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SOAS University of London

Ranked
London, United Kingdom
401–500th in World University Rankings 2025
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About

Basic information and contact details for SOAS University of London

institution

SOAS, University of London – The School of Oriental and African Studies – is a research university based in London, and a member college of the University of London.

With roots dating back to 1916, the university is located in the heart of central London – in Bloomsbury – and is known for the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. 

The University of London is divided into three faculties, which are: Arts and Humanities, Languages and Cultures, Linguistics and Law and Social Sciences.

Within these faculties, SOAS offers around 350 undergraduate bachelor's degree combinations, as well as over 100 one-year master's degrees and PhD programmes in almost all departments.

It is home to the SOAS School of Law, and is the sole law school in the world dedicated to the study of legal systems in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The school houses the Brunei Gallery which includes exhibition space on three floors, a bookshop, a lecture theatre, and conference and teaching facilities. It also hosts a programme contemporary and historical exhibitions from Asia, Africa and the Middle East throughout the year.

The SOAS library is a library for Asian, African and Middle Eastern studies, and houses more than 1.2 million volumes and electronic resource and is one of the UK's five National Research Libraries.

SOAS has produced many notable people including heads of states, government ministers, Supreme Court judges, as well as a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. In British politics, several alumni are Members of Parliament, which include: David Lammy, Catherine West, Tim Yeo, and Ivor Stanbrook. 

Prominent journalists and broadcasters include: Abdel Bari Atwan, the editor-in-chief of Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper in London, Zeinab Badawi, journalist and presenter for BBC World News Today and James Harding, journalist, former editor of The Times.

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Rankings

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Impact Rankings

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Key Student Statistics

A breakdown of student statistics at SOAS University of London

gender ratio
Student gender ratio
64 F : 36 M (1)
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International student percentage
44% (1)
student per staff
Students per staff
15.4 (1)
student
Student total
5240 (1)

Based on data collected for the (1) World University Rankings 2025

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Subjects Taught at SOAS University of London

See below for a range of subjects taught at SOAS University of London

Law=94th

  • Law

Arts and Humanities=77th

  • Languages, Literature and Linguistics
  • History, Philosophy and Theology
  • Archaeology
  • Art, Performing Art and Design

Business and Economics201–250th

  • Economics and Econometrics
  • Business and Management
  • Accounting and Finance

Social Sciences126–150th

  • Sociology
  • Politics and International Studies
  • Geography
  • Communication and Media Studies

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