SOAS provides an incredible course in International Relations and Global Development. The combined degree allows an interdisciplinary study between the Politics and International Relations department and the Development studies department, which is ranked highly globally. The workload between the two subjects is well balanced and allows a wholistic study of both.

The modules are well planned out, informative, and build on knowledge from the previous weeks. There are two aspects to every module – the lecture and the seminar. The lectures, conducted in large groups, convey the topic and information for the week. The assigned readings are also presented, which are supposed to be completed prior to the seminar. The seminars are smaller group set ups, with more individualised attention from a tutor. This is where students are able to ask any questions or express any concerns they may have. This set up works extremely well, as information is conveyed in a clear, concise way and there are multiple opportunities to ask questions and clear doubts. Both the lecturers and the tutors are well qualified and responsive, encouraging students to ask for help and offering ample conference time in office hours.

As an institution, the university focuses on a de-colonised, non-Western centric education which displaces the West and its practices as the main object of analysis. Teachers provide a view that criticises and deeply analyses the actions of the West and the impacts it has on the rest of the world in terms of their power, developments, and inter-country relations.

In conclusion, the university is an extremely international and diverse institution boasting an environment that is incredible inclusive. Clubs across campus, and the material of study encourages students to create an environment that is accepting of people from all walks of life.

Extremely diverse cohort, one of the few UK institutions that places a strong focus on decolonized education. A national archive for South Asian and African studies is the library. SOAS is a fantastic place to study if you want to work in academics for social sciences. I wouldn’t suggest SOAS to anyone planning jobs in the private sector due to the nature of theory-based teaching there, but it doesn’t imply it’s impossible as the robust alumni network demonstrates.

The best thing about my programme is that is has such interesting modules and excellent professors who have expertise from all across the world. Soas being a university that dominated by international students opens up scope to interact with people from different countries, religions and ethnicity and that shapes you further for your future and is the best exposure one can ever get.

I applied to SOAS because of its high ranking specifically in the subject I was planning to study, so I didn’t really research much about campus life. The student body is very politically and socially active, and an undergraduate would thrive here but as a postgraduate with just a year there, I couldn’t find the time or desire to participate in the societies and events. It’a wonderfully diverse, the courses and societies are more of a niche fit than for everyone, so you are guaranteed to find like minded people once you figure out where you belong, and you’ll never be short of intellectual debate. However, the administration is abysmal. Every department is always too busy to cater to the students, and I deal with anxiety when something isn’t set right so picture a lot of sleepless nights if you’re like me. The exam office messed up my result, the finance department is slow to respond, and there is poor service overall in that aspect.