Degree regulations, policies and procedures
This is the repository for the regulations, policies and procedures that govern SOAS degrees.
Cohorts will normally be governed by the regulations that come into force for their year of enrolment. When referring to the documents, please ensure you are looking at the section that reflects your start year.
Regulations by academic year
Studying and changes to enrolments
- Admissions Policy (PDF, 143KB)
- Auditing Modules Policy (PDF)
- CAS Issuance Policy 2023/24 onwards (PDF)
- General and Admissions Regulations 2021/22 onwards (PDF)
- Guidelines for the recruitment of students with a criminal conviction (PDF, 93KB)
- SOAS UG Degree Classification Scheme Explained (for entry prior to 2022/23 only) (PDF)
- Student transfer policy from 2019/20 onwards (PDF)
- Student Engagement Policy – Foundation Students 2023/24 onwards (PDF)
- Student Engagement Policy – Taught Students 2023/24 onwards (PDF)
- Student Engagement Policy – Postgraduate Research Students 2023/24 onwards (PDF)
- Taught Degree Regulations for entry from 2022/23 onwards (PDF)
- Taught Degree Regulations for entry prior to 2022/23 (PDF)
- Terms and Conditions 2019 onwards
- Timetabling Policy (PDF)
- Transfer to UG Part-Time Policy (PDF)
- Tuitions Fees Policy 2023/24 onwards (PDF)
Assessments
- Assessment Feedback Policy from 2018/19 (PDF, 114KB)
- Word Count and Over-Length Coursework Policy from 2019/20 onwards (PDF)
- Marking Criteria (PDF)
- Academic Misconduct Policy 2023/24 (PDF)
- Appeals Procedure (PDF, 294KB)
- Undergraduate Independent Study Project (ISP) Guidelines from 2020/21 onwards (PDF)
- Postgraduate Taught Degree Dissertation Guidelines (PDF)
- Assessment Handbook for entry from 2022/23 (PDF)
- Assessment Handbook for entry prior to 2022/23 (PDF)
Inclusion and wellbeing
- Maternity and Paternity Policy (PDF)
- Safeguarding Under 18s Policy (PDF)
- Access, Participation & Student Success Safeguarding Policy (PDF)
- Religious Observance and Exam Timetabling (PDF)
- Permitted Extended Deadlines (PED) Policy and Procedure
When things go wrong
- Fitness to Study Policy 2022-23 onwards (PDF, 207KB)
- Support to Study Policy 2022-23 onwards (PDF, 220KB)
- Mitigating Circumstances Policy Taught Students 2023/24 (PDF)
- Suspension of Regulations Policy 2024/25 onwards (PDF)
- Financial Suspension Procedure 2021/22 onwards (PDF)
- Student Protection Plan from August 2023 (PDF)
- Student Experience and Protection, criteria for payment of compensation (PDF)
Doctoral research degrees
- Research Degree Regulations 2022/23 onwards (PDF)
- Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Degrees 2022/23 onwards (PDF)
- Withdrawal Policy for Research Degrees (PDF)
- Mitigating Circumstances Policy for Research Students (PDF)
Partnership regulations
Studying and Changes to enrolments
- General and Admissions Regulations 2021/22 (PDF)
- Tuitions Fees Policy 2023/24 (PDF)
- CAS Issuance Policy 2023/24 (PDF)
- Taught Degree Regulations for entry prior to 2022/23 (PDF)
- Taught Degree Regulations for entry from 2022/23 onwards (PDF)
- SOAS UG Degree Classification Scheme Explained (for entry prior to 2022/23 only) (PDF)
- Terms and Conditions from 2019/20 onwards (PDF)
- Transfer to UG Part-Time Policy (PDF)
- Student transfer policy from 2019/20 onwards (PDF)
- Auditing Modules Policy (PDF)
- Timetabling Policy (PDF)
- Student Engagement Policy – Foundation Students 2023/24 (PDF)
- Student Engagement Policy – Taught Students 2023/24 (PDF)
- Student Engagement Policy – Postgraduate Research Students (PDF)
Assessments
- Assessment Feedback Policy from 2018/19 (PDF, 114KB)
- Word Count and Over-Length Coursework Policy from 2019/20 onwards (PDF)
- Marking Criteria (PDF)
- Academic Misconduct Policy 2023/24 (PDF)
- Appeals Procedure (PDF)
- Undergraduate Independent Study Project (ISP) Guidelines from 2020/21 onwards (PDF)
- Postgraduate Dissertation Guidelines from 2020/21 onwards (PDF)
- Assessment Handbook for entry from 2022/23 (PDF)
- Assessment Handbook for entry prior to 2022/23 (PDF)
Inclusion and wellbeing
- Maternity and Paternity Policy (PDF)
- Safeguarding Under 18s Policy (PDF)
- Access, Participation & Student Success Safeguarding Policy (PDF)
- Religious Observance and Exam Timetabling (PDF)
- Permitted Extended Deadlines (PED) Policy and Procedure
When things go wrong
- Fitness to Study Policy 2022-23 onwards (PDF, 207KB)
- Support to Study Policy 2022-23 onwards (PDF, 220KB)
- Mitigating Circumstances Policy Taught Students 2023/24 (PDF)
- Suspension of Regulations Policy 2022/23 onwards (PDF)
- Financial Suspension Procedure 2021/22 onwards (PDF)
- Student Protection Plan from August 2023 (PDF)
- Student Experience and Protection, criteria for payment of compensation (PDF)
Doctoral Research Degrees
- Research Degree Regulations 2022/23 onwards (PDF)
- Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Degrees 2022/23 onwards (PDF)
- Withdrawal Policy for Research Degrees (PDF)
- Mitigating Circumstances Policy for Research Students (PDF)
Partnership regulations
Studying and Changes to enrolments
- General and Admissions Regulations 2021/22 (PDF)
- Taught Degree Regulations – continuing students (PDF)
- Taught Degree Regulations 2022/23 - new students (PDF)
- Emergency Taught Degree Regulation 2022 (PDF)
- SOAS UG Degree Classification Scheme Explained (for entry prior to 2022/23 only) (PDF)
- Terms and Conditions 2019/20 (PDF)
- Transfer to UG Part-Time Policy (PDF)
- Student transfer policy 2019-20 (PDF)
- Auditing Modules Policy (PDF)
- Timetabling Policy (PDF)
- Student Engagement Policy – Foundation 2021/22 (PDF)
- Student Engagement Policy – Undergrad and Postgrad Taught 2021/22 (PDF)
- Student Engagement Policy – Postgraduate Research Students (PDF)
Assessments
- Assessment Feedback Policy 2018/19 (PDF, 114KB)
- Word Count and Over-Length Coursework Policy 2019/20 (PDF)
- Marking Criteria (PDF)
- Academic Misconduct Policy 2022/23 (PDF)
- Appeals Procedure (PDF)
- Undergraduate Independent Study Project (ISP) Guidelines 20/21 (PDF)
- Postgraduate Dissertation Guidelines 2020/21 (PDF)
- Assessment Handbook 2022/23 – New students (PDF)
- Assessment Handbook 2022/23 – Continuing students (PDF)
- Moderation Policy (Emergency Regulations 2022-23)
- Degree Outcome Statement 2018-19 (PDF)
Inclusion and wellbeing
- Maternity and Paternity Policy (PDF)
- Safeguarding Under 18s Policy (PDF)
- Religious Observance and Exam Timetabling (PDF)
- Policy and Procedural Guidelines SpLD Permitted Extended Deadlines for Essays (PDF)
When things go wrong
- Fitness to Study Policy 2022-23 (PDF, 207KB)
- Support to Study Policy 2022-23 (PDF, 220KB)
- Mitigating Circumstances Policy Taught Students 2022/23 (PDF)
- Suspension of Regulations Policy 2022/23 (PDF)
- Financial Suspension Procedure 2021/22 (PDF)
- Student Protection Plan June 2021 (PDF)
- Student Experience and Protection, criteria for payment of compensation (PDF)
Doctoral Research Degrees
Studying and changes to enrolments
- General and Admissions Regulations 2021/22 (PDF)
- Taught Degree Regulations 2021/22 (PDF)
- Emergency Taught Degree Regulation 2022 (PDF)
- SOAS UG Degree Classification Scheme Explained (PDF)
- Terms and Conditions 2019/20 (PDF)
- Transfer to UG Part-Time Policy (PDF)
- Student transfer policy 2019-20 (PDF)
- Auditing Modules Policy (PDF)
- Timetabling Policy (PDF)
- Student Engagement Policy - Foundation 2021/22 (PDF)
- Student Engagement Policy – Undergrad and Postgrad Taught 2021/22 (PDF)
- Student Engagement Policy - Postgraduate Research Students (PDF)
Assessments
- Assessment Feedback Policy 2018/19 (PDF, 114KB)
- Coursework Submission Policy (PDF)
- Word Count and Over-Length Coursework Policy 2019/20 (PDF)
- Marking Criteria (PDF)
- Academic Misconduct Policy (PDF)
- Appeals Procedure (PDF)
- Undergraduate Independent Study Project (ISP) Guidelines 20/21 (PDF)
- Postgraduate Dissertation Guidelines 2020/21 (PDF)
- Assessment Handbook (PDF)
- Degree Outcome Statement 2018-19 (PDF)
Inclusion and wellbeing
- Maternity and Paternity Policy (PDF)
- Safeguarding Under 18s Policy (PDF)
- Religious Observance and Exam Timetabling (PDF)
- Policy and Procedural Guidlines SpLD Permitted Extended Deadlines for Essays (PDF)
When things go wrong
- Mitigating Circumstances Policy Taught Students 2020/21 (PDF)
- Support to Study Policy 2019 (PDF)
- Suspension of Regulations Procedure (PDF)
- Financial Suspension Procedure 2021/22 (PDF)
- Student Protection Plan June 2021 (PDF)
- Student Experience and Protection, criteria for payment of compensation (PDF)
Doctoral research degrees
Summary of updates for 2020/21
Studying and changes to enrolments
- General and Admissions Regulations 2020/21 (PDF)
- Taught Degree Regulations 2020/21 (PDF)
- SOAS UG Degree Classification Scheme Explained (PDF)
- Terms and Conditions 2019/20 (PDF)
- Transfer to UG Part-Time Policy (PDF)
- Student transfer policy 2019-20 (PDF)
- Attendance Policy (PDF)
- Auditing Modules Policy (PDF)
- Timetabling Policy (PDF)
Assessments
- Assessment Feedback Policy 2018/19 (PDF, 114KB)
- Coursework Submission Policy (PDF)
- Word Count and Over-Length Coursework Policy 2019/20 (PDF)
- Marking Policy (PDF) and Marking Criteria (PDF)
- Academic Misconduct Policy (PDF)
- Appeals Procedure (PDF)
- Undergraduate Independent Study Project (ISP) Guidelines 20/21 (PDF)
- Postgraduate Dissertation Guidelines 2020/21 (PDF)
- Assessment Handbook (PDF)
- Degree Outcome Statement 2018-19 (PDF)
Inclusion and wellbeing
- Maternity and Paternity Policy (PDF)
- Safeguarding Under 18s Policy (PDF)
- Religious Observance and Exam Timetabling (PDF)
- Policy and Procedural Guidlines SpLD Permitted Extended Deadlines for Essays (PDF)
When things go wrong
- Mitigating Circumstances Policy Taught Students 2020/21 (PDF)
- Student Continuation Policy (PDF)
- Support to Study Policy 2019 (PDF)
- Suspension of Regulations Procedure (PDF)
- Financial Suspension Procedure 2021/22 (PDF)
- Student Protection Plan June 2021 (PDF)
- Student Experience and Protection, criteria for payment of compensation (PDF)
Doctoral research degrees
Summary of updates for 2019/20
General and admissions regulations for all students
Taught degree regulations
- Taught Degree Regulations 2019/20 (PDF)
- Undergraduate Independent Study Project (ISP) Guidelines 2019/20 (PDF)
- Postgraduate Dissertation Guidelines 2019/20 (PDF)
Research degree regulations
- Postgraduate Research Degree Regulations 2019.20 (PDF)
- Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Degrees 2019-20 (PDF)
- Withdrawal Policy for Research Degrees (PDF)
- Mitigating Circumstances Policy for Research Students (PDF)
Other research degree related documents
Policies and procedures
- Academic Misconduct Policy (PDF)
- Appeals Procedure (PDF)
- Assessment Feedback Policy 2018/19 (PDF, 114KB)
- Attendance Policy (PDF)
- Student Continuation Policy (PDF)
- Auditing Modules Policy (PDF)
- Coursework Submission Policy (PDF)
- Support to Study Policy 2019 (PDF)
- Marking Policy (PDF) and Marking Criteria (PDF)
- Maternity and Paternity Policy (PDF)
- Mitigating Circumstances Policy for Taught Students (PDF)
- Policy and Procedural Guidlines SpLD Permitted Extended Deadlines for Essays (PDF)
- Safeguarding Under 18s Policy (PDF)
- Suspension of Regulations Procedure 2019/20 (PDF)
- Religious Observance and Exam Timetabling (PDF)
- Transfer to UG Part-Time Policy (PDF)
- Word Count and Over-Length Coursework Policy 2019/20 (PDF)
- Financial Suspension Procedure 2021/22 (PDF)
- Student transfer policy 2019-20 (PDF)
For undergraduate students
Student protection plan
Studying and Changes to Enrolments
- Student Terms and Conditions (PDF, 354KB) for offers made from 1 October 2025 onwards
Studying and Changes to Enrolments
- Admissions Policy (PDF, 143KB)
- Auditing Modules Policy (PDF)
- CAS Issuance Policy 2023/24 onwards (PDF)
- Data Protection Information
- General and Admissions Regulations (PDF, 293KB)
- Guidelines for the recruitment of students with a criminal conviction (PDF, 93KB)
- Fee Refund and Charging Policy
- SOAS UG Degree Classification Scheme Explained (for entry prior to 2022/23 only) (PDF)
- Student transfer policy from 2019/20 onwards (PDF)
- Student Engagement Policy – Foundation Students 2023/24 onwards (PDF)
- Student Engagement Policy – Taught Students 2023/24 onwards (PDF)
- Student Engagement Policy – Postgraduate Research Students 2023/24 onwards (PDF)
- Student Terms and Conditions (PDF, 207KB) for offers made until 30 September 2025 (inclusive)
- Taught Degree Regulations for entry from 2022/23 onwards (PDF, 273KB)
- Taught Degree Regulations for entry prior to 2022/23 (PDF, 527KB)
- Timetabling Policy (PDF, 167KB)
- Transfer to UG Part-Time Policy (PDF)
- Tuitions Fees Policy 2023/24 onwards (PDF)
- US Federal Loans: Key Information and Policies
Assessments
- Assessment Feedback Policy (PDF, 114KB)
- Academic Misconduct Policy 2023/24 (PDF)
- Assessment Feedback Policy from 2018/19 onwards (PDF)
- Assessment Handbook for entry from 2022/23 (PDF)
- Assessment Handbook for entry prior to 2022/23 (PDF)
- Dissertation Guidelines for Postgraduate Taught Degrees (PDF, 213KB)
- Marking Criteria Policy (PDF, 182KB)
- Student Academic Appeals Procedure (PDF, 294KB)
- Undergraduate Independent Study Project (ISP) Guidelines from 2020/21 onwards (PDF)
- Word Count and Over-Length Coursework Policy from 2019/20 onwards (PDF)
Inclusion and Wellbeing
- Access, Participation & Student Success Safeguarding Policy (PDF)
- Dignity and Respect Policy
- Maternity and Paternity Policy for Students at SOAS (PDF, 185KB)
- Permitted Extended Deadlines (PED) Policy and Procedure (PDF, 183KB)
- Religious Observance and Exam Timetabling (PDF)
- Under 18s Safeguarding Policy (PDF, 177KB)
When Things Go Wrong
- Financial Suspension Procedure (PDF, 275KB)
- Fitness to Study Policy 2022-23 onwards (PDF, 207KB)
- Mitigating Circumstances Policy Taught Students 2023/24 (PDF)
- Student Complaints Procedure
- Student Disciplinary Procedure, including SOAS Student Code of Conduct
- Student Experience and Protection, criteria for payment of compensation (PDF)
- Student Protection Plan from August 2023 (PDF)
- Support to Study Policy (PDF, 189KB)
- Suspension of Regulations Policy 2024/25 onwards (PDF)
Doctoral Research Degrees
- Research Degree Regulations 2022/23 onwards (PDF)
- Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Degrees 2022/23 onwards (PDF)
- Withdrawal Policy for Research Degrees (PDF)
- Mitigating Circumstances Policy for Research Students (PDF)
Partnership Regulations
Previous years
For information on regulations covering academic years prior to 2019/20, please contact the Quality Assurance Team at qa@soas.ac.uk.