culture and ideas. On this course, students will explore how global and regional forces interact — from diplomacy and security to environment, energy, and culture.

SOAS also recently launched MA Global Citizenship, a joint degree with National Sun Yat-sen University. This is an intensive one-year programme that explores the concept of citizenship in a global context. It is built around key themes of equality, citizenship, and social change, helping students develop a framework for global equality and sustainable development.

Eligibility

Entry requirements

Admission requirements at SOAS generally vary on a course-by-course basis and the entry requirements for specific programmes can be found in full on individual course pages.

The university accepts a variety of international qualifications, including the European Baccalaureate, AP exams and many more. SOAS provides a list of entry requirements by country, and prospective students are advised to familiarise themselves with any key deadlines or additional requirements associated with the department or programme they are applying for.

Some courses, particularly in languages, will involve a test of students’ existing knowledge and experience in the language to determine their entry level for the course, once they are accepted onto the programme.

International applicants must also be able to demonstrate a degree of English language proficiency before starting a course at SOAS. This generally equates to a level of 6.5 on the IELTS standardised test, although there are a number of accepted assessment providers considered by the university.

Department and Faculty

Teaching quality

Nominated a finalist for Lecturers and Teaching Quality in Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2026, SOAS has an outstanding reputation for the quality of its teaching and mentorship. Learning programmes at the university are distinctive and students are able to enrol on modules which feature a unique combination of languages, academic studies and regionally focused modules.

There are more than 5,630 students at SOAS from over 130 countries worldwide. Students are tutored by highly qualified and widely experienced academic staff who operate at the forefront of ground-breaking specialist research areas. Many lecturers at the university have worked and taught internationally, and their teaching is informed by the very latest developments in global research.

As a university that is world-renowned for the high quality of its teaching and research excellence, students at SOAS are in the ideal learning environment to thrive academically and develop intellectually and professionally, giving them the best platform for their future career success.

Department structure

SOAS is home to over 300 academic staff with a range of distinct research interests and profiles. As a result, SOAS provides students with a wide array of subject offerings and degree pathways to choose from. International students are able to study at certificate, undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Academic departments at SOAS focus on areas of study which include:

SOAS also has a range of interdisciplinary and collaborative specialist research centres, which operate at the forefront of cutting-edge research cultures. Ranging from anthropology and mental health, global media and communications to law, environment and development, AI futures and many more.

Campus and facilities

Facilities

SOAS has a single campus in Bloomsbury equipped with a range of study spaces. On the university campus there is also an on-site cafeteria serving food from around the world, an SU bar, and a junior common room. Students at SOAS additionally enjoy access to University of London facilities including clubs and societies, a gym, a bar, the Senate House Library, and much more.

The SOAS Library is one of the world’s most important resources for the study of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The ever-expanding library houses over 1.3 million volumes, including manuscripts, archives and digital collections. The SOAS library attracts some of the best scholars from around the world and is recognised by Research Libraries UK as one of the top research libraries in the UK.

The SOAS Gallery, meanwhile, is the university’s free exhibition space. Located in the centre of SOAS’s campus, the gallery programmes an innovative array of exhibitions and events all year round to promote a better understanding of African, Asian, and Middle Eastern culture, art, and history.

SOAS’s campus is located in Bloomsbury in central London. Both the British Museum and the British Library are within walking distance of SOAS’s campus, as are the world-renowned sights and amenities of the West End. Students at the university will find a vibrant range of cafés, bars, and restaurants on their doorstep, in addition to a number of green spaces, museums, arts venues and bookstores.

The SOAS Students’ Union facilitates a number of societies and sports teams, which include Anime, Desi, Chinese Percussion, Origami, Feminism, World Music Choir, Yoga, Basketball, Football, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Netball, Rugby, Squash, Volleyball and many more.

At SOAS there is also a student newspaper and groups for various religions, cultures, and political ideologies. There is truly something for everyone at SOAS, and getting involved in extra-curricular activities is a great way to socialise and develop new interests.