SOAS University of London, London
Greater London - Inner London, England | Estd in 1938 | Government University
CWUR Rank : 1408 | QS Rank : 511
About SOAS University of London
The university established in the year 1916 is a well-known public research university in the UK. The university is recognized globally for its quality teaching and research of utmost excellence. For application to graduate taught programmes, applications must be submitted before July 31, 2024.
SOAS University acceptance rate is 9% which shows that admission to the university is quite challenging and out of every 100 applications, only 9 of them gets accepted at the university. To improve their chances of admission, students must have an excellent application with high GPA scores, proficiency in English language such as in IELTS, IELCA academic, TOEFL and others.
SOAS University has around 5,500 students from nearly 135 countries across the globe. The tuition fees for international students for both undergraduate and postgraduate range between INR 14,76,662 to INR 24,06,412 (£16,200 to £26,400) per academic year. The exact tuition fees vary based on the course of study chosen by a student at the university.
SOAS offers courses for both undergraduate and postgraduate students in African and black diaspora, environmental law and sustainable development, human rights, conflict and justice, developmental studies (gender), humanitarian aid and conflict, economic policy, and curating cultures. SOAS University of London also provides international foundation programmes to improve English language speaking skills.
SOAS University of London courses are offered in the main faculties include Languages and Cultures, Arts and Humanities, and Law and Social Sciences. The university is also ranked in the world for its subjects by QS World University Rankings 2024, which includes Development Studies, Anthropology, and Politics and International Studies.
The SOAS University of London is known for facilitating a conducive learning environment on campus. The SOAS University provides many facilities for its students including SOAS university library, careers service, student disability service, SEER team, careers Service, and eateries including, Drummond Street, Diwana, student unions.
SOAS has over 200 different societies such as ABACUS, Latin America Society, Film Society, Drama Society. The students can also join the over 19 sports teams. SOAS University of London campus life is good for students who wish to enjoy and have fun along with gaining academic and professional skills.
Read more: Benefits of studying in UK
SOAS University of London Highlights
- Asian: 860
- European union: 530
- Others: 510
- North American: 235
- Indian: 180
SOAS University of London Ranking and Stats
SOAS University of London received a ranking of 511 in the QS World University Rankings 2024 and is ranked 401-500th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024. QS World University Rankings 2024 ranked SOAS 2nd in Development Studies, 10th in Anthropology, and 15th in Politics and International Studies. SOAS was ranked in 4th place by GPA in the UK for Anthropology and 25th in the UK for Development Studies in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024. In the 2023 QS World University Rankings, the university is ranked 33rd for International Students and 49th for International Faculty.
Parametric Score and Ranking 2024
| Domain | Year | Score | Rank | Rank Band |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2019 | NA | NA | 37.1–41.6 |
| Overall | 2020 | NA | NA | 38.8–42.3 |
| Overall | 2021 | NA | NA | 36.4–39.7 |
| Overall | 2022 | NA | NA | 40.9–44.0 |
| Overall | 2023 | NA | NA | 39.3–42.0 |
| Overall | 2024 | NA | NA | 45.4-49.0 |
SOAS University of London Courses
SOAS University of London provides a diverse range of undergraduate courses in a variety of subjects, with special focus on Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Postgraduate taught MA degree, Postgraduate taught M.Sc. degree, Postgraduate taught MRes degree, Certificates and diplomas are among the 200 postgraduate degrees available at the university, with the option of full-time or part-time study.
MA Development Studies, M.Sc. Anthropology of Development, LLM Human Rights, Conflict and Justice, MA History of Art, B.Sc. Politics and International Relations, and many other courses at SOAS University of London consistently receive high praise from students and are recognised for their academics, faculty competence, and job opportunities.
SOAS University of London Fees
| Courses | Duration | International Student | Local Student |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.A.(50 courses) | 1 year-2 years | ₹13.77 L - ₹29.37 L/yr | ₹12.94 L - ₹19.86 L/yr |
| B.A.(17 courses) | 2 years-4 years | ₹24.22 L - ₹26.82 L/yr | ₹9.80 L - ₹12.94 L/yr |
| M.Sc.(13 courses) | 1 year | ₹26.82 L - ₹29.37 L/yr | ₹12.94 L - ₹19.86 L/yr |
| B.Sc.(7 courses) | 3 years-4 years | ₹24.22 L/yr | ₹6.10 L - ₹10.10 L/yr |
| L.L.M(7 courses) | 1 year | ₹28.35 L/yr | ₹16.67 L/yr |
SOAS University of London Cost Of Living
Fees are payable in full at enrollment and should be paid in pounds sterling (GBP). A fee payment by instalment option is available to self-funding students undertaking on-campus degree programmes. The tuition fees for international students range between INR 14,76,662 to INR 24,06,412 (£16,200 to £26,400) per year, with the exact fees varying based on the programme. For postgraduate courses, tuition fee for international students is mentioned below:
MSc Development Studies: INR 17,41,003 (£19,100)
MA History of Art: INR 14,76,662 (£16,200)
MPhil African Religions: INR 14,76,662 (£16,200)
PhD Economics: INR 22,24,108 (£24,400)
Is it expensive to study in the university?
SOAS University of London is located at Russell Square, London. The cost of living in London, UK can be fairly high for students, however, the university is situated in a vibrant location. Apart from tuition fee, students are required to cover the cost of housing, food, and other utilities. Here's a breakdown of the cost of studying at SOAS University of London.
SOAS University of London living expenses
Expense list | Costs |
Accommodation | £600 and £1,500 per month for a single room in a shared flat |
Food | £10-£20 per meal at a casual restaurant |
Groceries | £200-£300 per month on groceries |
Transportation | £50-£100 per month on public transport |
Bills (gas, electricity, water, internet) | £100-£200 per month |
Read more: Student loan for UK
SOAS University of London Admission and Application
SOAS University of London acceptance rate is approximately 9%, which shows that SOAS us highly selective and not many students can get admission to the university every year. Applicants looking for admission to SOAS University of London are required to apply online by filling out an application form available on the official website.
How to Apply to the SOAS University of London
Students must follow a few important steps to submit an application for the SOAS University of London admission. A step-by-step procedure is mentioned below.
Undergraduate Students
The students must apply for SOAS admission for undergraduate programs.
Visit the university website and browse the courses on the website and finalize the course.
Visit the UCAS portal, browse the preferred course, and finalize the mode of study.
Start a new application, and enter all the essential details, and the required documents.
Finally, click on "Apply" to begin your application.
Before applying, students must check the scholarships and visa procedure.
Postgraduate students
Students can directly apply on the course pages.
Visit the university website- soas.ac.uk
Click on the study option present on the main homepage, then on the postgraduate option, further click on ‘How to Apply’ and follow it up by clicking on the ‘Apply for a postgraduate course’ option.
Search for the courses, select a course, and also finalize the mode of teaching.
On the selected course page, click on ‘Apply Now’ and enter the necessary details and the required documents
Verify the application and submit the document.
Students must check the availability of scholarships and visa requirements before applying.
When to apply at SOAS University of London
All international candidates can apply for taught postgraduate courses from early November to 31 July each year. An application at SOAS is processed within a 4-week time frame.
Documents required
Candidates must provide a specified set of paperwork when applying to the SOAS University of London. Before submitting these documents for SOAS University of London admission, the students must verify them, to ensure there is no hitch during the process.
Supporting statement of purpose of 1000 words
CV or resume
Supporting documentation including transcript and degree certificate
Description of the grading system at your home university
English Language proficiency like IELTS or TOEFL scores
Financial transcripts as proof
Photocopy of the passport or ID card
An academic reference or two as required.
Certified translation of the documents if they are not in English.
SOAS University of London Scholarship
SOAS University of London offers a wide range of scholarships for students at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These scholarships are awarded to support students from all backgrounds and regions. Students are also offered scholarships on the basis of financial needs or from external sources, such as Inlaks Scholarships and more.
SOAS Masters Scholarships, Cowrie Foundation Scholarship, Academic Excellence Scholarship, Felix Scholarships, Saraswati Dalmia Scholarship, and Chevening Scholarships are a few of the undergraduate, postgraduate and research scholarships provided at SOAS University of London.
Read more: Scholarships in UK for Indian students
SOAS University of London Eligibility
Candidates applying for admission to undergraduate, postgraduate or research programmes at the SOAS University of London, must meet the following entry requirements:
Undergraduate study
Applicants must have an Indian School Certificate (ICSE or CBSE) with at least 5 subjects. An overall percentage of 85% is considered equivalent to AAA at ‘A’ level.
Applicants having either ‘A’ levels or the IB Diploma will also be considered.
Additionally, students must check the individual programme of study for any specific academic requirements.
Graduate study
Candidates must have a second class upper or equivalent bachelor’s degree from a good university to be considered for entry to a SOAS master’s degree.
Research applicants are expected to have completed a Masters qualification from a good university.
Students should also check the individual programme of study for any specific academic requirements.
Note: SOAS typically expect an undergraduate degree of 2.2 and above in a subject related to the programme of study. However, the admissions team will also consider relevant work experience in the field submitted by the application in his/her application.
English language requirements
All applicants applying to SOAS are required to show that their English is high enough to successfully engage with and complete their course at the university.
SOAS accepts the following online English language tests for September 2024 entry (2-year validity from September 1st 2022):
TOEFL iBT Home Edition
IELTS Academic Online
IELCA Home (Academic) online
Password Skills Plus
Note: SOAS does not accept Duolingo. Pearson Academic (online version) or TOEFL Essentials tests, LanguageCert or Skills for English language proficiency for admission to taught programmes.
Direct entry
Test | Overall | Subscores |
IELTS Academic/for UKVI/ Online | 6.5 | minimum 6.0 |
PTE Academic | 65 | minimum 60 |
TOEFL iBT ('My Best Scores' not accepted) | 95 | 23 in writing, 20 in other subscores |
IELCA Academic | 35 | 35 in writing, 30 in other subscores |
Password Skills Plus | 6.5 | minimum 6.0 |
With 4-week pre-sessional English
Test | Overall | Subscores |
IELTS Academic/for UKVI/ Indicator | 6.0 | 6.0 in writing, 5.5 in other subscores |
PTE Academic | 62 | 60 in writing, 59 in other subscores |
TOEFL iBT ('My Best Scores' are not accepted) | 92 | 20 in writing and speaking, 18 in listening and reading |
IELCA Academic | 30 | 30 in writing, 25 in other subscores |
Password Skills Plus | 6.0 | 6.0 in writing, 5.5 in other subscores |
With 8-week pre-sessional English
Test | Overall | Subscores |
IELTS Academic/for UKVI/ Indicator | 5.5 | 5.5 in all subscores |
PTE Academic | 60 | 59 in all subscores |
TOEFL iBT ('My Best Scores' are not accepted) | 85 | 20 in speaking, 18 in all other subscores |
IELCA Academic | 25 | 25 in all subscores |
Password Skills Plus | 5.5 | 5.5 in all subscores |
SOAS University of London Campus Facilities
Library
SOAS University of London has an amazing library which is the National Research Library for Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The library houses over 1.3 million volumes and also has a major collection of digital resources, archives, manuscripts, rare books, and other special collections. The library has been updated later to accommodate more seating and modern facilities. The students of SOAS have access to the other University of London libraries, including the main library at the Senate House.
Library services include
Borrowing books
Returning books
Renewing books
Recalled books
Lost books
Printing and photocopying
Disability Support
Study spaces
Borrowing DVDs and Returning DVDs
Sports
SOAS the University of London invests in the student's well-being. The university provides the option to join the various 19 sports teams for badminton, basketball, dance society, internal martial arts, and running society. For fitness, the university has an amazing gymnasium, indoor on-campus facilities like dedicated martial arts areas, and off-campus facilities like bouldering, climbing walls, separate dance/fitness studios, and squash courts.
The university even provides gym facilities for its eminent faculty and ensures the staff is healthy, fit, and happy. There are also discounted passes available for them.
Transport Facility
By train, London has the Underground (“the tube”) which is the quickest and most frequently used, is crowded between about 7 - 9 in the morning, and 5 – 7 in the evening. The London Overground can be used to commute to non-central areas. The students can also commute via a bus which is cheaper and advisable for local journeys. Students can consider cycling for sustainable transport or walking.
Students can pay for the transport regularly by issuing a weekly or monthly Student Oystercard from the TFL website, which reduces travel fares by 30 percent off season tickets on London buses and tubes. For trains, students between the age of 16-25 can issue a rail card for a travel discount.
Cafeteria
SOAS University is surrounded with a wide variety of options available from coffee to breakfast, lunch, and dinner as the university is situated in a student-friendly locality, with a number of eateries around. As food must be budget friendly for students, there are a few local outlets that are most loved by students. The best places for affordable lunches include
The King of Falafel
ICCO’S Pizzeria
Bibimbab Cafe
Hare Krishna Food for Life
TooGoodToGo
Students can also check out Wrapchic, Trattoria Mondello, Tibits, Pitted Olive, Laoma, Indian YMCA, Itadaki Zen, Drummond Street, Diwana and more according to their preferences. There are also two cafes around which are Momo’s Garden Cafe and Caffe Tropea.
SOAS University of London International Office Details
SOAS University of London is a highly-ranked university with a strong reputation for excellence. It is a good choice for students who are looking for a world-class education and who are interested in studying in the UK. SOAS University of London accepts more than 58,000 candidates each year, among which there are 10,800+ international students.
SOAS has a large international student body, with students from over 130 countries represented. All overseas students can contact SOAS University of London on the following details:
Address: SOAS University of London, 10 Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London, WC1H 0XG, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 (0)20 7637 2388 || +44 (0)20 3510 6974
Is it hard to get into university?
SOAS University of London acceptance rate is 9%, which is extremely low. This means that for every 100 applicants, only 9 will be accepted. However, it's important to remember that the acceptance rate is just one factor to consider when applying to SOAS. If applicants have a strong academic record, relevant work experience, and a passion for their chosen subject, they will have a good chance of being accepted into the university.
SOAS University of London Gallery
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