🇬🇧 Admissions · competitive
SOAS Admission Requirements
What SOAS University of London usually expects from Indian applicants — marks, English scores, tests and documents — and how to plan your application for the 2027 intake.
- 65%+ / 7.0+ CGPA
- IELTS 6.5
- Intakes: September/October
- SOP & LOR support
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Quick answer
What do Indian students need to get into SOAS?
SOAS is competitive for Indian applicants. A typical successful profile has 65%+ / 7.0+ CGPA, IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL 80–90+, a focused SOP and two or three LORs. GRE/GMAT is rarely required except for some business and finance programs. Exact requirements are set per program, so always check the program page on soas.ac.uk.
Official sources: SOAS University of London — admissions (official website)
SOAS admissions at a glance
- Selectivity (our view)
- competitive
- Academic score
- 65%+ / 7.0+ CGPA
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL 80–90+
- GRE / GMAT
- Optional at many programs; a good score can help with scholarships
- Profile
- Relevant projects or internships; clear SOP
- Intakes
- September/October, January/February, some May
- Accepted English tests
- IELTS (Academic or UKVI), PTE, TOEFL or Duolingo as accepted by the university
- Visa
- UK Student visa
- Apply at
- soas.ac.uk
Expected profile
Typical profile of admitted Indian students
Our counselling guidance from past applications, not official cut-offs — each program sets its own minimums.
Eligibility
Is your degree eligible for SOAS?
UK universities accept Indian 3-year and 4-year degrees; they usually express the requirement as a UK 2:1 or 2:2 equivalent in Indian percentages or CGPA.
For Economics, Law (LLM) and International Business at SOAS, expect backgrounds such as BA/B.Sc in Economics and b.Sc in Maths or Statistics and prerequisites like calculus and statistics.
- Degree certificate and semester-wise transcripts
- English test score (IELTS (Academic or UKVI))
- Statement of purpose (SOP) tailored to the program
- Two or three letters of recommendation
- Updated résumé / CV
- Financial evidence for the CAS (28-day rule)
- Passport
- ATAS certificate if your course needs one
How to apply
Applying to SOAS step by step
- 01
Pick the program
Compare SOAS's programs — for example Economics and Law (LLM) — and check each program's entry requirements and deadline.
- 02
Prepare tests
Book IELTS (Academic early; GRE/GMAT is rarely required except for some business and finance programs.
- 03
Write the SOP
Explain why SOAS and why this program, linking your projects and goals to what it is known for: specialist in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
- 04
Submit online
Apply on the official portal (soas.ac.uk), pay the application fee and upload documents.
- 05
After the offer
Accept, pay any deposit, arrange funds and apply for the UK Student visa.
Alternatives
Similar universities to apply to alongside SOAS
Apply to a mix of ambitious, realistic and safe options.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Still have a question?
Ask a counsellor directly — we reply on WhatsApp during working hours (Mon–Sat, 9 AM–6 PM IST).
For a competitive university like SOAS, Indian students usually succeed with 65%+ / 7.0+ CGPA. Some programs ask for more; strong work experience can offset slightly lower marks.
Most programs ask for IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL 80–90+. IELTS (Academic or UKVI), PTE, TOEFL or Duolingo as accepted by the university are accepted depending on the program.
Optional at many programs; a good score can help with scholarships. GRE/GMAT is rarely required except for some business and finance programs.
UK universities accept Indian 3-year and 4-year degrees; they usually express the requirement as a UK 2:1 or 2:2 equivalent in Indian percentages or CGPA.
Intakes are September/October, January/February, some May. Apply 6–9 months before the start date; earlier applications have better scholarship chances.
A few cleared backlogs are often acceptable if your overall marks and SOP are strong. Declare them honestly.
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