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SOAS, University of London Partnership

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SOAS, University of London Partnership

Program Overview

INVESTIGATE GLOBAL ISSUES, PREPARE TO DRIVE CHANGE

Prestigious SOAS, or School of Oriental and African Studies, is the UK’s only university to specialize in the study of Asia, Africa, and the Near and Middle East. “The world’s university” aspires to tackle global problems and broaden students’ views. With half the student body from beyond the UK, being here is almost like taking a world tour.

Located in central London, the leafy, intellectual Bloomsbury district campus is full of museums, cafes, parks, and grand architecture. Oxford Street, Covent Garden, and the West End are also in easy reach.

In addition to outstanding academics and a prime location, your program also includes IFSA excursions and activities (no extra costs) that give you cultural insights tourists often miss. Possibilities include a West End theater performance, a session in the famous The Great British Bake Off tent, and exploring below ground with a former coal miner in Wales.

Details at a Glance

Application deadline

Fall: April 15

Academic Year: April 15

Spring: Oct. 15

Minimum GPA

3.00

Credit load

Housing

Apartment/Flat, Residence Hall/Dormitory, Single Room Option

Instruction language

English

Language prerequisites

None

Visa required?

Not in most cases. Learn more.

Apply Now

Academics

To view available courses at SOAS, visit the university’s online course catalog.

Credit Conversion
A full course load for academic year students is 120 SOAS credits, comprised of any combination of 15- or 30-credit modules. Semester students at SOAS take exactly 4 modules (classes) whether attending in Spring or Fall. Semester students are permitted to take half of a year-long course and earn half of the credit for the course, so the typical semester course load is 60 SOAS credits.

30 SOAS credits (usually full year courses only) = 8 U.S. semester credit hours
15 SOAS credits = 4 U.S. semester credit hours

CHART Your Course
Find the classes you need fast with CHART. Our easy-to-use tool shows you classes recently taken by IFSA students

Lab & Field Trip Fees
Please review syllabi and course materials when registering for direct-enroll classes. Certain classes may have a one-off lab or field trip fee disclosed in the syllabus or during the first meeting of the class. These fees are not included in your IFSA program fee. You will be responsible for these fees, whether they are billed and paid by IFSA or billed to you.

Students should consult the SOAS course finder for specific class restrictions, which are listed by department.

Fourth-year (400 level) courses and higher are part of a postgraduate degree (masters or Ph.D.) and are not available to undergraduate study abroad students.
Departments that have only graduate courses (including Gender Studies and Media Studies) are not open to undergraduate students.
Independent study projects, dissertations and extended essays are also closed to study abroad students.
History majors should note that H300 courses are capped at 15 students, and registration is on a first come, first served basis.

New country, new way of learning!

Here’s what to expect at SOAS:

More emphasis on independent learning. The university recommends completing 10 hours of independent study for each academic credit you seek.
More advanced instruction and work than you’d find in a class at the same level in the United States. Because most English university degrees are three-year programs, students gain specialized knowledge faster here.
Less personal access to professors. Instead, it’s common to connect with more junior faculty members.
Grades are often based on a single final exam or final paper, or on just a few assignments.
Choose classes from one department to avoid scheduling conflicts. Local students usually specialize in one department for classes, which means different departments don’t schedule classes with other departments in mind.
Full access to the university’s robust academic support system and resources, including an assigned advisor for academic support. IFSA local staff are also available for individual help.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
You must have completed at least one (1) full-time semester of study at your home institution before the beginning of the semester program or one (1) full-time year of study at your home institution before the beginning of the year program.
Eligibility requirements can vary among host institutions. Please ask your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for specific information.

Recommendation Letter
Your application to this program will require one (1) academic letter of recommendation.

TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects classes taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.

Excursions

Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.

Below are a selection of activities and excursions from previous terms; options may vary for your program. Due to the seasonal nature of many of program activities, we cannot guarantee a specific activity or excursion will be available in a given term or program.

Activities

The Great British Bake Off Experience: Step into the famous white tent and don your apron for this immersive baking experience. Perfect for fans of The Great British Bake Off, you’ll work in pairs and bake a dessert against the clock that will be judged by the head baker. You’ll even be able to take home your creation at the end!
West End Theatre Performance: No time in the UK would be complete without a trip to the West End, London’s famous theatre district. Shows are chosen that provide context or different perspectives on London/the UK/Europe. Recent examples include Operation Mincemeat and Cabaret.
Sustainability Garden: Visit a community garden started to rewild urban space and respond to the challenges of urban sustainable food production in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. By speaking to gardeners, learn more about the impact of sustainable practices on the biodiversity of urban areas and how they’re trying to widen participation in their local community. Make sure to dress appropriately because we’ll be getting our hands dirty!

Excursions

Stonehenge and Bath Visit: Stonehenge has stood on Salisbury Plain for around 5,000 years and it’s still unknown how the prehistoric monument came to rest there! Make up your own mind during this visit and discover the fascinating theories behind these rocks. You’ll learn about Stonehenge from the fascinating exhibits and be able to enjoy a virtual sunrise as it rises over the prehistoric stones! Afterward, travel to the Roman city of Bath for a walking tour of this World Heritage city once home to Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Gainsborough, Lord Nelson, and Beau Nash. Then prepare to travel back 2,000 years to the Roman era with a visit to the Roman Baths.
Piers and Queers Brighton Trip: Since the 18th century, Brighton has become a cosmopolitan place of recreation, escape, and freedom. A destination for people who didn’t conform. With an LGBTQ+ population now estimated at 15%, Brighton celebrated England’s first civil partnerships, and hosts the UK’s largest Pride event as well as Europe’s first Trans Pride, rightly earning its title as the LGBTQ+ Capital of Britain. Peers and Queers is a tour of Brighton from LGBTQ+ perspective. This colorful 90-minute walk along the beach and historic city center takes in more than 200 years of history including Regency Dandies, 1950s lesbian and gay life, and political activism. Afterward, there’s time for a walk on the pier and fish and chips, just watch out for seagulls!
Big Welsh Weekend: Delve into the rich history of Wales and explore its unique culture and its complex relationship with the rest of the UK on a weekend that takes in the famous Tintern Abbey, the historic Raglan Castle, the Blaenavon coal mines, and St Fagan’s, a museum that has preserved buildings and cultural practices from Welsh history. Spend the night in Cardiff, the Welsh capital, and discover the Cardiff Bay area, home of the Welsh Parliament.
Yorkshire Adventure: Explore the vibrant and historic county of Yorkshire on a weekend trip where you’ll discover how this English region has contributed to the UK’s cultural landscape. Highlights may include the Bronte Parsonage in Haworth, the Piece Hall in Halifax, the Victorian model village of Saltaire, or the imposing Harewood House in Leeds.

Housing and Meals

Housing

Apartment/Flat, Residence Hall/Dormitory, Single Room Option

Meals

Self-Catering

Details

Students live in flats (apartments) provided by IFSA or in housing provided by SOAS. Several options include supplemental housing fees.

SOAS residence halls: SOAS has partnered with Sanctuary Students to offer housing at Dinwiddy House. The residence is mostly single ensuite bedrooms arranged in flats with shared kitchen and dining facilities, with a limited number of twin occupancy rooms. Flats have five, six, or seven bedrooms and are set around a landscaped courtyard.

Meals: No meal plan. Students cook or purchase their own meals in shared kitchens.
Commute: SOAS Vernon Square campus is a three-minute walk away. The Russell Square campus is a 25-minute walk away.

Student flats provided by IFSA: Students live in furnished flats (apartments) selected by IFSA, with IFSA students as flatmates.

Living space: Each flat contains single bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom.
- Bedrooms include bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, and light for each student.
- Comfortable space to cook, eat, socialize, and study either in your flat or in convenient common areas.
- Linens, except towels, are typically provided.
Meals: There is no meal plan. Students cook or purchase their own meals. Some flats have private kitchens, others include shared kitchens. Most are fully equipped; if not, kitchenware is easy to purchase nearby. Flatmates say cooking and eating together is a fun, social part of their day.
Commute: Varies by location. Expect a 40- to 50-minute trip via local train services, the Tube (the London subway), or bus.

Sample housing

Explore Vita Lewisham, one housing option, to see what your London home might be like:

Location: Lewisham, an area in southeast London undergoing substantial regeneration, particularly following its tenure as London Borough of Culture in 2022. Lewisham Shopping Centre, a five-minute walk away, is home to over 70 stores. Across the street is Glass Mill Leisure Centre, with gym, pool, sauna, and steam room. Two-minute walk to Lewisham train station.
Commute: 45 minutes by train/Tube to the SOAS campus.
Single rooms: Rooms include one double bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, and TV. Bed linens provided. Studio rooms include private kitchen with oven, stove, refrigerator, and microwave. Other rooms are part of cluster flats: six single rooms with private bathrooms, a shared kitchen, and living space. Kitchenware provided.
Meals: No meal plan. Students purchase meals or prepare food in shared kitchens. Breakfast available in the reception area on weekday mornings. Free coffee 24/7.
Common spaces: Three private dining rooms, a bar, study spaces, a gym with dance studio, and a games room.
Other details: Unlimited Wi-Fi, staff and security on site 24/7. Laundry facilities on-site. Cleaning provided every two weeks. The residence runs a full social calendar.
Nearby: The bustling Greenwich area, home to Greenwich Market, renowned museums, and Greenwich Park (where the Eastern and Western Hemispheres meet)—five minutes away via Docklands Light Railway. (Watch for celebrities: Greenwich frequently stands in as London and occasionally Paris in film and television productions.) Central London is 15 minutes away via train, so it’s easy to get to London Bridge and Charing Cross, the historic center of London.