It's easy to assume that the
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) is a limited university. Limited in the sense that because it's entirely focused on specific parts of the world, it's not a school that allows you to learn more about the planet at large. But this is entirely false! While SOAS does teach more about certain countries and continents, it does so by helping students understand how the world came to be what it is today and how it currently works. It goes beyond history and geography. The university also deals with law, economics, finance, and more.
Source: SOAS University of London Facebook Page
History of SOAS
The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) traces its origins back to 1916 when it was first founded at 2 Finsbury Circus,
London. The site once served as the premises of the London Institution, further proving that the university has always been a prominent educational institution. George V granted it a royal charter on June 5, 1916, and a year later, on February 23, 1917, he also formally inaugurated it as a higher educational institution. Originally called the “The School of Oriental Studies,” it was founded to serve as the UK's connection and medium to strengthen its ties and presence in both Asia and Africa.
What Does SOAS Look Like?
The SOAS campus is located on Thornhaugh St. right at the center of various
central neighborhoods in London. The area is near Marylebone, Clerkenwell, SoHo, and Holborn. As for what it looks like, it's a standard university campus with contemporary buildings, standard school facilities, and more. But perhaps what's so special about it is that the school boasts one of the best national research libraries in England. Scholars from all around the UK and the rest of the world go here when they need further knowledge about Asia, Africa, and beyond. The beautiful Brunei Gallery is located here too, a famous museum that specializes in historical exhibitions from the Eastern Hemisphere.
Source: SOAS University of London Facebook Page
The SOAS Student Body
Since it's far from the most famous among the
top universities in London, SOAS also has one of the smaller student bodies in the bunch. The school mostly welcomes about 6,300 enrollees per year, including both new applicants and returning students who have yet to graduate. To break it down even further, the university commonly has around 3,400 undergraduates and about 2,900 postgraduates. This is fairly unique since higher educational institutions usually have considerably more undergraduates than postgraduates. However, this school has an almost equal ratio between the two.
SOAS's Best Programs and Courses
Considering the nature of the school, SOAS is best known for its language and history-centric programs. Among its undergraduate courses, there's the Bachelor of Arts in Chinese, Bachelor of Arts in Arabic, Bachelor of Arts in Africa & The Black Diaspora, and Bachelor of Arts in Creative Arts & Cultural Industries. Its most prominent postgraduate courses, on the other hand, tend to lean more toward law-centric fields. These include the Master of Laws in Law, Gender, & Media, Master of Laws in International Law, and Master of Laws in Human Rights, Conflict, & Justice, among many others.
Source: SOAS University of London Facebook Page
SOAS’s Prerequisites
The prerequisites of SOAS are pretty standard as far as applying for universities goes. The minimum requirement is at least a high school diploma for its undergraduate programs and a Bachelor's Degree in any related field for its postgraduate courses. Certain programs, however, require further qualifications. For example, you need to have passed the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) if you want to get accepted in any of the school's law programs. As for when to apply, it's best to submit your application at least 12 months before the start of the school year, which is often in September.
How Much Does It Cost to Study in SOAS?
Is it expensive to study in SOAS? Yes, it is. The school's tuition fees are fairly standard for university fare in the UK. They cost about £9,250.00 per year for UK and EU students and up to £21,990.00 per year for international applicants. The tuition for local enrollees is the same as in other universities in the country, while it's also common for the tuition for international students to be considerably higher. Do take note that there are additional costs too, including enrollment fees, dormitory fees, and the high
living costs in London too.
Source: SOAS University of London Facebook Page
Where is SOAS in London?
As already mentioned, SOAS is located on Thornhaugh Street, which is right smack in the middle of Central London. It's near some of the most popular districts in the city, making it a great place to stay no matter your reason for
moving to London. There are a lot of establishments nearby, the urban energy is off the roof, and most importantly, the area has great real estate too. As far as
renting a luxury apartment in London goes, you'll find countless options in this part of the city.
SOAS's Famous Graduates
The SOAS's alumni list practically reads as a who's who of influential figures of the world. You'd be surprised at how many global leaders studied and graduated from here, ranging from members of monarchy to even heads of state. One of the most iconic SOAS graduates is Aung San Suu Kyi, the revolutionary icon and former State Counselor of Myanmar. She served as the head of her country and remains a symbol of revolution. Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway also studied here. Married to Crown Prince Haakon, she is the future queen consort of Norway.
Source: SOAS University of London Facebook Page
True to its name, the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) delves deep into what Asia and Africa are all about as two of the biggest continents in the world. The college offers programs that explore these areas' laws, economies, and more.
