SOAS Research Academic Excellence Scholarship

The SOAS Research Academic Excellence Scholarship is a wonderful opportunity created by the School of Oriental and African Studies to support talented students who want to carry out important postgraduate research. It is valuable because it offers up to 10 full tuition fee waivers worth 100 percent of the fees for up to three years. This means selected students can focus completely on their research without worrying about paying for their studies.

This scholarship is for Home (UK) fee-paying students who have already received an offer for a full-time on-campus postgraduate research programme that begins in September 2026. It welcomes applicants who have achieved a UK 2:1 degree or the international equivalent and show strong academic ability. The award is open to anyone who meets the Home fee status rules.

This post covers everything you need in one place. You will find clear details on who can apply, the full benefits, the exact steps to follow, key dates, selection tips, and answers to common questions. Everything is explained simply so you can prepare with confidence and submit a strong application.

Scholarship Overview

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible you must meet every point listed below. The rules are clear and straightforward.

• Citizenship: You must be a Home (UK) fee-paying student. This covers UK nationals and residents who qualify for Home fee status according to UK university rules. International students who pay overseas fees cannot apply.
• Academic qualifications: You must hold a UK 2:1 honours degree or an international equivalent. This shows you have the strong academic foundation needed for research-level study.
• Programme offer: You must already have an offer (conditional or unconditional) for a full-time postgraduate research programme that will start on campus in September 2026. You cannot apply for the scholarship without this offer.
• Work experience: No specific work experience is required. The focus is on your academic record.
• Language requirements: No language test scores are mentioned in the details provided.
• Other requirements: You must plan to study full-time and on campus. The scholarship rewards outstanding academic performance, so your application should reflect this.

ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES

The scholarship is available only to students who qualify for Home (UK) fee status. Here are the eligible countries grouped by region:

• Africa: none listed
• Asia: none listed
• Americas: none listed
• Europe: United Kingdom
• Middle East: none listed
• Other: none listed

ELIGIBLE FIELDS OF STUDY

This scholarship is open to all fields of study. You can apply for any full-time postgraduate research programme (MPhil or PhD) offered at SOAS as long as it is on campus and starts in September 2026. There are no restrictions on the subject area.

BENEFITS

The scholarship provides clear financial support so you can concentrate on your research.

• Tuition fees: You receive a full fee waiver covering 100 percent of your tuition fees for up to three years of study. Up to 10 students will receive this award.
• Living allowance/stipend: Not Specified
• Travel costs: Not Specified
• Health insurance: Not Specified
• Visa fees: Not Specified
• Other benefits: Not Specified

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

The provided information does not give a complete list of documents for the scholarship itself. You must first submit a full programme application, and then complete the scholarship part in the admissions portal. For now the process works as follows:

1. Complete programme application for your chosen MPhil/PhD (all supporting documents required by the Doctoral School guidance)
2. Proof that you hold an offer for the September 2026 programme
3. Academic transcripts and certificates showing your UK 2:1 or equivalent
4. Any extra items requested inside the scholarship section of the admissions portal
5. Research proposal or statement if prompted
6. Recommendation letters if requested
7. Any other documents shown when you open the scholarship form

HOW TO APPLY

Follow these exact steps in order. Each one is simple and based directly on the official process.

Step 1: Visit the SOAS Doctoral School page and explore the full list of MPhil/PhD programmes that start in September 2026.

Step 2: Choose the research programme that matches your interests and check that it is full-time and on campus.

Step 3: Read the guidance on the How to apply to research programmes webpage so you know exactly what makes a complete application.

Step 4: Prepare and submit your programme application following all the instructions on the Doctoral School site.

Step 5: Wait for your login credentials to the admissions portal after your programme application is submitted.

Step 6: Log into the admissions portal using the credentials you received.

Step 7: Go to the scholarships section and look for the SOAS Research Academic Excellence Scholarship. If it does not appear, check your eligibility again or contact scholarships@soas.ac.uk.

Step 8: Fill in the scholarship application form carefully and submit everything by 12 noon UK local time on 29 May 2026.

Step 9: If you also applied for other scholarships, remember you can only accept one award and must choose the one with the highest value.

KEY DATES AND TIMELINE

APPLICATION DEADLINE

The exact deadline for the SOAS Research Academic Excellence Scholarship is 12 noon (UK local time) on 29 May 2026. Applications submitted after this time will NOT be accepted.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The committee looks mainly for outstanding academic performance. They check that you meet the basic eligibility rules and then focus on how strong your academic record is. Having a UK 2:1 or better is important, but they also consider the overall quality of your programme application and how well you show potential for excellent research.

IMPORTANT TIPS

Here are practical tips that will help you succeed with this scholarship.

1. Begin your programme application as early as possible so you receive portal login details in plenty of time before the 29 May deadline.
2. Confirm you are definitely a Home (UK) fee-paying student before you start the scholarship form.
3. Read every word of the guidance on the How to apply to research programmes webpage so your programme application is complete and strong.
4. Submit the scholarship application straight after you gain access to the portal instead of waiting until the last day.
5. If the scholarship option does not show in your portal, check your eligibility details again and email scholarships@soas.ac.uk right away for help.
6. Remember you may apply for several scholarships at the same time but you can only accept one if you win more than one.
7. Use your programme application to clearly show your academic excellence because this is the main thing the committee looks for.
8. Keep a copy of everything you submit and note the exact time you send the scholarship form so you stay within the 12 noon UK deadline.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

OFFICIAL LINK

The official application is submitted through the SOAS admissions portal after you apply for your programme via the Doctoral School. Please go to the official SOAS website and search for the scholarship to find the current links.

https://www.soas.ac.uk/study/student-life/finance/scholarships/soas-research-academic-excellence-scholarship

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