SOAS: What it's really like

Looking to study at an institution with a focus on Africa, Asia, and the Middle East? SOAS could be the place for you…

SOAS at a glance:

Monica, who’s a student ambassador and social anthropology student at SOAS, shares what it’s like to study there.

What is SOAS?

SOAS is based in the Bloomsbury area of central London, England. It specialises mainly in arts, humanities, social sciences, and languages, with a focus on Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. SOAS not only centres its studies on these areas, but also includes the voices of the people from those areas across its curriculum too.

There are about 6,000 students at SOAS, with around half of these being international students.

Why apply to SOAS?

I think the first reason to apply to SOAS is its unique range of specialist subjects, from less commonly-found language degrees to engagements with international and cultural law. For this reason, you can really tailor your studies to the topics you’re interested in.

If you’re an international student, you’ll join a diverse student body where your perspectives are really valued. Again, you’ll also have the freedom to explore what really matters to you in your studies, whether that’s queer South Asian diasporas or indigenous and local climate justice.

Along with the student body, the lecturers here really enhance your experience. It’s inspiring to learn from world-class researchers who are both passionate about their subject, and willing to challenge you.
 

Who isn’t the right fit for SOAS?

If you’re interested in studying STEM subjects like maths, technology, or engineering, SOAS probably isn’t the right fit for you. SOAS focuses on issues of social justice alongside arts, humanities, social sciences, and languages, so it may be better to look elsewhere for STEM subjects.
 

Any application tips? 

I think the most important tip is to put across why you want to study the subject you’re applying for. You can write about your personal experiences, but keep linking them to your subject and how your subject makes them meaningful for you.

What’s the location like?

Whilst SOAS is based in the heart of London, everything you’ll need on a daily basis can be found on its one campus. There are about seven tube or train stations within a 10-15-minute walk from the campus, including St Pancras International.

London’s Soho and Chinatown districts are both walking distance from the campus too, with countless delicious eating options, bars, and nightclubs for students to enjoy in their spare time.
 

What facilities does SOAS have to offer?

When it comes to social facilities, SOAS’s students union offers over 100 different societies and clubs you can get involved in. You’ll find societies based around sports, music, faith, cultural activities, and even student media, like the student newspaper. 

In addition to the lecture theatres and seminar rooms you’ll find on the SOAS campus, one of the standout academic facilities is the library. It’s the only one of the UK’s five national research libraries that focuses on resources on Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, so lots of lecturers and academics around the world use it for their research. Not only is it a cosy space to study in, it offers around 1.3 million articles in over 1,000 languages!

Students can also take advantage of the facilities of the nearby University of London, like its gyms and libraries.
 

What is the accommodation like?

SOAS offers several accommodation options for undergraduate students. You can choose to live solely with other SOAS students in halls, or opt for intercollegiate halls, where you could also live with students from the University of London. Both options give you the chance to meet new friends who may be studying totally different subjects to you.

All SOAS’s accommodation options are a very short distance from the campus. You could live directly opposite the campus, or about a ten-minute walk away, closer to King’s Cross station.
 

How does SOAS meet the needs of students with different accessibility requirements?

There are several different teams at SOAS to support students through their university journey, from the wellbeing and advice service, to the careers and advice service, to the disabilities team. 

Whilst most of the rooms at SOAS are wheelchair accessible, if you find any space unsuitable or if there is an accessibility requirement that you need, the disabilities team will be more than happy to support you with reasonable adjustments.

If you have a disability or you’re neurodivergent, your academic advisor will work with you to create a study inclusion plan, helping make sure your studies at SOAS go as smoothly as possible.

Want to explore more UK universities? Unifrog’s Shortlisting tool can help you put together a list of great potential courses.