How to apply (UG)

Starting your undergraduate degree in September 2023? UCAS is open to applications.

Main cycle - on time applications

Applications for all 2023 entry UCAS Undergraduate courses, except those with a 15 October deadline, should arrive at UCAS by 18:00 (UK time) on 25 January 2023. This is the equal consideration deadline and all applications received by this date will be considered equally.

Main cycle - late applications

Applicants that submit between 18:01 (UK time) on 25 January 2023 and 18:00 (UK time) on 30 June 2023 are considered late applications for the main cycle.

Clearing applications

Applications submitted after 18:00 (UK time) on 30 June are considered to be in clearing.

Making an application

Applications for an undergraduate degree at SOAS are made through UCAS. This includes those wishing to transfer from other universities. Fees applicable.

You can apply for up to 5 choices of courses on the UCAS form. You do not have to use up all 5 and the combination of choices should reflect what or where you wish to study. You might pick 5 different courses at the same university or the same course at 5 different universities, the decision is yours.

Clearing applicants if successfully offered a place are also required to submit an application through UCAS.

Please be advised, any informal expression of interest in your application from an Academic does not guarantee a formal offer of study will be made. Applications are subject to the formal admissions processes.

What happens next?

Applications are reviewed in the order they are received by date.

If your application is incomplete or further information is required, the Admissions team will email you at the email address attached to your application to request the missing information.

All applicants are required to meet the School’s academic and English language entry requirements.

English Language

All applicants must be able to show that their English is of a high enough standard to successfully engage with and complete their course at SOAS. See our full English language requirements.

Academic Requirements

The degree programme pages list A level entry requirements, which vary from programme to programme. In addition to A levels, we accept a wide range of alternative UK and International qualifications. See our full Academic Entry requirements.

Year 2 Entry

We consider transfers to Year 2 of our programmes on a case-by-case basis. Applications must be submitted via UCAS, indicating Year 2 as the point of entry. Please outline clearly in your personal statement the reasons for requesting the transfer. You must meet the following requirements:

• Meet the standard entry requirements for Year 1 entry; and
• be on track to achieve, or have achieved a 2:1 in your first year of studies. 
• be covering or have covered the equivalent content of the SOAS Year 1 core modules of the degree you wish to transfer to.
• For transfer requests to Year 2 of the SOAS LLB, you must currently be studying the first year of a LLB programme at another English or Welsh university.

We require a suitable academic reference from your current university, an interim transcript and evidence of your completed Level 3 qualifications to assess your application. 

Please note, that all decisions are made at the discretion of the academic department and admission is not guaranteed even if you meet the entry requirements. It is possible an alternative offer for Year 1 entry may be made, especially if the programme you are transferring from differs significantly to the programme applied to.

Year 3 entry

Transfers to Year 3 or beyond are not permitted under any circumstances. 

Please refer to our Deferred Entry vs. Deferral Request page for further information.