POSTGRADUATE PROSPECTUS

SCHOOL POLICIES173ADMISSIONS POLICYThe nature of the School places diversity at the centreof life at SOAS. As such we are committed to providinghigh quality education to all, regardless of background,colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, gender,disability, sexual orientation or religion.Students are encouraged to achieve the highest levelof competence in their subject area and to developintellectual and other core skills to the furthest possibleextent. Applicants are welcomed from all backgrounds andwill be considered on the basis of their academic abilityand potential to benefit from the course. SOAS activelyensures that all applicants are treated fairly and equitably.www.soas.ac.uk/admissionspolicyTERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ADMISSION TOTHE SCHOOLAll students will be required as a condition of enrolmentto abide by and to submit to the procedures of theSchool’s Regulations for students and codes of practiceincluding that for Student Disciplinary Procedures, asamended from time to time, and to sign a declarationand undertaking to this effect on enrolment.The School will use all reasonable endeavours to delivercourses in accordance with the descriptions set out inthe prospectus. The School therefore reserves the rightto make or combine courses, if the School reasonablyconsiders such action to be necessary. If the Schooldiscontinues any course, it will use its reasonableendeavours to provide a suitable alternative course.EQUALITY AND DIVERSITYSOAS entertains a diverse population of students andstaff. This diversity is one of our greatest strengths andin order to consolidate and build upon it, equality ofopportunity and the absence of unfair discriminationmust be at the core of all our activities. The DiversityAdvisor, Miss Deb Viney, takes the lead within theSchool on these issues and can be contacted as follows:tel +44 (0)20 7074 5007, email dv4@soas.ac.ukThe School recognises the link between quality andequality and will not discriminate in the recruitmentor treatment of students or staff on the basis of:age, disability, ethnicity/race, gender, marital status,nationality, religion /belief, sexuality or any other factorwhich is not relevant to their academic development.The School is committed to promoting and developingequality of opportunity in all its functions. We seek todo this by:• Communicating our commitment to equality anddiversity to all members of the community;• Communicating where lies the responsibility forequality issues;• Providing training for decision-makers and briefingfor staff and students;• Treating any act of discrimination as a disciplinaryoffence;• Consulting with individuals and internal and externalinterested groups;• Implementing all applicable legislation includingthe Disability Equality Scheme, Race Equality Policy,Gender Equality Scheme and their associated actionplans, on which we report annually.The Governing Body and senior staff have responsibilityfor implementing this policy among staff and students.However each member of the SOAS community isresponsible for preventing and, if necessary, challengingor at least reporting) unfair discrimination which iswithin their control /experience.For the full text of the School’s Equality and Diversitypolicy, please see: http://mercury.soas.ac.uk/directorate/policydocuments/equalitydiversitypolicy.pdf or follow theEquality and Diversity links from the SOAS home page.FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION: STATEMENT OFPRINCIPLESThe School of Oriental and African Studies is committedto the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge. This canonly be conducted effectively in an atmosphere of openenquiry, mutual tolerance and intellectual freedom. Inpractice this means that we acknowledge the paramountimportance of freedom of expression.Freedom of expression may not be exercised tothreaten the safety or freedom of expression of others.In making this assertion, the School endorses theprinciples of the Universal Declaration of Human Rightsand related international covenants. Furthermore, theSchool of Oriental and African Studies does not tolerateany form of discrimination or intimidation basedupon race, religion, gender, ethnicity, nationality orintellectual conviction.HOW TO APPLY