At SOAS, we use our expertise in Africa, Asia and the Middle East as a lens through which to interrogate the planetary questions of our time.

SOAS is home to the leading research and expertise on the global issues of today. Our students engage with our academics on these issues throughout their study. We are uniquely placed to inform and shape current thinking about the economic, political, cultural, security and religious challenges of our world. 

Our decolonial outlook on education allows us to strive for a more equal and just world through our teaching and research. We are committed to building bridges within the global communities and forging equitable global partnerships.

We challenge perspectives, broach debate, and empower our students to question the global status quo and find solutions to the issues facing the world today. Our programmes are taught by respected international academics with inter-disciplinary expertise who are engaged in fieldwork and research that influences governments, industries and communities across the world.

1. Top 50 in the world for internationalism (QS World Rankings 2023).
2. Top 50 in the world for addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals for Peace, Justice, Poverty and Sustainability (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, 2022).
3. Ranked 6th in the UK for employment outcomes (QS World Rankings 2023).
4. Has been listed in the top 25 in the UK in the World Reputation Rankings 2021, according to the Times Higher Education.
5. An exceptionally diverse university, with 51 per cent of its students coming from outside of the UK, around five times the global average according to the QS World University Rankings 2022.
6. We have one of only five National Research Libraries in the UK. We have over 1.5 million volumes, periodicals and audio-visual materials in 400 languages, focusing on Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
7. 87% of our research ranked 'world leading or internationally excellent' (Research Excellence Framework 2021).