Explore Cultural Understanding
To engage with the present you need to understand the past. Our students are taught by researchers with profound knowledge of the civilisations of our regions, their languages, arts, ancient and recent histories.
learn how multinational companies operate in a rapidly changing business environment
through our BA International Management (Middle East and North Africa) programme. You will gain a strong grounding in international management, specialist knowledge of business and management in the cultural context of the Middle East and North Africa and competence in a Middle Eastern language.
develop a deep understanding the history of Africa and Asia
with our BA History, which approaches historical subject matter, interpretation and methodology with different eyes, for example through the history of religion and culture
study a wider range of religious traditions and in more depth than anywhere else in the world
through our BA Study of Religions. Explore major and local religious cultures of Asia and Africa using a combination of historical, anthropological, philosophical, sociological and textual approaches
access the world’s largest concentration of scholars of African languages and cultures of sub-Saharan Africa
through our BA African Language and Culture. As well as developing robust language skills in Hausa or Swahili, your course options include philosophy and culture, oral and written literature, drama and film, linguistics and other related languages. Students of Swahili also experience life and work in East Africa
study the country which the whole world is watching
in our BA Chinese Studies. Develop your established Chinese language skills while exploring multiple facets of this extraordinary nation, led by SOAS experts in SOAS history, anthropology, politics, law, art and archaeology, religion and music
learn a South East Asian language in order to explore the region’s culture
With our BA South East Asian Studies programme. Study Burmese, Indonesian, Thai or Vietnamese alongside culture, literature and cinema with options to gain knowledge of South East Asian history, politics, economics, linguistics, religious studies, music, art and archaeology, anthropology and others.
Explore other courses at SOAS. Find out more about undergraduate degrees and the joint degree options available or order a Prospectus.
Meet the world at SOAS
See the world more clearly
SOAS is distinctively positioned to analyse, understand and explain our world of shrinking borders and of economic and technological simultaneity. Our unique campus environment is fuelled by our cosmopolitan community. Studying alongside students from 133 different countries gives you a first-hand insight into different cultures. SOAS also has one of the most diverse staff bodies in the world, ranked first in the UK in a UCU report earlier this year.
SOAS academics also brought cultural understanding to the heart of London this year as they played a significant role in shaping the Asian Arts London scene. ‘Shunga: sex and pleasure in Japanese art’, at The British Museum; the V&A’s ‘Masterpieces of Chinese Painting, 700-1900’ and The Brunei Gallery's exhibition on‘The Everlasting Flame: Zoroastrianism in History and Imagination’ all drew from SOAS expertise and are events and resources from which students can explore and benefit.
The walk-in fire temple consisting of a prayer room, inner sanctum and ritual precinct on display at The Everlasting Flame: Zoroastrianism in History and Imagination
The SOAS Africa Department, 1948
Preparing you for a global future
Discover what some of our alumni have achieved since graduating from SOAS.
Lana Nusseibeh is the first female Permanent Representative of United Arab Emirates to UN, she graduated in 2003 with Distinction in the MA Israeli and Jewish Diaspora Studies.
Robtel Neajai Pailey a doctoral student at SOAS, University of London has been recognised in the 2013 “99 Under 33” - an international list of the most influential foreign policy leaders under the age of 33.
*Image by Leena Alblooshi, MA Human Rights Law