SOAS University of London

SOAS University of London, officially the School of Oriental and African Studies, is a public university in central London and a member institution of the University of London. It is known globally for the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, with strengths in development, politics, languages, law, economics, history, culture, international relations, anthropology, arts and humanities.

For students planning the September 2026 intake, SOAS can be a strong fit if they want a specialist London university with global perspectives, strong subject reputation and access to careers in international development, policy, NGOs, diplomacy, finance, law, media, education, research and global business.

SOAS is ranked joint 511th in the QS World University Rankings 2026. It also performs strongly in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, with 13 subjects in the global top 100 and standout results such as Development Studies ranked 2nd globally.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
University type	Public university and University of London member institution
Main location	Russell Square, central London, United Kingdom
Popular intake	September 2026
Main academic strengths	Development studies, politics, anthropology, history of art, languages, law, economics, international relations, area studies, arts and humanities
QS World University Ranking 2026	Joint 511th globally
Subject ranking strength	13 subjects in the QS global top 100 in 2026
Known for	Asia, Africa and Middle East expertise, global politics, development, languages, culture and social sciences
Career support	SOAS Careers, CareersZONE, one-to-one guidance, employer events, internships and volunteering opportunities

Why SOAS University of London Can Be A Good Fit

SOAS is useful for students who want a university experience focused on global issues rather than a general campus environment. It is especially strong for students interested in international development, diplomacy, human rights, global cultures, regional expertise, language study, economics, finance, law and international politics.

The central London location is also a major advantage. Students can access employers, embassies, NGOs, cultural organisations, finance firms, media organisations, policy institutes, galleries, museums and international communities.

SOAS can be especially attractive for students who want a smaller specialist university with a strong academic identity and a highly international student environment.

2026 Tuition Snapshot

Tuition fees vary by programme, fee status and study level. Students should always check the official SOAS course page and fees page before applying.

Study level or route	2026/27 overseas fee pattern	Notes
Foundation Year	GBP 23,780	On-campus foundation route
Undergraduate full-time	GBP 23,780	Applies to many BA, BSc and LLB courses
Outgoing year abroad	GBP 11,770	Applies where a year abroad is part of the programme
Postgraduate taught Band 1	GBP 25,320	Many MA, MSc and MRes programmes
Postgraduate taught Band 1 with work placement	GBP 26,745	For eligible full-time programmes with placement year structure
Postgraduate taught Band 2 Finance and Management	GBP 26,000	For finance and management programmes
Research full-time	GBP 23,390	MPhil/PhD on-campus research fee pattern

Fee And Admission Snapshot

Area	What students should check
Academic requirement	Depends on course, country and qualification
Undergraduate application	International undergraduate applicants apply through UCAS
SOAS UCAS code	S09
Postgraduate application	Apply through SOAS postgraduate application route for the chosen course
English requirement	International applicants must meet SOAS English language requirements; many programmes require IELTS or equivalent
Additional requirements	Some subjects may require maths, LNAT, portfolio, language background or other course-specific conditions
Student visa sponsorship	SOAS notes that it does not offer Student visa sponsorship for part-time programmes
Fee increases	Overseas fees may increase by up to 5% in later years of the same programme
Work rights	Eligible Student visa holders on degree-level full-time courses can usually work up to 20 hours per week in term time

Application Snapshot

Study level	Application route
Undergraduate	Apply through UCAS using SOAS institution code S09
Postgraduate taught	Apply directly to SOAS for the chosen master's or postgraduate certificate route
Research degrees	Check supervisor fit, proposal requirements, department guidance and funding options
Study abroad or exchange	Apply through the SOAS study abroad route where eligible

Students targeting September 2026 should check course deadlines early, especially if they need a UK Student visa, scholarship decisions or London accommodation.

Campus And Student Life

SOAS is based around Russell Square in central London. Students can access the SOAS Library, Senate House connections, student societies, SOAS Students' Union, cultural events, careers support and the wider University of London environment.

London is exciting, but it can be expensive. Students should plan carefully for rent, travel, food, visa costs, health surcharge, study materials and emergency funds.

Who Should Consider SOAS University of London?

SOAS can suit students who want:

• A specialist public university in central London
• A September 2026 intake option
• Strong global subject reputation
• Courses in development, politics, law, economics, languages, culture, anthropology, arts and humanities
• Access to NGOs, embassies, policy organisations, finance, media and cultural sectors
• A highly international academic environment
• Career support through SOAS Careers and CareersZONE
• A London-based student experience

Things To Check Before Applying

Before finalising SOAS, students should confirm:

• Whether the chosen course is open for September 2026
• Exact 2026/27 tuition fee and annual fee increase policy
• Academic entry requirements for their qualification
• English language requirement
• UCAS or postgraduate application deadline
• Scholarship eligibility and deadline
• London accommodation and living budget
• Whether the course includes placement, language study, fieldwork or year abroad
• Student visa rules and work-hour limits

SOAS University of London is popular with international students who want a specialist London university focused on Asia, Africa, the Middle East and global issues.

Popular area	Why students choose SOAS
Development studies	SOAS is ranked 2nd globally for Development Studies in QS Subject Rankings 2026
Politics and international relations	Strong subject visibility, with Politics ranked 16th globally in QS Subject Rankings 2026
Anthropology	Anthropology is ranked 19th globally in QS Subject Rankings 2026
History of art and culture	History of Art is ranked 24th globally in QS Subject Rankings 2026
Languages and regional expertise	SOAS is known for languages, cultures and area studies connected to Asia, Africa and the Middle East
Law, economics and finance	Students can connect global study with legal, economic, development and finance pathways
Central London location	Russell Square gives access to employers, NGOs, embassies, museums, policy institutes and cultural organisations
International student community	SOAS attracts students interested in global perspectives, social justice and cross-cultural work

Key Highlights For International Students

• QS 2026 ranking: SOAS is ranked joint 511th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
• Subject strength: SOAS has 13 subjects in the QS global top 100 in 2026.
• Top global subjects: Development Studies is ranked 2nd globally, Politics 16th, Anthropology 19th and History of Art 24th in QS Subject Rankings 2026.
• London advantage: Students study in central London, close to employers, transport, culture and professional networks.
• Career support: SOAS Careers offers CareersZONE, guidance, employer events, internships and volunteering opportunities.
• Specialist identity: SOAS is especially strong for students who want a global, regional and policy-focused academic environment.