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School of Arts

BA Creative Arts and ...

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Key information

Duration

3 or 4 years

Start of programme

September

Attendance mode

Full-time

Fees

Home: £9,250
International: £22,870

Entry requirements

AAA-ABB

For joint degrees, the offer is based on the subject with the higher entry requirements.

Contextual: AAB-BBB

Austria: Reifeprufungszeugnis / Maturazeugnis: four subjects at 1, 2, 2, 2

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Belgium: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs: 75% (7.5/10, 15/20) overall

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from Belgium

Bulgaria: Diploma za Zavarsheno Sredno Obrazovanie: 5.3 and 5.0 in two State Maturity Exams

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from Bulgaria

Canada: High School Diploma: 80% with 5 acceptable Grade 12 subjects (most territories).
British Columbia: AABBB in Grade 12 courses.

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from Canada

China: Senior Secondary Graduation Certificate + Gaokao: 78% overall in Gaokao PLUS 85% overall in Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate (year 11 and 12)

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from China

Croatia: Matura Certificate: 4.5 overall with 5 in 1 Higher level subject

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Cyprus: Apolytirion with 2 A-Levels: Apolytirion 18/20 + A-level grades BB

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Czech Republic: Matura Certificate: 1, 2, 2, 2

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Denmark: Studentereksamen; Hojere Forberedelseseksamen; Hojere Handelseksamen; Hojere Teknisk Eksamen: 7 plus 10, 7, 7 in three Level A subjects

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from Denmark

Estonia: Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus with the Riigieksamitunnistus: 4.0 with 85%, 80%, and 80% in 3 state exams

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Finland: Ylioppilastukint / Studentexamen: four subjects at 6, 5, 5, 5

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

France: French Baccalaureat or Option Internationale du Baccalauréat (OIB): 13/20

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from France

Germany: Abitur: 1.8

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from Germany

Greece: Apolytirion of Geniko Lykeio with Pan Hellenic exams: 18/20

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from Greece

Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education: 544 in two electives and one core (all other subjects grade 3)

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from Hong Kong

Hungary: Matura (Erettségi): 4.5 overall

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Iceland: Stúdentspróf: 7.5

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

India: Standard XII: 75% (CBSE, CISCE, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra & West Bengal boards), 80% (all other state boards)

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from India

Ireland: Irish Leaving Certificate: H1, H2, H2, H3, H3

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Israel: Bagrut: Overall grade of 7, 80% with 3 subjects at 5-unit level

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from Israel

Italy: Diploma Consequito con L’Esame di Stato: 80% overall

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from Italy

Latvia: Certificate of General Secondary Education: 88% in four State subject exams

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Lithuania: Brandos Atestatas: 8.5/10 and 90%, 85%, 85% in three State Exam

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from Lithuania

Malta: Advanced Matriculation Certificate: AB (Advanced) + BBB (Intermediate)

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Netherlands: Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs: 7.5 overall with 8, 8, 7, 7 in four subjects

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Norway: Vitnemål vidergaende opplaering: 4.3 overall

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from Norway

Poland: New Polish Matura: 75% in three Advanced Level subjects

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from Poland

Portugal: Diploma de Ensino Secundario: overall 17.5/20

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Romania: Diploma de Bacalaureat: 8.5 overall

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from Romania

Singapore: Polytechnic Diploma (Nanyang, Ngee Ann, Singapore, Temasek and Republic Polytechnic): GPA 3.3

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from Singapore

Slovakia: Maturitná skúška / Maturita / Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške: four subjects at 1, 2, 2, 2

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

South Africa: National Senior Certificate: 77666

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from South Africa

Spain: Curso de Orientación Universitaria / Título de Bachillerato: 7.5

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from Spain

Sweden: Slutbetyg / Examensbevis från Gymnasieskolan: A in 1200 credits and no grades below D / 18 / mainly B overall (MVG/VG)

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from Sweden

Switzerland: Federal Maturity Certificate: 4.5

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from Switzerland

Tanzania: Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education: ACSE with BBB in 3 principle subjects

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from Tanzania

Trinidad and Tobago: CAPE: Six CAPE units with grade 2 (+two double-unit courses)

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Turkey: Lise Diplomasi: 78-83% (depending on high school)

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from Turkey

USA: High School Diploma plus ACT, SAT, or AP exams:

High School Diploma GPA 3.0 plus SAT 1280 or ACT 27 and 2 AP's at 4,4
or
High School Diploma GPA of 3.2 plus 2 AP's at 4,4
or
High School Diploma GPA 3.4 plus SAT 1300 or ACT 29
or
2-year Associate degree GPA 3.1

A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB

Information for prospective students from the USA

See undergraduate entry requirements and English language requirements for international and alternative entry requirements.

Course overview

On the BA Creative Arts and ... joint degree you will have the chance to study a wide range of topics in Asia, Middle East, Africa and their diasporas, not only from across the School of Arts, but from across SOAS.

Building on the successes and strengths of our full BA Creative Arts and Cultural Industries degree, students taking this programme can combine their passion for the study of creative arts with other subjects available via SOAS’s uniquely flexible and student-centred joint degrees system. Some of the amazing combinations that are available include: BA Creative Arts and Law, BA Creative Arts and International Relations, and BA Creative Arts and Politics.

The only programme in the UK with this level of flexibility, the degree offers historical, theoretical and practical training by world-leading experts, and supported by close connections with industry partners. Strong emphasis is placed on professional skills tailored for industry demands, and ideally suited for careers in arts management, cultural diplomacy, heritage organisations, consultancy, entrepreneurship, journalism, and the music industry.

Students can also shape their degree around specific regional or thematic interests through wide-ranging regional expertise from across the School of Arts and other departments at SOAS. The first year gives students an introduction to the arts, music and cultural industries of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. During the second and third years, students continue developing critical theory and research skills, completing their degree with a Capstone Project of their own design.

Use our combined courses tool to see a breakdown of course structure

Teaching and learning

Learning outcomes

Specialist knowledge of cross-cultural expressive arts of Asia, Africa or the Middle East and their diasporas
A critical awareness of world art/world cultures/world heritage, with an emphasis on SOAS’s regional specialisms (Asia, Africa and the Middle East)
Ability to articulate, compare and critique debates surrounding art history, music and the creative and cultural industries as applied to transcultural contexts
Ability to define and undertake independent research on the expressive arts of Asia and Africa and their diasporas
Ability to analyse case studies of specific works of art, music and other creative and cultural industries, particularly as they relate to the other half of the joint degree
Development of individual and collaborative skills in, e.g., visual and literary analysis, cultural journalism, event organisation, media production, sound recording, and/or musical performance
Ability to create a coherent verbal presentation, written report and group portfolio
Effective analytical and critical written skills
Improved written communication in academic and other formats and media developed via a range of assessments
Enhanced team working, organisational, project and time management skills developed particularly during the preparation of group projects and assignments in the practice-based modules

Fees and funding

Fees for 2025/26 entrants per academic year

Programme	Full-time
Programme	Home students	Overseas students
BA, BSc, LLB	£9,250	£22,870
BA/BSc Language year abroad	£1,385	£11,430

See undergraduate fees for full details.

Employment

Students in the School of Arts develop a critical and theoretically informed approach to global arts and culture. In addition to an intercultural awareness and practical expertise, graduates gain a wide portfolio of transferable skills which are especially sought after in the creative and cultural industries.

Recent graduates have been hired by:

Christie’s
Christine Park Gallery
Crisis
Design Museum
Hong Kong Museum Of Art
India Foundation For The Arts
Japanese Gallery
Museum of East Asian Art
Music in Detention
National Gallery
Pan Arts
People Projects Culture & Change
Roundhouse Trust
Somerset House Trust
Songlines Magazine
Sotheby's
South Asian Art UK
Stratford Circus Arts Centre
Taiwan Embassy
The Alliance for Global Education
The British Embassy
The National Museum Of Korea
The Royal Collection
Victoria and Albert Museum

Find out about our Careers Service.

Key staff

Lecturer in Creative Digital Media

Dr Marcus Gilroy-Ware

Attention economy, misinformation, platforms, digital imperialism, propaganda, surveillance capitalism, political culture, identity, representation.

Blogs

SOAS Gallery, School of Arts, Department of History of Art and Archaeology & College of Humanities

How do museums and galleries engage audiences and protect cultural heritage?

Find out how museums tackle critical questions around the restitution of objects in their collections.

School of Arts, Alumni & College of Humanities

Careers: "SOAS changed my life and really affected me as a filmmaker"

Filmmaker Hamida Issa studied MA Global Cinema and the Transcultural back in 2014. We sat down with her to talk about her life, her time at SOAS and her filmmaking career to date.

School of Arts & College of Humanities

What attracted me to SOAS? Decentralising the Western perspective in the world of art

Zoë Saebu shares her experience of studying MA History of Art and Archaeology at SOAS and where it led her.
Research

Restitution of looted Cambodian antiquities

This project expands Professor Ashley Thompson’s ongoing contribution to restitution work and aims to ensure its positive long-term impact in and beyond Cambodia.

View this project

The Korean art collecting activities of British diplomats, businessmen and missionaries, 1880-1930 – A provenance research project based on UK collections

This 12-month provenance research project was funded by the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation (a South Korean government-funded institute overseen by Cultural Administration Heritage and the Ministry of Culture).

View this project

'Youth in crisis'? The effects of post-independence violent conflict and displacement on Murle socio-political institutions in Pibor, South Sudan

Diana’s British Academy-funded research project (2020-2025) examines visual, musical and performative culture as the lens through which to better understand changes in Murle social institutions and in young people's positions in society in Greater Pibor in eastern South Sudan, where she has been working since 2012.

View this project

Participatory biocultural documentation for sustainable resource stewardship and climate adaptation

Development of a user manual on participatory biocultural documentation to facilitate local engagement in place-based climate efforts for application across the IUCN global network (1400 organisations across 160 countries).

View this project

Circumambulating objects: On paradigms of restitution of Southeast Asian art

Circumambulating Objects: on Paradigms of Restitution of Southeast Asian Art (CO-OP) assembles individuals across the arts, culture and heritage fields to question entrenched systems of valuation, ownership, replication, collecting and display as these are brought into relief through restitution processes today.

View this project

African Screen Worlds: Decolonising film and screen studies (2019-2025)

African Screen Worlds: Decolonising Film and Screen Studies’ (2019-2025) is an international, European Research Council-funded research project led by Professor Lindiwe Dovey that explores in particular Africans’ contemporary contributions to diverse, complex screen worlds.

View this project

Ballaké Sissoko, Kora Tales

In this 52” documentary film, (with French and English subtitles), award-winning Malian kora player Ballaké Sissoko takes us on a unique journey through Mali, Senegal and Gambia to follow the trail of the kora, a unique West African harp with 21 strings, said to have been created by the djinns.

View this project

Stroke by Stroke: Calligraphic imagination in contemporary Chinese art and emergent media

This AHRC-funded research explores a distinct pattern of imagination: Chinese calligraphy in the transmedia context.

View this project

Maqām Beyond Nation 

Maqām Beyond Nation explores a field of music-making that stretches from North Africa to Central Asia; a set of historically fluid and inter-connected creative practices which were transformed under 20th century nationalisms into fixed repertoires.

View this project

Tibetan Buddhist Monastery Collections Today

Documenting the collections of Chemrey Monastery Museum in Ladakh.

View this project

The "Summer Palace" Diaspora

Tracing the trajectories of Yuanmingyuan objects from China to Britain and France.

View this project
Events

27 November 2024

British Museum exhibition Silk Roads: Past connections, present collaborations

On 26 September 2024, the British Museum launched its major exhibition Silk Roads, exploring the movement of people, objects and ideas across Afro-Eurasia from 500 to 1000 CE – a significant period in the history of cross-cultural connectivity.

4 December 2024

Uncovering ritual traces: Buddhist mandala depictions in bronze from Java, Indonesia

Dr Mathilde Mechling will present her groundbreaking research on 10th-century Javanese ensembles of bronze sculptures forming three-dimensional mandala assemblies of deities. Diverging from extant text-centric studies, the work gives insight into ancient Buddhist ritual practice.

4 December 2024

Picturing Ancient Remains, Past Times at the Ottoman Court, 1574–1603

Focusing on the images of ancient monuments in Ottoman books, Dr Günseli Gürel will demonstrate how late sixteenth-century artists and writers emphasized the compatibility of occult cultures of pre-Islamic pasts with Islam and with Ottoman traditions and presented Ottomans as heirs to ancient culture and learning.

5 December 2024 to 7 December 2024

Making the subject of portraiture in a trans–Asian context, ca. 1000-present day

Three-day international conference on the topic of portraiture in Asia.

7 March 2025

Digital Humanities - Pathways to the future

A symposium to celebrate the collaboration between Keio University, Tokyo and SOAS University of London

SOAS-Alphawood Postgraduate Diploma in Asian Art

SOAS-Alphawood Postgraduate Diploma in Asian Art

Object-based study of the arts of Asia, run in association with the British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum. Available in-person and online.

SOAS-Alphawood Postgraduate Diploma in Asian Art

Specialist art short courses

In-person and online short courses specialising in the arts of Asia.

School of Arts

The School of Arts is a world-leading centre for study and research involving visual and sound arts, material and intangible cultures, media industries and digital cultures of Asia, Africa and the Middle East.