🌏SOAS University of London

London, UK

The world's leading specialist institution for Asian, African and Middle Eastern studies.

About SOAS

SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) is a small, specialist University of London college focused entirely on the languages, cultures, law, economics and politics of Asia, Africa and the Middle East — a concentration no general university can match. It teaches more Asian, African and Middle Eastern languages than any other UK university.

Why students choose it

  • World-leading specialist in Asian, African and Middle Eastern Studies
  • Teaches more of these regions' languages than any other UK university
  • Central London location in Bloomsbury

🎓 Free application support for SOAS

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to SOAS — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation.

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Typical entry grades

ABB (A Level)  ·  IB 33

Solid tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

£28,000–£38,000/yr

high tier for UK — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

English

Campus

city campus, London

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or SOAS's financial aid office.

Beyond government-level awards, most UK universities offer their own merit-based international scholarships — commonly a partial tuition reduction for strong A-Level/IB/IGCSE results, sometimes auto-considered from your application and sometimes requiring a short separate form.

  • Chevening Scholarships: UK government-funded, fully-funded, for one-year Master's study — highly competitive, open to students from eligible countries with leadership potential.
  • Commonwealth Scholarships: For citizens of Commonwealth countries, mainly postgraduate, funded by the UK government.
  • University international merit scholarships: Widely offered across Russell Group and other universities — typically a tuition-fee reduction for high entry grades, often renewable each year of study.

Chevening and Commonwealth are postgraduate-only. For undergraduate applicants, the university-specific merit scholarships are usually the more relevant route.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

International Studies

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years (4 years in Scotland)

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Politics

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years (4 years in Scotland)

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Law

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years for an undergraduate LLB (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia); typically a 3-year postgraduate JD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

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Typical entry: LNAT (some universities)

Languages

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years (4 years in Scotland)

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Humanities

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years (4 years in Scotland)

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Durations are typical for UK — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
September
Typical deadline
Late January (equal consideration deadline)
Note
Oxford, Cambridge and most Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary Science courses close earlier — 15 October the year before entry.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0)

Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

See where SOAS ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free UK University Shortlist Builder to see whether SOAS is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other UK university that matches.

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SOAS FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to SOAS as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into SOAS?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, SOAS expects around ABB at A Level or 33 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for SOAS's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on SOAS's own admissions page before applying.

How much does SOAS cost for international students?

International tuition at SOAS typically falls in the £28,000–£38,000/yr range (high tier for UK). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not SOAS's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for SOAS?

SOAS follows UK's typical intake calendar: September, with applications generally due late january (equal consideration deadline). Oxford, Cambridge and most Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary Science courses close earlier — 15 October the year before entry. Always verify the exact date on SOAS's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for SOAS?

UK universities, including SOAS, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0). Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

What is SOAS known for?

The world's leading specialist institution for Asian, African and Middle Eastern studies. SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) is a small, specialist University of London college focused entirely on the languages, cultures, law, economics and politics of Asia, Africa and the Middle East — a concentration no general university can match. It teaches more Asian, African and Middle Eastern languages than any other UK university.

Can I apply to SOAS with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — SOAS accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free UK University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against SOAS and every other UK university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

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