School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London

School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London

Age: 96

History: Grown from a leftover from the Empire, founded in 1916 to train colonial administrators. It is the major national centre for the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Address: Russell Square in Bloomsbury, part of the central complex of the University of London.

Ambience: Housed in a functional brick block dating back to 1941 and additional 1970s building containing the five-storey national library. Vast Brunei Gallery, a gift from the Sultan of Brunei, consisting of an art gallery, lecturing and teaching rooms. College is small, so you get to know people. Situated in the most happening bit of London with a campus at Vernon Square in Islington since September 2001.

Vital statistics: Offers a unique mix of Asian and African studies. The only place where you can study non-Eurocentric politics, law and economics. Mixed student population of more than 5,000 students representing over 130 nationalities – including 2,400 postgraduates, roughly 45 per cent of which are from overseas. The school provides briefings and short courses in languages and politics to business and government, including the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence.

Added value: The impressive library is recognised as a collection of national importance and houses over 1.5 million volumes in more than 400 languages. Over 400 degree combinations are offered in social sciences, arts, humanities and languages. Combine subjects such as history, economics, history of art and music with an Asian or African language – for example, economics with Japanese, or history of art with Persian.

Easy to get into? No – you'll need between AAA to BBB at A-level (or equivalent). Other qualifications and experience will also be considered.

Glittering alumni: Jung Chang, author of Wild Swans; Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of opposition to military junta in Burma; Michael Jay, former ambassador to France and head of the Diplomatic Service; Paul Robeson, singer, actor and political activist; Prof. Fred Halliday, Middle East expert at the LSE; Zeinab Badawi, newsreader; Dom Joly, comedian.

Transport links: Central – great for the tube. Near Euston station.

Who's the boss? Prof. Paul Webley, who previously served as senior deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Exeter.

Teaching: 82nd out of 116 in the Complete University Guide.

Research: 30th out of 115 in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Overall ranking: 18th out of 114 in the Complete University Guide.

Nightlife: You're right in the heart of London, with an infamous college bar at hand.

How green is it? Bad - finished joint 107th out of 142 universities graded by People and Planet for its 'Green League 2011', an assessment of environmental performance.

Any accommodation? Around 1,000 bed spaces available each year either in SOAS exclusive residences or intercollegiate student residences. Rent at the main SOAS resident, Dinwiddy House: 510 single en-suite rooms arranged in cluster flats of five to seven rooms with a shared kitchen/dining area. Fee per week for a single en-suite room for academic year 2012–2013: £139.09

Cheap to live there? Nope. It'll cost you upward of £100 per week to rent privately.

Sports ranking: 114th in the BUCS league table.

Fees: £3,375 per year for full-time home undergrads starting in 2011. SOAS plans on charging £9,000 per year as of 2012.

Bursaries: £860 per year for students with a household income of less than £25,000 and are in receipt of financial support from Student Finance England.

Prospectus: 020 7898 4034; www.soas.ac.uk

UCAS code: S09