The School of Oriental and African Studies, located in the heart of Bloomsbury, has been synonymous with academic excellence for over a century. Since its inception in 1916, the institution has produced distinguished alumni, including David Lammy, the Tottenham MP, and political figure Enoch Powell. Originally established to train colonial administrators and officers for their future posts, SOAS has adapted to the changing times and emerged as a beacon of international education, attracting students from across the globe.
Despite its rich history, SOAS has been facing challenges in recent years. The decline in popularity of modern foreign languages in the UK has had a significant impact on the institution’s language courses, which have always been a highlight. Teaching such courses is relatively expensive, and since universities typically offer cheaper and more popular courses such as law and politics, which cross-subsidize the provision of modern languages, SOAS faces an uphill task in surviving.
The removal of the cap on undergraduate numbers by the UK government in 2015 has further intensified the institution’s challenges. With the introduction of the £9,000 tuition fee in 2012, higher education institutions have been incentivized to recruit as many students as possible, leading to the rapid growth of many universities. As a result, SOAS’s pool of students, both domestic and international, has shrunk drastically.
If SOAS continues to struggle, there is a risk that the institution may close down. In a post-Brexit, post-coronavirus world, where the UK wants to project itself as a welcoming destination, closing an institution like SOAS may not be the best message to send to the world. The institution’s valuable contributions to training policymakers and producing graduates who work in multilateral organizations like the United Nations should not be underestimated.
Thus, the government must step in and decide the fate of SOAS. The institution should be recognized for its unique strengths and contributions to international education and treated as a valuable asset, not just to the UK but globally. If the government makes the right decision, SOAS can continue to thrive and build on its rich legacy.