University of London School of Oriental and African Studies

Our program with the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London is designed to give students a chance to study Comparative International and Development Law in an English Law School. SOAS is located in Bloomsbury in the heart of London and is minutes away from the British Museum.

Eligibility
Application Process
Course of Study
Cost
The University
Cancellation Policy
Additional Information
www.soas.ac.uk
SOAS Contact Persons
Law School Contacts
Student Contacts

Eligibility

The program is designed for students matriculating at the University of Connecticut School of Law. First and second year day division students are eligible to apply to study abroad in their second or third year. Evening division students and four-year day students are eligible to apply in their second or third year to study abroad in their third or fourth year. Students may participate during the fall or spring semester or for a full year.

Application Process

The application process for all programs takes place once a year in February and decisions are made in March for the following academic year. Application forms are available at the Study Abroad Fair and online. Selection criteria include grades, faculty recommendations, essay and interview.

Course of Study

Students who wish to study abroad for one semester attend school in London during the Fall semester only. Term 1 starts at the end of September and runs through mid December. Students take four SOAS courses. It is important for you to note that SOAS courses are year-long courses which will continue after you leave. Since Term 1 does not start until the end of September, students who plan to study at SOAS need to take either a three-credit SRP with a Connecticut faculty member or, if offered, a two-credit five-week course here plus paper (for a total of three credits) before going to London. Thus students in the SOAS program earn a total of twelve credits for their Fall semester work at SOAS and Connecticut. The ABA has approved study abroad credit for a full year. Since SOAS has three terms, Connecticut students must take all three terms to be eligible for the full twenty-four credits.

Students will be examined and graded as are all other students at SOAS. Credit will be awarded for all courses in which a passing grade is received. Grades are not listed on the Connecticut transcript, but credit for those courses passed is noted. No mention is made nor credit given for failed courses. Credits are not averaged as part of the student's GPA. The U.S. equivalency to the SOAS grading system is as follows:

		U.S. Equivalent
First Class	70-100%	A
Upper Second Class	60-69%	B
Lower Second Class	50-59%	C
Third Class	40-49%	D
FAIL	0-39%	F

Cost

Students pay tuition directly to SOAS. Tuition for Term 1 is $11,500 or $23,000 for the full academic year. In addition, students studying for one semester at SOAS will be charged separately by the Law School for the three-credit SRP. All students are charged a Study Abroad Fee of $475 to help defray the administrative expense of the program. SOAS tuition fees for the semester, or the whole academic year must be paid in full when you register in September. Term and other installment payments are not permitted. Checks and bank drafts, preferably in sterling, should be made payable to the School of Oriental and African studies. Payment in cash is discouraged. The following credit cards are accepted: Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.

Costs for housing and other associated living expenses are detailed in the accompanying materials in the London notebook (it's fair to say that most students budget about £100+ per week). Students who have gone to SOAS have roomed in the following student residences Dinwiddy House, International Hall and the Paul Robeson House within walking distance of the school. Accommodations are difficult to find and only when your SOAS application is complete is the information sent to you. The earlier you apply, the better your chances are of getting the housing of choice.

The University

The School of Oriental and African Studies is part of the federal University of London, which was given its Royal Charter in 1836. The School was established in 1916 and has become the world's largest center for the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

SOAS is a unique center of learning with a world-wide reputation for the range and quality of its teaching and research. It has a truly international body of students and faculty and its mission is to advance, through teaching and research, the knowledge and understanding of Asia and Africa throughout the world. The School's unrivaled reputation is built upon strong academic foundations including the size and expertise of its faculty, the scope of its library and its capacity for language teaching.

In recent years the School has increasingly focused on work to do with economic and social development. Its large social science departments such as Anthropology, Law, Development Studies, Economics, Politics and Geography interact with the humanities departments to provide unique insights into the way the world may move in the new millennium.

Cancellation Policy

Foreign study in London will not be canceled due to lack of enrollment. Should SOAS decide to cancel the program, Connecticut students will then register for regular classes at the School of Law. In the event that cancellation occurs after the pre-registration period for the semester in question, every effort will be made to accommodate student preferences in registering for classes. No promise can be made that all desired classes will be available.

Additional Information

A tour of the Inns of Court will be arranged in the early weeks of Term 1. Ms. Barbara Mensah and Mr. Andrew Watson who teach at the Inns of Court School of Law and are barristers of Gray's Inn will give Connecticut students a personal tour of the Inns of Court and Royal Court of Justice. In addition, there will be a briefing on the structure of the British legal system. There are additional opportunities to meet with some Connecticut graduates practicing law in London to discuss the comparative aspects of their international practices.

Check the Reserve Section in the Law Library for a notebook contain catalogues, course listings and other useful materials about the University of London. Additional information can be located on the website: www.soas.ac.uk.

Professors Macgill and McLean have visited SOAS. Blanche Capilos can answer many questions or direct you to helpful resources. Students concerned about handicapped access at SOAS are encouraged to consult with Dr. Jane Brown, Chase 104, 570-5130.

Jesse Hayes
Ashley Harrison