School of Oriental and African Studies ORIENTATION HANDBOOK New Student Orientation & Enrolment Programme September 2008

Important !!!

you in September Please bring this document with director’s welcome

WELCOME

I am very pleased to welcome all new students to SOAS. It is a very special place indeed, concerned with the places that matter in the 21st century (Africa, Asia and the Middle East) and the issues that matter (such as human rights, poverty reduction and globalisation, to name just three). It is full of passionate people who care about the world, who want to understand it and through understanding to change it.

I’ve been at SOAS for two years now and have never regretted making the move. It is amazingly diverse, a very friendly place and incredibly stimulating. I am certain that you will enjoy your time here. It won’t always be easy – your preconceptions will be challenged and our programmes make serious demands on students – but it should be inspirational and enjoyable.

One of our undergraduates wrote this year that “SOAS is such an addictive place – I may return in a few years either for my Masters or just a language course”. She’s right. So as well as welcoming you now, I look forward to welcoming you back to SOAS in the future!

Professor Paul Webley Director and Principal Contents

INTRODUCTION What happens in Orientation Week? 2 Contact details/Buddy scheme 3 Finding your way around SOAS 4 Map 5

ORIENTATION International Students’ Welcome Day 6 Orientation Week for all students 8 Research Students’ Orientation 12 Orientation checklist 13

LIFE AND STUDY AT SOAS What does studying at SOAS involve 14 Study support 15 SOAS Library/IT and computing 16 Student Services 18 Health care and well-being 19 Managing your money at university 20 Student support and fees 22 Are you a disabled student? 23 Careers Service and Alumni 25 Accommodation 26 Your safety 27 Where to eat and drink at SOAS 28 Easy recipes 29 Welcome to SOAS Students’ Union 30 Things to do in London on a budget 33

REGISTRATION AND ENROLMENT Step-by-step guide to Enrolment 36 Faculty Registration information 38 Tuition fees 40 Important notes for Enrolment and Registration 42

Enrolment programme Inside back cover 2 What happens IN Orientation Week?

In preparation for your arrival, SOAS staff and current By taking part in as many students have organised a variety of activities to welcome you to SOAS and to your student life in London. We activities as possible, you encourage you to take full advantage of the orientation programme available to you. By taking part in as many will have the opportunity activities as possible, you will have the opportunity to make new friends, familiarise yourself with the School and to make new friends, make the most of your university experience. Keep up-to- date with the programme of events for new students by familiarise yourself with checking the website www.soas.ac.uk/newstudents

SOAS and make the Orientation Week takes place from Monday 22nd to Saturday 27th September 2008. It is essential to attend, most of your university in order to enrol with the School and register for courses in your Faculty. There will also be a number of School- experience wide introductory talks and welcome meetings hosted by the various academic Departments and Faculties in the School, which you are strongly encouraged to attend.

In addition to this, the International Students’ Welcome Day will take place on Saturday 20th September 2008. (For details see pages 4 and 5)

Social activities will also be running throughout the week, including walking tours of the local area and Students’ Union events. The Students’ Union Freshers’ Fayre will take place on Saturday 27th September. Student Ambassadors will be available during the week to answer any queries you may have or just to have a chat about life at SOAS. Look for the people in the green SOAS T-shirts!

The main aims of Orientation Week are to welcome you to SOAS and to help you find your way around, to settle in, meet new friends and have fun.

Enjoy yourselves!

Heidi Ward Student Experience Coordinator Int r o duc t i on USEFUL CONTACTS 3 school Address Course Registration The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) See the Faculty Registration Information on page 39 for a Thornhaugh Street list of Faculty Officers’ contact details. Russell Square London WC1H 0XG Students’ Union/Freshers’ Fayre United Kingdom Contact Peter Baran on [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)20 7637 2388 (switchboard) This handbook is also available as a PDF Further contact details can be found at www.soas.ac.uk document. Please see the website: www. If, after reading this handbook and the website www. soas.ac.uk/newstudents soas.ac.uk/newstudents, you still have an unanswered question, here is a list of people to contact: If you have any difficulties reading this or need this document in a different format, Orientation Week and International please contact the Disability Advisers on Students’ Welcome Day [email protected] Contact Heidi Ward, Louise Harrington or Isabelle Cockel on [email protected]

Enrolment Contact Registry on [email protected]

SOAS Student BUDDY Scheme Would you like some support from an existing SOAS student while you begin your studies at SOAS? Are you perhaps a long way from home, or is it your first visit to England? Maybe you face some extra challenges which make settling in a little more complicated? Do you think that you could benefit from the support, advice or company of another student?

If so, then why not join the SOAS Student Buddy Scheme?

How does it work? SOAS offers the support of existing students who act as Buddies for new students during the academic year. The Buddies will be available from Orientation Week onwards, and their aim is to facilitate your individual needs.

They can:  help you find your way around the campuses and the locality  ensure you acquire all necessary information about your timetable  offer help with practical things like setting up a bank account or finding a good supermarket  help you get involved in any Students’ Union clubs and societies you might be interested in  meet you regularly for a chat to see how things are going  generally be a source of support for you as you settle into a new university and possibly a new country

Who do I contact if I am interested? Email: [email protected], or speak to a Student Ambassador (in the green SOAS T-shirts!) once you are here. Int r o duc t i on 4 finding your way around soas

SOAS has two campuses. One is located at Russell Getting to and from SOAS Square, in the Bloomsbury area of central London, close to the British Museum and the British Library. The nearest Both SOAS campuses are conveniently located close to tube stations are Russell Square, Euston, and Euston Underground stations, and are on major bus routes. The Square. The campus includes the Brunei Gallery, which following websites will help you plan your best route: hosts visiting exhibitions throughout the year, the Faber Building, where IFCELS (International Foundation Courses Walking Route from the Russell Square campus to and English Language Studies) is located, and the Percival the Vernon Square campus: www.soas.ac.uk/visitors/ David Foundation, which houses the finest collection of location/maps/campus-maps.php or see the simplified Chinese ceramics outside China. route in red on the adjacent page (please note not all street names are included). SOAS’s second campus, Vernon Square, opened in September 2001. It is just a 20-minute walk from Russell Buses to and from King’s Cross (for the Vernon Square Square. The nearest Underground stations are King’s campus): www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/maps/buses/ Cross and Angel. This impressive former Edwardian pdf/kingscross-2150.pdf school was renovated to contain a range of learning, teaching and social facilities, including the Byte2e@t café. Buses to and from Russell Square: www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/maps/buses/pdf/ Room numbers are prefixed by a letter representing the russellsquare-2222.pdf building they are in, except for rooms in the main building (Philips Building) at Russell Square. So V stands for Tube maps: Vernon Square, B for the Brunei Gallery and F for the www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/1106.aspx Faber Building. This letter is followed by the floor number See www.tfl.gov.uk for planning your route in London, and (remember that in the UK we start with the ground floor, for all other transport information. the first floor is one storey up), which is followed by the room number. For example, VG04 represents room 4 on Transport to and from Airports: the ground floor of Vernon Square, and B102 is room Information on arriving in London from Heathrow, 2 on the first floor of the Brunei Gallery (see the table Gatwick, Luton or Stansted Airports is available in the below). Rooms starting with G or L are situated either on Welcome Handbook for International Students: the ground or lower ground floor of the main building at www.soas.ac.uk/admissions/international/39997.pdf Russell Square.

The exceptions are the Khalili Lecture Theatre (KLT), which is located on the lower ground floor of the main building at Russell Square, the Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre (BGLT), which is located on the lower ground floor of the Brunei Gallery, and the Brunei Suite (BS), which is located on the ground floor of the Brunei Gallery. V G 0 4 V=Vernon G=Ground 04=Room Square Floor Number B 1 0 2 B=Brunei 1=First 02=Room Gallery Floor Number

The School has two student residences, Dinwiddy House and Paul Robeson House, situated adjacent to Vernon Square and accommodating more than 750 students. Int r o duc t i on 5

Charles Morton Court soAs hALLs E V King’s Cross oF ResIDenCe E R ROAD Angel S NVILLE HO PENTO LT Dinwiddy paul Robeson S St Pancras T house R house E E T

British SOAS Library Euston AD VERNON SQUARE RO N ederick st O Fr CAMPUS ST EU garden Halls t G Euston sidmouth s R A F Y A Square Connaught Hall ’ R S R hunter st IN IN G N D O Coram’s R N University O R Fields A O SOAS D A College D

London RUSSELL SQUARE international Hall ard st CAMPUS Bern Russell University of London Square Union (ULU) D ENWELL ROA CLERK S Russell O College Hall U square T T H Farringdon O A AD T Birkbeck College, M RO T P S Goodge E T LD N University O BA Chancery Street H N EO A R H Lane M of London British T O

C Museum W O U R T HOL R BOR O N A Holborn D

RN K Lincoln’s O I LB N ET O G Inn Fields D STRE H OXFOR IGH S H W C A H City Thameslink Y

Tottenham A E R U Law Courts Court Road I N N E G V A C R

O CH Covent Y S DW S L Y Garden A Blackfriars UR R SB D E FT A H S King’s College

B Leicester

L Square D London ACKFRIAR piccadilly AN TR Circus S WA

TE national R River thames LO S

Gallery O BRID

Charing Cross BRID GE st james’s G trafalgar E square L square AL M LL PA London eye Int r o duc t i on 6 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ WELCOME DAY

Saturday 20th September 2008 Subject talks, presentations and activities The International Students’ Welcome Day is organised Welcome to SOAS: a survival guide to Orientation Week specifically for all non-UK (International and European) An overview of Orientation Week: what to expect, what to students coming to SOAS for the first time. Although do and in what order, where to go for help, etc. optional, this is a valuable introduction to all aspects of SOAS life, and we strongly recommend that you attend. Academic study and support The event is designed to help you settle into your new Associate Deans will give an introductory talk about surroundings. It provides essential information on studying at SOAS, and representatives from the Learning academic and non-academic issues, as well as on many and Teaching Unit (LTU) and the International Foundation practical matters such as banking, immigration and living Courses and English Language Studies (IFCELS) in London. Furthermore, it is an excellent opportunity to Department will provide information about study support. meet other international postgraduate or undergraduate students in a relaxed social atmosphere. Student Services Representatives from SOAS Student Services will talk Louise Harrington and Isabelle Cockel, your Orientation about the services they offer to students, including advice Events Assistants, will be on hand throughout the event on student welfare issues (immigration, finance, housing, with a team of Student Ambassadors (current SOAS health, etc). students) to answer your questions, offer advice, and talk about their student experiences at SOAS. Sunday 21st September 2008 The Students’ Union will be running a social event for The day is divided into two sessions. The morning is for international students on Sunday 21st September. Check postgraduate students (including IFCELS FDPS students) the website www.soas.ac.uk/newstudents closer to the and is primarily aimed at Masters students, as research time for details. students have a separate Orientation Day on Thursday 25th September. However, international research Additional information students who wish to attend both orientation sessions are welcome. The afternoon session is for undergraduate Meet and Greet students (Bachelor degrees, International Exchange, We offer a ‘Meet and Greet’ service for international Erasmus, Study Abroad and IFCELS ICC students). The students arriving at Heathrow airport during the day on programmes include introductory talks by Associate Thursday 18th and Friday 19th September 2008. Student Deans, Students’ Union, and representatives from student Ambassadors will be at the Information Desk at the support services. Arrivals Gate to welcome you to the UK, and to assist you in getting transport to your accommodation in London The International Students’ Welcome Day takes place from the airport. Please note that this is an advice service at the Vernon Square campus. There is no need to only, and that Student Ambassadors will not be able to book; postgraduates should just turn up at 09:00 and accompany you to your accommodation. If you would like undergraduates at 14:00. See page 4 for information on to take advantage of this service, please send an email how to get to the Vernon Square campus. by September 1st to [email protected] giving full details of your arrival: Heathrow terminal number, airline, Please check the website regularly for updates or flight number, arrival time and your destination in London. amendments to the programme of events. Details on: www.soas.ac.uk/newstudents Accommodation If you intend to arrive before the beginning of term to Louise Harrington (left) and Isabelle Cockel (right) attend the International Students’ Welcome Day on Orientation Events Assistants Saturday 20th September 2008, please ensure that you have made adequate housing arrangements for your early arrival. If you have applied to and been allocated SOAS accommodation, you can complete an Early Arrival Booking form online at www.sshl.org.uk once you have accepted your offer of accommodation and paid the deposit. You are required to complete this form if you arrive before Sunday 21st September 2008. Please note that the first offers for SOAS accommodation will not be made until early July. See page 26 for information on accommodation options. t i on a Ori ent British Council pre-departure briefings Handbook with your offer pack. Alternatively, you can view 7 The British Council websites in 110 countries offer advice it as a PDF file on the following website: www.soas.ac.uk/ on studying and living in the UK. Some also organise admissions/international/39997.pdf pre-departure briefings for international students coming to study in the UK for the first time. Please contact your Orientation Week for all students (Monday 22nd – local British Council office to see if there is a briefing Saturday 27th September 2008) available for you to attend. Details on: www.britishcouncil. In addition to the International Students’ Welcome Day, all org/home-contact-worldwide.htm international students are required to attend Orientation Week. Orientation Week is an important week of events, Welcome Handbook for International Students which include enrolling as a student at SOAS, visiting the All international students due to arrive at SOAS in Library, registering for courses, attending introductory September will be sent a copy of the Welcome Handbook talks and joining in social activities. Departmental for International Students. The booklet contains useful Welcome Meetings and Faculty Welcome Receptions will information on preparing to travel to the UK (applying also be held this week. The Students’ Union Freshers’ for a student visa, English language requirements, Fayre will take place on Saturday 27th September. This is accommodation, what to bring), arrival in the UK (travel a fun day when you can chat to the student societies and into central London from the airports), living in the UK decide which ones you want to join and get involved in. (shops, communications, insurance, healthcare), money Details on: www.soas.ac.uk/newstudents issues (currency, opening a bank account, living expenses, working in the UK). This booklet is sent out with your offer letter, together with housing information. Please contact the Student Recruitment Office (email: study@soas. ac.uk) if you have not received a copy of the Welcome

Postgraduate

Student Group 09:00–10:00 10:00–10:50 11:00–11:50 12:00–12:50

Group 1 Registration and Welcome to SOAS: Student Services Academic study and refreshments a survival guide to support Orientation Week

Group 2 Registration and Academic study and Welcome to SOAS: Student Services refreshments support a survival guide to Orientation Week

Group 3 Registration and Student Services Academic study and Welcome to SOAS: refreshments support a survival guide to Orientation Week

Undergraduate

Student Group 14:00–15:00 15:00–15:50 16:00–16:50 17:00–17:50

Group 1 Registration and Welcome to SOAS: Student Services Academic study and refreshments a survival guide to support Orientation Week

Group 2 Registration and Academic study and Welcome to SOAS: Student Services refreshments support a survival guide to Orientation Week

Group 3 Registration and Student Services Academic study and Welcome to SOAS: refreshments support a survival guide to Orientation Week

* Study Abroad students will have a separate Academic study and support talk starting at 14:30 before joining group 2 for the 16:00 session. Any questions? Email: [email protected] t i on a Ori ent 8 Orientation Week for All students

The following programme has been put together for you to make sure that you have the best possible experience of SOAS, and to help you settle into your studies as quickly as possible. Please check the tables below to see which talks apply to you.

Room key: Symbol key: V111 = Room V111, first floor, Vernon Square O = Optional talk. You can pick and choose any of KLT = Khalili Lecture Theatre, lower ground floor, these to attend. Please note that these talks may fill main building, Russell Square up quickly. B102 = Room B102, first floor, Brunei Gallery, R = Recommended talk. You should attend these talks Russell Square as they provide essential School information. BGLT = Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, lower ground floor, Brunei Gallery, Russell Square Some talks are offered more than once. You may be able BS = Brunei Suite, ground floor, Brunei Gallery, to avoid clashes by taking advantage of repeat events Russell Square

MONDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER 2008

Recommended Talks for UK Masters Students

When What Where Who Details

R 10:00 - 11:00 Academic talk for UK BGLT UK Masters students Welcome and information Masters students (Surnames A - L) from the Director and Principal, the Associate Deans Learning and Teaching, the Library and the Learning and Teaching Unit

R 11:30 - 12:30 Student Services talk for BGLT UK Masters students Information on Welfare, UK Masters students (Surnames A - L) Counselling, Disability and Careers

R 13:00 - 14:00 Academic talk for UK BGLT UK Masters students Repeat - see above Masters students (Surnames M - Z)

R 14:30 - 15:30 Student Services talk for BGLT UK Masters students Repeat - see above UK Masters students (Surnames M - Z)

R 16:00 - 17:00 Students’ Union talk BGLT Any student Introduction and information from the Students’ Union Officers

Optional Talks for any Undergraduate Student

When What Where Who Details

O 10:00 - 11:00 Study tips for UG students KLT Any UG student Advice and information on how to study effectively

O 12:00 - 13:00 Study tips for UG students KLT Any UG student Repeat - see above

O 15:00 - 16:00 Study tips for UG students KLT Any UG student Repeat - see above t i on a Ori ent TuesDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER 2008 9

Recommended Talks for UK Undergraduate Students

When What Where Who Details

R 10:00 - 11:00 Academic talk for BGLT UK UG students Welcome and information UK UG students (Surnames A - L) from the Director and Principal, the Associate Deans Learning and Teaching, the Library and the Learning and Teaching Unit

R 11:30 - 12:30 Student Services talk for BGLT UK UG students Information on Welfare, UK UG students (Surnames A - L) Counselling, Disability and Careers

R 13:00 - 14:00 Academic talk for BGLT UK UG students Repeat - see above UK UG students (Surnames M - Z)

R 14:30 - 15:30 Student Services talk for BGLT UK UG students Repeat - see above UK UG students (Surnames M - Z)

R 16:00 - 17:00 Students’ Union talk BGLT Any student Repeat - see above

Optional Talks for any Masters Student

When What Where Who Details

0 10:00 - 11:00 Study tips for KLT Any Masters student Advice and information on Masters students how to study effectively

0 12:00 - 13:00 Study tips for KLT Any Masters student Repeat - see above Masters students

0 14:00 - 15:00 Study tips for KLT Any Masters student Repeat - see above Masters students wednesDAY 24th SEPTEMBER 2008

Optional Talks for any Student

When What Where Who Details

O 10:00 - 11:00 Making the most of BGLT Any student Information on how to London make the most of living in London

O 11:00 - 12:00 Coping with culture shock BGLT Any student Advice on how to survive living in a different culture

O 12:00 - 13:00 Personal safety BGLT Any student Camden Police offer advice on personal safety in London

O 13:00 - 14:00 Making the most of BGLT Any student Repeat - see above London

O 14:00 - 15:00 Personal safety BGLT Any student Repeat - see above

O 15:00 - 16:00 Making the most of BGLT Any student Repeat - see above London

O 16:00 - 17:00 Coping with culture shock BGLT Any student Repeat - see above

Reception for Mature Students

When What Where Who Details

O 15:00 - 16:30 Mature students talk, KLT Any mature student (over Current mature SOAS Q&A and reception the age of 21) students share their t i on experiences and answer a your questions Ori ent 10 THURSDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER 2008

Research Students’ Orientation

When What Where Who Details

R 11:00 - 12:30 Welcome talk for research KLT All research students Presented by the Director, students Pro-Director, Associate Deans

R 12:30 - 14:00 Research students lunch BS All research students An opportunity to meet current research students, Research Tutors, Associate Deans and other new research students

R 14:00 - 15:00 Student Services talk for KLT All research students Information on Welfare research students Counselling, Disability and Careers

R 15:00 - 17:00 Library tours, Research KLT All research students A tour of the Library and Students’ Society a chance to ask any presentation and Q&A questions you may have

Optional Talks for any Student

When What Where Who Details

0 10:00 - 11:00 Part-time work and BGLT Any student Information on finding volunteering part-time work and volunteering opportunities

0 11:00 - 12:00 Managing your money at BGLT Any student Tips and advice on how to university manage your money whilst at university

0 12:00 - 13:00 Making the most of being BGLT Any student A talk on how to make the a student most of being a student

0 13:00 - 14:00 Part-time work and BGLT Any student Repeat - see above volunteering

0 15:00 - 16:00 Managing your money at BGLT Any student Repeat - see above university t i on a Ori ent 11 Walking Tours (Monday 22nd to Friday 26th September)

The following walking tours will take place  SOAS – Russell Square campus everyday of Orientation Week. Tours are Familiarise yourself with the Students’ given by Student Ambassadors, and leave Union, the Library, lecture from the Brunei Gallery entrance foyer at theatres, Faculty Offices, common 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00 everyday. There’s rooms, computer rooms, prayer rooms, no need to book. toilets, LTU, IFCELS, Brunei Gallery, Careers Service and more.  The local area See what’s of interest in the local area,  SOAS – Vernon Square campus including the British Library and the Get to know the route from Russell British Museum. You will also be shown Square to Vernon Square and see the cheapest and most useful shops what’s on offer over at the other near SOAS. campus, including the Byte2e@t café, Student Services, computer rooms and the halls of residence.

Language Tasters Wednesday 24th September 11:00 - 12:00 – room B102 Find out about the languages available at SOAS and how Language learning support at SOAS you can learn one (or more!) as part of your degree. You Are you new to learning a language? Find out about can also get a taste for some of the many languages of language learning support at SOAS, including workshops, the wider world that are offered at SOAS. learning resources, and support from Language Learning Advisers and other language learners. During these daily events you will experience learning 12:00 - 13:00 – rooms B104 and B101 some of the languages offered at SOAS, including: Language tasters Chinese, Korean, Persian, Turkish, Bengali, Nepali, Kmer, Zulu and Indonesian. You will hear SOAS students talk Thursday 25th September about their language learning experiences and will have a 11:00 - 12:00 – room B102 chance to ask questions to both students and lecturers. Digital labs for language learning The timetable will be available on www.lww-cetl.ac.uk Familiarise yourself with the SOAS digital language labs. 12:00 - 13:00 – rooms B104 and B101 Monday 22nd September Language tasters 11:00 - 12:00 – room B102 How you can learn a language at SOAS Friday 26th September Find out the ways you can learn a language at SOAS, what 16:00 - 18:00 – Brunei Suite, ground floor, Brunei Gallery language ‘floater’ units are and how to choose them, Language Exchange Launch Party which languages are available, and how many language Come along for drinks and refreshments, and to meet courses you can take. other students interested in learning a language. We will 12:00 - 13:00 – rooms B104 and B101 tell you about our language exchange facility, where you Language tasters can meet regularly to share your first language/s with a speaker of the language you are learning. Tuesday 23rd September 11:00 - 12:00 – room B102 The events are organised by the Centre for Excellence Languages in careers in Teaching and Learning Languages of the Wider World Find out about the importance of learning a language for (LWW-CETL). Details on: www.lww-cetl.ac.uk a wide range of career paths such as interpreting and translation, strategic intelligence, diplomacy, journalism, business and teaching. 12:00 - 13:00 – rooms B104 and B101 Language tasters t i on a Ori ent 12 RESEARCH STUDENTS’ ORIENTATION

Welcome to SOAS. You are joining a community of This is the first part of the orientation programme for research students and staff from all over the world with new research students. Later in the term there will a shared interest in Africa, Asia or the Middle East. also be a training day, covering such topics as planning Every year over a hundred new students begin research and managing your research project, preparation for projects. This year they will be joining a further four fieldwork, funding applications, developing written and oral hundred at different stages of their PhD studies. communication skills, research ethics and opportunities for networking and disseminating your work. Details will On Thursday 25th September there will be a special be given to you nearer the time. orientation programme for all new research students to give you the information that you need to begin your During the first year of PhD study, in addition to the research. We hope that this will also provide you with an support provided by your Supervisor, regular research excellent opportunity to meet other students (both new training seminars are organised at a departmental and/or and current), Research Tutors and Supervisors. at faculty level. Meanwhile, the Learning & Teaching Unit offers generic skills training programmes including a ‘Core The schedule is as follows: Chapter Writing Course’, which is available to students across Departments and Faculties. 11:00 – 12:30 Welcome talks from the Director, Pro-director and I very much hope your time as a SOAS research student Associate Deans of Research will prove to be a unique and unforgettable experience. (Khalili Lecture Theatre, main building, lower ground floor) Dr Desmond Thomas 12:30 – 14:00 Learning and Teaching Unit Buffet Lunch ([email protected]) (Brunei Suite, Brunei Gallery, ground floor)

14:00 – 15:00 Student Services Presentations (Khalili Lecture Theatre)

15:00 – 17:00 Library Presentations Research Students’ Society Presentation Question & Answer Session (Khalili Lecture Theatre) t i on a Ori ent Orientation checklist 13

This is a list of what you should have done by the end of 5. Have you visited the Library? Orientation Week: Yes No

1. Have you enrolled with the School? Your student ID card is also your Library card. You will need to have it with you to access Library and computing Yes No facilities, and to borrow books. It is also a good idea to If yes, you should now have your student ID card and your take part in a Library tour. See page 16 for details. UG, PG Taught Masters or PG Research handbook. If no, the Registry advertises on noticeboards specific dates 6. Have you logged onto the School’s computers? and times for late registration. Yes No

2. Have you registered for the courses within your You should have received an IT information sheet on how programme? to do this when you enrolled. Alternatively, see page 16 in this handbook, visit http://mercury.soas.ac.uk/it/ Yes No index.htm, or contact the IT helpdesk in room 103 at the You should have received a course and examination Russell Square campus. registration form when you enrolled with the School. You should submit that to your Faculty Office by the end of 7. Have you got your NUS/Students’ Union ID card? the first week of teaching (3rd October). If you are having Yes No problems enrolling (e.g. due to fee payment problems), you should let your Faculty Office know. If no, you should visit room G3 during Orientation Week or the Students’ Union shop (ground floor, main building, 3. Have you received your handbooks? Russell Square campus). See page 33 for details. Yes No 8. Have you registered for IFCELS in-sessional courses? School handbooks on CD Rom (UG, PG Taught Masters Yes No and PG Research) are given to you when you enrol. Departmental and Faculty handbooks are available from If you are a non-native speaker of English and need extra your home Faculty when you register with them, except for English language support, you may be eligible for these (if the Faculty of Languages and Cultures which operates a you are not already signed up). Further information can be ‘web first’ policy. found at www.soas.ac.uk/ifcels

4. Have you got a copy of your timetable? 9. Have you registered with a local doctor (GP)? Yes No Yes No Timetables can be found at www.soas.ac.uk/timetable If no, and you live in London, you can register with the Gower Street Practice. See page 19 in this handbook, or contact the Student Welfare Office for more details.

10. Have you attended orientation talks and social activities? Yes No Settling in, finding your way around and meeting new people are just as important as the things above. Make the most of the opportunities available to you, and don’t forget to have fun! t i on a Ori ent 14 What does studying at soas involve?

What LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS How will I be ASSESSED? should I expect? Courses are assessed by a variety of means, depending At SOAS you’ll find a combination of traditional and more on the programme of study. The majority have a innovative teaching and learning methods: coursework component, some are assessed entirely through unseen written examinations, and a few are Lectures are with the whole class, and set out the main based entirely on coursework. Learning journals and the themes and issues which you explore further through Independent Study Project (ISP), which is an essay of reading and research. 10,000 words on an approved topic, play an increasingly important role. Most Masters courses include a Seminars and tutorials provide a forum for smaller groups dissertation which counts for 25% of the final result. of students, along with their tutor, to analyse themes in more depth, and to share ideas. Often students are How will my work be marked? required to give presentations on particular topics to start The grading range in the UK is very different from that in off discussions. many other countries. It is extremely difficult to achieve marks of 70% and over, and remember that 40% is still a Some courses offer group work, where students pass mark in the UK! collaborate on a particular project. In addition, courses frequently have a ‘virtual learning’ element, where The marking schemes at SOAS are as follows: students and staff can interact and access course materials online. Undergraduate courses Language courses include practical study in language 70% and over First laboratories and also, for most students study abroad. (only a small percentage of students will achieve this) Most courses involve a large amount of independent study time, e.g. reading, researching and preparing for 60%-69% Upper second essay writing or presentations. (For details see the UG/ 50%-59% Lower second PG/Research Handbooks provided when you enrol). 40%-49% Third (note that this is still a pass mark) 39% and below Fail

Masters courses

Award of Masters Degree You must pass all courses and the dissertation with 50%

Award of a Masters degree with Merit (all LLM, MA, MSc, MMus programmes)

You need to get: 50% or more in each course or half course (without averaging), AND an average mark of 60% across all courses and half-courses (including the dissertation), AND 60% or more in the dissertation

Award of a Masters Degree with Distinction (for four-course programmes)

t SO A S You need to get: 60% or more in each course, AND 70% or more in at least one course, AND 70% or more in the dissertation

(Marks for half courses may be added together and averaged, provided that each half course has a mark of 50% or more.) L if e a n d S t udy STUDY SUPPORT 15

FACULTY SUPPORT What if I have a specific learning difficulty or additional difficulties not covered by the general skills programme? Each Faculty has a Student Support Office where We have a specialised support service for students whose dedicated staff can provide you with access to information learning difficulties/differences are not supported by the and contacts. Additionally, each undergraduate student general skills programme, including: (including combined studies students) is provided with access to a Tutor for pastoral and academic support. yy students with specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) such The system is organised in faculties, and students will as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia or ADHD (or students be contacted with details before or close to the start of who think that they might have SpLDs) each session. Students are expected to meet with their yy students experiencing emotional difficulties or mental tutor, especially before making course choices, and may health issues do so at set office hours when necessary. Faculty Offices also arrange back-up for emergencies when a particular yy students with other disabilities/learning differences Tutor may not be available. Course Teachers, Programme which are impacting on their studies Convenors and/or Departmental Tutors are also able to offer advice on academic issues. Support includes one-to-one tutorials, screening for SpLDs, relevant workshops and discussion groups. LEARNING AND TEACHING UNIT The Learning Advisers who provide this support are The Learning and Teaching Unit offers study support and Carol John ([email protected]) and Carol Rifkin (cr28@ academic skills development for all students throughout soas.ac.uk), and you can contact them for confidential the year. support and information. They are based in the LTU and Details on: www.soas.ac.uk/ltu work closely, where necessary, with the Student Disability Phone: 020 7898 4550 Advisers, Zoë Davis and Angie Axon (see page 23 for Zoë Email: [email protected] and Angie’s details and for information about our drop-in surgery on Friday 26th September). Workshops Whether you need to learn a new skill, refresh your Carol John (left) and Carol Rifkin (right) memory or improve your grades, there’s a workshop for Learning Advisers you. Here is a sample of what’s on offer: yy writing essays/dissertations yy reading the books on your reading lists yy listening to lectures and taking notes yy managing your time yy making presentations yy revision and exam techniques yy procrastination

One-to-one tutorials English language support We have a skilled team of Tutors, who provide one-to-one tutorial support on all aspects of essay and dissertation The International Foundation Courses and English writing. Tutors are SOAS PhD students with specific Language Studies (IFCELS) Department offers a range of training in academic development and support. Each short programmes focussing on academic English and tutorial lasts 30 minutes and can be booked by coming in study skills for non-native speakers of English. There are person to the LTU (on the ground floor of the main Russell drop-in sessions where students can receive help with Square building) with a £5 returnable deposit. language and study skills problems on an individual basis. Details on: www.soas.ac.uk/ifcels Advice and support for MPhil and PhD students The LTU offers workshops, one-to-one tutorials and LANGUAGE learning support resources on relevant topics for MPhil and PhD students, The Languages of the Wider World – Centre for Excellence t SO A S including core chapter writing, thesis writing and editing, in Teaching and Learning (LWW-CETL) provides learner and questionnaire and interview preparation. Regular support to all language students. Join our language research training seminars are also organised at learning workshops, or meet the LWW-CETL Learning departmental and Faculty level. Adviser for one-to-one support. For more information and contacts, visit www.lww-cetl.ac.uk and click on ‘Workshops and Support for Language Learners’. L if e a n d S t udy 16 SOAS Library/IT and computing

SOAS Library be held at various times throughout the day, and last for about half an hour. To book a place on a tour, please use Welcome to the SOAS Library, one of the most important the sign-up sheets provided inside the Library entrance academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the (ground floor, Russell Square campus). We look forward to Middle East. The Library houses more than 1.2 million seeing you! volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic IT and Computing resources. It is based at the Russell Square campus. All students automatically get a SOAS email account on The SOAS Library is committed to: acceptance of a place at the School. Your user ID is the same as your student number and it is also your email yy providing services to support teaching, learning and address (e.g. [email protected]). This number can be research found on your SOAS offer letter. The temporary password yy developing internationally significant collections to is your date of birth, e.g. 17-FEB-81 (you must include the support scholarship now and in the future dashes). Make sure you change your password after your first login. For a different address send an email to y y providing a high quality learning environment [email protected]. In the first line of the mail put: yy improving access to information and services preferred address, [colon], [space], old address (e.g. f.bloggs: 123456). yy teaching information skills yy supporting independent learning The Studyview page is your starting point to computing in SOAS. From there, you can access your email, files During Orientation Week you will enrol with the School and and go to other useful links, such as the Library, intranet receive your SOAS Library/ID card. This card carries your and IT homepage. You can access your account from any photo ID, gives you swipe access to the Russell Square computer at http://studyview.soas.ac.uk and Vernon Square campuses, and gains you access to the Library. If you lose it, you will be charged £10 for a You can access most of the documents from the IT replacement, so please keep it safe! homepage by clicking the IT documentations link on the right of the page http://mercury.soas.ac.uk/it/index.htm How to get a Library card You will be given a SOAS Library application form when The Quick Guide to IT Services for Students contains you register in the Enrolment Hall, room G2. Fill in your much of the information you need to know about contact details and bring the form to room G50, where computing in SOAS. Library card issuing takes place. We do our best to process new cards as quickly as possible, but you should You can connect your laptop to the SOAS network at be prepared for queues! You can start using your card as points all around the School. For further details see soon as you get it. http://mercury.soas.ac.uk/it/index.htm

Library orientation tours Also by clicking the Help button on the Studyview page, The Library occupies six floors. To help you find your way http://studyview.soas.ac.uk, you can find details on how around, Library staff will be offering guided tours from to connect to the wireless network. Tuesday 23rd September to Friday 3rd October. Tours will The IT Department organises basic computer training in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, web editing, and image editing during the autumn term. The timetable and other details can be accessed by clicking the IT Training link on the IT homepage, http://mercury.soas. ac.uk/it/training/ittraining.htm

If you have any questions, the Computer Support Desk in room 103 will be happy to assist you. Alternatively, you can send an email to [email protected] t SO A S There are computer labs in both the Russell Square and Vernon Square campuses. Don’t forget that the computer rooms at Vernon Square may have spaces when those at Russell Square are full. Computers are also available in the Byte2e@t café at Vernon Square. L if e a n d S t udy 17 t SO A S L if e a n d S t udy 18 Student Services

The Student Services Department (based on the 3rd Our International Student and Welfare floor at Vernon Square) offers practical information to Adviser all students at SOAS, help with financial matters, and Heather Phillips will provide information, advice and support with personal issues, in complete confidence. practical help to all home, EU and International students Details on: www.soas.ac.uk/studentservices on any non-academic problems or issues that might be affecting your studies at SOAS. She can also help For any enquiries regarding Student Services contact the with financial and immigration issues. Like all Student administrator, Ambie René. Services, this service is also impartial and confidential. Phone: 020 7074 5015 Email: [email protected] You can make an appointment to see Heather at Vernon Our Counsellors Square from Monday to Friday between 10:30 and 15:30. Alternatively, call in during her drop-in sessions on Alison Barty, Sheila Root and Neil Farrelly provide an Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10:00 and 11:00, and accessible and confidential service to all students at on Wednesdays between 10:00 and 11:00 and 15:00 SOAS. They can assist you with managing your studies and 16:00. During term-time there are drop-in sessions at when this process is interrupted or affected by emotional, Russell Square on Tuesdays between 10:00 and 16:00. personal or psychological pressures. Common concerns include anxiety about progress on the course, loneliness, Heather can be contacted on: low self-confidence, relationship problems or adjusting Phone: 020 7074 5014 to a new environment. The Counsellors also offer Email: [email protected] information on counselling resources outside the School, and can refer you to psychological or psychiatric services Complementary Therapy at SOAS if required. The Student Services department facilitates complementary therapy for SOAS students at a You can make appointments to see a Counsellor at discounted price. Some of the therapies offered Vernon Square from Monday to Friday between 09:00 and have included Ayurveda (an Indian holistic system of 17:00, or call in during our drop-in sessions on Mondays, healthcare), Acupuncture (a Chinese holistic form of Wednesdays and Fridays between 13:00 and 13:30. medicine), and head massage for exam stress. Details will be available during Orientation Week. The Counsellors can be contacted on: Phone: 020 7074 5015/5016 Email: [email protected] Student Childcare at SOAS Although SOAS does not provide its own childcare Our Mental Health and Well-being Adviser facilities, students are entitled to apply to those of nearby institutions such as UCL and the Institute of Education. Sachiko Kishi provides confidential support, information Relevant information, advice and support are also and advice on any concerns regarding your mental health available through our Student Welfare Office. and emotional well-being. You can make an appointment Email: [email protected] to see her on Tuesdays between 13:00 and 16:30, and on Fridays between 09:30 and 13:00. There is also a new discussion forum open for parents via the Bloomsbury Learning Environment (BLE) website, Sachiko can be contacted on: so that you can get to know other students with children, Phone: 020 7074 5013 exchange tips or provide information. Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] or [email protected] for Our Disability Advisers information on how to register. Zoë Davis and Angela Axon offer confidential advice, The Student Services Team information and assistance to disabled students. They will discuss any concerns you may have regarding disability-related barriers to study, and liaise with teaching and support staff concerning your support needs or adjustments. You can make an appointment to see them t SO A S from Monday to Friday between 10:00 and 17:00, or attend a drop-in session at Vernon Square on Tuesdays and Fridays between 13:30 and 14:30.

Zoë and Angela can be contacted on: Phone: 020 7074 5018

L if e a n d S t udy Email: [email protected] Health care and well-being 19

Registering with a doctor It is important to register with a doctor as soon as you arrive. Don’t wait until you are ill. You can register with the University of London Central Institutions Health Service at 20 Gower Street, London WC1E 6DP, if you live in central London. Details will be given to you when you enrol at SOAS. If you do not live centrally, you can register with any doctor close to where you live. A list of doctors is available from your local library or your Local Health Authority. Alternatively you can phone NHS Direct on 0845 4647, or search for GP Surgeries on the NHS website. Take with you proof that you are a student, and ask to be registered as an NHS patient. Details on: www.nhs.uk, www.gowerstreetpractice.org.uk

Other services The clinic where your doctor is based often has other facilities you can use, e.g. contraception advice, chiropodists, maternity care, asthma clinic, diabetes clinic, and healthy lifestyle clinics.

Dentists If you need to see a dentist, search the NHS website for a local one. You will have to pay some of the cost of dental treatment even as an NHS patient. Details on: www.nhs.uk

Opticians You will have to pay a minimum charge for an eye test on the NHS. Students do not automatically get free eye tests. However, if you have your student loan and no other income, you may be entitled to free eye tests. You should fill in an HC1 form, which you can get from the optician or from the Student Services department in the Vernon Square campus. If the test shows you need glasses, the Healthy eating optician will give you a prescription. The cost of frames and lenses varies considerably, so check with various Eating the right food, and enough of it, is vital for keeping opticians before buying. The nearest optician is in the warm and healthy. A healthy diet includes elements from University of London Union building in Malet Street, where all the main food groups (protein, fat, carbohydrate, an eye test will cost £15 if you have a student card. vitamins and minerals). You should try to eat something from each of the following groups every day: Student Counselling Bread, rice, pasta or cereals, milk, cheese, yoghurt, fresh The School’s Student Counselling Service offers help fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, lentils, nuts, beans. and support with personal or work-related problems. If you would like to see a Counsellor or find out more about In London you will be able to find many of the familiar what the service can offer, contact Student Services. foods from home. See page 29 for recipe ideas. Phone: 020 7074 5015 Email: [email protected] International students International students studying in the UK for six months Check the Counselling Service website for more or more are eligible to receive full health care under the t SO A S information and downloadable leaflets: www.soas.ac.uk/ National Health Service (NHS) from the day of their arrival counselling in the UK. Most services are free, but you will have to pay for prescribed medication. You are advised to register with the University of London Health Centre or another General Practitioner as soon as you have registered on your course. See above, ‘Registering with a doctor’. L if e a n d S t udy 20 Managing your money at university

FINANCIAL SUPPORT Telephone bills Telephone bills can be expensive, but you can keep Financial support available to UK and EU students the costs down by calling after 6pm on weekdays or (fee and maintenance loans, grants and bursaries) is throughout the weekend (including international calls). explained on page 22 of this handbook. You should apply Using a mobile phone can also be expensive, and it is for this as soon as possible. International students must worth thinking carefully about the relative merits of a arrange their own funding before leaving their home contract phone or a ‘pay as you go’ phone. A ‘pay as you country. Details on: www.soas.ac.uk/scholarships and go’ phone can help you to budget, if used effectively, and www.britishcouncil.org there is less chance of getting into financial difficulties due to mobile phone bills. International phone cards, BUDGETING which you can buy from newsagents, can save you money Budgeting is a vital part of getting to grips with your when phoning abroad. finances, and while you are living on a limited student income it can be the key to avoiding financial difficulties. Utility bills Knowing exactly how much money you have available to These include gas, electric and water bills. If you are spend and being able to account for exactly where your living in privately rented accommodation (as opposed to money goes is the only way to avoid overspending. Also the halls of residence) you will need to pay these bills remember to plan for the summer vacation. in addition to your rent. You may be able to pay these in instalments or through a coin/key meter. Save gas, You can pick up money management fact sheets from the electricity, water and therefore money whenever possible. Student Welfare Office or download them from the website When moving in or out of a property always inform the www.soas.ac.uk/welfare. You are also encouraged to utility companies, so you do not get billed for previous or come to one of the Managing Your Money talks during subsequent occupants. Orientation Week. See page 33 in this handbook for ‘Things to do in London on a budget’. Food and entertainment See page 34 for tips on buying food, eating out, and YOUR INCOME entertainment in London. The International Student and Welfare Adviser can help Credit cards/Store cards/Personal loans you get all the income to which you are entitled. She can If at all possible avoid the above, as debts can mount check that you are receiving all the additional grants or up extremely quickly. They can have very high interest loans for which you may be eligible, and can advise you rates, and you can end up barely paying off the interest on welfare benefits and your tax credits entitlement. each month and never clearing your debt. If you get into financial trouble, contact the International Student and YOUR EXPENDITURE Welfare Adviser immediately on [email protected] As with your income, it is advisable to be aware of all your expenditure – it can be very easy to forget things like Student banking coffees, toiletries, haircuts, contents insurance etc. UK students can apply for a student bank account with an interest-free overdraft. Only use the overdraft for Rent emergencies, and stay within your authorised overdraft or Rent is likely to be your largest regular expense. Halls of you will be charged high fees and interest. International residence require one term’s rent to be paid when you students may wish to open a bank account in the UK, and move in. In the private rented sector, landlords generally you can do this once you have enrolled at SOAS. Advice want at least one month’s rent in advance and a deposit will be given at the International Students’ Welcome (usually equal to one month’s rent). You should always get Day on Saturday 20th September 2008. Our Banking a receipt for these. For further information, please see the Factsheet will also be available on the SOAS website from London Student Housing Guide. July. Make sure that you bring enough travellers cheques Details on: www.studenthousing.lon.ac.uk or a bank card enabled for the UK. You will need this to pay for your essentials for the first few weeks of your stay, Council tax until you open a UK bank account. Generally as a student you will not have to pay council tax whether you live in halls or in the private rented sector. If TV licence t SO A S you live with non-students, then the property will incur a If you have a TV you must get a TV licence, even if you live Council Tax bill, the payment of which is usually decided in a halls of residence. A colour TV licence currently costs among the residents. Sometimes the bill is equally £139.50 (a black and white licence is £47). You will face shared by all the residents and in other cases only the a fine of up to £1,000 if you don’t have one. You can pick non-students pay. Details on: [email protected] up an application form from any post office, or apply and pay online at www.tv-l.co.uk L if e a n d S t udy 21

Travel costs There are various cards you can buy which can help you How much will you spend day-to-day? reduce your travel costs, e.g. a Student Oyster Photocard It is difficult to estimate accurately the cost of living, as and a Young Person’s Railcard. See page 33 for details. it very much depends on your lifestyle. On the whole, university accommodation is cheaper than rented Contents insurance accommodation. You will also find that SOAS and other This is for your belongings. It may cost you a great deal of colleges of the University of London offer subsidised money to replace your belongings if you are not insured. cafés and bars, where eating and drinking are more Either buy an insurance policy or check if you may be affordable. The following is an estimate of an average covered by your parents’ home insurance. Search the student’s monthly costs. It is possible to live on less, internet for competitive insurance policies for students. but what is recommended here ensures a reasonable standard of living. Health benefits You may be entitled to free or reduced cost prescriptions, Expenditure per month: eye tests, glasses or contact lenses, and dental Accommodation £460 treatment. Contact the Student Welfare Office for further (in self-catered halls including bills details on [email protected] other than laundry and telephone) Laundry £16 PART-TIME AND VACATION WORK Telephone £30 Food £245 Many students supplement their income by working part- Travel £80 time. The Careers Service can give you information on Books, supplies, stationery £55 finding work. Also come along to the Part-Time Work and Clothing £45 Volunteering talk during Orientation Week. Personal expenses (including toiletries) £25 Miscellaneous (e.g. entertainment) £52 FINANCIAL HARDSHIP TOTAL £1,008/month If you experience financial difficulty, or you have above average needs, contact the International Student and t SO A S Welfare Adviser as soon as possible, as she may be able An online International Student Calculator to help you to suggest sources of help. She also administers the plan and manage your finances for studying in the UK is School’s Hardship Funds. available at www.studentcalculator.org.uk/international Email: [email protected] Website: www.soas.ac.uk/welfare L if e a n d S t udy 22 Student support and fees 2008/2009

English Undergraduate Degree Students SOAS bursary £740 or £420 or Nil Tuition fees SOAS will charge £3,145 for academic year 2008/9. yy £740 per year if household income is up to £25,000 Every year this fee will increase by the rate of inflation. yy £420 per year if household income is between £25,001 & £39,305 Loan for fees £3,145. All students, regardless of household income, yy No SOAS bursary if household income is over £39,305 can apply for a loan from the government for the fees. yy £420 if student attended a partner college You repay this loan once you have left university and are earning over £15,000 per annum. yy SOAS will pay the bursary to students at the end of January 2009

Maintenance grant Up to £2,835. How much a student gets depends on household income on a sliding scale. E.g.: yy Household income up to £25,000 means student gets £2,835 yy Household income of £30,000 means student gets £2,000 yy Household income of £40,000 means student gets £1,000 yy Household income of £50,000 means student gets £500 yy Household income over £60,005 means no grant

Maintenance loan Up to £6,475 per year if students live away from the parental home, or £3,580 if they live with their parents. Everyone can get 75% of this loan regardless of household income. 25% of the loan depends on household income. Students repay this loan only after leaving university and earning over £15,000 per annum.

Students from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have slightly different student support systems. See www. direct.gov.uk/studentfinance for details.

NB: Supplementary grants are available for parents and disabled students

EU undergraduate degree students EU students can apply in the UK for a tuition fee loan for the £3,145 tuition fees on the same basis as UK students. EU students are not eligible for bursaries, maintenance grants and maintenance loans unless they are in the UK as migrant workers before 1 September 2008. Otherwise they must apply in their own country for help with living costs. Full information and online application forms can be found at www. t SO A S studentfinancedirect.co.uk

International undergraduate degree students Tuition fees for 2008/9 are £11,460. Payable in full at enrolment – no instalments. Email [email protected] for

L if e a n d S t udy help and advice. Are you a disabled student? 23

Welcome! We hope you enjoy your time at SOAS. Here is a form does not mean that your Department or the Exams list of what you need to do prior to starting at SOAS. Office will have any information about you.

Disability-related funding to help you with your studies For further help or advice If you are a home student, you may be eligible to apply Please visit www.soas.ac.uk/disabilities for more for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). Please apply information. We will be updating the website over the now if you haven’t already. To do this you need to contact summer, so please check it more than once. your Local Education Authority (LEA). They will want to Please email [email protected] or call 020 7074 have some evidence of your disability. Once they are 5018 if you have any questions, or if there is anything we satisfied with this evidence, they will ask you to have a can help you with. needs assessment. This is an interview with someone who has knowledge of life at university for a disabled We look forward to meeting you soon. student. They will ask questions about your current strategies and equipment, and make recommendations Angela Axon (left) and Zoë Davis (right) for your time at university. Getting an appointment for a Student Disability Advisers needs assessment can take up to six weeks at some times of the year. Ideally, you would start at SOAS with any equipment and support needs already in place, so the earlier you start this process the better.

If you are an international student, you also may be entitled to disability-related funding to help you with your studies, and we can discuss this with you once you have enrolled at SOAS.

Students with multiple disabilities or complex needs Some types of arrangements for students can take longer to put in place. If you think that you need any DROP-IN SURGERY FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIFIC kind of arrangements, it would be helpful to contact us LEARNING DIFFICULTIES (Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, straightaway to discuss them. For example, you might ADHD and ADD) require help with note taking, reading, sign language support, or assistance with mobility around the campus. Friday 26th September, 11:00 - 16:00 Room B104, Brunei Gallery, Russell Square campus When you arrive at SOAS Please come to see us as soon as you can. We work in If you are a student with a specific learning difficulty Vernon Square, and you can contact us between 10:00 (SpLD), please come along to: and 17:00, Monday to Friday. If it is difficult for you to yy discuss your Educational Psychologist’s report get to Vernon Square, please let us know, and we will arrange to meet you at Russell Square. We can give yy receive advice on applying for disability-related funding you information about facilities available at SOAS, and for study (DSA) organise for support workers to help you. We can also yy discuss study support arrangements including assist you with anything else that you might need. arrangements for exams

Information we require from you yy meet your Learning and Disability Advisers Please bring a copy of any documentation such as yy try out the assistive technology that is available at medical certificates or dyslexia reports with you when SOAS to help students with SpLDs you come. You will need these if you require any adjustments to your exam arrangements. For Specific yy talk with students who are already studying at SOAS Learning Difficulties (SpLDs) you will need a full chartered Educational Psychologist’s Adult Assessment Report. Please bring your Educational Psychologist’s report or other evidence with you. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be Information about disabilities is considered sensitive available. personal information under the Data Protection Act, so t SO A S if you want us to inform your lecturers, the Exams Office, the Library or anyone else about adjustments that need to be made, we will need you to sign a form agreeing to this. This information will not be passed to anyone else unless you give us permission to do so. Having indicated that you are disabled on your UCAS form or your PG application L if e a n d S t udy 24 t SO A S L if e a n d S t udy CAREERS SERVICE AND ALUMNI 25

Careers Service SOAS Alumni Relations Careers? Can I get back to you on that? I’ve only just It may seem far too early to be thinking about life after started my course. SOAS, but we just want to give you a taste of what Well, yes you can, but for some of you the end of your happens after you graduate. Our global network of over course may only be nine months away! But even if you’re 40,000 former students (alumni) in more than 150 starting an undergraduate course, the Careers Service countries go on to pursue a diverse range of careers. But can be of help straight away. they all have at least one thing in common: they are our best ambassadors, and by spreading the word about the Oh, you mean to get me minimum wage bar jobs or call School they help to maintain our position and reputation centre work? to make sure that a degree from SOAS is held in the Well, there is that kind of work, but this is London! There highest esteem by employers and organisations around are many interesting and well-paid part-time jobs, such as the world. Our alumni also provide informal careers advice research and translation, or even work as a film extra. As to students and fellow alumni, and often employ SOAS well as part-time jobs, we list internships and volunteering graduates at their organisations. opportunities that can make a big difference to your career. We display vacancies in the Careers Centre and Membership of the SOAS Alumni Association is free also online. SOAS Careers is part of The Careers Group and automatic, and our alumni receive a wide range of which works across University of London colleges, making benefits, including: it an even bigger draw for organisations looking to employ yy access to the SOAS Alumni Online Community – a students. Details on: www.thecareersgroup.co.uk/soas dedicated website for our alumni, including a directory, jobs board, networking opportunities, a life-long email Okay, okay, I’m convinced, but can you introduce me to forwarding service, discussion group forums, SOAS employers? news and events, our e-newsletter and much more Yes. We put on over 40 employer talks at SOAS every year, and run recruitment fairs, short career taster yy discounts on a variety of SOAS services, including courses and an NGO volunteering fair. Our Reach SOAS Language Centre courses and membership of Diversity Mentoring programme can put you in touch the SOAS Library, as well as selected external partner with professionals in lots of different career areas. The organisations recruitment fairs that we run with The Careers Group are yy invitations to lectures, events, and exhibitions at SOAS, the biggest in Europe. as well as regional events around the world What else do you offer? yy complimentary subscription to the Alumni Newsletter, a We can help you put a CV together, review your job bi-annual magazine applications and even give you a practice job interview. yy access to a network of more than 70 regional alumni And if you’re not sure what you want to do for a career, we groups are happy to talk to you about your options. Our aim is to help our students get great career results. Details on: www.soasalumni.org

Anything else? Well, we have a well-stocked careers library that includes material on most careers, but is tailored to the kinds of areas SOAS students are particularly interested in. Similarly the careers team can help with a range of careers enquiries, but have a strong interest in the employment areas favoured by SOAS students.

How do I contact you? We have drop-in sessions from Monday to Thursday. You don’t need to book for these, just sign up on the day. If you want to visit us, then do call by. We are in room G58, just along from the Library.

Details on: www.soas.ac.uk/careers t SO A S Phone: 020 7898 4115 Email: [email protected] L if e a n d S t udy 26 Accommodation

There are many kinds of accommodation available in For private accommodation you should contact the London, from university halls of residence to flat-shares. University of London Housing Services, who provide lists The two housing services listed below provide information of flats available for students, and also lists of students on and links to a wide variety of these. looking for other students to share flats with. They also provide advice on lease agreements and other matters To apply for accommodation in halls of residence you relating to private accommodation. should contact Sanctuary Management Services, who manage the SOAS halls of residence and also allocate Their contact details are: places to SOAS students in the University of London Halls Email: [email protected] of Residence. Website: http://housing.london.ac.uk Phone: +44 (0) 20 7862 8880 Their contact details are: Fax: +44 (0) 20 7862 8084 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sshl.org.uk Phone: +44 (0) 20 7841 0480 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7278 7087 t SO A S L if e a n d S t udy YOUR SAFETY 27

Health and Safety Gower Street, tel: 020 7636 7628, during office hours (Monday to Friday, 09:15 – 17:30). Outside office hours, When in SOAS, it is very important that you follow the all casualties should go directly to the Accident Unit, health and safety procedures of the School. These are University College Hospital, Euston Road. in place to make sure people can carry out their day-to- day activities safely, without endangering themselves SECURITY or anyone else. It is also essential that people know what to do in case of an emergency. The full health and SOAS has security on-site to help protect you and safety regulations can be found at www.soas.ac.uk/ reduce thefts, but you should also be careful with your healthandsafety. Here are a few key points: personal belongings because thieves do operate in the area. All thefts and losses must be reported to the Fire Facilities Manager via the front reception desk. If you see anything suspicious on campus, please contact Security In the event of a fire, the alarm will ring continuously until immediately. If you have a visitor on the premises, the building has been vacated. you should accompany them at all times, as you are responsible for their safety and their evacuation in the If you discover a fire: event of a fire or emergency. yy sound the alarm by breaking the nearest Break-Glass point (located in each stairwell) WORKING WITH COMPUTERS yy notify Security (ext. 555) from the nearest telephone Many students acquire bad habits when using computers and laptops, which could cause them serious discomfort If the alarm sounds: or injury in later life. Please consider how much time you spend on computers, and take regular breaks when y y close windows and doors in your area working to reduce eye-strain. Information on how to best yy make sure that everyone in your area is aware of the set up equipment and minimise strain can be found at alarm www.soas.ac.uk/healthandsafety. Also think about how much you are carrying – with a laptop and books in a yy leave the building by the NEAREST available exit – DO rucksack you could be lifting more than 10kg onto a NOT go back for your coat or belongings single shoulder. yy assemble at your designated assembly point and await instructions Your Safety Officers provide health and safety support, and emergency on call assistance. They can be contacted yy you MUST obey the instructions of the Fire Wardens and on [email protected] or, in the case of an Emergency Co-ordinator emergency, via the Estates Office on 020 7898 4900. Assembly Points: PERSONAL SAFETY If you are in Go to Russell Square Main Building Malet Street London, like any large city, has a significant level of crime, 21/22/23/24 Russell Square College Precinct but it is no more unsafe – indeed is probably safer – than Brunei Gallery Malet Street many other cities. Any crime you encounter is likely to Vernon Square Percy Circus be opportunistic, with mobile phones and bags being the most common targets for crime. You can minimise Accidents your likelihood of experiencing crime by adopting wise behaviour. This is often more effective in preventing crime Please report all accidents and dangerous or potentially than avoiding any particular area of the city. Please see dangerous incidents as soon as possible to the Health the website for a comprehensive list of personal safety and Safety Officer using the incident report form available tips: www.soas.ac.uk/personalsafety on www.soas.ac.uk/healthandsafety. It is also important to report near-misses or potential hazards; just because you weren’t hurt, it doesn’t mean that someone else will be as lucky. Want to know more about personal safety in London? Attend the talk with Camden First Aid Police during Orientation Week. SOAS has a network of people trained in first aid to give t SO A S basic emergency help. If first aid is required, contact Security (ext. 555) and ask for a first-aider or other medical assistance. Lists of first-aiders can also be found posted throughout the School buildings. Minor injuries can be treated by the nurse at the University of

London Central Institutions Health Service, located at 20 L if e a n d S t udy 28 Where to eat & drink at SOAS

Restaurant. This is the only other place in the main campus where you can sit down to have a hot meal. This eatery is more popular with staff, as it’s probably too expensive for students’ budgets. Starters are around £4.00, with main courses double that. There is also an express menu for people who want lunch served in five minutes. It costs £5.00 and comes with tea or coffee.

Go Shop Also in the basement, in the direction of the bar, is Go Shop. Here you’ll find all the standards: sandwiches, soft drinks, chocolates and crisps. You can also pick up hot drinks, fresh baguettes, and pizza slices. To keep you updated about the world, all major newspapers and magazines are also available. Open all day.

The Bar Moving along to the end of the basement corridor, you’ll find the SOAS bar. The ambient lived-in atmosphere plays host to many thirsty students, serving alcoholic and non- alcoholic drinks, including teas and coffee. As with most student bars, prices here are low. A number of snacks are available, including pies and samosas. It’s a great place to chill out, with weekly pub quizzes and DJ nights.

Students’ Union Snack Bar If you take the stairs one floor up from the bar, you’ll find yourself in the JCR (Junior Common Room), where the Snack Bar is located. A wide variety of snacks are available – from sandwiches, salads and crisps, to hot and cold drinks. Freshly ground coffee and healthy snacks are also available in this student-run bar. There As a student, you’ll find yourself spending many hours is also a small stationery shop where you can buy SOAS eating and drinking at SOAS. With a wide range of merchandise, newspapers and stationery. A bonus is that canteens and shops available, you’ll find something you all profits made from the Students’ Union Bar and shops like, whether for a full sit-down meal or a snack to keep go to funding the Students’ Union and student activities – you going through a lecture. you are subsidising yourselves!

The Refectory Hare Krishna Vegetarian Food As with most of the SOAS eateries, this is located in the In addition to the food available in the shop and bar, Hare basement of the Russell Square campus. You can eat Krishna devotees (a Hindu religious group) offer tasty all three daily meals here (dinner only available in term vegetarian food for a small donation of your choice. Look time). A full English breakfast is available from £1.95, out for the long queues outside the SOAS main building at a fair bit cheaper than that of the average café. If an Russell Square. Details on: www.soasunion.org English breakfast doesn’t appeal to you, there are other choices such as porridge, cereal, fruit, pancakes, waffles, Vending Machines omelettes, and fresh Danish pastries. Hot lunches are There are a number of vending machines scattered available later on in the day for a pound or two more. around the building, offering cold and hot drinks, as well You’ll find a variety of curries and stir fries, as well as as snacks. salads and other veggie options. Frequently, there are t SO A S also ‘themed’ options, allowing you to explore dishes from Byte2e@t around the world in a humble student refectory. The Byte2e@t internet café is located on the ground floor Russell Restaurant of Vernon Square. It serves sandwiches, snacks, and hot and cold drinks. Next door to the refectory (so, again, in the basement of the Russell Square campus) you’ll find the Russell L if e a n d S t udy Easy recipes 29

Aubergine and pea curry (Vegetarian and vegan) Really simple chicken stir fry A delicious curry adapted from Hansa Dahbi’s Indian You don’t need fancy stir fry sauces to make a tasty stir Vegetarian Cookbook published by Hansa, a Gujarat fry. Spend the money you’ve saved on free-range chicken! restaurant in Leeds. Don’t be daunted by the number of spices – it really is very simple. 1 skinless, boneless chicken breast (best free-range) (For a veggie version replace with 100g of cashew nuts 3 tablespoons (tbsp) sunflower or vegetable oil – broken ones are cheaper!) 1 large aubergine cut into chunks 1 tbsp cooking oil 1 level teaspoon (tsp) mustard seeds 1 clove of garlic, peeled and crushed 1 200g tin or half a 400g tin of chopped or whole 1 small chunk of fresh ginger, peeled and grated tomatoes or half a 500g pack of passata 1 small pack of beansprout stir fry veg 1 large clove of garlic peeled and crushed 2 tbsp light soy sauce 1 small chunk of fresh ginger, peeled and grated 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander (optional) 1 tsp each of ground turmeric, ground cumin and ground coriander Time: Under 15 minutes ½ tsp chilli powder or crushed red chillies Serves: 2 1 tsp salt Cost: £1 – £1.50 per person 350g frozen peas 3 tbsp chopped coriander leaves Cut the chicken into thin strips. Heat a wok or large frying pan for a couple of minutes, add the oil, then stir fry the Time: 30 minutes – 1 hour chicken for about 2 minutes until lightly coloured. Add Serves: 4 with other dishes, otherwise 1-2 the crushed garlic and ginger, then add in the veg and Cost: Under £1 per person stir fry for another 2 minutes. Add the soy sauce and fry for a couple of minutes more, then stir in the chopped Heat a large frying pan or wok for 2-3 minutes, add the coriander if you are using it. oil, then add the mustard seeds. Once they start to pop and change colour, take the pan off the heat, and carefully Both recipes have been taken from: pour in the tomatoes (watch out – they may splatter) and www.beyondbakedbeans.com the rest of the spices. Return the pan to the heat and This website is great for simple recipes and inspiration! stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the tomato begins to separate from the oil. Add the aubergine to the pan and fry it for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add the peas and 150ml of boiling water. Bring to the boil, turn the heat down, cover the pan, and simmer for about 20 minutes until the aubergine is soft. Stir in the chopped coriander and serve. You can reheat this dish also, just remember to add a little extra water. t SO A S L if e a n d S t udy 30 WELCOME TO SOAS STUDENTS’ UNION

Hello and welcome to the Students’ Union at SOAS. We of the academic year is set to be a lively affair, with are your Sabbatical Officers this year, and hope to see you representatives from current societies at hand to sign you getting involved and participating in the Union, which is at up, or to help you reach a decision as to which out of the the centre of student life. SOAS students, who study many many societies on offer to join. different subjects and have varied interests, make up an open and diverse student body. They often gather in the Friday night is set aside for live music in the Junior common rooms and bar, and create a lively environment Common Room, a popular and lively night with music from where students can feel at home. DJs, bands and serious SOAS talent. There are also other regular social occasions throughout the year, both inside We have three elected full-time ‘Sabbaticals’ (Co- and outside the School, providing excellent opportunities Presidents on a year out from studies) and other part-time for students to get to know each other. On top of this, the Officers who work alongside our Student Representative Union runs common rooms at both campuses, with the Scheme to ensure that every student has a voice. We ever popular Snack Bar and reasonably priced Stationery also provide welfare support and advice if you have any Shop at Russell Square providing anything the student problems, in particular if you need representation on an stomach and pencil case could need. The Student Bar academic issue. continues its good work as the social centre of the Union, with cheap drinks and cheerful banter a prerequisite. It The full-time Sabbatical Officers attend School also offers pool, a Wednesday night quiz, and an eclectic Committees and lobby management on issues related to, jukebox selection. and raised by students. The Union Officers are elected annually by students, and their duty is to act as the voice The Union is your Union. We exist purely to give of the student body as a whole. So, on any issue, no you a voice, to campaign on issues that affect you matter how big or small, the SOAS Students’ Union can (discrimination and oppression, fees and finances, offer you support. academic and personal, and more), and to ensure that your life at SOAS runs as smoothly as possible. We will The SOAS student body has always had a sense of support you, listen to you, speak for you, entertain you, community. The Union facilitates and funds around 100 and hopefully encourage you to get involved on every clubs and societies, from sport to drama, and debating to level. Details on: www.soasunion.org yoga. Most interests are covered, and active participation is encouraged. If you have a particular interest that isn’t Be prepared to throw yourself in and get to know your covered or have an idea for a new society, it is easy to fellow students from all over the world. We look forward set up your own. The Freshers’ Fayre at the beginning to meeting you in September and to helping you make the most of your time at SOAS.

Your Students’ Union

Nizam Uddin Marya Ahmed Ben Sellers Peter Baran (Co-President Finance (Co-President Welfare (Co-President Sports (Students’ Union & Communications) & Education) & Societies) General Manager) t SO A S L if e a n d S t udy Freshers’ Events Vernon Square Common Room 31 11:00 – 17:00 each day: – TV Comedy Shows: The job of the Union during Orientation Week is to help Monday 22nd: Peep Show new students (otherwise known as ‘freshers’) to feel at Tuesday 23rd: Black Books home, make friends and get involved in the active life of Wednesday 24th: Arrested Development SOAS. We do this by listening and talking to you, and by Thursday 25th: Spaced putting on events, big and small. This week is also a great Friday 26th: My Name Is Earl opportunity for new students to meet returning students too. The bar and common rooms are open all week, so Participating in your Union grab something to eat or drink, and start chatting! We mean it when we say the Students’ Union is your We will be working on the Freshers’ Events programme Union. It is run democratically so that the student body right up until the moment you get here. Below is a draft can make decisions, express opinions and play a major schedule. There will be more events added, so be sure to role in the life of the School. SOAS Union is run by check the website and Union Diary, which you get when students for students, and therefore your involvement as you arrive. Please note: If you have a time-clash, you’d a student is vital. But how do you want to be involved? better attend to School-related matters first! Some people will want to get embroiled in Union politics. Details on: www.soasunion.org Some may want to help monitor and improve their courses. Most people get involved via societies and Saturday 20th September sports. Whatever your route, make sure you make the There will be representatives from the Students’ Union at most of your Union. the International Students’ Welcome Day. The Union General Meeting Sunday 21st September The Union General Meeting (UGM) is the axis around Social event for International Students. which student democracy turns. UGMs are held regularly, Details on: www.soas.ac.uk/newstudents and during them your Union Sabbaticals and Executive Officers report on their work. In addition, at these Monday 22nd September meetings motions are proposed, debated and voted on, Enrolment Starts: Get your NUS Card and NUS Extra Card and the result of these votes determines the stance that in room G3 all week. the Students’ Union will take towards a particular issue 16:00 – Students’ Union Talk: Brunei Gallery Lecture in the future. Any student can propose a motion, and all Theatre. An introduction to the Union, the Officers and students present can comment, heckle and vote. what events are going on this week. To ensure that each UGM is a feast of informed rhetoric Tuesday 23rd September and invigorating eloquence, and to guarantee that 16:00 – Students’ Union Talk: Brunei Gallery Lecture the Union’s activities are based around the wishes of Theatre (repeat of Monday’s talk). students and not those of members of the Executive, do turn up and play a part! The first UGM will be held in the Wednesday 24th September first week of term, after the rush of Orientation Week. 14:00 – Bloomsbury Bowling: Come along to the local bowling alley for a few games. We’ll pick people up on the The Union Executive front steps of SOAS every hour all afternoon. The Union Executive are the ‘Trustees of the Union’, i.e. 18:00 – Quiz Night: In the SOAS bar. Get a team together the elected students who implement Union policy. It is and you could win £50! made up of the three Sabbatical Officers and part-time Officers who meet regularly to discuss Union policy. Many Thursday 25th September UGM motions come out of the Executive, the members of Around 14:00 – SOAS Goes To The Movies: The Union will which sit on School committees. We still need a couple of be taking groups of students to three local cinemas. We volunteers for this year, so if you fancy running for either can’t say when or where, because the films aren’t out yet, of the following positions, let us know and we will give you but look out for posters. a nominations sheet: yy Postgraduate Officer Friday 26th September yy Vernon Square Officer 18:00 – 01:00 – Traditional Big Night Back: SOAS Bar. Everyone is back, and so is SOAS live music! This year’s Executive Officers are:

Saturday 27th September Nizam Uddin 12:00 – 16:00 – Freshers’ Fayre: Come and meet all the Co-President Finance & Communications t SO A S societies, and decide which ones to join. [email protected] 20:00 – 02:00 – Freshers’ Ball: International Students House. Put your dancing shoes on and celebrate surviving Ben Sellers your first week! Tickets sold in the Union all week. Co-President Sports & Societies [email protected] L if e a n d S t udy 32 Marya Ahmed Sports & Societies Co-President Welfare & Education [email protected] The way most students get involved in the Union is via one of our sports teams or societies. There is a wide Hanni Schoelemann range of societies, from the African Society to the Yoga Environment Officer Club (see the list below), which are all run by students [email protected] with funding and support from the Union. They will be on display at the Freshers’ Fayre on Saturday 27th Tomas Maule September, though if you have any queries in advance, International Students’ Officer please contact Ben, the Sports & Societies Co-President. [email protected] If there is no society covering your interests, you can set one up yourself – all you need is 15 signatures. Jordan Anderson Anti-Racist Officer SOAS Sport had a terrific year last year, but we need more [email protected] participation. We are hoping to increase the numbers playing sport this year and to get people involved in Hanadi Katerji & Abby Curtis playing for fun – it’s a great way of combating essay or Entertainment Officers exam stress! Have a look at last year’s list of clubs and [email protected] societies below to see what might take your fancy. We also hope to expand our Volunteers’ Society this year Eleanor James & Juliane Heider in order to create a stronger core of student volunteers Women’s Officers within the community. [email protected] TAKE PART! John Angliss As you can see, there are many ways in which you can Union Secretary get involved in your Union, and we are always open for [email protected] more ideas. The keyword is participation. Come along and join in! You are also a member of the University of Dipti Bhadresa & Joel Oates London Union (ULU), which is just around the corner Students with Disabilities Officers from the Russell Square campus on Malet Street. This [email protected] membership means you have access to ULU cafés and bars, University Vision Opticians, the Student Print Centre Mas Naina and EnergyBase gym – all at student prices! Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transsexual Officer Details on: www.ulu.co.uk [email protected]

Sam Pole SOAS Clubs and Societies, 2007-8 Black Officer Africa, African Dance, Afro-Caribbean, Amnesty [email protected] International, Anime, Boxing, Burma/Myanmar, Capoiera, Chess, Chinese, Christian Union, Climbing, Cricket, Mpegwa Mwakangata Debating, Development, Drama, Economics, Fair Trade, Mature Students’ Officer Food and Cooking, Friends of Africa, Giant-BLT, Global [email protected] Image, Hong Kong Film, Inter Varsity Debating, Investment Banking, Iranian, Islamic, Israel, Japanese, David Anderton Japanese Music, Jewish, Kashmir, Know the Ledge, Academic Affairs Officer Korean, Krishna Consciousness, Labour, Law, Lib [email protected] Dems, Mature Students, Men’s Basketball, Men’s Football, Model Union Nation, Muay Thai Boxing, Music Class Representatives Performance, Muslim Media Society, Natural Remedies, Another important way of getting involved is to become a Netball, No Human Traffic, Pakistan, Palestinian, People Class Representative. We aim to have a Representative and Planet, People First, Persian Society, Poker, Pro for every subject in every year. In 2007-8 there were Evolution Soccer, Respect, Roots, Rugby (men and more than 120 Class Representatives. Elections take women), Said Fanon, Shasamane Development, Socialist place within class groups during the first three weeks Students, South Asia, Spirit, Stop Aids Society, Stop of term 1, supported by the Union. Representatives the War, Student Action for Refugees, Sustainable attend departmental meetings, raise issues from the Development, Tae Kwon Do, Taiwan, Tennis, Thai, Tibet, Trade Justice Society, Turkish Society, Urdu, Women,

t SO A S class, and are the Students’ Union way of reaching out to every corner of the School. It is not much work, but it Women’s Basketball, Women’s Football, Yoga is absolutely vital. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact our Representation Assistant, Antonia Bright on [email protected] L if e a n d S t udy THINGS TO DO IN LONDON ON A BUDGET 33

London is a vast city with a wide range of activities, BFI South Bank, by Waterloo Bridge: entertainment, sights and sounds. How to make the most They show mainstream, independent, and international of London without overspending is a skill many Londoners films, and have special seasons. The BFI offers lower have to learn. rates for members (annual membership). Prices from £6 for non-members. Discount cards Renoir Cinema, Brunswick Centre, WC1: NUS Extra Card The nearest independent cinema to SOAS, two minutes You can get a wide range of student discounts using the walk away. Prices from £7 (Tuesday to Thursday). nationally recognised NUS Extra card. The National Union of Students who run the card have negotiated discounts International Student House, Great Portland Street, W1: with a large number of national companies (listed on Has a free weekly film night. their website). The card also doubles up as an ISIC Card Details on: www.ish.org.uk (International Student Identity Card) to get you discounts around the world.

You can order an NUS Extra card online before you get to SOAS (it costs £10), and pick it up during Orientation Week from the Students’ Union. Go to www.nusextra.com for details on discounts and on how to order the card.

NUS Democracy Card This is the free version of the NUS Extra Card, which enables you to vote in student elections and participate in NUS events. You can still get a few discounts with it, but it is not recognised internationally. You can apply for one of these from the Students’ Union during Enrolment (you will need a passport photograph).

Student Oyster Photocard This is a ‘pay as you go’ card that you top up, and which gets you lower single fares on the Underground and buses. It will also give you a substantial discount (30%) on travel if you buy a ticket for 7 days or longer. You can apply for this online at www.tfl.gov.uk/photocard. Click on ‘18+ student’ and follow the instructions.

ULU Card This is the membership card of the University of London Union (ULU), which is just around the corner from the Russell Square campus on Malet Street. It entitles you to use their facilities (cafés, bars, gym), and can be picked up during Orientation Week (bring a passport photograph).

Cinema Cinema is not cheap in London but there is a wide choice available, from Hollywood to art-house and foreign-language films. Some big chains, e.g. Odeon and Cineworld, also offer student discounts with ID, as do most independent cinemas and the British Film Institute. The Students’ Union and its societies have regular film screenings for free too. The cheapest deals are: t SO A S The Prince Charles, Leicester Place off Leicester Square: Second-run mainstream films. Prices from £1.50 (members) to £4.50. L if e a n d S t udy 34 Theatre London is the theatre capital of the world. The best deal is the Student Standby, where theatres offer unsold tickets at much lower prices. This is especially good for weeknight and matinee tickets for West End shows, though tickets for the most popular shows are unlikely. Just turn up at the theatre about an hour before shows start with your student ID. In Leicester Square, there is also a booth where unsold theatre tickets are available at half price to the general public. Subsidised theatres like the National Theatre (South Bank) have student rates, and ticket prices here are generally much lower than elsewhere. The National Theatre offers some tickets for £10 as part of a special scheme. Details on: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

Don’t forget some of the smaller and fringe theatres. Well- known ones include The Young Vic (Waterloo), The New End (Hampstead), The Tricycle (Kilburn), and The Soho Theatre (Covent Garden), where you can see new plays for a much cheaper price. Also try out the pub theatres, e.g. The Gate (Shepherds Bush). More information can be found in Time Out, a comprehensive weekly guide available at most newsagents and bookshops (£2.50). And if you are interested in dance and ballet, Sadler’s Wells Theatre in Islington (near the student residences) offers regular student standby tickets.

Art and exhibitions Many galleries and most museums are free, including The National Portrait Gallery (St Martin’s Place, near Trafalgar Square), The National Gallery (Trafalgar Square), The Tate Modern (Summer Street, South Bank near Southwark Bridge), and The British Museum (Great Russell Street, near Russell Square). However, some of these may charge University refectories/canteens such as that in The School for individual visiting exhibitions. Many open late on one of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on Gower Street, are or more evenings. recommended by other students. Also, don’t forget the SOAS refectory on the lower ground floor of the Russell Other major museums include: Square campus! The Science Museum (South Kensington) The Museum of London (London Wall, near Barbican) Italian restaurants offering pasta and pizza are generally The Imperial War Museum (Elephant and Castle) not expensive.

There are also a number of small specialist museums, Specific suggestions: which are interesting (check the internet for details), e.g. The Pollock Toy Museum, The Geffrye Museum, The Wagamama: large bowls of noodles/rice in many Museum of Childhood and Sir John Soane’s Museum. variations. Branches in Streatham Street (off Tottenham Court Road), Southampton Street (Covent Garden), and Eating out N1 Centre in Islington (near student residences). It is possible to eat relatively cheaply in London – and not Stockpot: reasonable English/European style food at just at McDonalds! There is a wide range of food from all low prices. Branches in Basil Street (near Harrods, over the world. Here are some options: Kensington), and Panton Street (near Piccadilly Circus). Local cafés (or ‘greasy spoons’) serve ‘all day breakfast’, La Porchetta: a busy Italian restaurant serving large e.g. eggs, baked beans, fried bread, sausage, bacon,

t SO A S pizzas. Branches can be found in Upper Street, Rosebery toast, chips and cheap cups of tea. They are not suitable Avenue (not far from Vernon Square), Queen’s Square, and if you do not eat pork, as the cooking of bacon and Old Compton Street (near SOAS). sausages takes place alongside that of other foods. Hair and Tortoise: cheap noodle bar with large portions Chinese and Indian restaurants are good value for money, in the Brunswick Centre (near Russell Square campus), and often include ‘help yourself’ buffets where a set beloved of SOAS students. All mains are under £6. price, usually under £10, covers everything you can eat. L if e a n d S t udy 35

Shopping Toiletries and pharmaceutical goods: lowest prices can probably be found at branches of Superdrug. Food and household goods: Some markets have cheaper Boots the Chemist is reliable, but more expensive. fruit and vegetables than supermarkets, and often sell Large supermarkets may have competitive prices on clothes and household goods too. Try Chapel Market mainstream goods. near Vernon Square. Supermarkets are reasonable for household goods, especially own-label goods. Cheaper Hairdressers supermarkets include Lidl, Netto and Asda. Haircare can be very expensive, especially for women. International foods: Go to Soho (Central London) for However, some hairdressers, including some of the well- Chinese, Japanese and South East Asian foods; Green known names, have training schools or training evenings Lanes (North London, near Manor House) for Greek and where prices are lower or even free, if you’re willing to act Turkish foods; Balham (South London) for West African as a model for a trainee. Remember to allow longer time foods; Finsbury Park (North London) for West and North than usual if you choose this option. Try Vidal Sassoon African foods; Brixton (South London) for African and (Davies Mews, near Bond Street) and Toni and Guy (New Caribbean foods; Southall (West London) for South Oxford Street, near Tottenham Court Road). Asian foods. Many areas of London have small shops with Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi shops selling Barbers for men are much cheaper than hairdressers, vegetables, dhals, spices and bulk quantities of rice. but are more basic. Some will also cut women’s hair (try White Lion Street, near Chapel Market). Black and Asian Clothes: Sources of cheaper clothes include street women will find specialist hairdressers and cosmetic markets, shops that sell second-hand clothes (many of shops in South London (Brixton, Streatham, Tooting, t SO A S them are run by charitable organisations), army surplus Balham, Walworth Road in Elephant and Castle), or in stores, and outlets which sell rejected goods from main North London (Finsbury Park, Tottenham, Holloway Road). labels at lower prices.

Computer/IT/electronic equipment: Tottenham Court Road has the greatest concentration of electronic shops, so

competition keeps prices reasonable. L if e a n d S t udy 36 STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO ENROLMENT

STEP 1: ENROL WITH THE SCHOOL Date and time of Enrolment To enrol with the School you must attend the relevant enrolment session indicated in the Enrolment Programme inside the back cover of the Orientation Handbook. Enrolment will take place in room G2 (Enrolment Hall 1) on the ground floor of the Russell Square campus. You will see that undergraduate degree students are enrolled in groups depending on the title of their degree (see the groups listed in the Enrolment Notes in the Handbook). Taught Masters degree students* are enrolled by surname, as are research degree students. Other specific groups of students (Junior Year Abroad, Erasmus etc) are also listed with specific enrolment dates and times.

* MA International Studies and Diplomacy students will be given specific enrolment times by the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD). The enrolment dates and times in the Enrolment Programme do not apply.

What happens at Enrolment? When you come to enrol, you will be given a pre-printed Enrolment form containing your personal and study programme details. You will be expected to check this, amend it where necessary and sign it (don’t forget to bring a black pen with you).

At Enrolment, you will be formally registered with the School for your degree, certificate, diploma or other programme of study. You will be given the following: yy student handbook (on CD-Rom) yy documents to enable you to join the School’s Library and Students’ Union yy a course and examination registration form (except for research students) to take to your Faculty Office(s), and yy a letter explaining how to register for in-sessional English language classes (if applicable)

If you are paying your own tuition fees, you must pay these at Enrolment. Please see the Important Notes for Enrolment and Registration on page 42.

What do you need to bring? You may be asked to produce evidence of the educational qualifications by which you have gained entry to the t i on School. You should make sure that these documents are available at your term time address in case they are required. You will be told if someone needs to see them. Postgraduate degree students (taught Masters and research) should bring with them the blue identification sheet they were sent with their joining pack. You should bring at least four passport size photographs of yourself. You will not need them for the enrolment process itself, but will need them later (see below). You must also bring evidence of your identity (see next section). E n r o lm ent a d Re gi st ra Identity check for tutorials and courses. Joint-degree students who will 37 We are required to check the identity of all new students be studying in two Faculties will also be directed to their as part of the enrolment process. You must therefore other Faculty Office. bring proof of identity with you to the Enrolment Hall. The following are acceptable: current passport; current For further details, see the section on Faculty Registration national identity card (for countries that have an ID card on page 38. system); birth certificate (and marriage certificate if there has been a change of name on marriage); UK photo Research students should also report to their Faculty driving licence. Your enrolment is likely to be delayed if Office once they have enrolled. you are unable to produce acceptable proof of identity. STEP 6: REGISTER FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE Late Enrolment CLASSES See page 42 for details. If you are required to take English language in-sessional classes, you must register with IFCELS. Information about STEP 2: JOIN THE LIBRARY this will be contained in the letter you will be given at When you complete Enrolment formalities, you will be Enrolment. You should do this as soon as possible once given a form to enable you to join the SOAS Library. you know your course timetable. You should complete this form and take it to room G50 (ground floor, main building, Russell Square campus). ORDER OF ACTIVITIES Library staff will take a photograph and issue your student You MUST enrol with the School (step 1) before you can identification card. Information about IT services, including undertake any of the other activities listed above. You your email account, and access to the School’s network may wish to join the Library/obtain your ID card (step 2), and the Internet will also be available. ID card processing join the Students’ Union (step 3) and the Gower Street takes place in room G50 only during Enrolment Week. If Practice (step 4) next, since these are all located on the you enrol after that date, you will need to go to the Library ground floor of the Russell square main building. However, reception desk. you can undertake steps 2, 3, and 4 in whatever order you wish, although you should aim to complete all of STEP 3: JOIN THE STUDENTS’ UNION these activities within 24 hours. You cannot register for When you complete Enrolment formalities, you should English classes (step 6) without obtaining your academic obtain your NUS/Students’ Union card. The Students’ timetable (which you will do at step 5). Union will be available in room G3 (Enrolment Hall 2) on the ground floor of the Russell Square campus during NOTE FOR MA INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND Enrolment Week. You will need one passport-sized DIPLOMACY STUDENTS photograph and proof of enrolment (e.g. your SOAS ID). Both steps 1 and 5 are undertaken in the CISD office. In room G3, you can also pick up an updated Freshers’ You do not need to go to the Law and Social Sciences Events timetable and a Students’ Union Handbook and Faculty Office. You will be sent specific information about Diary. After Enrolment Week, students can join the SU this by CISD. You should undertake steps 2, 3, 4 and 6 as by going to the Students’ Union shop (ground floor, main described above. building, Russell Square campus).

STEP 4: JOIN THE GOWER STREET PRACTICE Information about joining the Gower Street Practice, the University of London Central Institutions Health Service, will be available throughout Enrolment Week in room G3 (Enrolment Hall 2) on the ground floor of the Russell Square campus.

STEP 5: REPORT TO YOUR FACULTY OFFICE/ COURSE REGISTRATION When you have completed Enrolment formalities with the School, you will be directed to your home Faculty Office.

You must take the course and examination registration t i on form given to you at Enrolment, and one passport-sized photograph. You will need two photographs if you are a joint-degree student in two Faculties, except for the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences.

At your home Faculty Office, you will get information about your courses, your Academic Department(s) and the Faculty. You will also receive information about Departmental Welcome Meetings and how to register E n r o lm ent a d Re gi st ra 38 FACULTY REGISTRATION INFORMATION

The School is structured academically into three Faculties: HANDBOOKS Arts and Humanities, Languages and Cultures, and Law and Social Sciences. The Faculty Office will provide you with a Departmental Handbook which outlines the structure of your degree, and lists the courses available to you each year of your The Faculty of Arts and Humanities comprises the degree. It also gives details of the academic staff in your Departments of: Anthropology and Sociology; Art and Department(s), including their internal contact details. Archaeology; History; Music; Study of Religions; and the You will also be given a Faculty Handbook which outlines Centre for Media and Film Studies. important information common to all students in the Faculty – including how to submit coursework, access The Faculty of Languages and Cultures comprises the timetable information, and useful contact details across Departments of the Languages & Cultures of: Africa; the School. The Languages and Cultures Faculty have China and Inner Asia; Japan and Korea; Near and a ‘web first’ policy, and information on courses, degree Middle East; South Asia; South East Asia as well as the structure etc is available on departmental web page(s). Department of Linguistics and The Language Centre. It also administers the MA in Gender Studies. DEPARTMENTAL WELCOME MEETINGS You will be invited to attend a Departmental Welcome The Faculty of Law and Social Sciences comprises the Meeting, where you will get the opportunity to ask Departments of: Development Studies; Economics; questions, meet the Head of your Department, Finance and Management Studies; Law; and Politics and Undergraduate/Postgraduate Tutor and of course fellow International Studies. students. Details on: www.soas.ac.uk/newstudents

FACULTY WELCOME RECEPTIONS HOME FACULTY Your Faculty will host a welcome reception in the Brunei After enrolling with the School, make your way to your Suite (ground floor, Brunei Gallery) from 17:00-19:00 on home Faculty Student Support Office: the following days: yy Faculty of Arts and Humanities: Room 326 Faculty of Law and Social Sciences yy Faculty of Languages and Cultures: Room 351 Monday 22nd September yy Faculty of Law and Social Sciences: Room 251 Faculty of Arts and Humanities PHOTOS Tuesday 23rd September If you are joining the Arts and Humanities or Languages Faculty of Languages and Cultures and Cultures Faculties, you will need to bring one Wednesday 24th September passport-size photo for your student file. If you are a joint subject student across these two Faculties, then you will Come along and meet other students in your Department be required to provide two photos, one to each Faculty and Faculty as well as key academic and administrative Office. However, a photograph is not required if you are staff. Refreshments will be served. joining the Law and Social Sciences Faculty. COURSE EXAMINATION REGISTRATION FORM The Course Examination Registration Form is given to you once you have enrolled. This is a very important form, without which you will not be registered for your courses and therefore will not be able to attend classes or be assessed. This form must be completed with your course choices and codes, and submitted to the Faculty Office no later than the end of the first week of teaching t i on (i.e. Friday 3rd October). This is a regulatory requirement for all students, and failure to comply may lead to your enrolment at SOAS being terminated. E n r o lm ent a d Re gi st ra EMAIL COMMUNICATION two weeks, updated printouts will be put regularly on 39 the Department notice boards. You are advised to check The Faculty Office will communicate with you via your either the notice boards or the web regularly in case SOAS email address. It is important that you check your of time/day changes to any of your lectures. NB: As a emails regularly as the Faculty Office will only use this general rule, lectures begin during the first week (week method to communicate such matters as rescheduling of beginning 29th September) and tutorials/seminars begin classes, deadline dates, clarification of procedures etc. the following week (week beginning 6th October). The Faculty Handbook gives details about how to forward Details on: www.soas.ac.uk/timetable messages from your SOAS account to your personal (e.g. Hotmail) account. You can also view your own personalised lecture timetable on this site, by typing in your student number. However, TIMETABLE this information is updated from the student records The School’s teaching timetable is published on the system less frequently, and may not accurately reflect the Learning and Teaching Unit website. This shows where courses on which you are officially registered, particularly and when your courses will take place. During the first if you have changed your choices.

FACULTY STUDENT SUPPORT TEAMS

Faculty Name Ext Room Email Responsible for:

Arts and Humanities

Student Support Team Monwara Seetul 4272 327 ms94 Leader

Faculty Officer Pascale Dionnet 4012 326 pd11 Art & Archaeology & Study of Religions

Faculty Officer Cypriano Stephenson 4011 326 cs8 History & Centre for Media and Film Studies

Faculty Officer Nita Parmar 4010 326 np9 Social Anthropology & Music

Assistant Faculty Officer Karen Philpott 4020 326 kp20

Languages and Cultures

Student Support Team Lisa McSweeney 4080 354 lm2 Leader

Faculty Officer Jacqui Freeman 4045 353 jf40 Undergraduate Prema Kanungo pr6 Studies

Faculty Officer Jane Elphick 4048 353 je3 Postgraduate Studies

Law and Social Sciences

Student Support Team Luke Dillon 4401 255 ld17 Leader

Faculty Officer Vacant 4404 253 lm8 Development Studies

Faculty Officer Vacant 4404 253 DeFIMS

Faculty Officer Jeanne Spencer 4473 253 js71 Economics t i on

Faculty Officer Yvonne Henry 4405 253 yh22 Politics

Faculty Officer Juliet Ssentongo 4403 253 js59 Undergraduate Law

Faculty Officer Natasha de Meric 4402 256 nm56 Postgraduate Law

Assistant Faculty Officer Anya Kropfitch 4477 251 ak84 JYA and UCAS E n r o lm ent a d Re gi st ra 40 TUITION FEES 2008/09

Tuition fees are payable annually at Enrolment (except for formally sponsored students who can provide acceptable evidence of sponsorship at Enrolment or before).

Termly or instalment payments are not permitted. Tuition fees are not normally refundable.

Fees for the School's special programmes are not included below – please see the relevant booklet/leaflet for details.

FULL-TIME UK/EU Students* overseas Students* (per academic year) (per academic year) Undergraduate Level £ £ BA, BSc, LLB 3,145 11,460 BA language year abroad 1,570 5,730 Certs/Dips (except Grad Dip Economics) 3,145 11,460 Graduate Diploma in Economics 4,090 11,460 Occasional students - 3 or more course units (a) 4,920 11,460 Junior Year Abroad (JYA) students (b) 11,460 11,460

Postgraduate Level Masters degrees in: Economics (including Finance and Development, Development 5,100 12,030 Economics, and Political Economy of Development) Politics (including State, Society and Development) 5,260 12,030 International Management, Finance and Financial Law 4,990 12,030 International Studies and Diplomacy 11,740 11,740 Development Studies* (including Central Asia), Violence, 6,300 11,460 Conflict and Development, Globalisation and Development (* not Social Anthropology of Development) LLM and MAs in Law (including Dispute and Conflict Resolution, 6,820 11,460 Environmental Law and Sustainable Development, and International and Comparative Legal Studies) t i on MMus, other MAs and non-degree students taking 3 courses (a) 4,090 11,460 Research degrees (MPhil, PhD) (new students) 3,790 9,540 Visiting Research students 4,090 8,030

Notes: * as determined by reference to the Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations

(a) Occasional or non-degree students taking 3 (max. 4 for undergraduates) courses are liable to pay full-time fees.

E n r o lm ent a d Re gi st ra (b) Fees for JYA: September to December £5,730; January to June £6,870 41

PART-TIME UK/EU Students overseas Students (per academic year) (per academic year) Undergraduate Level £ £ School Certs/Dips (fees for 3-year programmes are given in brackets (a)) 1,575 (1,180) 5,730 (4,295) Occasional students (up to 2.5 units) (b) 1,230 per unit 2,865 per unit

Postgraduate Level (fees for 3-year taught Masters programmes, where applicable, are given in brackets (a)) Masters degrees in: Economics (including Finance and Development, Development 2,550 (1,910) 6,015 (4,510) Economics, and Political Economy of Development) Politics (including State, Society and Development) 2,630 (1,970) 6,015 (4,510) International Management, Finance and Financial Law 2,495 (1,870) 6,015 (4,510) International Studies and Diplomacy 5,870 (4,400) 5,870 (4,400) Development Studies* (including Central Asia), Violence 3,150 (2,360) 5,730 (4,295) Conflict and Development, Globalisation and Development (* not Social Anthropology of Development) LLM* and MAs in Law (including Dispute and Conflict Resolution, 3,410 (2,550) 5,730 (4,295) Environmental Law and Sustainable Development, and International and Comparative Legal Studies) * Tuition fees for 4-year LLM students are £1,920 (UK/EU students) and £3,225 (Overseas students) MMus and other MA degrees 2,045 (1,530) 5,730 (4,295) Research degrees (MPhil, PhD) (new students) 1,895 4,770 t i on Non-degree students - up to 2.5 courses (b) 1,230 per course 2,865 per course

Notes: * as determined by reference to the Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations

(a) Not all taught programmes can be studied over three years. (b) Fees are calculated on the basis of the number of courses studied. Half courses attract a tuition fee of £615 (UK/EU) or £1,430 (Overseas). These are the minimum fees chargeable to occasional/non-degree students. Occasional/non-degree students taking 3 courses (max. 4 for undergraduates) are liable to pay full-time fees (see overleaf). E n r o lm ent a d Re gi st ra 42 IMPORTANT NOTES FOR ENROLMENT AND REGISTRATION

Enrolment company or bank in advance. Please advise them that you will be processing a high value transaction, and give Please go to your designated Enrolment Hall (room them the approximate transaction date and approximate G2) at the time shown to undertake School enrolment amount. Please also ensure that you have the relevant procedures. As well as enrolling with the School, you funds available on your card at the time of payment. This will be able to join the Library and the Students’ Union will help avoid delays in the Enrolment Hall. The following immediately afterwards. After Enrolment, all students credit cards are accepted: Visa, Mastercard, and Eurocard must go to their Faculty Office (room numbers listed (not American Express). Switch, Solo and Delta cards are on page 38) to complete formalities and, in the case also accepted. of taught course students, register for their courses. Undergraduates registered for joint degrees in more than If you have transferred funds directly into the School’s one Faculty should visit both their Faculties. bank account, you must bring documentary evidence of this when you come to enrol. Students who are required to take in-sessional English language classes must register at IFCELS on the second If you have been invoiced for your fees, you must bring floor of the Faber Building (23-24 Russell Square) once your invoice to pay at Enrolment, or present your receipt if they have obtained their academic timetable. you have paid already.

Identity check Changing courses/course units We are required to check the identity of all new students Some students apply to change courses (postgraduate) as part of the enrolment process. You must therefore or course units (undergraduate) in the early part of the bring proof of identity with you to the Enrolment Hall. academic year. Please note that all such changes must The following are acceptable: current passport; current be agreed by Friday 3rd October. No changes will be national identity card (for countries that have an ID card permitted after that date. system); birth certificate (and marriage certificate if there has been a change of name on marriage); UK photo Language Floaters driving licence. Your enrolment is likely to be delayed if you are unable to produce acceptable proof of identity. Undergraduate students wishing to take language course units as floaters must register with the relevant Faculty by Fees Friday 26th September. All tuition fees due for the 2008/09 academic session Grants must be paid in full at or before Enrolment (see pages 40 for details on fees). Termly and other instalment payments Enrolled students can collect grant cheques in the are not permitted. If you are unable to pay your fees, you Enrolment Hall from 22nd to 26th September. will not be permitted to complete Enrolment formalities or Grant cheques which arrive later will be available from the attend classes. Registry at Vernon Square.

Students whose tuition fees will be paid by a Local Registry (Vernon Square) Education Authority (LEA) or through a Student Loans The Registry will not be open between 22nd and 26th Company (SLC) fee loan, overseas government, September. From 29th September normal opening hours research council, the British Council or other acceptable will apply. Details on: www.soas.ac.uk/registry scholarship agency must present written evidence of this when they enrol or beforehand, so that the School may Late enrolment invoice their sponsor. All other students will be personally liable for the payment of their fees. Late Enrolment, for those who are unable to enrol or complete Enrolment formalities during Enrolment Week, t i on Cheques and bank drafts should be made payable to the will take place at Vernon Square during the first week School of Oriental and African Studies. Students intending of term (week beginning 29th September). Look out for to pay by Eurocheque are advised that significant bank notices about this! Students who enrol late will incur a charges may be incurred. Payment in cash is strongly late enrolment fee of £50. discouraged, and will cause considerable delay to you at enrolment. The School’s Finance Office, where you will be sent by the enrolling Fees Officer to deposit any cash proffered for tuition fees, is at the Vernon Square campus. If you are planning to pay your tuition fees by credit or debit card, please contact your credit card issuing E n r o lm ent a d Re gi st ra Faculties Taught Masters Degrees by Faculty 43 Faculty of Arts and Humanities Faculty of Arts and Humanities yy MA Anthropology programmes (Anth) (Faculty Office Room 326, Main Building, Russell Square) yy MA Critical Media and Cultural Studies (MF) yy Anthropology and Sociology (Anth) yy MA Global Cinemas and the Transcultural (MF) yy Art and Archaeology (Art/Arch) yy MA Global Media and Postnational Communication (MF) yy History (His) yy MA Historical Research Methods (His) yy Media and Film Studies (MF) yy MA History: Asia/Africa (His) yy Music (Mus) yy MA History of Art and/or Archaeology (Art/Arch) yy Study of Religions (Rel) yy MA Migration and Diaspora Studies (Anth) yy MA Religions (Rel) Faculty of Languages and Cultures yy MMus degrees (Mus) (Faculty Office Room 351, Main Building, Russell Square) yy Africa (Af) Faculty of Languages and Cultures yy China and Inner Asia (C) yy MA African Literature (Af) yy Gender Studies (GN) yy MA Ancient Near Eastern Languages (NME) yy Japan and Korea (JK) yy MA Applied Japanese Linguistics (JK) yy Language Centre (LC) yy MA Arabic Literature (NME) yy Linguistics (Ling) yy MA Chinese Literature (C) yy Near and Middle East (NME) yy MA Comparative Literature (Africa/Asia) yy South Asia (SA) yy MA Gender Studies yy South East Asia (SEA) yy MA Islamic Societies and Cultures (NME) yy MA Islamic Studies (NME) Faculty of Law and Social Sciences yy MA Israeli Studies (NME) (Faculty Office Room 251, Main Building, Russell Square) yy MA Japanese Literature (JK) yy Development Studies (Dev) yy MA Korean Literature (JK) yy Economics (Econ) yy MA Language Documentation and Description (Ling) yy Financial and Management Studies (DeFiMS) yy MA Languages and Cultures of South Asia (SA) yy Law (Law) yy MA Languages and Literatures of South East Asia (SEA) yy Politics and International Studies (Pol) yy MA Linguistics (Ling) yy MA Linguistics and Language Development (Africa) (Af) Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD) yy MA Sinology (C) (Room 303, Faber Building, Russell Square) yy MA Theory and Practice of Translation (Ling) yy Regional studies MAs (African, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Near and Middle Eastern, Pacific Asian, South Asian Area, South East Asian, Taiwan, Turkish)

Faculty of Law and Social Sciences yy LLM (Law) yy MAs in Law (Law) yy MSc Politics programmes (Pol) yy MSc Development Economics (Econ) yy MSc Development Studies programmes (Dev) yy MSc Economics programmes (Econ) yy MSc Finance and Development (Econ) yy MSc Finance and Financial Law (DeFiMS) yy MSc Globalisation and Development (Dev) yy MSc International Management (DeFiMS) yy MSc Political Economy of Development (Econ) yy MSc Violence, Conflict and Development (Dev) yy MA International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD) (students on this programme are sent individual CISD

Enrolment times) t i on E n r o lm ent a d Re gi st ra 44 Undergraduate Enrolment Groups East Asia Departments – Group 13 yy Chinese (single-subject) Art and Archaeology – Group 1 yy Chinese and another subject yy History of Art yy Japanese (single-subject) yy History of Art (Asia, Africa, Europe) yy Japanese and another subject yy History of Art /Archaeology yy Korean (single-subject) yy History of Art/Archaeology combined with: Geography, yy Korean and another subject History, Linguistics, Music, Social Anthropology, yy Tibetan and another subject Study of Religions Near and Middle East – Group 14 Development Studies – Group 2 yy Ancient Near Eastern Studies yy Development Studies combined with: Economics, yy Arabic (single-subject) Geography, History, Law, Linguistics, Music, Politics, yy Arabic and Islamic Studies Social Anthropology, Study of Religions yy Arabic and another subject yy Arabic Cultural Studies Economics – Group 3 yy Arabic Cultural Studies and another subject yy Development Economics (single-subject) yy Georgian and another subject yy Economics (single-subject) yy Hebrew and Israeli Studies (single-subject) yy Economics combined with: Geography, History, Law, yy Hebrew and another subject Linguistics, Politics, Social Anthropology, yy Middle Eastern Studies (single-subject and two-subject) Study of Religions yy Persian (single-subject) yy Persian and another subject Geography – Group 4 yy Turkish (single-subject) yy Geography combined with: History, Linguistics, Music, yy Turkish and another subject Politics, Social Anthropology, Study of Religions South Asia – Group 15 History – Group 5 yy Bengali and another subject yy History (single-subject) yy Hindi (single-subject) yy History combined with: Law, Linguistics, Music, Politics, yy Hindi and another subject Social Anthropology, Study of Religions yy Nepali and another subject yy Sanskrit and another subject Law – Group 6 yy South Asian Studies (single-subject and two-subject) yy LLB (single-subject law) yy Urdu and another subject yy Law combined with: Linguistics, Politics, Social Anthropology, Study of Religions South East Asia – Group 16 yy Burmese and another subject Linguistics – Group 7 yy Indonesian (single-subject) yy Linguistics (single-subject) yy Indonesian and another subject yy Linguistics combined with: Music, Politics, Social yy South East Asian Studies (single-subject and Anthropology, Study of Religions two-subject) yy Thai (single-subject) Music – Group 8 yy Thai and another subject yy Music (single-subject) yy Vietnamese and another subject yy Music combined with: Social Anthropology, Study of Religions Two-subject undergraduate degrees Politics – Group 9 Two-subject degree students should attend enrolment in yy Politics (single-subject) the Enrolment Hall on one occasion only. The following yy Politics combined with: Social Anthropology, notes explain which groups two-subject students should Study of Religions enrol with. Social Anthropology – Group 10 1. Two-subject discipline degrees (i.e. those not including yy Social Anthropology (single-subject) a language) are listed alphabetically by subject in the degree title (e.g. History and Law appears under History = t i on yy Social Anthropology combined with: Study of Religions Group 5; Social Anthropology and Law appears under Study of Religions – Group 11 Law = Group 6). yy Study of Religions (single-subject) 2. Students following two-subject degrees including one language should enrol with the appropriate language Africa – Group 12 group (e.g. Chinese and Study of Religions = Chinese = yy African Language and Culture Group 13; Arabic and History = Arabic = Group 14). yy African Studies (single-subject and two-subject) 3. Students following two-language degrees should yy Hausa and another subject identify the language which comes first in alphabetical yy Swahili and another subject order in their degree title and enrol with that group (e.g.

E n r o lm ent a d Re gi st ra Arabic and Hausa = Arabic = Group 14). Enrolment Programme 2008

All students must enrol in the designated Enrolment Hall New taught Masters (MA/MSc/MMus/LLM) degree (room G2, Russell Square campus) at the times shown students* below. 09:00 to 10:30 Surnames C 10:30 to 11:45 Surnames D 11:45 to 12:15 Surnames E Read the notes on Enrolment on the final pages of this 12:15 to 13:00 Surnames F handbook for further information. Undergraduates must 13:00 to 14:00 Lunch break – (no enrolments) check their enrolment group (see the adjacent page). 14:00 to 15:00 Surnames G 15:00 to 17:00 Surnames H and I

Monday 22nd September Japanese, Korean and ERASMUS exchange students 10:00 to 11:00 Surnames A to I New undergraduate degree students 11:00 to 12:00 Surnames J to N 09:00 to 10:00 Groups 1 and 12 12:00 to 13:00 Surnames O to Z 10:00 to 11:00 Group 2 11:00 to 12:00 Group 10 Wednesday 24th September 12:00 to 13:00 Group 13 13:00 to 14:00 Lunch break – (no enrolments) New undergraduate degree students 14:00 to 15:00 Group 5 – surnames A to K 09:00 to 10:00 Group 11 15:00 to 16:00 Group 5 – surnames L to Z 10:00 to 11:00 Group 9 16:00 to 17:00 Group 14 11:00 to 12:00 Group 8 12:00 to 13:00 Group 16 New research degree (MPhil/PhD) students 09:00 to 10:00 Surnames A to C New taught Masters (MA/MSc/MMus/LLM) degree 10:00 to 11:00 Surnames D to L students* 11:00 to 12:30 Surnames M to Z 09:00 to 10:30 Surnames J and K 10:30 to 12:00 Surnames L New taught Masters (MA/MSc/MMus/LLM) degree 12:00 to 13:00 Surnames Ma to Mc students* 13:00 to 14:00 Lunch break – (no enrolments) 14:00 to 15:30 Surnames A 14:00 to 15:00 Surnames Md to Mz 15:30 to 17:00 Surnames B 15:00 to 16:00 Surnames N and O 16:00 to 17:00 Surnames P Junior Year Abroad students 10:00 to 11:00 Surnames A to H School Certificate and Occasional students 11:00 to 12:00 Surnames I to O School Certificate and Occasional students must enrol in 12:00 to 13:00 Surnames P to Z room G2 between the hours of 09:00 and 16:30 (except 13:00 to 14:00). Graduate Diploma in Economics and Visiting Research students Thursday 25th September 15:00 to 16:00 Surnames A to K New taught Masters (MA/MSc/MMus/LLM) degree 16:00 to 17:00 Surnames L to Z students* 09:00 to 10:00 Surnames Q and R Tuesday 23rd September 10:00 to 11:00 Surnames Sa to Se New undergraduate degree students 11:00 to 12:00 Surnames Sf to So 09:00 to 10:00 Group 3 – surnames A to H 12:00 to 13:00 Surnames Sp to Sz 10:00 to 11:00 Group 3 – surnames I to N 13:00 to 14:00 Lunch break – (no enrolments) 11:00 to 12:00 Group 3 – surnames O to Z 14:00 to 15:00 Surnames T and U 12:00 to 13:00 Groups 4, 7 and 15 15:00 to 16:00 Surnames V and W 13:00 to 14:00 Lunch break – (no enrolments) 16:00 to 17:00 Surnames X to Z 14:00 to 15:00 Group 6 – surnames A to H 15:00 to 16:00 Group 6 – surnames I to N * Not applicable to MA International Studies and 16:00 to 17:00 Group 6 – surnames O to Z Diplomacy students, who will enrol in CISD and will be sent individual enrolment times. School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Details are correct at the time of going to press. Any University of London, Thornhaugh Street changes will be advertised on the School’s website: Russell Square www.soas.ac.uk/newstudents London, WC1H 0XG United Kingdom Issued July 2008

Tel: +44 (0)20 7637 2388 Produced by Heidi Ward, Learning and Teaching Unit, and Fax: +44 (0)20 7436 3844 the Marketing Department, SOAS. Website: www.soas.ac.uk Design by the Marketing Department, SOAS. Printed by Printflow

Many thanks to students and staff who have contributed to the handbook.