Placement And Career Information

SOAS University of London supports student employability through SOAS Careers, CareersZONE, internships, employer events, one-to-one careers guidance and volunteering opportunities.

Placement structure depends on the course. Some postgraduate taught programmes may include a work placement route, while other courses may focus on internships, projects, fieldwork, dissertation work, volunteering and career events.

How Placements And Internships Usually Work

Students should check the exact SOAS course page for:

• Whether a placement option is available
• Whether placement is compulsory or optional
• Whether the placement changes tuition fees
• Whether students need to secure the placement themselves
• Whether the placement is paid or unpaid
• Whether the placement is assessed for credit
• Visa and Student route work conditions
• Whether fieldwork, language year or year abroad applies

SOAS postgraduate taught fee information notes a separate fee pattern for full-time programmes with a work placement, so students should check both academic structure and total cost before applying.

Career Support At SOAS

SOAS Careers provides support for current students, online learners and graduates. Services include:

• CareersZONE job, internship and volunteering platform
• One-to-one careers guidance
• CV and cover letter advice
• Practice interviews
• Career fairs
• Alumni workshops
• Employer skills sessions
• Digital career resources such as GoinGlobal, Graduates First and CareerSet
• Advice for doctoral and early career researchers

Students should use CareersZONE early to find opportunities and register for career events.

Internship Programmes

SOAS Careers offers internship programmes including:

• Co-Creator Internship Programme for undergraduate students
• SOAS Summer Internship Programme for undergraduate and postgraduate students

The summer internship programme includes SOAS-exclusive external internships in sectors relevant to SOAS students, including NGOs, charities, finance, technology, consultancies and cultural organisations.

Graduate Career Routes

SOAS students commonly explore:

• International development
• NGOs and charities
• Diplomacy and international organisations
• Policy and think tanks
• Law and human rights
• Finance and development finance
• Consulting and professional services
• Media, publishing and communications
• Education, research and academia
• Museums, galleries and cultural organisations
• Language, translation and regional advisory roles

Career outcomes depend on the course, experience, language ability, work rights and networking.

Important Planning Advice

Students should not wait until final year to start career planning. London has many opportunities, but competition is strong.

For the September 2026 intake, students should prepare a CV before arrival, use SOAS Careers in the first term, join relevant societies, apply early for internships, attend employer events and understand UK Student visa work rules carefully.