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

Formerly called, School of Oriental Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) is a well-known centre for African studies based in London. U.K. The school consists of archives, manuscripts, photographs, maps, audio-visual material and rare books relating to Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. It has collections which reflect the British interaction with Africa and Asia over the last 250 years. It also includes archives of missionary societies, NGOs and campaign groups, business organisations and papers of individuals, diplomats, campaigners and academics.

Every year approximately 3 000 people visit the Archives & Special Collections to undertake research using the school’s unique collections on a wide-range of academic disciplines. Such disciplines include anthropology, sociology, development studies, economic history, gender studies, geography, politics, mission studies, migration and diaspora and cultural studies.

The archives are available for public use and are only open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 09h00am to 17h00pm.