School of Oriental and African Studies

School of Oriental and African Studies. Founded in 1916, it is a constituent college of the University of London and a leading global institution for the study of Asia, Africa, and the Near and Middle East. Its establishment was championed by figures like Lord Curzon and received a charter from King George V, initially to train administrators for the British Empire. Today, it is renowned for its specialist scholarship, housing globally significant collections like the SOAS Library and influencing international policy and discourse.

History

The institution was formally founded in 1916, with its creation driven by the 1908 report of the Selborne Committee and advocacy from former Viceroy of India Lord Curzon. Its original mandate, supported by the British government, was to provide language and cultural training for colonial administrators, particularly for postings in the British Raj and other territories. Following the Second World War, its focus evolved significantly towards critical area studies, decolonization, and development, influenced by scholars like Ralph Pinder-Wilson and William G. Archer. It became a key centre for the study of emerging nations, later expanding its remit to include rigorous programs in Law, Finance, and Politics with a global perspective.

Academic profile

It offers a unique concentration of academic expertise, with teaching and research spanning over 400 courses in languages, humanities, law, and social sciences pertaining to its regions of focus. It is organized into three faculties: Law and Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, and Languages and Cultures. The university is particularly distinguished for its language instruction, teaching approximately 80 non-European languages including Swahili, Arabic, Hindi, Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese. Its research centres, such as the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy and the SOAS Food Studies Centre, address global challenges. It consistently ranks highly in global subject rankings for Anthropology, Development Studies, and Politics.

Campus and buildings

The main campus is located in the heart of Bloomsbury, central London, near the British Museum and adjacent to Birkbeck, University of London. The primary building, designed by Sir Denys Lasdun, is a noted example of 1970s Brutalist architecture and houses the SOAS Library, one of the world's most important academic libraries for Asian and African studies, containing over 1.5 million volumes. The University of London's Senate House Library and the British Library are also key resources for students. The SOAS Brunei Gallery, established through a donation from the Government of Brunei, hosts rotating exhibitions of contemporary and historical art from Asia and Africa.

Student life

The student body is notably international, with a high proportion of students from outside the United Kingdom, fostering a diverse and politically engaged campus atmosphere. The SOAS Students' Union is known for its active campaigning on issues such as climate justice, decolonization, and Palestinian rights, and runs over 100 societies and clubs. Cultural life is enriched by events at the SOAS Brunei Gallery and regular performances at the SOAS Jazz and World Music venues. The central London location provides students with access to major institutions like the National Theatre, the Tate Modern, and the School of Advanced Study.

Notable people

Its alumni and faculty include numerous heads of state, diplomats, and influential thinkers. Notable alumni include Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, former Prime Minister of Kenya Raila Odinga, and Queen Noor of Jordan. Distinguished academics and writers associated include the historian Eric Hobsbawm, the post-colonial theorist Edward Said, and the Nobel laureate in literature Wole Soyinka. In politics and public service, figures such as Sir John Major's aide Judith Chaplin and United Nations official Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein have studied here. Current faculty include leading scholars like economist Alfredo Saad-Filho and linguist Julia Sallabank.

Category:University of London Category:Universities in London Category:Educational institutions established in 1916