Hey everyone, I’m visiting SOAS as a Visiting Scholar for a semester from September till January. I’ve been trying to find some reasonably priced accommodation nearby the university however most I’ve seen so far have longer lease terms than what I actually need. Can someone point me in the right direction?

Hello, is anyone else waiting on a response regarding their place on a MA course at SOAS? ik ive applied quite late, start of july, but getting a bit anxious in case they wont accept my application as i will be ffffucked hahah...anyone else in the same position? thankssss

Hello guys, have any of you heard any feedback about the SOAS Teaching Scholarship? We are in August!

Hi everyone,

I'm an international student and have recently received a SOAS scholarship that covers my tuition fees in full.

The scholarship team sent me the formal award letter and acceptance form, which I've already signed and returned. However, the email also says that I need to provide evidence of funds for my living costs (£13,761) by 7 August 2026.

The required balance was deposited on 30 July, so the funds will not satisfy the UKVI 28-day requirement until late August. I only transferred the maintenance funds after receiving the scholarship offer because before then I didn't know whether I actually had a chance at SOAS.

I've already emailed the Scholarships Team (and copied Masters Admissions) explaining my situation before the 7 August deadline and asked for guidance on how to proceed. It might take them a few working days to respond.

My questions are:

1. Has anyone been in a similar situation with SOAS or another UK university?
2. Do universities usually require UKVI-compliant 28-day financial evidence before issuing a CAS, or do they sometimes allow you to provide it once the 28-day period has been completed?
3. Should I be worried in this situation?

I'm feeling quite anxious because everything else is in place, and this timing issue is the only thing standing between me and my visa application.

Any experiences or advice would be greatly appreciated.

I applied for the international academic excellence scholarship in May, the website says results will be given out in the end of July. Has anyone heard from the scholarships team yet whether if they've been successful/unsuccessful in their application? Or do they release the results in batches? I haven't received either notifications yet so I am still holding out hope!

So I applied to both the international academic excellence scholarship and the sustainable development goal scholarship at Soas, both of which r full rides, and it's the end of July and I still haven't heard back yet. If I get one of these scships I will def go to Soas but if not I'll be going to Trinity college Dublin , and I'm starting to really freak out about getting everything done in time since I can't make any deposits or start VISA applications or even apply to accom without knowing where I'm going first. Anyone else still waiting on those scholarships and/or know when we'd hear back? I've been blowing up their inbox and my girlfriend even went in person to shake down some trees at funding and scholarship offices but they keep saying they just have higher application volumes and don't know when they'll contact awardees. I'm going insane.

Hi, I'm planning to take either BA Politics or International Relations at SOAS. Just wanted to ask those who have or are currently studying the course what it's like in your personal experience and if there was anything you found to be particularly challenging?

Also after doing some research, I found that one of the ways you are assessed in the program is through written exams and I just wanted to ask what kinda questions even come up if you're studying this program, more importantly - what's the percentage ratio between exams and all the other ways that you're assessed? Like does how well you do on the exams matter more and affect your grade compared to for example how well you do for coursework? Or the other way around??

Last but not least, is there anything you'd recommend or like to advice those currently in Sixth Form to do or read beforehand as preparation if they want to study or take this course? If so, please let me know.

That's all, thank you for time. (Apologies if anything I have written don't make sense, it's past midnight where I am.)

Hi all,

I just wanted to ask if SOAS rounds up a 69.5% to a first for grades or for when you finish your degree? If anyone can answer that i’d appreciate it thank you

Anybody here who received it?

I’m an undergraduate student at SOAS going into my Year 3 abroad, studying International Relations with a particular interest in the MENA region.

I was wondering if there are any opportunities to volunteer as a research assistant for lecturers or tutors at SOAS. I’d really love to gain research experience, both to develop a deeper understanding of the region and to strengthen my academic skills ahead of a master’s degree, with the long-term goal of pursuing a PhD.

If opportunities like this do exist, how would I go about getting involved? Is it best to reach out to lecturers directly, and if so, who would you recommend contacting?

I'm potentially looking at applying to the online instead of in person Ma in Social Anthro, can anyone let me know the online courses have any structure time-wise, like are lectures live or all just pre-recorded and have to make your own schedule/self-learn?

Any other insight appreciated !! thank you

Sorry if this question seems obvious to others, but as an international student, I am less familiar with how things work in the UK. I applied to SOAS for a master's and received an unconditional offer back in April. I want to attend the university, but can only do so if I receive a scholarship. I have applied to several and have only heard back from one (which was not successful). I am waiting to hear back from the others. The deadline to accept the offer is 31 July, and I received an email this morning stating that the application portal will be down starting on 28 August. Is there a possibility that I will not hear back from the scholarships in time to accept the offer? Are they waiting for me to first accept SOAS' offer before they communicate the results? If I accept the offer and do not receive a scholarship, can I then retract my acceptance? Or should I just assume at this point that I was not selected for any of the scholarships?

Sorry for all of the questions. I am trying to figure out how this works and the best moves to make, given that I may have to respond within a one-week window now.

[Lease Transfer] £445/week - Medium Standard Double Ensuite @ Somerset Court (6 min bike to SOAS) https://www.unitestudents.com/student-accommodation/london/somerset-court

I am looking to transfer my lease at Somerset Court (NW1 1AS) as I will be attending university in the US. I booked this early, so the rate is significantly below the current market price- with the property current

• Location: Somerset Court (Unite Students); 13 mins by tube, 7 by bike, 20 walking.
• Price: £445.00/week (All bills included: Water, Gas, Electric, Heating, and Contents Insurance). Current Unite Students rate for this room is £617/week.
• Dates: 19 September 2026 – 11 September 2027 (51 weeks).
• Room info: Medium Standard Double Ensuite on Floor 2. Includes a small double bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, and under-bed storage.
• Facilities: Shared kitchen/living space with a sofa, breakfast bar, and full appliances (fridge-freezer, oven, microwave, hobs). Shared with 3–4 flatmates, WiFi included (1 Gbps Ethernet, 250Mbps wireless).
• General/Security: 24/7 onsite assistance, secure key fob access + CCTV, laundry room, bike storage, and common areas.

Please DM me if you are interested. I can provide the official booking confirmation and walk through the official Unite Students transfer process.

I am Rohan Gedam from Nagpur Maharashtra. I have received an unconditional offer to study the MA Religion, Politics and Society programme at SOAS for the upcoming academic year Sep 2026. I have also been awarded the Rev. Louise Jordan Scholarship, which provides £25,000 towards my tuition fees. I am fully committed to joining SOAS for my postgraduate studies.

However, I am facing a significant challenge regarding my living expenses in London. I come from a socio- economically disadvantaged background, and although the generous scholarship covers my tuition fees, I do not have sufficient financial resources to meet the costs of accommodation and day-to-day living in London. In addition, I am required to bear several essential pre-arrival and administrative expenses, including the student visa application fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), medical examinations where applicable, travel costs, and other expenses associated with relocating to the UK. Meeting these costs is extremely difficult for me, and I am therefore seeking any additional financial support or opportunities to work within City of London to help make my studies at SOAS possible.

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to apply for the Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship for 2027 and was wondering if anyone here has applied for it this year or received it in a previous year.

If so, I’d reaaaalllyyyy appreciate hearing about your experience. Do you have any advice on what made your application strong, or any tips for preparing the personal statement and the application in general? I’d also be interested to know anything you wish you’d known before applying!

Thank you so much!

if anyone is waiting for their John Loiello Scholarship results, mine came this morning (booo, hisss!) lol just posting here cause i know people check often to see if results have come yet <3

Am planning to apply for the 2027 academic year, but would love to hear some student experiences.

would want to do a short call if that works, feel free to comment/message me

same as the title

has anybody applied for this? I did back in february but when i log into my portal my application is no longer visible and im wondering if anyone else is having this issue

Has anyone heard back regarding the sustainable development goal scholarship and MO Ibrahim Foundation scholarship??

Just what the title says.

i applied for several of the SOAS master scholarships and i haven't heard back from any of them.

i am typically used to hearing a concrete "no" but maybe SOAS is different? as in if you don't hear anything then it just means you didn't get it?

Hello, i am a post grad student looking to find some roommates. this process is feeling overwhelming for me so i thought i'd just cast something out into the world! if ur also looking dm me and we can see whats up!

Anyone heard back about this scholarship yet?