SOAS University of London
London, United Kingdom
SOAS University of London is a university in London, Greater London, United Kingdom, ranked QS #QS World University Rankings 2027: =458 (up from =511 in 2026); Development Studies 2nd in the world (QS by Subject 2026). 110 courses listed, scholarships available. Intakes: September.
SOAS University of London is a public research university in Bloomsbury, central London, and a member of the University of London. It was founded in 1916 and specialises in the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. It is especially strong in development studies (2nd in the world in QS subject rankings), politics, anthropology, law and human rights, and languages, and its students come from about 130 countries. Bangladeshi students holding only SSC/HSC need a foundation year before starting a degree. For a Master's, SOAS asks for at least a UK 2:2 equivalent; its PG country table accepts 4-year bachelor's degrees from listed Bangladeshi universities (60% or CGPA 3.0) or a recognised Master's degree (55% or CGPA 2.7). Overseas tuition for 2026/27 is £23,780 for undergraduate degrees and £25,320–£28,840 for taught Master's degrees, and a £4,000 deposit is needed before a CAS is issued.
- Ranked 2nd in the world for Development Studies in the QS subject rankings 2026; 13 subjects in the global top 100
- Joint 1st in the UK for International Faculty and top 15 in the UK for Employment Outcomes (QS 2027)
- Bloomsbury campus on Russell Square in central London, with a library of over 1.3 million items in 400+ languages
- Over 320 postgraduate scholarship awards worth about £4m for 2026-27, including 150+ £8,000 Master's Scholarships and up to 25 full-fee International Academic Excellence Scholarships
- International Foundation Programme on campus guarantees progression to SOAS undergraduate degrees if you meet the required grades, plus a 20% discount on first-year UG fees
- Pre-sessional English courses for applicants slightly below the English requirement
- Shortlisted for University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards 2026
Courses (110)
- BA (Hons) Arabic — Undergraduate, 4 years
- BA (Hons) Arabic (Combined Degree) — Undergraduate, 4 years
- MA Global Media and Digital Communications — Postgraduate, 1 year
- MA History — Postgraduate, 1 year
- MA History and Intensive Language — Postgraduate, 2 years
- MA History of Art and Archaeology — Postgraduate, 1 year
- MA History of Art and Archaeology of East Asia — Postgraduate, 1 year
- MA History of Art and Archaeology of East Asia and Intensive Language — Postgraduate, 2 years
- MA History of Art and Architecture of Islamic Middle East — Postgraduate, 1 year
- MA History of Art and Architecture of the Islamic Middle East and Intensive Language — Postgraduate, 2 years
- MA International Studies and Diplomacy — Postgraduate, 1 year
- MA Iranian Studies — Postgraduate, 1 year
- MA Islamic Studies — Postgraduate, 1 year
- MA Japanese Studies — Postgraduate, 1 year
- MA Japanese Studies and Intensive Language — Postgraduate, 2 years
- MA Korean Studies — Postgraduate, 1 year
- MA Korean Studies and Intensive Language — Postgraduate, 2 years
- MA Linguistics — Postgraduate, 1 year
- MA Linguistics and Intensive Language — Postgraduate, 2 years
- MSc Development Economics — Postgraduate, 1 year
- MSc Global Energy and Climate Policy — Postgraduate, 1 year
- MSc International Business — Postgraduate, 1 year
- MSc Migration, Mobility and Development — Postgraduate, 1 year
- BA (Hons) Africa and Black Diaspora (Combined Degree) — Undergraduate, 3 years
- BA (Hons) Creative Arts (Combined Degree) — Undergraduate, 3 years
- BA (Hons) Digital Media, Culture (Combined Degree) — Undergraduate, 3 years
- BA (Hons) Economics — Undergraduate, 3 years
- BA (Hons) Film Studies (Combined Degree) — Undergraduate, 3 years
- BA (Hons) Social Anthropology — Undergraduate, 3 years
- BA (Hons) Social Anthropology (Combined Degree) — Undergraduate, 3 years
- BA (Hons) World Philosophies — Undergraduate, 3 years
- BA (Hons) World Philosopies (Combined Degree) — Undergraduate, 3 years
- MA Comparative Literature and Intensive Language — Postgraduate, 2 years
- MA Creative and Cultural Industries — Postgraduate, 1 year
- MA Cultural Studies and Intensive Language — Postgraduate, 2 years
- MA Documentary, Photojournalism and Global Justice — Postgraduate, 1 year
- MA Gender and Sexuality — Postgraduate, 1 year
- MA Global Data Journalism — Postgraduate, 1 year
- BA (Hons) Chinese — Undergraduate, 4 years
- MA Global Philosophy — Postgraduate, 1 year
Frequently asked questions
Where is SOAS University of London located?
SOAS University of London is in London, Greater London, United Kingdom.
What courses does SOAS University of London offer?
SOAS University of London lists 110 courses on UnifinderAi, such as BA (Hons) Arabic, BA (Hons) Arabic (Combined Degree), MA Global Media and Digital Communications, MA History and MA History and Intensive Language. You can filter them by level, intake and fee.
What are the tuition fees at SOAS University of London?
Published fees at SOAS University of London: Undergraduate degree (BA/BSc/LLB), overseas, full-time, 2026/27 £23,780; Foundation Year (BSc with Foundation Year), overseas, 2026/27 £23,780; Taught Master's Band 1 (most MA/MSc, e.g. development, politics), overseas, 2026/27 £25,320; Taught Master's Band 2 (Finance & Management MSc), overseas, 2026/27 £26,000; Taught Master's Band 3 (LLM Law), overseas, 2026/27 £27,840; Taught Master's Band 4 (International Studies & Diplomacy), overseas, 2026/27 £28,840. The exact annual fee depends on the course — check each course's page.
What English language score do I need for SOAS University of London?
The minimum is an IELTS overall score of 6.5. Accepted English tests include IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Duolingo English Test, LanguageCert Academic and Oxford Test of English.
When are the intakes at SOAS University of London?
SOAS University of London runs intakes in September. The intake currently open for applications is September 2027.
Does SOAS University of London offer scholarships?
Yes. For example: SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship (Up to 25 full tuition fee waivers and up to 8 fee waivers of £20,000); SOAS Master's Scholarships (International) (£8,000 tuition fee waiver); SOAS New Programme Scholarships (£10,000 fee waiver (up to 15 awards)).
How do I apply to SOAS University of London?
The steps are: 1. Apply only through UnifinderAi — our counsellors check your eligibility, shortlist the right SOAS University of London course and submit your application to the university for you (including the UCAS application for undergraduate courses) 2. Please do not apply directly to the university or through any other agent, portal or platform — duplicate applications can be delayed or withdrawn, and UnifinderAi can only support applications it submits 3. Upload your passport, SSC & HSC certificates and transcripts (plus Bachelor's certificate/transcript for Master's), IELTS/English proof, CV, Statement of Purpose and two references to your UnifinderAi dashboard 4. Receive your offer — UnifinderAi helps you meet any conditions and accept the offer 5. Prepare for the university's credibility / pre-CAS interview with UnifinderAi mock interviews 6. Pay the tuition fee deposit stated in your offer letter — only through the university's official payment method, as guided by UnifinderAi 7. Receive your CAS, then apply for the UK Student visa with UnifinderAi visa support (28-day bank statement, TB test at an approved IOM clinic in Bangladesh, IHS payment) 8. Arrange accommodation and flights, then travel to the UK and complete enrolment