Rankings of SOAS, University of London

SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) University of London is a research university dedicated to liberal arts subjects, with a particular focus on the continent of Africa, and the nations of Japan, Korea, and China. Their modern campus is located in the Bloomsbury area of London. Applicants can expect to find programmes and courses that take regions from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and combine them with a particular area of academic interest. These might include, History, Economics, Politics, as well as Music and History of Art. This university offers a high degree of specialisation, ensuring that the teaching staff are able to deliver perspectives based on true expertise in their fields.

Latest ranking updates for SOAS, University of London
  • 27 Sep, 2023: Publication of THE World University Rankings. Ranking position #401.
  • 09 Sep, 2023: The Guardian University League Tables by Subject (Business and Management) update. SOAS, University of London achieves place 64.
  • 09 Sep, 2023: Publication of The Guardian League Table. Ranking position #52.
  • 31 Jul, 2023: Publication of Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities. Ranking position #1075.
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University rankings

    • #29 
    • #37 
    The Times Good University Guide
    [Published 16 September, 2022]
    • #41 
    • #52 
    The Guardian League Table
    [Published 09 September, 2023]
    • #45 
    • #58 
    CUG The Complete University Guide
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #42 
    • #401 
    THE World University Rankings
    [Published 27 September, 2023]
    • #75 
    • #511 
    QS World University Rankings
    [Published 27 June, 2023]
    • #71 
    • #1463 
    US News: Best Global Universities
    [Published 24 October, 2022]
    • #93 
    • #2306 
    Scimago Institutions Rankings
    [Published 06 March, 2023]
    • #59 
    • #1331 
    CWUR Center for World University Rankings
    [Published 25 April, 2022]
    • #73 
    • #2130 
    URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
    [Published 28 November, 2022]
    • #33 
    • #491 
    RUR World University Rankings
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #32 
    • #459 
    RUR World University Rankings
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #50 
    • #554 
    RUR Reputation Ranking
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #50 
    • #717 
    RUR Academic Rankings
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #84 
    • #612 
    StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
    [Published 06 September, 2021]
    • #65 
    • #1075 
    Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
    [Published 31 July, 2023]
    • #24 
    • #101 
    THE World University Impact Rankings - Overall
    [Published 01 June, 2023]
    • #31 
    • #275 
    THE China Subject Ratings Overall
    [Published 11 May, 2022]

Historic rankings in TOP global university rankings

Chart Data

Subject rankings

Arts Visual & Performing

    • #11 
    • #63 
    Arts and Humanities
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 26 October, 2022]

Business

    • #34 
    • #48 
    Accounting and Finance
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #52 
    • #64 
    Accounting and Finance
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]
    • #32 
    • #42 
    Business & Management Studies
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #52 
    • #551 
    Business & Management Studies
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #35 
    • #201 
    Business and Economics
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 26 October, 2022]
    • #23 
    • #151 
    Public Administration
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 19 July, 2022]

Journalism & Media Studies

    • #15 
    • #101 
    Communication & Media Studies
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Languages & Literature

    • #15 
    • #70 
    English Language & Literature
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #8 
    • #66 
    Linguistics
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #10 
    • #85 
    Modern Langugages
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Law

    • #25 
    • #32 
    Law
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #29 
    • #39 
    Law
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]
    • #15 
    • #151 
    Law
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #9 
    • #11 
    Anthropology
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #5 
    • #12 
    Anthropology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #17 
    • #151 
    Archaeology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #7 
    • #51 
    Classics & Ancient History
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #2 
    • #2 
    Development Studies
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • # 
    • #39 
    Economics
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #40 
    • #50 
    Economics
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]
    • #40 
    • #401 
    Economics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 19 July, 2022]
    • #24 
    • #201 
    Economics & Econometrics
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #10 
    • #31 
    Geography
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #32 
    • #201 
    Geography
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 19 July, 2022]
    • #23 
    • #27 
    History
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #10 
    • #51 
    History
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #51 
    • #58 
    History
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]
    • #26 
    • #100 
    History
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #15 
    • #19 
    Philosophy
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #26 
    • #30 
    Philosophy
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]
    • #14 
    • #17 
    Politics
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #5 
    • #17 
    Politics
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #22 
    • #25 
    Politics
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]
    • #22 
    • #126 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 26 October, 2022]
    • #11 
    • #73 
    Sociology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #32 
    • #192 
    Sociology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #6 
    • #51 
    Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Highest subject rankings for SOAS, University of London

Development Studies QS World University Rankings By Subject
#2 
Social Studies & Humanities
Law CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#32 
Law
Business & Management Studies CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#42 
Business
Arts and Humanities THE World University Rankings by Subject
#63 
Arts Visual & Performing
Linguistics QS World University Rankings By Subject
#66 
Languages & Literature
Communication & Media Studies QS World University Rankings By Subject
#101 
Journalism & Media Studies

Student Reviews for SOAS, University of London

Student satisfaction:
4.3 (based on 358 student reviews)

“My time here has deepened my understanding of China’s political development in the last century, and I think this university offers a specificity that you wouldn’t be able to find in many other places. My only disappointment was that you don’t get a lot of language practice in the curriculum, and I was looking forward to practising my Cantonese more.”

“The average student here is quite impressive in my opinion. You can count on making friends as well as dependable colleagues. I was able to find employment quickly after graduating in Social Anthropology, working for the British Council!”

About SOAS, University of London

PROS

  • SOAS has numerous subjects ranked among the Top 20 in the UK, from education ranking organisations such as QS World University Rankings. Some examples include Politics, and Law.
  • In terms of demographics, this university is home to a wide variety of nationalities. This makes it a welcoming and stimulating environment for foreign students to come together.
  • A recurring point of praise from graduates is that perspectives taught at this university are unique and detailed, avoiding the oversimplifications that can appear in these subject areas.

CONS

  • Courses which offer a language provide very few contact hours, with a large number of students sharing the opinion that it is not enough to be considered intensive study of a language.
  • According to numerous learners at SOAS, most programmes include mandatory courses. This can be perceived as a lack of curriculum customisation that many would prefer.

Key facts

Foundation year:
1916
Telephone:
+44 20 7637 2388
Address:
Thornhaugh Street
WC1H 0XG, London
England UK
Website:
https://www.soas.ac.uk/
Social:

TOP 10 Best rated degree courses of SOAS, University of London

  Course
1 History of Art - BA 100/100 (5 student reviews)
2 Languages and Cultures and History of Art - BA 100/100 (5 student reviews)
3 History of Art (Asia, Africa, Europe) - BA 100/100 (5 student reviews)
4 Social Anthropology - BA 88/100 (12 student reviews)
5 Linguistics and Social Anthropology - BA 85/100 (25 student reviews)
6 Japanese and History - BA 85/100 (19 student reviews)
7 Korean and History - BA 85/100 (19 student reviews)
8 History and Arabic - BA 85/100 (19 student reviews)
9 History and Chinese - BA 85/100 (19 student reviews)
10 East Asian Studies and History - BA 85/100 (19 student reviews)
Source: Own analysis based on data of National Student Survey (NSS) 2022

TOP 10 highest earning degree courses of SOAS, University of London

  Course Median Salary (15 months after graduation)
1 East Asian Studies and Economics - BA £29,000.00
2 Politics, Philosophy and Economics - BSc £29,000.00
3 Economics - BSc £29,000.00
4 Economics and Arabic - BA £29,000.00
5 Languages and Cultures and Economics - BA £29,000.00
6 Economics and Chinese - BA £29,000.00
7 Politics - BA £27,500.00
8 History and Arabic - BA £27,500.00
9 Politics and International Relations - BA £27,500.00
10 International Relations - BA £27,500.00
Source: Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO)

NSS Aggregate Student reviews

Below you see the results of SOAS, University of London for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK universities.

Overall student satisfaction
70 /100
137 total respondents
Chart Data
Source: National Student Survey NSS 2022
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Student composition of SOAS, University of London

Students by level of study Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on 10 February 2022
undergraduates:
3295
postgraduates:
1970
Total:
5265
Students by subject Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on 10 February 2022
Anthropology:
875
languages and area studies :
835
Law:
790
Politics:
780
Business and Management:
435
Economics:
410
education and teaching:
350
History:
230
Creative Arts and Design:
160
Theology and Religious Studies:
85
Performing Arts:
60
Philosophy:
55
English Studies:
10
Foreign students by nationality Academic year 2020/21 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on 10 February 2022
China:
225
United States:
155
India:
105
Pakistan:
100
Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China):
50
Japan:
40
Switzerland:
40
Korea (South):
40
Saudi Arabia:
40
United Arab Emirates:
35
Nigeria:
30
Canada:
30
Singapore:
30
Taiwan:
30
Thailand:
25
Turkey:
25
South Africa:
20
Qatar:
20
Lebanon:
20
Bangladesh:
20
Egypt:
20
Norway:
15
Malaysia:
15
Australia:
15
Iran:
15
Indonesia:
15
Jordan:
15
Morocco:
15
Kenya:
15
Kuwait:
10
Myanmar (Burma):
10
Brazil:
10
Bahrain:
10
Israel:
5
Syria:
5
Chile:
5
Colombia:
5
Nepal:
5
Cambodia:
5
Afghanistan:
5
Zimbabwe:
5
Zambia:
5
Uganda:
5
Sudan:
5
Somalia:
5
Rwanda:
5
Malawi:
5
Madagascar:
5
Ethiopia:
5
Russia:
5
Source: Academic year 2020/21 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on 10 February 2022

Map of SOAS, University of London

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FAQ

SOAS, University of London ranks #38 in England UK in our meta ranking of 112 university rankings. See rankings of all 382 universities in England UK.

SOAS, University of London ranks #7 in London in our meta ranking. See rankings of all 90 universities in London.

SOAS, University of London is listed in The Times Good University Guide, The Guardian League Table, CUG The Complete University Guide, THE World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, US News: Best Global Universities and more. See all 22 rankings of SOAS, University of London.

SOAS, University of London achieved #37 in The Times Good University Guide. This is the university’s highest ranking in the 112 rankings tracked on our website. See all rankings for SOAS, University of London.

SOAS, University of London achieved the highest ranking for Social Studies & Humanities. It is ranked #2 in QS World University Rankings By Subject (Development Studies). See all subject rankings for SOAS, University of London.

A large number of university rankings include surveys among academics on reputation. In our meta ranking of 112 university rankings SOAS, University of London ranks #7 among universities in London and #38 among universities in England UK. See all rankings of SOAS, University of London.

In our meta ranking SOAS, University of London ranks #38 among all universities in England UK and University of Oxford ranks #1. See all rankings of universities in London. Apart from rankings you may also want to see the ratings from students who attended the universities.