History
The School was founded in 1916 as the School of Oriental Studies. It took its present title in 1938, by which time it had also established itself as a centre for African Studies. It moved to its present site in 1941.
Education
SOAS offers an extensive range of exciting courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level, as well as masters and diplomas by distance learning, foundation programmes for pre-university study, and a range of shorter language courses and summer school options.
Research
SOAS is unique. It is the only higher education institution in the UK specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East. With more than 300 academics dedicated to research and teaching in these areas, it has become one of the world’s leading institutions of its kind.
Career
SOAS students are encouraged to develop a truly global perspective and are uniquely placed to inform and shape current thinking about the economic, political, cultural, security and religious challenges in society.
SOAS graduates aspire to varied and ambitious goals. Whether it be developing a career as a UN diplomat, dreaming of staging a kabuki play, or championing human rights, SOAS develops the skills for students to excel in their chosen area when they graduate.
SOAS University of London Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to SOAS University of London. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Provided by university
Grant
200 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Research Training Support Grant - AHRC funded SOAS Doctoral Students only
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
19000 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Scholarships for PhD Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
15000 USD
Deadline
31 Aug 2025
Amberscholar Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
28 Feb 2025
Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
30 Mar 2025
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1652 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
26 Feb 2025
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
90000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2025
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Mar 2025
Voice Talent Online Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Provided by university
Grant
200 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Research Training Support Grant - AHRC funded SOAS Doctoral Students only
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
19000 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Scholarships for PhD Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
15000 USD
Deadline
31 Aug 2025
Amberscholar Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
28 Feb 2025
Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
30 Mar 2025
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1652 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
26 Feb 2025
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
90000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2025
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Mar 2025
Voice Talent Online Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Provided by university
Grant
200 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Research Training Support Grant - AHRC funded SOAS Doctoral Students only
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
19000 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Scholarships for PhD Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
15000 USD
Deadline
31 Aug 2025
Amberscholar Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
28 Feb 2025
Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
30 Mar 2025
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1652 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
26 Feb 2025
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
90000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2025
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Mar 2025
Voice Talent Online Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Provided by university
Grant
200 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Research Training Support Grant - AHRC funded SOAS Doctoral Students only
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
19000 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Scholarships for PhD Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
15000 USD
Deadline
31 Aug 2025
Amberscholar Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
28 Feb 2025
Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
30 Mar 2025
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1652 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
26 Feb 2025
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
90000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2025
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Mar 2025
Voice Talent Online Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Provided by university
Grant
200 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Research Training Support Grant - AHRC funded SOAS Doctoral Students only
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
19000 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Scholarships for PhD Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
15000 USD
Deadline
31 Aug 2025
Amberscholar Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
28 Feb 2025
Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
30 Mar 2025
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1652 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
26 Feb 2025
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
90000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2025
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Mar 2025
Voice Talent Online Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Provided by university
Grant
200 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Research Training Support Grant - AHRC funded SOAS Doctoral Students only
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
19000 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Scholarships for PhD Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
15000 USD
Deadline
31 Aug 2025
Amberscholar Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
28 Feb 2025
Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
30 Mar 2025
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1652 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
26 Feb 2025
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
90000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2025
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Mar 2025
Voice Talent Online Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
University Ranking
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2025
401
2024
401 100
2023
501
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2025
508 3
2024
511 -68
2023
443
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2025
-
2024
1530 -67
2023
1463
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
Student services
A range of student services exist to help you during your time at SOAS. They provide an invaluable source of advice and support and are available to all students of the School.
Housing services
Whether you choose to live in one of our halls of residence or in a privately-rented home, we can provide information and advice to help you find a suitable place to live.
We have accommodation available to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate students with a Firm offer for a place on a course at SOAS.
Consider all options before you apply, for some halls you can make an immediate booking and for others you will have to apply to wait to see if you are successful.
We advise you to apply early to avoid disappointment.
Library services
The SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Housing over 1.2 million printed volumes, together with a major collection of archives, manuscripts, rare books, and electronic resources, the Library attracts scholars from all over the world to further their research.
ICT services
SOAS offers training in basic computing and MS Office software in the autumn term, plus additional online training courses. Across the campus there are a wide range of open access computer labs; specialist language and music labs; multi-media facilities; plus research and special needs computer facilities.
Medical services
The University Central Institutions Health Service is located close to SOAS and offers a wealth of experience in dealing with student-related issues such as study strain, stress, fatigue and exam nerves. All students are required to register with a doctor in London, be it the University service or another GP close to your term-time address.
Campus life
SOAS is one of London’s top universities, with a friendly, cosmopolitan community of students located in the heart Bloomsbury, Central London. SOAS is a short walk from many shops, cafes and supermarkets, as well as world-famous social and cultural sites such as The British Museum, British Library, Regent’s Park and the West End. On campus itself you’ll find internationally recognised buildings like our Brunei Gallery, Japanese Rooftop Garden and a UK top-five library facility.
Sports facilities
At SOAS it is possible to join a wide variety of sports’ societies, including Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Cricket, Football, Lacrosse, Netball, Pool and Snooker, Rugby, Running, Squash, Swimming, Tennis and Volleyball.
Studying for a University of London degree automatically qualifies you as a member of Student Central, which operates a range of sports facilities for students.
Student clubs
Students will find making friends at SOAS easy by joining any of a wide range of sports, societies, events and student-led clubs.
Clubs are as varied as the Beekeepers, who care for two beehives on the roof of SOAS; to the South Asian Film Society, which celebrates Bollywood and South Asia’s rich film culture; the Women’s Rugby Team; to the much-discussed Hummus Society.
SOAS Students’ Union is a bustling and diverse environment, which offers support and representation for all SOAS students. The Union organises approximately fifty clubs and societies, covering sport, dining, political debate, cultural issues and everything in between.