SOAS University of London: Difference between revisions

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  | president              = [[Zeinab Badawi]]<ref name="soas.ac.uk">{{cite web | url =https://www.soas.ac.uk/news/newsitem155283.html| title = Zeinab Badawi appointed as President of SOAS| date = 5 October 2021| access-date = 6 October 2021 | publisher = School of Oriental and African Studies |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211006181152/https://www.soas.ac.uk/news/newsitem155283.html |archive-date=6 October 2021 }}</ref>
  | president              = [[Zeinab Badawi]]<ref name="soas.ac.uk">{{cite web | url =https://www.soas.ac.uk/news/newsitem155283.html| title = Zeinab Badawi appointed as President of SOAS| date = 5 October 2021| access-date = 6 October 2021 | publisher = School of Oriental and African Studies |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211006181152/https://www.soas.ac.uk/news/newsitem155283.html |archive-date=6 October 2021 }}</ref>
  | vice_chancellor        = [[Adam Habib]]
  | vice_chancellor        = [[Adam Habib]]
  | chair                  = [[Michael Hastings, Baron Hastings of Scarisbrick|Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick]]<ref name="Lord Dr Michael Hastings">{{cite web | url =https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/michael-hastings| title = Lord Dr Michael Hastings profile page | date = 8 May 2025| access-date = 8 May 2025 | publisher = SOAS University of London |url-status=live }}</ref>
  | chair                  = [[Michael Hastings, Baron Hastings of Scarisbrick|Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick]]<ref name="Lord Dr Michael Hastings">{{cite web | url =https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/michael-hastings| title = Lord Dr Michael Hastings profile page | date = 8 May 2025| access-date = 8 May 2025 | publisher = SOAS University of London }}</ref>
  | academic_staff        = {{HESA academic staff population|INSTID=10007780}} ({{HESA staff year}})<ref name="HESA staff citation">{{HESA staff citation}}</ref>
  | academic_staff        = {{HESA academic staff population|INSTID=10007780}} ({{HESA staff year}})<ref name="HESA staff citation">{{HESA staff citation}}</ref>
  | administrative_staff  = {{HESA non-academic staff population|INSTID=10007780}} ({{HESA staff year}})<ref name="HESA staff citation"/>
  | administrative_staff  = {{HESA non-academic staff population|INSTID=10007780}} ({{HESA staff year}})<ref name="HESA staff citation"/>
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  | affiliations          = {{hlist|[[Association of Commonwealth Universities|ACU]]|[[University of London]]|[[Universities UK]]}}
  | affiliations          = {{hlist|[[Association of Commonwealth Universities|ACU]]|[[University of London]]|[[Universities UK]]}}
}}
}}
The '''School of Oriental and African Studies''' ('''SOAS University of London'''; {{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|oʊ|æ|s}})<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/admin/governance/standingorders/standingorderscharterarticles/|title=Standing Orders: Charter and Articles|publisher=SOAS|access-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085428/https://www.soas.ac.uk/admin/governance/standingorders/standingorderscharterarticles/|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> is a [[public university|public]] [[research university]] in [[London]], England, and a [[constituent college|member institution]] of the federal [[University of London]]. Founded in 1916, SOAS is located in the [[Bloomsbury]] area of central London.
The '''School of Oriental and African Studies''' ('''SOAS''') is a [[public university|public]] [[research university]] in [[London]], England, and a [[constituent college|member institution]] of the federal [[University of London]]. Established in 1916, the school specialises in the study of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.  


SOAS is one of the world's leading institutions for the study of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/0/school-of-oriental-and-african-studies-soas-guide/|title=Daily Telegraph Education Guide|newspaper=The Telegraph |date=3 August 2016 |access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321171430/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/0/school-of-oriental-and-african-studies-soas-guide/|archive-date=21 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Its library is one of the five national research libraries in England.<ref>{{cite web |title=Review of the full economic costs of National Research Libraries A report for HEFCE by CHEMS Consulting |url=https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/12205/1/rd10_11.pdf |website=ioe.ac.uk |publisher=CHEMS Consulting}}</ref> SOAS also houses the SOAS Gallery, which hosts a programme of changing contemporary and historical exhibitions from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East with the aim of presenting and promoting cultures from these regions. The annual income of the institution for 2023–24 was £113.8 million of which £9.6 million was from research grants and contracts, with an expenditure of £76.6 million.<ref name="SOAS 2024"/>
SOAS is one of the world's leading institutions for the study of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/0/school-of-oriental-and-african-studies-soas-guide/|title=Daily Telegraph Education Guide|newspaper=The Telegraph |date=3 August 2016 |access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321171430/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/0/school-of-oriental-and-african-studies-soas-guide/|archive-date=21 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Its library is one of the five national research libraries in England.<ref>{{cite web |title=Review of the full economic costs of National Research Libraries A report for HEFCE by CHEMS Consulting |url=https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/12205/1/rd10_11.pdf |website=ioe.ac.uk |publisher=CHEMS Consulting}}</ref> SOAS also houses the SOAS Gallery, which hosts a programme of changing contemporary and historical exhibitions from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East with the aim of presenting and promoting cultures from these regions. The annual income of the institution for 2023–24 was £113.8 million of which £9.6 million was from research grants and contracts, with an expenditure of £76.6 million.<ref name="SOAS 2024"/>


SOAS is divided into three colleges: the College of Development, Economics and Finance; the College of Humanities; and the College of Law, Anthropology and Politics, which includes the [[SOAS School of Law]]. The university offers around 350 [[bachelor's degree]] combinations, more than 100 one-year master's degrees, and PhD programmes in nearly every department. The university has educated several [[heads of states]], [[government ministers]], [[diplomat]]s, [[central bankers]], [[Supreme court|Supreme Court]] [[judge]]s, a [[Nobel Peace Prize]] Laureate, and many other notable leaders around the world. SOAS is a member of the [[Association of Commonwealth Universities]].
SOAS is divided into two colleges and one self-standing school: the College of Humanities; the College of Social Sciences; and the [[SOAS School of Law]]. The university offers around 350 [[bachelor's degree]] combinations, more than 100 one-year master's degrees, and PhD programmes in nearly every department. The university has educated several [[head of state|heads of state]], [[government ministers]], [[diplomat]]s, [[central bankers]], [[Supreme court|Supreme Court]] [[judge]]s, a [[Nobel Peace Prize]] Laureate, and many other notable leaders around the world. SOAS is a member of the [[Association of Commonwealth Universities]].


==History==
==History==
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The School of Oriental Studies was founded in 1916 at 2 [[Finsbury Circus]], London, the then premises of the [[London Institution]]. The school received its [[royal charter]] on 5 June 1916 and admitted its first students on 18 January 1917. The school was formally inaugurated a month later on 23 February 1917 by [[George V of the United Kingdom|George V]]. Among those in attendance were [[George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston|Earl Curzon of Kedleston]], formerly [[Viceroy of India]], and other cabinet officials.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/centenary/the-soas-story/early-years-1917-36/ |title=Early years (1917-36) |publisher=SOAS, University of London |access-date=27 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711200829/http://www.soas.ac.uk/centenary/the-soas-story/early-years-1917-36/ |archive-date=11 July 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The School of Oriental Studies was founded in 1916 at 2 [[Finsbury Circus]], London, the then premises of the [[London Institution]]. The school received its [[royal charter]] on 5 June 1916 and admitted its first students on 18 January 1917. The school was formally inaugurated a month later on 23 February 1917 by [[George V of the United Kingdom|George V]]. Among those in attendance were [[George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston|Earl Curzon of Kedleston]], formerly [[Viceroy of India]], and other cabinet officials.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/centenary/the-soas-story/early-years-1917-36/ |title=Early years (1917-36) |publisher=SOAS, University of London |access-date=27 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711200829/http://www.soas.ac.uk/centenary/the-soas-story/early-years-1917-36/ |archive-date=11 July 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>


[[File:London Institution at the Finsbury Circus.jpg|thumb|left|The former premises of the [[London Institution]] in [[Finsbury Circus]] which originally housed SOAS and was demolished soon after being sold in 1936.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Collections |first1=Special |title=SOAS Picture Archive: Finsbury Circus – Special Collections, SOAS Library |url=https://blogs.soas.ac.uk/archives/2016/09/19/soas-picture-archive-finsbury-circus/ |website=Special Collections, SOAS Library |access-date=29 April 2025}}</ref>]]  
[[File:London Institution at the Finsbury Circus.jpg|thumb|left|The former premises of the [[London Institution]] in [[Finsbury Circus]] which originally housed SOAS and was demolished soon after being sold in 1936<ref>{{cite web |last1=Collections |first1=Special |title=SOAS Picture Archive: Finsbury Circus – Special Collections, SOAS Library |url=https://blogs.soas.ac.uk/archives/2016/09/19/soas-picture-archive-finsbury-circus/ |website=Special Collections, SOAS Library |access-date=29 April 2025}}</ref>]]  
The School of Oriental Studies was founded by the British state as an instrument to strengthen Britain's political, commercial, and military presence in Asia and Africa.<ref name="SOAS Imperial Training">{{cite book| title=The School of Oriental and African Studies: Imperial Training and the Expansion of Learning|last=Brown |first=Ian |date=21 July 2016 | publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]], 2016| isbn = 9781107164420}}</ref> It would do so by providing instruction to colonial administrators ([[Colonial Service]] and [[Indian Civil Service (British India)|Imperial Civil Service]]),<ref name="SOAS Imperial Training"/> commercial managers, and military officers, as well as to missionaries, doctors, and teachers, in the language of the part of Asia or Africa to which each was being posted, together with an authoritative introduction to the customs, religions, laws, and history of the people whom they were to govern or among whom they would be working.<ref name="SOAS Imperial Training"/>
The School of Oriental Studies was founded by the British state as an instrument to strengthen Britain's political, commercial, and military presence in Asia and Africa.<ref name="SOAS Imperial Training">{{cite book| title=The School of Oriental and African Studies: Imperial Training and the Expansion of Learning|last=Brown |first=Ian |date=21 July 2016 | publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]], 2016| isbn = 9781107164420}}</ref> It would do so by providing instruction to colonial administrators ([[Colonial Service]] and [[Indian Civil Service (British India)|Imperial Civil Service]]),<ref name="SOAS Imperial Training"/> commercial managers, and military officers, as well as to missionaries, doctors, and teachers, in the language of the part of Asia or Africa to which each was being posted, together with an authoritative introduction to the customs, religions, laws, and history of the people whom they were to govern or among whom they would be working.<ref name="SOAS Imperial Training"/>


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==== Israel and Palestine ====
==== Israel and Palestine ====
SOAS has a student body of which many are committed [[Anti-Zionism|anti-Zionists]].The SOAS Student’s Union was the first Student Union to carry out a referendum, in 2005, to support the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement for goods stocked in the Student Union,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Learn more on the BDS Referendum at SOAS |url=https://soasunion.org/news/article/6013/BDS-Referendum-at-SOAS/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=soasunion.org}}</ref> and in 2015, the SOAS Student Union held a referendum in which its members voted to adopt the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions]] directions more generally in the university. In 2022, students occupied the management section of the university for nine days, citing the university's investments in Israel amongst other reasons, which led to the university spending £200,000 in their eviction.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-06 |title=SOAS: The School of Occupation and Apartheid Studies |url=https://soasspirit.co.uk/soas-the-school-of-occupation-and-apartheid-studies/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=SOAS Spirit |language=en}}</ref> After Israel's war in Gaza. university management suspended seven students protesting the university's investments in Israel and partnership with Haifa university, a university in Israel with three military colleges and a military base on campus.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-06 |title=SOAS: The School of Occupation and Apartheid Studies |url=https://soasspirit.co.uk/soas-the-school-of-occupation-and-apartheid-studies/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=SOAS Spirit |language=en}}</ref> These students stated that the suspensions were arbitrary and a "targeted act of political repression", whereas the university replied that the students were a "threat to the SOAS community".<ref>{{Cite web |title=London university students say they were 'targeted' over Gaza rallies |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-palestine-war-soas-london-students-targeted-gaza-rallies |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}</ref> In the same period, a lecturer reported that security had removed a poster with the Palestinian flag from her door. SOAS responded that the display of the Palestinian flag violated "safeguarding".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-11 |title=Policing Protest at SOAS: A Report on Recent Security Conduct |url=https://soasspirit.co.uk/policing-protest-at-soas-a-report-on-recent-security-conduct/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=SOAS Spirit |language=en}}</ref>
SOAS has a student body of which many are committed [[Anti-Zionism|anti-Zionists]]. The SOAS Students' Union was the first [[students' union]] to carry out a referendum, in 2005, to support the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement for goods stocked in the Students' Union,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Learn more on the BDS Referendum at SOAS |url=https://soasunion.org/news/article/6013/BDS-Referendum-at-SOAS/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=soasunion.org}}</ref> and in 2015, the SOAS Students' Union held a referendum in which its members voted to adopt the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions]] directions more generally in the university. In 2022, students occupied the management section of the university for nine days, citing the university's investments in Israel amongst other reasons, which led to the university spending £200,000 in their eviction.<ref name="soasspirit.co.uk">{{Cite web |date=2023-02-06 |title=SOAS: The School of Occupation and Apartheid Studies |url=https://soasspirit.co.uk/soas-the-school-of-occupation-and-apartheid-studies/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=SOAS Spirit |language=en}}</ref> After [[Gaza war|Israel's war in Gaza]]. university management suspended seven students [[Gaza war protests in the United Kingdom|protesting]] the university's investments in Israel and partnership with [[University of Haifa|Haifa university]], a university in Israel with three military colleges and a military base on campus.<ref name="soasspirit.co.uk"/> These students stated that the suspensions were arbitrary and a "targeted act of political repression", whereas the university replied that the students were a "threat to the SOAS community".<ref>{{Cite web |title=London university students say they were 'targeted' over Gaza rallies |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-palestine-war-soas-london-students-targeted-gaza-rallies |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}</ref> In the same period, a lecturer reported that security had removed a poster with the [[Flag of Palestine|Palestinian flag]] from her door. SOAS responded that the display of the Palestinian flag violated "safeguarding".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-11 |title=Policing Protest at SOAS: A Report on Recent Security Conduct |url=https://soasspirit.co.uk/policing-protest-at-soas-a-report-on-recent-security-conduct/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=SOAS Spirit |language=en}}</ref>


SOAS has an active Jewish Society which is explicitly anti-Zionist.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jewish Society |url=https://soasunion.org/organisation/6673/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=soasunion.org}}</ref> In 2024, and in the context of university protest camps established around the world relating to Israel's war in Gaza, SOAS director Adam Habib hosted a high-level meeting about antisemitism on campus, extending an invite to various Jewish academics on campus, but excluding any representation from the Jewish Society. On April 19th, 2024, SOAS posted a job advert for a new Jewish Chaplain whose key responsibilities include supporting “the implementation of a Jewish Society within the Student Union,therefore implicating that the existing Jewish Society would be replaced by a society organised from the top down.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dazed |date=2024-04-25 |title=The Jewish students fighting for Palestine |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/62461/1/meet-the-jewish-students-fighting-for-palestine-university-antisemitism |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Dazed |language=en}}</ref>
SOAS has an active Jewish Society which is explicitly anti-Zionist.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jewish Society |url=https://soasunion.org/organisation/6673/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=soasunion.org}}</ref> In 2024, and in the context of [[2024 pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses|university protest camps]] established around the world relating to Israel's war in Gaza, SOAS director Adam Habib hosted a high-level meeting about antisemitism on campus, extending an invite to various Jewish academics on campus, but excluding any representation from the Jewish Society. On April 19, 2024, SOAS posted a job advert for a new Jewish Chaplain whose key responsibilities include supporting "the implementation of a Jewish Society within the Student [sic] Union," therefore implicating that the existing Jewish Society would be replaced by a society organised from the top down.<ref name="Dazed">{{Cite web |last=Dazed |date=2024-04-25 |title=The Jewish students fighting for Palestine |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/62461/1/meet-the-jewish-students-fighting-for-palestine-university-antisemitism |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Dazed |language=en}}</ref>


In December 2020 ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that SOAS refunded a student £15,000 in fees after he chose to abandon his studies as a result of the "toxic antisemitic environment" he felt had been allowed to develop on campus.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-29|title=Soas repay student's £15,000 fees over 'toxic antisemitic environment'|url=http://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/dec/29/soas-repay-students-15000-fees-over-toxic-antisemitic-environment|access-date=2021-01-24|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> Examples of matters he considered anti-Semitic are, according to the Guardian report previously cited, that being pro-Israel was described as "Zionist", the student body's public support of the BDS movement, and that his proposal to write a thesis on perceived anti-Israel bias at the UN led to a response that, in his words, "he was covering up Israeli war crimes and was a white supremacist Nazi". He additionally stated that he had seen "anti-Semitic graffiti" on campus, but did not specify what this was, leaving it unclear as to whether or not he considered statements for example in support of the BDS movement as anti-Semitic. Leading Jewish figures at the university have disagreed with his assessment, with stating that they felt "much more comfortable being outwardly Jewish, visibly Jewish, or having people know that I'm Jewish around SOAS students than I am in pretty much any other context in this country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dazed |date=2024-04-25 |title=The Jewish students fighting for Palestine |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/62461/1/meet-the-jewish-students-fighting-for-palestine-university-antisemitism |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Dazed |language=en}}</ref> Moreover, an opposition to Zionism has been upheld in the UK courts which SOAS falls under the jurisdiction of as "worthy of respect in a democratic society", and is not legally considered in itself an act of anti-Semitism.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-31 |title=Miller -v- University of Bristol |url=https://www.judiciary.uk/judgments/miller-v-university-of-bristol/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Courts and Tribunals Judiciary |language=en-US}}</ref>
In December 2020 ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that SOAS refunded a student £15,000 in fees after he chose to abandon his studies as a result of the "toxic antisemitic environment" he felt had been allowed to develop on campus.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-29|title=Soas repay student's £15,000 fees over 'toxic antisemitic environment'|url=http://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/dec/29/soas-repay-students-15000-fees-over-toxic-antisemitic-environment|access-date=2021-01-24|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> Examples of matters he considered anti-Semitic are, according to the Guardian report previously cited, that being pro-Israel was described as "Zionist", the student body's public support of the BDS movement, and that his proposal to write a thesis on perceived anti-Israel bias at the UN led to a response that, in his words, "he was covering up Israeli war crimes and was a white supremacist Nazi". He additionally stated that he had seen "anti-Semitic graffiti" on campus, but did not specify what this was, leaving it unclear as to whether or not he considered statements for example in support of the BDS movement as anti-Semitic. Leading Jewish figures at the university have disagreed with his assessment, with stating that they felt "much more comfortable being outwardly Jewish, visibly Jewish, or having people know that I'm Jewish around SOAS students than I am in pretty much any other context in this country."<ref name="Dazed"/>


==Campus==
==Campus==
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===Directors/Vice-Chancellors===
===Directors/Vice-Chancellors===
[[File:Edward Denison Ross by John Lavery (1856-1941).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Edward Denison Ross]] by John Lavery]]
[[File:Edward Denison Ross by John Lavery (1856-1941).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Edward Denison Ross]] by John Lavery]]
Since its foundation, the school has had ten directors. The inaugural director was the celebrated linguist [[Edward Denison Ross]]. Under the stewardship of [[Cyril Philips]], the school saw considerable growth and modernisation.<ref name="independent" /> Under [[Colin Bundy]] in the 2000s, the school became one of the top ranked universities both domestically and internationally.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/apr/19/education.highereducation |title=Oxford topples Cambridge from top spot |newspaper=The Guardian |first=Matthew |last=Taylor |date=19 April 2005 |access-date=23 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826130121/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/apr/19/education.highereducation |archive-date=26 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2021 [[Adam Habib]] became director of SOAS in place of [[Valerie Amos]], who had taken up the position of Master at [[University College, Oxford]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/news/newsitem146159.html|title=Professor Adam Habib to be next Director of SOAS University of London|date=18 February 2020|publisher=SOAS University of London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/adam-habib-soas-will-be-voice-developing-world-west|title=Adam Habib: SOAS will be 'voice for developing world in the West'|website=Times Higher Education|date=26 January 2021}}</ref> In 2024, the position of director was renamed vice-chancellor.<ref>[https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/governance/executive-board Executive Board] SOAS University of London.</ref>
Since its foundation, the school has had ten directors. The inaugural director was the linguist [[Edward Denison Ross]]. Under the stewardship of [[Cyril Philips]], the school saw growth and modernisation.<ref name="independent" /> Under [[Colin Bundy]] in the 2000s, the school became one of the top ranked universities both domestically and internationally.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/apr/19/education.highereducation |title=Oxford topples Cambridge from top spot |newspaper=The Guardian |first=Matthew |last=Taylor |date=19 April 2005 |access-date=23 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826130121/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/apr/19/education.highereducation |archive-date=26 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2021 [[Adam Habib]] became director of SOAS in place of [[Valerie Amos]], who had taken up the position of Master at [[University College, Oxford]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/news/newsitem146159.html|title=Professor Adam Habib to be next Director of SOAS University of London|date=18 February 2020|publisher=SOAS University of London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/adam-habib-soas-will-be-voice-developing-world-west|title=Adam Habib: SOAS will be 'voice for developing world in the West'|website=Times Higher Education|date=26 January 2021}}</ref> In 2024, the position of director was renamed vice-chancellor.<ref>[https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/governance/executive-board Executive Board] SOAS University of London.</ref>


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Appointed !! Vice-Chancellor/Director
! Appointed !! Director/Vice-Chancellor
|-
|-
| 1916 || [[Edward Denison Ross]]
| 1916 || [[Edward Denison Ross]]
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| 1956 || [[Cyril Philips]]
| 1956 || [[Cyril Philips]]
|-
|-
| 1976 || Jeremy Cowan
| 1976 || [[Jeremy Cowan]]
|-
|-
| 1989 || Michael McWilliam
| 1989 || [[Michael McWilliam]]
|-
|-
| 1996 || [[Tim Lankester]]
| 1996 || [[Tim Lankester]]
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===Board of Trustees===
===Board of Trustees===
The SOAS Board of Trustees sets policy, mission, and purpose for the university. The Trustees are also responsible for overseeing the management of resources and upholding SOAS's role. The board consists of a chair, two vice-chairs, an honorary treasurer, 10 lay members, the Vice-Chancellor, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Deputy
The SOAS Board of Trustees sets policy, mission, and purpose for the university. The Trustees are also responsible for overseeing the management of resources and upholding SOAS's role. The board consists of a chair, two vice-chairs, an honorary treasurer, 10 lay members, the Vice-Chancellor, Provost, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Deputy
Vice-Chancellor Research and Knowledge Exchange, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Finance and Operations and Clerk to the Board, a Professional Services Member, college deans, and student representatives.<ref name="SOAS Board of Trustees">{{cite web | url =https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/governance/board-trustees | title = SOAS Board of Trustees | access-date = 8 May 2025 | publisher = SOAS University of London |url-status=live }}</ref>
Vice-Chancellor Research and Knowledge Exchange, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Finance and Operations and Clerk to the Board, a Professional Services Member, college deans, and student representatives.<ref name="SOAS Board of Trustees">{{cite web | url =https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/governance/board-trustees | title = SOAS Board of Trustees | access-date = 8 May 2025 | publisher = SOAS University of London }}</ref>


==Academic organisation==
==Academic organisation==
===Colleges and departments===
===Colleges and departments===
SOAS, University of London is divided into three colleges.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soas.ac.uk/academic/|title=Academic Departments, Institutes, Centres and Faculties at SOAS, University of London|website=Soas.ac.uk|access-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722082922/https://www.soas.ac.uk/academic/|archive-date=22 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> These are further divided into academic departments. SOAS has many Centres and Institutes, each of which is affiliated to a particular faculty.
As of 1 August 2025, SOAS is divided into two colleges and one self-standing School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soas.ac.uk/academic/|title=Academic Departments, Institutes, Centres and Faculties at SOAS, University of London|website=Soas.ac.uk|access-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722082922/https://www.soas.ac.uk/academic/|archive-date=22 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> These are further divided into academic departments. SOAS has many Centres and Institutes, each of which is affiliated to a particular faculty.


====College of Humanities====
====College of Humanities====
The College of Humanities houses the School of Art, the School of History, Religions and Philosophies, and the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics. It offers courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with an emphasis on Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. A gift from the [[Alphawood Foundation]] in 2013 created the Hiram W. Woodward Chair in Southeast Asian art, the [[David Snellgrove]] Senior Lectureship in Tibetan and Buddhist art, and a Senior Lectureship in Curating and Museology of Asian Art, as well as a number of scholarships for students, making the Department of Art & Archaeology a key institution at a global level in the study of [[Southeast Asia]].<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.alphawoodfoundation.org/newsroom/2015/6/17/alphawood-foundation-announced-a-32-million-gift-to-soas| title = Alphawood Foundation announced a $32 million gift to SOAS| website = Alphawood Foundation Chicago| access-date = 26 February 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064147/http://www.alphawoodfoundation.org/newsroom/2015/6/17/alphawood-foundation-announced-a-32-million-gift-to-soas| archive-date = 4 March 2016| url-status = live}}</ref> The university is also a member of the [[Screen Studies Group, London]].
The College of Humanities houses the School of Art, the School of History, Religions and Philosophies, the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, and the School of Anthropology, Media and Gender. The first ever university linguistics department in the United Kingdom was created in 1932 at SOAS, serving as a centre for research and study in Oriental and African languages.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 May 2014 |title=Collaboration for language preservation and revitalisation in Asia |url=https://asiancorrespondent.com/2014/05/collaboration-for-language-preservation-and-revitalisation-in-asia/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624232142/https://asiancorrespondent.com/2014/05/collaboration-for-language-preservation-and-revitalisation-in-asia/ |archive-date=24 June 2016 |access-date=23 May 2016 |work=Asian Correspondent}}</ref> [[J. R. Firth]], known internationally for his work in phonology and semantics, was a Senior Lecturer, Reader and Professor of General Linguistics at the school between 1938 and 1956.


====Department of Linguistics====
The College of Humanities offers courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with an emphasis on Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. A gift from the [[Alphawood Foundation]] in 2013 created the Hiram W. Woodward Chair in Southeast Asian art, the [[David Snellgrove]] Senior Lectureship in Tibetan and Buddhist art, and a Senior Lectureship in Curating and Museology of Asian Art, as well as a number of scholarships for students, making the Department of Art & Archaeology a key institution at a global level in the study of [[Southeast Asia]].<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.alphawoodfoundation.org/newsroom/2015/6/17/alphawood-foundation-announced-a-32-million-gift-to-soas| title = Alphawood Foundation announced a $32 million gift to SOAS| website = Alphawood Foundation Chicago| access-date = 26 February 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064147/http://www.alphawoodfoundation.org/newsroom/2015/6/17/alphawood-foundation-announced-a-32-million-gift-to-soas| archive-date = 4 March 2016| url-status = live}}</ref> The university is also a member of the [[Screen Studies Group, London]].
The SOAS Department of Linguistics was the first ever linguistics department in the United Kingdom, founded in 1932 as a centre for research and study in Oriental and African languages.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://asiancorrespondent.com/2014/05/collaboration-for-language-preservation-and-revitalisation-in-asia/ |title=Collaboration for language preservation and revitalisation in Asia |work=Asian Correspondent |date=14 May 2014 |access-date=23 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624232142/https://asiancorrespondent.com/2014/05/collaboration-for-language-preservation-and-revitalisation-in-asia/ |archive-date=24 June 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[J. R. Firth]], known internationally for his work in phonology and semantics, was a Senior Lecturer, Reader and Professor of General Linguistics at the school between 1938 and 1956.


====College of Development, Economics and Finance====
====College of Social Sciences====
The College of Development, Economics and Finance houses the departments of Development Studies, Economics, and Finance and Management.
The College of Social Sciences houses the departments of Development, Politics and International Studies, Economics, and Finance and Management.
 
====College of Law, Anthropology and Politics====
The College of Law, Anthropology and Politics houses the School of Law, the departments of Anthropology and Politics and International Studies, and the centres for Gender Studies, Media Studies, the London Asia-Pacific Centre for Social Science, the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy, the Centre of Taiwan Studies and a number of department-specific centres. It offers courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, many with an emphasis on Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/lawsocialsciences/|title=Faculty of Law and Social Sciences (L&SS)|access-date=25 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202034147/https://www.soas.ac.uk/lawsocialsciences/|archive-date=2 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>


====SOAS School of Law====
====SOAS School of Law====
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*SOAS Shapoorji Pallonji Institute of Zoroastrian Studies
*SOAS Shapoorji Pallonji Institute of Zoroastrian Studies
*Centre of African Studies
*Centre of African Studies
*Centre for Pan-African Studies
*Centre of Contemporary Central Asia and the Caucasus
*Centre of Contemporary Central Asia and the Caucasus
*Centre for Iranian Studies
*Centre for Iranian Studies
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==Academic profile==
==Academic profile==
[[File:Brunei Gallery.jpg|thumb|The entrance to the Brunei Gallery]]
[[File:Brunei Gallery.jpg|thumb|The entrance to the Brunei Gallery]]
SOAS is a centre for the study of subjects concerned with Asia, Africa and the Middle East.<ref name="TheCompleteUniversityGuide">{{cite web |url=http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/the-school-of-oriental-and-african-studies |title=SOAS, University of London (The School of Oriental and African Studies) |work=The Complete University Guide |access-date=23 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127072609/http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/the-school-of-oriental-and-african-studies |archive-date=27 November 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> It trains [[government officials]] on [[secondment]] from around the world in Asian, African and Middle Eastern languages and area studies, particularly in [[Arabic]] & [[Islamic Studies]] – which combined with [[Hebrew]] formed the major bulk of classical [[Oriental Studies]] in Europe – and [[Standard Chinese|Mandarin Chinese]]. It also acts as a consultant to government departments and to companies such as [[Accenture]] and [[Deloitte]] – when they seek to gain specialist knowledge of the matters concerning Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
SOAS is a centre for the study of subjects concerned with Asia, Africa and the Middle East.<ref name="TheCompleteUniversityGuide">{{cite web |url=http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/the-school-of-oriental-and-african-studies |title=SOAS, University of London (The School of Oriental and African Studies) |work=The Complete University Guide |access-date=23 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127072609/http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/the-school-of-oriental-and-african-studies |archive-date=27 November 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> It trains [[government officials]] on [[secondment]] from around the world in Asian, African and Middle Eastern languages and area studies, particularly in [[Arabic]], [[Islamic Studies|Islam, and Middle Eastern Studies]] formed the major bulk of classical [[Oriental Studies]] in Europe – and [[Standard Chinese|Mandarin Chinese]]. It also acts as a consultant to government departments and to companies such as [[Accenture]] and [[Deloitte]] – when they seek to gain specialist knowledge of the matters concerning Asia, Africa and the Middle East.


The school has a student-staff ratio of 15:1, which in the Complete University Guide 2025 ranked 44th in the UK.<ref name="TheCompleteUniversityGuide"/>
The school has a student-staff ratio of 15:1, which in the Complete University Guide 2025 ranked 44th in the UK.<ref name="TheCompleteUniversityGuide"/>
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The SOAS library is a library for Asian, African and Middle Eastern studies.<ref name="COPAC profile on SOAS Library">{{cite web |url=http://copac.jisc.ac.uk/about/libraries/soas.html |title=SOAS Library, University of London |publisher=COPAC |access-date=23 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503225055/http://copac.jisc.ac.uk/about/libraries/soas.html |archive-date=3 May 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> It houses more than 1.2 million volumes and electronic resources for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East,<ref name="COPAC profile on SOAS Library"/> and attracts scholars from all over the world. The library was designated by [[HEFCE]] in 2011 as one of the UK's five National Research Libraries.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/library/about/collectionoverview/ |title=Brief Overview of the Collection |work=SOAS Library |access-date=27 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727205546/https://www.soas.ac.uk/library/about/collectionoverview/ |archive-date=27 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The SOAS library is a library for Asian, African and Middle Eastern studies.<ref name="COPAC profile on SOAS Library">{{cite web |url=http://copac.jisc.ac.uk/about/libraries/soas.html |title=SOAS Library, University of London |publisher=COPAC |access-date=23 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503225055/http://copac.jisc.ac.uk/about/libraries/soas.html |archive-date=3 May 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> It houses more than 1.2 million volumes and electronic resources for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East,<ref name="COPAC profile on SOAS Library"/> and attracts scholars from all over the world. The library was designated by [[HEFCE]] in 2011 as one of the UK's five National Research Libraries.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/library/about/collectionoverview/ |title=Brief Overview of the Collection |work=SOAS Library |access-date=27 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727205546/https://www.soas.ac.uk/library/about/collectionoverview/ |archive-date=27 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>


The library is housed in the Philips Building on the [[Russell Square]] campus and was built in 1973.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/centenary/the-soas-story/new-library-1973-1985/ |title=New Library (1973-1985) |publisher=SOAS, University of London |access-date=27 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822094556/https://www.soas.ac.uk/centenary/the-soas-story/new-library-1973-1985/ |archive-date=22 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was designed by architect [[Sir Denys Lasdun]], who also designed some of Britain's most famous [[brutalist]] buildings such as the [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre]] and the [[Institute of Education]].
The library is housed in the Philips Building on the [[Russell Square]] campus and was built in 1973.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/centenary/the-soas-story/new-library-1973-1985/ |title=New Library (1973-1985) |publisher=SOAS, University of London |access-date=27 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822094556/https://www.soas.ac.uk/centenary/the-soas-story/new-library-1973-1985/ |archive-date=22 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was designed by architect [[Sir Denys Lasdun]], who also designed some of Britain's [[brutalist]] buildings such as the [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre]] and the [[Institute of Education]].


In 2010/11 the library underwent a £12 million modernisation programme, known as "the Library Transformation Project".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcaslan.co.uk/projects/soas-library-transformation-interiors |title=SOAS Library Transformation Project |publisher=John McAslan + Partners |access-date=23 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511041542/http://www.mcaslan.co.uk/projects/soas-library-transformation-interiors |archive-date=11 May 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The work refurbished the ground floor of the library and created new reception and entrance areas, new music practice rooms, group study rooms and a gallery exhibition space.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/news/newsitem60373.html |title=Library Transformation Enters New Phase |publisher=SOAS, University of London |date=4 August 2010 |access-date=27 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822095549/https://www.soas.ac.uk/news/newsitem60373.html |archive-date=22 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2010/11, the library underwent a £12 million modernisation programme, known as "the Library Transformation Project".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcaslan.co.uk/projects/soas-library-transformation-interiors |title=SOAS Library Transformation Project |publisher=John McAslan + Partners |access-date=23 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511041542/http://www.mcaslan.co.uk/projects/soas-library-transformation-interiors |archive-date=11 May 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The work refurbished the ground floor of the library and created new reception and entrance areas, new music practice rooms, group study rooms and a gallery exhibition space.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/news/newsitem60373.html |title=Library Transformation Enters New Phase |publisher=SOAS, University of London |date=4 August 2010 |access-date=27 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822095549/https://www.soas.ac.uk/news/newsitem60373.html |archive-date=22 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>


SOAS being a constituent college of the University of London, its students also have access to [[Senate House Library]], shared by other colleges such as [[London School of Economics]] and [[University College London]], which is located just a short walk from the Russell Square campus.
Since SOAS is a constituent college of the University of London, its students also have access to [[Senate House Library]], shared by other colleges such as [[London School of Economics]] and [[University College London]], which is located close to the Russell Square campus.


The library was used as a filming location for some scenes in the 2016 film ''[[Criminal (2016 film)|Criminal]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/criminal-review/5102368.article|first=Fionnuala|last=Halligan|title='Criminal': Review|website=screendaily.com|date=8 April 2016|access-date=10 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414173914/http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/criminal-review/5102368.article|archive-date=14 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
The library was used as a filming location for some scenes in the 2016 film ''[[Criminal (2016 film)|Criminal]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/criminal-review/5102368.article|first=Fionnuala|last=Halligan|title='Criminal': Review|website=screendaily.com|date=8 April 2016|access-date=10 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414173914/http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/criminal-review/5102368.article|archive-date=14 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
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| LINE_1 = 0
| LINE_1 = 0
| Complete = 62=
| Complete = 62=
| The_Guardian = 90
| The_Guardian = 116
| Times/Sunday_Times = 65
| Times/Sunday_Times = 75
| LINE_2 = 0
| LINE_2 = 0
| TEF = Silver
| TEF = Silver
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The 2022 [[QS World University Rankings]] placed SOAS 2nd in the world for Development Studies,<ref>{{cite web |title=QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022: Development Studies |date=23 January 2025 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2022/development-studies |publisher=QS Top Universities}}</ref> 10th for Anthropology<ref>{{cite web |title=QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022: Anthropology |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2022/anthropology?&search=soas |publisher=QS Top Universities |access-date=11 March 2023}}</ref> and 15th for Politics.<ref>{{cite web |title=QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022: Politics | date=23 January 2025 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2022/politics?&search=soas |publisher=QS Top Universities}}</ref> For Arts & Humanities overall, it was placed 67th in the world by the same rankings.<ref>{{cite web |title=QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022: Arts and Humanities |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2022/arts-humanities?&search=soas |publisher=QS Top Universities |access-date=11 March 2023}}</ref> As an institution, it placed 508th overall in the QS World University Rankings 2025, having fallen from a high of 252nd in 2017.<ref>[https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/soas-university-london QS Global World Rankings 2025]</ref> SOAS ranked 33rd globally for International Students and 49th for International Faculty in the 2023 QS World University Rankings.<ref>[https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/news/soas-among-worlds-best-attracting-international-talent SOAS among world's best for attracting international talent]</ref>
The 2022 [[QS World University Rankings]] placed SOAS 2nd in the world for Development Studies,<ref>{{cite web |title=QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022: Development Studies |date=23 January 2025 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2022/development-studies |publisher=QS Top Universities}}</ref> 10th for Anthropology<ref>{{cite web |title=QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022: Anthropology |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2022/anthropology?&search=soas |publisher=QS Top Universities |access-date=11 March 2023}}</ref> and 15th for Politics.<ref>{{cite web |title=QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022: Politics | date=23 January 2025 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2022/politics?&search=soas |publisher=QS Top Universities}}</ref> For Arts & Humanities overall, it was placed 67th in the world by the same rankings.<ref>{{cite web |title=QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022: Arts and Humanities |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2022/arts-humanities?&search=soas |publisher=QS Top Universities |access-date=11 March 2023}}</ref> As an institution, it placed 508th overall in the QS World University Rankings 2025, having fallen from a high of 252nd in 2017.<ref>[https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/soas-university-london QS Global World Rankings 2025]</ref> SOAS ranked 33rd globally for International Students and 49th for International Faculty in the 2023 QS World University Rankings.<ref>[https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/news/soas-among-worlds-best-attracting-international-talent SOAS among world's best for attracting international talent]</ref>


SOAS's Department of Financial and Management Studies (DeFiMS) is ranked within the top-60 for Business Studies in the 2023 [[Rankings of universities in the United Kingdom|Complete University Guide]]'s League Table.<ref>{{cite web |title=Business & Management Studies |url=https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/business-and-management-studies |publisher=Complete University Guide |access-date=11 March 2023}}</ref> The research strength of the department has been previously recognised by the 2021 [[Research Excellence Framework]] (REF) where 81 per cent was rated as world-leading and internationally excellent, placing it 41st in the country by GPA.<ref>{{cite news |title=REF 2021 Business and Management Studies |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/content/ref2021businessmanagementstudies |access-date=11 March 2023 |work=Times Higher Education}}</ref>
SOAS's Department of Financial and Management Studies (DeFiMS) is ranked within the top 60 in the UK for Business Studies in the 2023 [[Rankings of universities in the United Kingdom|Complete University Guide]]'s League Table.<ref>{{cite web |title=Business & Management Studies |url=https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/business-and-management-studies |publisher=Complete University Guide |access-date=11 March 2023}}</ref> The research strength of the department has been previously recognised by the 2021 [[Research Excellence Framework]] (REF) where 81 per cent was rated as world-leading and internationally excellent, placing it 41st in the country by GPA.<ref>{{cite news |title=REF 2021 Business and Management Studies |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/content/ref2021businessmanagementstudies |access-date=11 March 2023 |work=Times Higher Education}}</ref>


The results of the 2021 REF took the form of profiles spread across four grade levels. Hence, there are different ways to present them and to rank the departments. According to published tables by ''[[Times Higher Education]]'', SOAS is ranked 4th by GPA in the UK for Anthropology (an improvement from 16th in the previous exercise in 2014) and 25th in the UK for Development Studies.<ref>{{cite news |title=REF 2021: Anthropology and development studies |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ref-2021-anthropology-and-development-studies |access-date=12 May 2022 |work=Times Higher Education}}</ref>
The results of the 2021 REF took the form of profiles spread across four grade levels. Hence, there are different ways to present them and to rank the departments. According to published tables by ''[[Times Higher Education]]'', SOAS is ranked 4th by GPA in the UK for Anthropology (an improvement from 16th in the previous exercise in 2014) and 25th in the UK for Development Studies.<ref>{{cite news |title=REF 2021: Anthropology and development studies |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ref-2021-anthropology-and-development-studies |access-date=12 May 2022 |work=Times Higher Education}}</ref>
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A range of scholarships and awards support SOAS degree programmes, with an application process based either on academic merit or with a focus on supporting students from specific countries or connected with particular areas of study, as well as some bursaries addressing students' financial needs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/registry/scholarships/|title=Registry – scholarships|publisher=SOAS University of London}}</ref>
A range of scholarships and awards support SOAS degree programmes, with an application process based either on academic merit or with a focus on supporting students from specific countries or connected with particular areas of study, as well as some bursaries addressing students' financial needs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/registry/scholarships/|title=Registry – scholarships|publisher=SOAS University of London}}</ref>


=== Publications ===
===Publications===
SOAS publishes [[academic journal]]s such as ''[[The China Quarterly]],''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-06 |title=London's stronghold of Taiwan studies |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2021/07/06/2003760362 |access-date=2022-07-12 |website=[[Taipei Times]]}}</ref>''[[Bulletin of the School of Oriental & African Studies]], [[Journal of African Law]],''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Journal of African Law |url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/research/publications/soas-journals-and-books/journal-african-law |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=SOAS |language=en}}</ref> ''[[South East Asia Research]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=South East Asia Research |url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/research/publications/soas-journals-and-books/south-east-asia-research |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=SOAS |language=en}}</ref> and ''[[SOAS Bulletin of Burma Research]].''
SOAS publishes [[academic journal]]s such as ''[[The China Quarterly]],''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-06 |title=London's stronghold of Taiwan studies |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2021/07/06/2003760362 |access-date=2022-07-12 |website=[[Taipei Times]]}}</ref>''[[Bulletin of the School of Oriental & African Studies]], [[Journal of African Law]],''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Journal of African Law |url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/research/publications/soas-journals-and-books/journal-african-law |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=SOAS |language=en}}</ref> ''[[South East Asia Research]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=South East Asia Research |url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/research/publications/soas-journals-and-books/south-east-asia-research |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=SOAS |language=en}}</ref> and ''[[SOAS Bulletin of Burma Research]].''


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The primary accommodation for undergraduates is Dinwiddy House, which is located on [[Pentonville Road]]. This contains 510 single en-suite rooms arranged in small cluster flats of around six rooms each. The halls are located within minutes of [[King's Cross St Pancras tube station]] and the Vernon Square campus.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smsstudent.co.uk/dinwiddyhouse.asp |title=Sanctuary Management Services London – Dinwiddy House |publisher=Smsstudent.co.uk |date=1 July 2007 |access-date=16 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419025941/http://www.smsstudent.co.uk/dinwiddyhouse.asp |archive-date=19 April 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The primary accommodation for undergraduates is Dinwiddy House, which is located on [[Pentonville Road]]. This contains 510 single en-suite rooms arranged in small cluster flats of around six rooms each. The halls are located within minutes of [[King's Cross St Pancras tube station]] and the Vernon Square campus.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smsstudent.co.uk/dinwiddyhouse.asp |title=Sanctuary Management Services London – Dinwiddy House |publisher=Smsstudent.co.uk |date=1 July 2007 |access-date=16 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419025941/http://www.smsstudent.co.uk/dinwiddyhouse.asp |archive-date=19 April 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>


A few minutes walk from Dinwiddy House and also on the Pentonville Road is Paul Robeson House, the second hall of residence. This was opened in 1998, and is named after the African-American musician [[Paul Robeson]] who studied at SOAS in the 1930s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/centenary/alumni-profiles/1930s/paul-robeson.html|title=About SOAS – Alumni profiles: !930s|publisher=SOAS University of London}}</ref> This accommodation is occupied by postgraduate students, and those attending the international SOAS Summer schools.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smsstudent.co.uk/paulrobesonhouse.asp |title=Sanctuary Management Services London – Paul Robeson House for SOAS Students |publisher=Smsstudent.co.uk |date=1 July 2007 |access-date=16 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416025856/http://www.smsstudent.co.uk/paulrobesonhouse.asp |archive-date=16 April 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
A few minutes walk from Dinwiddy House and also on the Pentonville Road is Paul Robeson House, the second hall of residence. This was opened in 1998, and is named after the African-American musician [[Paul Robeson]] who studied at SOAS in the 1930s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soas.ac.uk/centenary/alumni-profiles/1930s/paul-robeson.html|title=About SOAS – Alumni profiles: !930s|publisher=SOAS University of London|access-date=19 February 2021|archive-date=9 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409143030/https://www.soas.ac.uk/centenary/alumni-profiles/1930s/paul-robeson.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> This accommodation is occupied by postgraduate students, and those attending the international SOAS Summer schools.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smsstudent.co.uk/paulrobesonhouse.asp |title=Sanctuary Management Services London – Paul Robeson House for SOAS Students |publisher=Smsstudent.co.uk |date=1 July 2007 |access-date=16 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416025856/http://www.smsstudent.co.uk/paulrobesonhouse.asp |archive-date=16 April 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>


SOAS students are eligible to apply for places in the University of London intercollegiate halls of residence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lon.ac.uk/halls.html |title=University of London – Intercollegiate Halls |publisher=Lon.ac.uk |date=26 March 2010 |access-date=26 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503014525/http://www.lon.ac.uk/halls.html |archive-date=3 May 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> The majority of these are based in Bloomsbury such as Canterbury Hall, Commonwealth Hall, College Hall, [[Connaught Hall, London|Connaught Hall]], [[Hughes Parry Hall, London|Hughes Parry Hall]], [[International Hall, London|International Hall]] and [[International Students House, London|International Students House]], while further afield are [[Nutford House, London|Nutford House]] in [[Marble Arch]] and Lillian Penson Hall in [[Paddington]]. A number of SOAS postgraduate students also apply for student accommodation at Goodenough College. Wood Green Hall is another accommodation in North London that reserves places for SOAS students annually.
SOAS students are eligible to apply for places in the University of London intercollegiate halls of residence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lon.ac.uk/halls.html |title=University of London – Intercollegiate Halls |publisher=Lon.ac.uk |date=26 March 2010 |access-date=26 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503014525/http://www.lon.ac.uk/halls.html |archive-date=3 May 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> The majority of these are based in Bloomsbury such as Canterbury Hall, Commonwealth Hall, College Hall, [[Connaught Hall, London|Connaught Hall]], [[Hughes Parry Hall, London|Hughes Parry Hall]], [[International Hall, London|International Hall]] and [[International Students House, London|International Students House]], while further afield are [[Nutford House, London|Nutford House]] in [[Marble Arch]] and Lillian Penson Hall in [[Paddington]]. A number of SOAS postgraduate students also apply for student accommodation at Goodenough College. Wood Green Hall is another accommodation in North London that reserves places for SOAS students annually.
Line 338: Line 335:
{{See also|Category:Alumni of SOAS University of London}}
{{See also|Category:Alumni of SOAS University of London}}


[[File:Encontro com relatora especial da ONU, Francesca Albanese - Out.24 (54303679102) (cropped).jpg]]
[[Francesca Albanese]] - Human Rights Lawyer
<gallery class="center">
<gallery class="center">
File:Encontro com relatora especial da ONU, Francesca Albanese - Out.24 (54303679102) (cropped).jpg|[[Francesca Albanese]], human rights lawyer and [[UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories]]
File:Achim Steiner-IMG 0837.jpg|[[Achim Steiner]], Administrator of the [[United Nations Development Programme|UNDP]]
File:Achim Steiner-IMG 0837.jpg|[[Achim Steiner]], Administrator of the [[United Nations Development Programme|UNDP]]
File:Inger Andersen (environmentalist, 2010, cropped).jpg|[[Inger Andersen (environmentalist)|Inger Andersen]], executive director of the [[United Nations Environment Programme|UNEP]]
File:Inger Andersen (environmentalist, 2010, cropped).jpg|[[Inger Andersen (environmentalist)|Inger Andersen]], executive director of the [[United Nations Environment Programme|UNEP]]
File:Martin Griffiths.jpg|[[Martin Griffiths]], [[Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator|Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs]]<ref>[https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/personnel-appointments/2021-05-12/mr-martin-griffiths-of-the-united-kingdom-under-secretary-general-for-humanitarian-affairs-and-emergency-relief-coordinator "Mr. Martin Griffiths of the United Kingdom - Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator"], United Nations, 12 May 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2022.</ref>
File:Martin Griffiths.jpg|[[Martin Griffiths]], former [[Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator|Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs]]<ref>[https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/personnel-appointments/2021-05-12/mr-martin-griffiths-of-the-united-kingdom-under-secretary-general-for-humanitarian-affairs-and-emergency-relief-coordinator "Mr. Martin Griffiths of the United Kingdom Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator"], United Nations, 12 May 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2022.</ref>
 
 
[[File:Encontro com relatora especial da ONU, Francesca Albanese - Out.24 (54303679102) (cropped).jpg]]
[[Francesca Albanese]] - Human Rights Lawyer
 
File:Mette-Marit av Norge.jpg|[[Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway]]
File:Mette-Marit av Norge.jpg|[[Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway]]
File:Aung San Suu Kyi 2016.jpg|[[Aung San Suu Kyi]], 1st [[State Counsellor of Myanmar]]
File:Aung San Suu Kyi 2016.jpg|[[Aung San Suu Kyi]], 1st [[State Counsellor of Myanmar]]
File:Paul Robeson by Karsh, 1941.jpg|[[Paul Robeson]], American singer
File:Paul Robeson by Karsh, 1941.jpg|[[Paul Robeson]], American singer
File:Official portrait of Rt Hon David Lammy MP crop 5.jpg|[[David Lammy]], Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom
File:Official portrait of Rt Hon David Lammy MP crop 5.jpg|[[David Lammy]], [[Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]]
File:Zeinab Badawi crop UNISDR.jpg|[[Zeinab Badawi]], TV presenter
File:Zeinab Badawi crop UNISDR.jpg|[[Zeinab Badawi]], TV presenter
File:John Atta Mills.jpg|[[John Atta Mills]], former President of Ghana
File:John Atta Mills.jpg|[[John Atta Mills]], former President of Ghana
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File:Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche.jpg|[[Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche]], Bhutanese lama and filmmaker
File:Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche.jpg|[[Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche]], Bhutanese lama and filmmaker
File:Grafica pc 3.jpg|[[Guillaume Long]], former Foreign Minister of Ecuador
File:Grafica pc 3.jpg|[[Guillaume Long]], former Foreign Minister of Ecuador
File:Bisher Al-Khasawneh (cropped).jpg|[[Bisher Al-Khasawneh]], [[Prime Minister of Jordan]]
File:Bisher Al-Khasawneh (cropped).jpg|[[Bisher Al-Khasawneh]], former [[Prime Minister of Jordan]]
</gallery>
</gallery>


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{{DEFAULTSORT:SOAS, University of London}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:SOAS, University of London}}
[[Category:SOAS University of London| ]]
[[Category:SOAS University of London| ]]
[[Category:Area studies organizations| ]]
[[Category:1916 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1916 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Africa-Europe Group for Interdisciplinary Studies]]
[[Category:Africa-Europe Group for Interdisciplinary Studies]]

Latest revision as of 16:49, 17 November 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "redirect hatnote". Script error: No such module "Distinguish". Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherTemplate:Main otherTemplate:Main otherTemplate:Main otherScript error: No such module "check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters". The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) is a public research university in London, England, and a member institution of the federal University of London. Established in 1916, the school specialises in the study of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

SOAS is one of the world's leading institutions for the study of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.[1] Its library is one of the five national research libraries in England.[2] SOAS also houses the SOAS Gallery, which hosts a programme of changing contemporary and historical exhibitions from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East with the aim of presenting and promoting cultures from these regions. The annual income of the institution for 2023–24 was £113.8 million of which £9.6 million was from research grants and contracts, with an expenditure of £76.6 million.[3]

SOAS is divided into two colleges and one self-standing school: the College of Humanities; the College of Social Sciences; and the SOAS School of Law. The university offers around 350 bachelor's degree combinations, more than 100 one-year master's degrees, and PhD programmes in nearly every department. The university has educated several heads of state, government ministers, diplomats, central bankers, Supreme Court judges, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, and many other notable leaders around the world. SOAS is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

History

Origins

The School of Oriental Studies was founded in 1916 at 2 Finsbury Circus, London, the then premises of the London Institution. The school received its royal charter on 5 June 1916 and admitted its first students on 18 January 1917. The school was formally inaugurated a month later on 23 February 1917 by George V. Among those in attendance were Earl Curzon of Kedleston, formerly Viceroy of India, and other cabinet officials.[4]

File:London Institution at the Finsbury Circus.jpg
The former premises of the London Institution in Finsbury Circus which originally housed SOAS and was demolished soon after being sold in 1936[5]

The School of Oriental Studies was founded by the British state as an instrument to strengthen Britain's political, commercial, and military presence in Asia and Africa.[6] It would do so by providing instruction to colonial administrators (Colonial Service and Imperial Civil Service),[6] commercial managers, and military officers, as well as to missionaries, doctors, and teachers, in the language of the part of Asia or Africa to which each was being posted, together with an authoritative introduction to the customs, religions, laws, and history of the people whom they were to govern or among whom they would be working.[6]

The school's founding mission was to advance British scholarship, science, and commerce in Africa and Asia, and to provide London University with a rival to the Oriental schools of Berlin, Petrograd, and Paris.[7] The school immediately became integral to training British administrators, colonial officials, and spies for overseas postings across the British Empire. Africa was added to the school's name in 1938.

Second World War

For a period in the mid-1930s, prior to moving to its current location at Thornhaugh Street, Bloomsbury, the school was located at Vandon House, Vandon Street, London SW1, with the library located at Clarence House. Its move to new premises in Bloomsbury was held up by delays in construction and the half-completed building took a hit during the Blitz in September 1940. With the onset of the Second World War, many University of London colleges were evacuated from London in 1939 and billeted on universities in the rest of the country.[8] The School was, on the Government's advice, transferred to Christ's College, Cambridge.[9]

In 1940, when it became apparent that a return to London was possible, the school returned to the city and was housed for some months in eleven rooms at Broadway Court, 8 Broadway, London SW1. In 1942, the War Office joined with the school to create a scheme for State Scholarships to be offered to select grammar and public-school boys with linguistic ability to train as military translators and interpreters in Chinese, Japanese, Persian, and Turkish. Lodged at Dulwich College in south London, the students became affectionately known as the Dulwich boys.[10] One of these students was Charles Dunn, who became a prominent Japanologist on the faculty of the SOAS and a recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun.[11] Others included Sir Peter Parker and Ronald Dore. Subsequently, the School ran a series of courses in Japanese, both for translators and for interpreters.[12]

1945–present

File:Colonial Students in Great Britain- Students at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, England, UK, 1946 D29302.jpg
A student from Northern Rhodesia at SOAS in 1946

In recognition of SOAS's role during the war, the 1946 Scarborough Commission (officially the "Commission of Enquiry into the Facilities for Oriental, Slavonic, East European and African Studies")[13] report recommended a major expansion in provision for the study of Asia and the school benefited greatly from the subsequent largesse.[14] The SOAS School of Law was established in 1947 with Seymour Gonne Vesey-FitzGerald as its first head. Growth however was curtailed by following years of economic austerity, and upon Sir Cyril Philips assuming the directorship in 1956, the school was in a vulnerable state. Over his 20-year stewardship, Phillips transformed the school, raising funds and broadening the school's remit.[14]

A college of the University of London, the School's fields include Law, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Languages with special reference to Asia and Africa. The SOAS Library, located in the Philips Building, is the UK's national resource for materials relating to Asia and Africa and is the largest of its kind in the world.[15] The school has grown considerably over the past 30 years, from fewer than 1,000 students in the 1970s to more than 6,000 students today, nearly half of them postgraduates. SOAS is partnered with the Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales (INALCO) in Paris which is often considered the French equivalent of SOAS.[16]

In 2011, the Privy Council approved changes to the school's charter allowing it to award degrees in its own name, following the trend set by fellow colleges the London School of Economics, University College London and King's College London. All new students registered from September 2013 will qualify for a SOAS, University of London, award.[17]

In 2012, a new visual identity for SOAS was launched to be used in print, digital media and around the campus. The SOAS tree symbol, first implemented in 1989, was redrawn and recoloured in gold, with the new symbol incorporating the leaves of ten trees, including the English Oak representing England; the Bodhi, Coral Bark Maple, Teak representing Asia; the Mountain Acacia, African Pear, Lasiodiscus representing Africa; and the Date Palm, Pomegranate and Ghaf representing the Middle East.[18]

Student politics

Israel and Palestine

SOAS has a student body of which many are committed anti-Zionists. The SOAS Students' Union was the first students' union to carry out a referendum, in 2005, to support the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement for goods stocked in the Students' Union,[19] and in 2015, the SOAS Students' Union held a referendum in which its members voted to adopt the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions directions more generally in the university. In 2022, students occupied the management section of the university for nine days, citing the university's investments in Israel amongst other reasons, which led to the university spending £200,000 in their eviction.[20] After Israel's war in Gaza. university management suspended seven students protesting the university's investments in Israel and partnership with Haifa university, a university in Israel with three military colleges and a military base on campus.[20] These students stated that the suspensions were arbitrary and a "targeted act of political repression", whereas the university replied that the students were a "threat to the SOAS community".[21] In the same period, a lecturer reported that security had removed a poster with the Palestinian flag from her door. SOAS responded that the display of the Palestinian flag violated "safeguarding".[22]

SOAS has an active Jewish Society which is explicitly anti-Zionist.[23] In 2024, and in the context of university protest camps established around the world relating to Israel's war in Gaza, SOAS director Adam Habib hosted a high-level meeting about antisemitism on campus, extending an invite to various Jewish academics on campus, but excluding any representation from the Jewish Society. On April 19, 2024, SOAS posted a job advert for a new Jewish Chaplain whose key responsibilities include supporting "the implementation of a Jewish Society within the Student [sic] Union," therefore implicating that the existing Jewish Society would be replaced by a society organised from the top down.[24]

In December 2020 The Guardian reported that SOAS refunded a student £15,000 in fees after he chose to abandon his studies as a result of the "toxic antisemitic environment" he felt had been allowed to develop on campus.[25] Examples of matters he considered anti-Semitic are, according to the Guardian report previously cited, that being pro-Israel was described as "Zionist", the student body's public support of the BDS movement, and that his proposal to write a thesis on perceived anti-Israel bias at the UN led to a response that, in his words, "he was covering up Israeli war crimes and was a white supremacist Nazi". He additionally stated that he had seen "anti-Semitic graffiti" on campus, but did not specify what this was, leaving it unclear as to whether or not he considered statements for example in support of the BDS movement as anti-Semitic. Leading Jewish figures at the university have disagreed with his assessment, with stating that they felt "much more comfortable being outwardly Jewish, visibly Jewish, or having people know that I'm Jewish around SOAS students than I am in pretty much any other context in this country."[24]

Campus

File:Philips Building, SOAS 02.jpg
The Philips Building

The campus is located in the Bloomsbury area of central London, close to Russell Square. It includes College Buildings (the Philips Building and the Old Building), Brunei Gallery building, 53 Gordon Square (which houses the Doctoral School) and, since 2016, the Paul Webley Wing (the North Block of Senate House). The SOAS library designed by Sir Denys Lasdun in 1973 is located in the Philips Building. The nearest Underground station is Russell Square.

The school houses the Brunei Gallery, built from an endowment from the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, the leader of a country whose human rights abuses are ongoing,[26] and inaugurated by the Princess Royal, as Chancellor of the University of London, on 22 November 1995. Its facilities include exhibition space on three floors, a book shop, a lecture theatre, and conference and teaching facilities. The Brunei Gallery hosts a programme of changing contemporary and historical exhibitions from Asia, Africa and the Middle East with the aim to present and promote cultures from these regions.[27]

The Japanese-style roof garden on top of the Brunei Gallery was built during the Japan 2001 celebrations and was opened by the sponsor, Haruhisa Handa, an Honorary Fellow of the School, on 13 November 2001.[28]

The school hosted the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, one of the foremost collections of Chinese ceramics in Europe. The collection has been loaned to the British Museum, where it is now on permanent display in Room 95.

The SOAS Centenary Masterplan conceived the development of two new buildings and a substantial remodelling of existing space to realign and develop the entrance and two areas within the Old Building. The cost estimates for the Centenary Masterplan settle at around £73m for the total project. The full implementation of the School's Centenary Masterplan would deliver approximately 30% additional space, approximately 1,000 sq metres.[29]

Governance and administration

Presidents

Appointed President
2001 Helena Kennedy[30]
23 April 2012 Graça Machel[31]
5 October 2021 Zeinab Badawi[32]

Directors/Vice-Chancellors

File:Edward Denison Ross by John Lavery (1856-1941).jpg
Edward Denison Ross by John Lavery

Since its foundation, the school has had ten directors. The inaugural director was the linguist Edward Denison Ross. Under the stewardship of Cyril Philips, the school saw growth and modernisation.[14] Under Colin Bundy in the 2000s, the school became one of the top ranked universities both domestically and internationally.[33] In January 2021 Adam Habib became director of SOAS in place of Valerie Amos, who had taken up the position of Master at University College, Oxford.[34][35] In 2024, the position of director was renamed vice-chancellor.[36]

Appointed Director/Vice-Chancellor
1916 Edward Denison Ross
1937 Ralph Lilley Turner
1956 Cyril Philips
1976 Jeremy Cowan
1989 Michael McWilliam
1996 Tim Lankester
2001 Colin Bundy[37]
2006 Paul Webley[38]
2015 Valerie Amos
2021 Adam Habib

Board of Trustees

The SOAS Board of Trustees sets policy, mission, and purpose for the university. The Trustees are also responsible for overseeing the management of resources and upholding SOAS's role. The board consists of a chair, two vice-chairs, an honorary treasurer, 10 lay members, the Vice-Chancellor, Provost, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Knowledge Exchange, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Finance and Operations and Clerk to the Board, a Professional Services Member, college deans, and student representatives.[39]

Academic organisation

Colleges and departments

As of 1 August 2025, SOAS is divided into two colleges and one self-standing School.[40] These are further divided into academic departments. SOAS has many Centres and Institutes, each of which is affiliated to a particular faculty.

College of Humanities

The College of Humanities houses the School of Art, the School of History, Religions and Philosophies, the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, and the School of Anthropology, Media and Gender. The first ever university linguistics department in the United Kingdom was created in 1932 at SOAS, serving as a centre for research and study in Oriental and African languages.[41] J. R. Firth, known internationally for his work in phonology and semantics, was a Senior Lecturer, Reader and Professor of General Linguistics at the school between 1938 and 1956.

The College of Humanities offers courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with an emphasis on Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. A gift from the Alphawood Foundation in 2013 created the Hiram W. Woodward Chair in Southeast Asian art, the David Snellgrove Senior Lectureship in Tibetan and Buddhist art, and a Senior Lectureship in Curating and Museology of Asian Art, as well as a number of scholarships for students, making the Department of Art & Archaeology a key institution at a global level in the study of Southeast Asia.[42] The university is also a member of the Screen Studies Group, London.

College of Social Sciences

The College of Social Sciences houses the departments of Development, Politics and International Studies, Economics, and Finance and Management.

SOAS School of Law

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". One of the largest individual departments, the SOAS School of Law is one of Britain's leading law schools and the sole law school in the world focusing on the study of Asian, African and Middle Eastern legal systems.[43] The School of Law has more than 400 students. It offers programmes at the LL.B., LL.M. and MPhil/PhD levels. International students have been a majority at all levels for many years.

The SOAS School of Law has an unrivaled concentration of expertise in the laws of Asian and African countries, human rights, transnational commercial law, environmental law, and comparative law. The SOAS School of Law was ranked 15th out of all 98 British law schools by The Guardian League Table in 2016.[44]

Although many modules at SOAS embody a substantial element of English common law, all modules are taught (as much as possible) in a comparative or international manner with an emphasis on the way in which law functions in society. Thus, law studies at SOAS are broad and comparative in their orientation. All students study a significant amount of non-English law, starting in the first year of the LL.B. course, where "Legal Systems of Asia and Africa" is compulsory. Specialised modules in the laws and legal systems of particular countries and regions are also encouraged, and faculty experts conduct modules in these subjects every year.

Institutes and regional centres

SOAS has a number of region-specific institutions, drawing on expertise across the various colleges:[45]

  • SOAS China Institute
  • SOAS Middle East Institute
  • SOAS South Asia Institute
  • SOAS Centre for Taiwan Studies

It also has a number of regional centres and other, non-regional institutes:

  • SOAS Shapoorji Pallonji Institute of Zoroastrian Studies
  • Centre of African Studies
  • Centre for Pan-African Studies
  • Centre of Contemporary Central Asia and the Caucasus
  • Centre for Iranian Studies
  • Centre of Korean Studies
  • Centre for the Study of Pakistan
  • Centre for Palestine Studies
  • Centre of South East Asian Studies
  • Japan Research Centre

Academic profile

File:Brunei Gallery.jpg
The entrance to the Brunei Gallery

SOAS is a centre for the study of subjects concerned with Asia, Africa and the Middle East.[46] It trains government officials on secondment from around the world in Asian, African and Middle Eastern languages and area studies, particularly in Arabic, Islam, and Middle Eastern Studies formed the major bulk of classical Oriental Studies in Europe – and Mandarin Chinese. It also acts as a consultant to government departments and to companies such as Accenture and Deloitte – when they seek to gain specialist knowledge of the matters concerning Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The school has a student-staff ratio of 15:1, which in the Complete University Guide 2025 ranked 44th in the UK.[46]

Library

File:SOAS Library interior view.jpg
The interior of the SOAS library

The SOAS library is a library for Asian, African and Middle Eastern studies.[47] It houses more than 1.2 million volumes and electronic resources for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East,[47] and attracts scholars from all over the world. The library was designated by HEFCE in 2011 as one of the UK's five National Research Libraries.[48]

The library is housed in the Philips Building on the Russell Square campus and was built in 1973.[49] It was designed by architect Sir Denys Lasdun, who also designed some of Britain's brutalist buildings such as the National Theatre and the Institute of Education.

In 2010/11, the library underwent a £12 million modernisation programme, known as "the Library Transformation Project".[50] The work refurbished the ground floor of the library and created new reception and entrance areas, new music practice rooms, group study rooms and a gallery exhibition space.[51]

Since SOAS is a constituent college of the University of London, its students also have access to Senate House Library, shared by other colleges such as London School of Economics and University College London, which is located close to the Russell Square campus.

The library was used as a filming location for some scenes in the 2016 film Criminal.[52]

Rankings

Template:Infobox UK university rankings

File:SOAS 10 Years.png
SOAS' national league table performance over the past 10 years

The 2022 QS World University Rankings placed SOAS 2nd in the world for Development Studies,[53] 10th for Anthropology[54] and 15th for Politics.[55] For Arts & Humanities overall, it was placed 67th in the world by the same rankings.[56] As an institution, it placed 508th overall in the QS World University Rankings 2025, having fallen from a high of 252nd in 2017.[57] SOAS ranked 33rd globally for International Students and 49th for International Faculty in the 2023 QS World University Rankings.[58]

SOAS's Department of Financial and Management Studies (DeFiMS) is ranked within the top 60 in the UK for Business Studies in the 2023 Complete University Guide's League Table.[59] The research strength of the department has been previously recognised by the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) where 81 per cent was rated as world-leading and internationally excellent, placing it 41st in the country by GPA.[60]

The results of the 2021 REF took the form of profiles spread across four grade levels. Hence, there are different ways to present them and to rank the departments. According to published tables by Times Higher Education, SOAS is ranked 4th by GPA in the UK for Anthropology (an improvement from 16th in the previous exercise in 2014) and 25th in the UK for Development Studies.[61]

Scholarships, bursaries, and awards

A range of scholarships and awards support SOAS degree programmes, with an application process based either on academic merit or with a focus on supporting students from specific countries or connected with particular areas of study, as well as some bursaries addressing students' financial needs.[62]

Publications

SOAS publishes academic journals such as The China Quarterly,[63]Bulletin of the School of Oriental & African Studies, Journal of African Law,[64] South East Asia Research[65] and SOAS Bulletin of Burma Research.

Student life

UCAS Admission Statistics
2024 2023 2022 2021 2020
ApplicationsTemplate:Efn-lg[66] 6,410 5,950 5,715 5,300 5,790
AcceptedTemplate:Efn-lg[66] 1,675 1,650 1,465 1,395 1,370
Applications/Accepted RatioTemplate:Efn-lg 3.8 3.6 3.9 3.8 4.2
Offer Rate (%)Template:Efn-lg[67] 92.6 91.2 90.0 89.1 78.0
Average Entry Tariff[68] 140 140
Template:Notelist-lg
HESA Student Body Composition (2023/24)
Domicile[69] and Ethnicity[70] Total
British WhiteTemplate:Efn Template:Bartable
British Ethnic MinoritiesTemplate:Efn Template:Bartable
International EU Template:Bartable
International Non-EU Template:Bartable
Undergraduate Widening Participation Indicators[69][71]
Female Template:Bartable
Independent School Template:Bartable
Low Participation AreasTemplate:Efn Template:Bartable

In Template:HESA year, there were Template:HESA undergraduate population undergraduate students.[72] In 2012, 41% of students were over 21 and 60% were female.[73] According to the QS World University Rankings, SOAS hosts international students from 140 countries.[74]

SOAS is renowned for its political scene and radical socialist politics and was voted the most politically active university in the UK in the Which? University 2012. Recent campaigns include students for social change, women's liberty and justice for cleaners.[75] The SOAS Student Union was established in 1927, and has a long history of activism: campaigning against the introduction of both student loans and later student fees; raising funds for the Algerian victims of the Algerian War of Independence against France in 1959; and successfully campaigning for the school to divest from fossil fuels. The SU bar became an established live music venue by the 1970s and was where Nirvana played their first UK gig in 1989.[76] The SOAS Marxist Society holds frequent events and encourages student voter registration.

Located in the heart of Bloomsbury, many University of London schools and institutes are close by, including Birkbeck, the Institute of Education, London Business School, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the Royal Veterinary College, the School of Advanced Study, Senate House Library and University College London.

Sports

File:SOAS Rugby Team Pic.jpg
SOAS Men's Rugby Union Team following a victory against the London School of Economics at Regent's Park

SOAS has multiple smaller sports teams competing in a variety of local and national leagues, as well as occasional international tournaments. SOAS clubs compete in inter-university fixtures in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) competition in a range of sports, including basketball, football, hockey, netball, rugby union and tennis.[77] SOAS also participates in an annual North London Varsity tournament against London Metropolitan University.[78]

On-campus jobs

Some programs help students to work part-time on campus alongside their full-time study.

  • Education Co-Creator Internship: This is a 64-hour scheme for SOAS undergraduates interested in the education sector. Students work on an innovative project in collaboration with SOAS staff to improve services at their own university.
  • Santander Micro-internship: This is a remote 60-hour Santander Universities initiative, targeted towards SOAS students looking to develop an entrepreneurial career. As part of this program, students are typically assigned to a start-up or NGO.
  • Student Ambassador: In this job, SOAS students promote their university to high school students.
  • Campus Brand Ambassador roles: Depending on availability, students may also take up a job to represent employers such as CMS, Clyde & Co, BDO, Vantage, Dentons, PwC, Barbri, Linklaters, Freshfields, and BCLP on campus. SOAS is not responsible for recruiting for this role – it is the respective external employer or a recruitment agency.

The School of Finance and Management has also partnered with learning platform Practera to offer a Virtual Industry Project, a two-week remote work-based learning experience to give students a taste of consulting roles.

Student housing

File:DinwiddyHouse.jpg
The courtyard of Dinwiddy House

SOAS operates two halls of residence in central London, both owned by Sanctuary Student Housing.[79] The primary accommodation for undergraduates is Dinwiddy House, which is located on Pentonville Road. This contains 510 single en-suite rooms arranged in small cluster flats of around six rooms each. The halls are located within minutes of King's Cross St Pancras tube station and the Vernon Square campus.[80]

A few minutes walk from Dinwiddy House and also on the Pentonville Road is Paul Robeson House, the second hall of residence. This was opened in 1998, and is named after the African-American musician Paul Robeson who studied at SOAS in the 1930s.[81] This accommodation is occupied by postgraduate students, and those attending the international SOAS Summer schools.[82]

SOAS students are eligible to apply for places in the University of London intercollegiate halls of residence.[83] The majority of these are based in Bloomsbury such as Canterbury Hall, Commonwealth Hall, College Hall, Connaught Hall, Hughes Parry Hall, International Hall and International Students House, while further afield are Nutford House in Marble Arch and Lillian Penson Hall in Paddington. A number of SOAS postgraduate students also apply for student accommodation at Goodenough College. Wood Green Hall is another accommodation in North London that reserves places for SOAS students annually.

Notable people

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Notable alumni

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Around the world, several national leaders and political figures are alumni: Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and First and incumbent State Counsellor of Myanmar, Zairil Khir Johari, Member of the Malaysian Parliament[85]

Notable faculty and staff

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See also

Notes

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References

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Further reading

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External links

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  8. University of London: An Illustrated History: 1836–1986 By N. B. p. 255.
  9. Nature, 1939, Vol. 144(3659), pp. 1006–1007.
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