SOAS Scholarships 2022: Overview, Eligibility & Process

SOAS University (The School of Oriental and African Studies) is one of the most prestigious institutions in the world. It’s among the best universities globally with high-quality teaching and mentorship. Therefore, it isn’t a surprise that students aspire to get admission at SOAS. But, it’s disheartening to see many eligible students lose out on the opportunity to gain a SOAS education because of a shortage of funds. However, there is nothing to worry about! In this blog, you will get a list of the SOAS Scholarships.

List of the SOAS Scholarships

The SOAS University offers many scholarships for eligible students who are not from a financially affluent background. Here is a list of the scholarships which are still open and their application processes. 

Scholarship	Nationality of Applicants
International Post Graduate Scholarships	India, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Japan and Korea, Middle East, Africas, Europe, USA
Kamran Djam Scholarship	Any country
VP Kanitkar Memorial Scholarship	Any country
Saraswati Dalmia Scholarship	Any country
Kanji Swami MPhil/ PhD Scholarship	Any country
Shapoorji Pallonji Scholarship	Any country
Tallow Chandlers and MW Beer Scholarship	Any country
Elisabeth Croll Scholarship for Fieldwork in China	Any country
JRC Fuwaku Scholarship	Any country
Paul Webley Alphawood Scholarship	Any country
Sochon Foundation Scholarship	Any country

Detailed Description of Various SOAS Scholarships

Here is a detailed description of the Scholarships and who all are eligible to apply for them.

International Postgraduate Scholarship

This prestigious International Postgraduate Scholarship is for students who aspire to pursue a full-time Master’s degree at SOAS and require financial help. However, please note that meeting the eligibility criteria doesn’t automatically guarantee selection.

Kamran Djam Scholarship

Kamran Djam Scholarship is awarded to eligible students for BA, MA and MPhil/ PhD. However, the students who wish to earn degrees in Persian Studies (Language and Literature) and Iranian Studies are eligible to apply for this scholarship only. 

VP Kanitkar Memorial Scholarship

VP Kanitkar Memorial Scholarship is only for students who wish to study for a Master’s course in Religious Studies with reference to Hinduism and Anthropology with reference to Hindu Culture in South Asia. 

Saraswati Dalmia Scholarship

Saraswati Dalmia Scholarship is for scholars who wish to pursue an MPhil/ PhD in the field of Indian art. Moreover, first-year students who want to undertake research in modern and contemporary art are given primary consideration. 

Kanji Swami Mphil/ PhD Scholarship

Scholars who wish to pursue research in Jaina Studies are eligible to apply for this scholarship. To be precise, researchers who have chosen Kanji Swami Studies and Digambara Jaina Studies at the Department of History, Religions and Philosophies will be given primary importance. 

Shapoorji Pallonji Scholarship

Eligible students who wish to pursue a Master’s Degree (either full-time or part-time) in the Religions of Asia and Africa pathway – Zoroastrianism only, will be considered. 

Tallow Chandlers and MW Beer Scholarship

Tallow Chandlers and MW Beer Scholarship is awarded to only those eligible students who wish to research the oil and edible fats industries. 

Elisabeth Croll Scholarship for Fieldwork in China

Elisabeth Croll Scholarship is for eligible candidates who wish to undertake fieldwork in China, i.e., mainland China and Taiwan. Please note that it’s for students who are currently enrolled on an MPhil/ PhD programme. 

JRC Fuwaku Scholarship

JRC Fuwaku Scholarship is open to current students and new applicants for an MPhil/ PhD programme. The only requirement is that their dissertation focuses on an aspect of Japan. 

Paul Webley Alphawood Scholarship

Eligible candidates who wish to pursue MA in Human Rights Law, LLM in  Law and Gender and LLM in Human Rights, Conflict and Justice can apply for this scholarship. However, it’s necessary for the applicants to demonstrate how they’ll promote and protect LGBT rights as per the law. 

Sochon Foundation Scholarship

Sochon Foundation Scholarship is open to eligible students who wish to pursue a degree in Korean studies. 

Amount Provided Under the Scholarships

Here is a table depicting the amount provided/waived under each of the SOAS Scholarships.

Scholarships	Amount Provided/Fee Waived
International Postgraduate Scholarship	3,000 GBP (Fee Waiver)
Kamran Djam Scholarship	3,000 GBP – 13,000 GBP (Fee Waiver)
V P Kanitkar Memorial Scholarship	Need-based
Saraswati Dalmia Scholarship	5,353 GBP (Fee Waiver)
Shapoorji Pallonji Scholarship	Maximum 13,000 GBP (Fee Waiver)  Stipend – Max. 10,000 GBP per annum
Tallow Chandlers and MW Beer Scholarship	Maximum 10,000 GBP
Elisabeth Croll Scholarship for Fieldwork in China	Maximum 1,300 GBP (Awarded for fieldwork)
JRC Fuwaku Scholarship	10,000 GBP
Sochon Foundation Scholarship	Maximum 6,000 GBP for overseas students

Apart from these, there are a few scholarships where the information about the definite amount depends on a case to case basis. They are:

• Kanji Swami MPhil/ PhD Scholarship – The amount is need-based.
• Paul Webley Alphawood Scholarship – The amount would cover tuition fees only. 

Eligibility Criteria for SOAS Scholarship Application

The selection for the SOAS Scholarships depends entirely on merit. In addition, the following criteria are taken into account if you are an international student. 

• Academic Excellence
• Acceptance into the Scholarship-specific-programme if it’s a Department-specific Scholarship
• Proficiency in English (IELTS and TOEFL Scores) 
• Residential Proof – Home / E U / Overseas 
• Financial Evidence 

Documents Required for SOAS Scholarship Application

Below is a list of the documents required that a student generally needs to submit along with their SOAS Scholarship application. 

• Academic Transcripts
• Proof of Acceptance in the Scholarship-specific programme
• Statement of Purpose
• English Test Score Results
• Letters of Recommendation
• Financial Statement

Other Important Scholarships 

Here is a list of important scholarships awarded to international students aspiring to study in the UK. 

Chevening Scholarship 

Offered by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the UK Government, the Chevening Scholarship funds a one-year Master’s course. 

Commonwealth Scholarships

Commonwealth Scholarship funds postgraduate studies for eligible candidates hailing from Commonwealth countries. 

Felix Scholarships

Felix Scholarship is awarded to eligible but underprivileged students from India and a few other developing countries to pursue their postgraduate education in the UK. 

Inlaks Scholarship

Inlaks Scholarship is provided to exceptionally bright and young Indians to pursue their education in India and abroad. 

Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships

Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarship is awarded to eligible Indians from the early to mid-stages of their career. It helps them spend time in the UK and broaden their academic, artistic and professional horizons. 

Goa Education Trust Scholarship

Goa Education Trust Scholarship is awarded to young and eligible residents of Goa or people born to Goan parents for pursuing their higher education in the UK.This blog has provided the details of SOAS Scholarships. If you have been aspiring to study at SOAS, don’t hesitate any longer, as there are multiple Scholarships available for pursuing your higher education in the UK. 

Frequently Asked Questions