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Overview
SOAS is a very different member of the University of London federation. With about 3,400 full-time undergraduates, it is also one of the smaller universities. The titles of many of its degree programmes are similar to those offered elsewhere in the University of London and across the UK, but the content is not. Everything here is viewed through the prism of Africa, Asia and the Middle East – strategically, economically and politically important and hugely populous parts of the world. So, a BA in economics contains modules on the economic development of Africa, China and world development, and economic development in the Asia Pacific region. Law involves the study of the legal systems of Asia and Africa, and optional modules include Islamic law and justice in contemporary China. There are then the more unique courses – a BA in world philosophies, for instance – and the more unusual, such as several language degrees including Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. There was a record number of admissions in September 2022, with more than 70% of UK recruits coming from London. The proportion of students from minority ethnic backgrounds studying here is among the highest in the UK. Based in central London, close to the much bigger student population of UCL and the bright lights of the West End, SOAS offers a cosmopolitan university experience and a course portfolio unlike any other.
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Paying the bills
A limited number of £1,500 per year SOAS Bursaries are paid to students from homes with less than £25,000 annual income. The award has a ceiling of £4,500 over the course of a degree and recipients must be resident in England. If there are more eligible students than there are awards, priority will be given to care leavers, those living in the 20% of postcodes with the lowest progression rates to university, students from homes where household income is lowest, first generation students and refugees. The vast majority of the 990 bursaries awarded in 2021-22 were SOAS Bursaries at a cost to the university of £1.5m. The university offers a mix of self-catered and catered halls; some are reserved for SOAS students only, others are intercollegiate and shared with other colleges within the University of London. Many are close by in Bloomsbury, but some are more outlying in Wembley Park and Wood Green; it is worth checking on a map. Self-catering prices start at £6,600 for a 40-week contract, or £7,515 with food included.
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What’s new?
The outstanding SOAS library is about to undergo a facelift, adding new facilities to support collaborative study and research. The library – one of just five National Research Libraries in the UK and a global resource – contains more than 1.5m books or items in 400 languages, all of them focused on Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The popular SOAS students’ union will also be home to a new bar and music venue, a community hub, studios for clubs and societies, a podcast and media suite, prayer rooms and baby changing and feeding facilities, the latter a reflection of SOAS’ student profile, among whom one in seven are mature students.
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Admissions, teaching and student support
One in nine entrants last September received a contextual offer, mostly one A-level grade below the standard offer. For students meeting multiple qualification criteria, a drop of two grades will be considered. Outreach work targets areas of high deprivation and low progression to university through summer schools, long-term programmes and masterclasses. SOAS works with third sector organisations such as the Access Project (in the West Midlands), Elephant Group (in London and the East Midlands) and the Brilliant Club to reach prospective students from diverse backgrounds. Students at SOAS have been enthusiastic about the increased use of online learning hastened by the pandemic. About 80% of courses now see teaching delivered both by Zoom and face to face, one of the highest proportions at any university in this guide. Microsoft Teams is used to allow students to work together on projects or take part in group discussions while in different locations, helping to maintain a sense of community even if they are not gathered in the same place. Student wellbeing is fostered by academic advisers for every student, mentors to offer longer-term non-therapeutic support and counsellors trained in a range of therapies. All new students attend compulsory sexual consent and active bystander workshops during the welcome period. People are available at late night events in the students’ union who are trained in bystander intervention and to whom instances of misconduct can be reported.