SOAS University of London requires applicants whose first language is not English to meet certain English language proficiency requirements. These requirements vary slightly depending on the level of study (undergraduate or postgraduate) and the specific program. Below are the general language requirements for SOAS:

1. Accepted English Language Tests:

SOAS accepts several standardized English language tests, including:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): The most commonly accepted test.
• TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic.
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) or Proficiency (CPE).
• Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE).
• Duolingo English Test (may be accepted for some programs).

2. Minimum Required Scores:

The minimum required English proficiency scores depend on the specific course and level of study. Below are the general requirements:

Undergraduate Programs:

• IELTS: Overall score of 6.5, with at least 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).
• TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 100 with at least:
  • Reading: 23
  • Listening: 22
  • Speaking: 25
  • Writing: 24
• PTE Academic: Overall score of 65 with at least 60 in each component.

Postgraduate Programs:

• IELTS: Overall score of 7.0, with at least 6.5 in each component (some programs may require a higher score).
• TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 105 with at least:
  • Reading: 24
  • Listening: 23
  • Speaking: 25
  • Writing: 24
• PTE Academic: Overall score of 70 with at least 65 in each component.

3. Pre-sessional English Courses:

• SOAS offers pre-sessional English courses for students who do not meet the minimum language requirements. These courses range from 4 to 12 weeks and aim to improve English language proficiency before the start of the degree program.
• The length of the course depends on the student’s initial English level and the language requirement for their chosen degree.

4. Exemptions:

• Applicants who have completed a previous degree (undergraduate or postgraduate) in an English-speaking country or at an institution where the primary language of instruction is English may be exempt from providing English language test scores.
• Students from countries where English is the official language may also be exempt.

5. Program-Specific Requirements:

Some programs, particularly in areas such as law, international relations, and development studies, may have higher language requirements due to the academic rigor and communication demands of the subject matter. Always check the specific program page for any additional or higher requirements.

6. Validity of Test Results:

• Most English language test results are valid for two years from the date of the test. Ensure that your test scores are still valid at the time of applying.

It's always recommended to check the SOAS official website or contact their admissions office for the most up-to-date and program-specific language requirements, as they may vary slightly depending on the year and course.

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SOAS University of London is renowned for its highly specialized courses focusing on the languages, cultures, and societies of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. It offers a unique range of programs that are not typically available at other universities. Here are some of the key course specialities at SOAS:

1. Languages and Linguistics:

• SOAS is one of the world's leading institutions for the study of non-Western languages. It offers courses in over 50 languages, including:
  • Arabic
  • Chinese (Mandarin)
  • Hindi
  • Korean
  • Swahili
  • Persian
  • Japanese
  • Amharic
  • Urdu
• SOAS's linguistics programs are equally well-regarded, with a focus on the languages and dialects of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

2. Development Studies:

• Development Studies is one of SOAS’s most renowned areas, consistently ranked among the top in the world.
• Courses focus on topics such as:
  • International development
  • Global poverty reduction
  • Sustainable development
  • Human rights
  • Global economic inequality
• Graduates often pursue careers in NGOs, the United Nations, government agencies, and international organizations.

3. Law:

• SOAS has a strong reputation for its unique focus on international law and human rights law, particularly related to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
• Specializations include:
  • Human rights law
  • Environmental law
  • Islamic law
  • International criminal law
  • International trade and economic law
  • Refugee law
• The law department’s focus on global justice and non-Western legal systems makes it stand out.

4. Politics and International Relations:

• SOAS is well-regarded for its focus on non-Western political systems and international relations.
• Specializations include:
  • Middle Eastern politics
  • African politics
  • Asian political systems
  • Postcolonial studies
  • Conflict and diplomacy
• SOAS is known for its critical and decolonial perspectives on global political issues.

5. Anthropology and Sociology:

• SOAS's anthropology programs are highly regarded for their focus on non-Western societies, with a special emphasis on cultures, social systems, and religions in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
• Key areas include:
  • Social anthropology
  • Medical anthropology
  • Anthropology of religion
  • Migration and diaspora studies

6. Economics:

• SOAS offers a unique perspective on global economics, focusing on the developing world, particularly in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
• Specializations include:
  • Development economics
  • Political economy
  • Environmental economics
  • Globalization and finance
• The economics department integrates non-Western economic systems and alternative models of development.

7. History:

• SOAS offers specialized courses in the history of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, with a focus on colonialism, postcolonialism, and the global South.
• Key areas of study include:
  • Middle Eastern history
  • African history
  • South Asian history
  • East Asian history
• The emphasis on non-Western historical perspectives makes SOAS history programs distinctive.

8. Religions and Philosophies:

• SOAS has strong programs in the study of world religions, particularly those of Asia and Africa.
• Specializations include:
  • Islamic studies
  • Buddhist studies
  • Hinduism
  • Judaism
  • African traditional religions
• The university focuses on comparative religion and philosophical traditions from non-Western regions.

9. Music and Ethnomusicology:

• SOAS is one of the leading institutions for the study of world music and ethnomusicology.
• The programs focus on the musical traditions of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, including:
  • Indian classical music
  • Middle Eastern music
  • African drumming traditions
• SOAS is a hub for research into cultural and social aspects of music in non-Western societies.

10. Art and Archaeology:

• SOAS offers highly specialized courses in art history and archaeology, focusing on the art and material culture of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
• Topics include:
  • Islamic art
  • South Asian art
  • African sculpture
  • Chinese and Japanese art
• The department is known for its focus on non-Western art traditions and archaeological heritage.

11. Environmental Studies and Geography:

• SOAS's programs in environmental studies focus on issues affecting the Global South, such as:
  • Sustainable development
  • Environmental justice
  • Climate change
  • Natural resource management
• The geography programs emphasize the environmental and economic challenges faced by Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

12. Media and Film Studies:

• SOAS offers programs that focus on media, film, and communication within the context of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
• Specializations include:
  • Film and media in the Middle East
  • African cinema
  • Asian digital cultures
• These programs explore the impact of media and communication in non-Western societies and the global South.

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SOAS University of London has a number of distinguished scholars and professors who are recognized for their expertise in fields such as Asian, African, and Middle Eastern studies, development studies, law, anthropology, and linguistics. Here are some of the top professors at SOAS:

1. Professor Stephen Chan OBE – International Relations

• Specialty: Politics and International Relations, with a focus on African politics, global diplomacy, and conflict resolution.
• Achievements: Chan is a prominent scholar on African politics and has advised governments and international organizations on conflict resolution. He is a frequent commentator on international issues, particularly in Africa, and was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his contributions to Africa and higher education.
• Notable Work: Extensive writings on Zimbabwe, South Africa, and international diplomacy.

2. Professor Gilbert Achcar – Middle Eastern Studies

• Specialty: Middle Eastern politics, international relations, and postcolonial studies.
• Achievements: Professor Achcar is one of the leading scholars on the Arab world, with expertise in Middle Eastern politics, revolutions, and the Arab Spring. He is well-known for his critical analysis of the political and social movements in the Arab world.
• Notable Work: Books such as "The Clash of Barbarisms" and "The Arabs and the Holocaust".

3. Professor Catherine Boone – Comparative Politics and Development Studies

• Specialty: African politics, development studies, and comparative politics.
• Achievements: Boone is a key figure in the field of political economy in Africa, focusing on issues such as land politics, regionalism, and state-building.
• Notable Work: Author of several influential books including "Property and Political Order in Africa".

4. Professor Adam Habib – Development Studies and Social Justice

• Specialty: Development studies, social justice, and higher education policy.
• Achievements: A political activist and scholar, Habib is a leading voice in social justice and development in the global South. Before joining SOAS as Director, he was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.
• Notable Work: Contributions to the fields of development economics and political economy.

5. Professor Laleh Khalili – International Politics and Middle Eastern Studies

• Specialty: Politics of the Middle East, war and insurgency, and infrastructure.
• Achievements: Khalili is a renowned scholar on the politics of the Middle East, with a focus on war, insurgency, and the political impact of infrastructure and logistics in the region.
• Notable Work: Author of "Sinews of War and Trade: Shipping and Capitalism in the Arabian Peninsula" and "Time in the Shadows".

6. Professor Dina Matar – Media and Communication Studies

• Specialty: Media, communication, and politics in the Arab world.
• Achievements: Matar is known for her research on media and political communication in the Middle East, focusing on how media shapes public discourse and political activism in the Arab world.
• Notable Work: Books such as "What it Means to be Palestinian" and "The Power of Representation: Publics, Peasants and Islam in Egypt".

7. Professor Christopher Cramer – Development Economics

• Specialty: Development economics, conflict, and African economic policy.
• Achievements: A leading figure in development studies, Cramer has conducted extensive research on the relationship between economic policy and conflict in Africa. His work on agriculture and labour markets in the region is widely influential.
• Notable Work: "Civil War is Not a Stupid Thing: Accounting for Violence in Developing Countries".

8. Professor Deborah Johnston – Development Studies and Health Economics

• Specialty: Development economics, with a focus on health economics and poverty.
• Achievements: Johnston is an expert in the economics of public health, particularly in developing countries, with research on how disease and inequality interact with economic growth.
• Notable Work: Research on the economics of HIV/AIDS and healthcare access in sub-Saharan Africa.

9. Professor Nidhi Ramnath – South Asian History

• Specialty: History of South Asia, particularly India, with a focus on colonialism, nationalism, and the Indian independence movement.
• Achievements: Ramnath has contributed significant research on the impact of colonialism in South Asia and the role of intellectual movements in the region’s history.
• Notable Work: Her books and articles provide a fresh perspective on Indian nationalism and postcolonial history.

10. Professor Laura Hammond – Migration and Refugee Studies

• Specialty: Migration, refugee studies, and food security in Africa.
• Achievements: A scholar in migration studies, Hammond’s work focuses on forced migration, particularly in East Africa. She has consulted for the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations on refugee policies and food security.
• Notable Work: Extensive research on Somali refugees and food insecurity in the Horn of Africa.

SOAS University of London does not have any Nobel Prize laureates among its faculty or alumni, but it has connections to significant global figures, including notable alumni who have achieved international prominence. One of the most well-known alumni with a Nobel Prize is:

Aung San Suu Kyi:

• Nobel Prize in Peace (1991): Aung San Suu Kyi, an alumna of SOAS, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her nonviolent struggle for democracy and human rights in Myanmar (Burma). She studied politics at SOAS during the 1970s and later became a significant global symbol of peaceful resistance against oppression.

While Aung San Suu Kyi's later political career and actions as a leader of Myanmar have been subject to international controversy, particularly regarding the treatment of the Rohingya minority, her connection to SOAS as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate is an important part of the university's history.

Other Nobel Prize Connections:

Though SOAS itself does not boast a wide array of Nobel Prize winners, its global influence and focus on Asia, Africa, and the Middle East have contributed to the education of many leaders, diplomats, and intellectuals who have significantly impacted global affairs and peace-building efforts.