Enquire to study in the UK 
Being a student in London is an unforgettable experience. The best student city in the world for the last five years is a melting pot of rich cultures, sights and sounds. Described as “sprawling, youthful and diverse” (New York Times) and “a tireless innovator of art and culture” (Lonely Planet), there is so much to do and learn by just being in London. What would elevate an already dizzyingly exciting experience at Britain’s biggest city is a summer spent at one of the UK’s most international universities. SOAS University of London, the world’s university, offers a summer programme where you can be immersed in the beating heart of the UK’s capital.
The Academic Summer School encourages you to develop academic rigour and the ability to hold your own in robust debates. The materials are shaped by the world’s foremost experts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and you can choose from a diverse range of credit-bearing courses. The summer courses are 15 credit modules taught over three weeks.
There are many modules on offer. In Green Finance, you will discover how climate and other environmental problems create financial risks in banking and capital markets. You will be exposed to both traditional and alternative risk management approaches. This module explores sustainable economies through climate change and what transitioning to a low-carbon economy would mean.
For Binwe, Academic Summer School graduate from 2023, she found it valuable that questions of sustainability and climate were part of the conversation no matter your discipline. It opened her eyes to a new form of learning. “So whether we’re talking about land, feminism, or creativity, all of it connects,” she says. “And for me, coming from a creative background, it was especially nice to go to the Hayward Gallery and see all of the ideas we spoke about in class being galvanised through a creative lens.”
Art-inclined students can opt for the Japanese Art or Japanese Art and Visual Culture module. Source: SOAS University of London
Art-inclined students may want to check out the Japanese Art module, which will introduce you to the major works and movements in the history of Japanese visual culture. Here, you will explore a wide array of mediums — from religious paintings and sculptures to prints and textiles — dating from early times to the 1800s. However, if you would like to focus on the theme of prints, paintings and popular visual culture or canons and culture in the making of modern art in Japan, opt for the Japanese Art and Visual Culture module.
These two modules come under the Department of History of Art and Archaeology. It is the only one in the world to offer thematic and theoretical investigations into art, architecture, archaeology and museology from the arts and cultures of Asia, the Middle East and Africa, and their global diasporas.
Another well-ranked school — eighth in the UK by Complete University Guide 2021 (South Asian Studies) — is the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics. It offers Persian 1 A as part of the summer school. In this module, ideal for beginners in the spoken and written language, you explore the cultural issues that affect “Persia beyond Iran.” No matter which module you select, you will benefit from the unique regional expertise educators present from different global perspectives.
International Foundation Courses and English Language Studies (IFCELS) are offered as well. These prepare non-UK students to a high level academically and linguistically for undergraduate or postgraduate study at SOAS or other UK universities. A wide range of subjects are available — from Art of the World in London and Environment, Development and Changing World Views to English Language Skills and Global Business Studies. Each course takes place in a supportive and nurturing study environment to optimise student experience, retention and success.
From walking tours to field trips, teaching takes many forms at the Academic Summer School. Source: SOAS University of London
Name: Kushal Gurung
Teaching comes in the form of lectures, seminars, tutorials, group work, and independent reading. You will experience academic-led excursions, field trips and guest lectures. For Binwe, the walking tour with the class will always be a treasured memory. While the tour was not of an unfamiliar space, it opened her eyes to a new perspective, attributing what she had learnt to the space in front of her. “Looking at land and structures and trees and everything made me able to connect with my classmates in a more natural way outside the classroom,” she says. “These let us have a little bit of fun in between the seriousness of academia and let loose and have our incredible guides take us around.”
Activities in the Academic Summer School extend beyond the core modules and include an enjoyable and diverse social programme. Here, you will participate in exciting activities such as going on boat trips or enjoying world music. As part of an international cohort, you will meet new friends of various backgrounds and even more perspectives. “I got well-acquainted with a lot of students from all over the world who are also interested in Anthropology, and we talked a lot about our future, our career plans and academic journeys,” says Ji Qi, Academic Summer School alumnus from 2023.
Upon completing the Academic Summer School, you will be part of an esteemed network of graduates. Many of them have gone on to work for companies like the UN, BBC, Amnesty International, and Bloomberg. No matter the path ahead, the summer school will invigorate and inspire you forward. “It’s just been a really well-thought-out experience, and it’s meant that stepping into a new space, I felt comfortable and driven to do the work that’s been asked of me,” adds Binwe.
Apply to the 2024 SOAS University of London’s Academic Summer School intake.
Follow SOAS University of London on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
