space, approximately 1,000 sq metres.
== Governance and administration ==
=== Presidents ===
=== Directors/Vice-Chancellors ===
Since its foundation, the school has had ten directors. The inaugural director was the linguist Edward Denison Ross. Under the stewardship of Cyril Philips, the school saw growth and modernisation. Under Colin Bundy in the 2000s, the school became one of the top ranked universities both domestically and internationally. In January 2021 Adam Habib became director of SOAS in place of Valerie Amos, who had taken up the position of Master at University College, Oxford. In 2024, the position of director was renamed vice-chancellor.
=== Board of Trustees ===
The SOAS Board of Trustees sets policy, mission, and purpose for the university. The Trustees are also responsible for overseeing the management of resources and upholding SOAS's role. The board consists of a chair, two vice-chairs, an honorary treasurer, 10 lay members, the Vice-Chancellor, Provost, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Deputy
Vice-Chancellor Research and Knowledge Exchange, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Finance and Operations and Clerk to the Board, a Professional Services Member, college deans, and student representatives.
== Academic organisation ==
=== Colleges and departments ===
As of 1 August 2025, SOAS is divided into two colleges and one self-standing School. These are further divided into academic departments. SOAS has many Centres and Institutes, each of which is affiliated to a particular faculty.
==== College of Humanities ====
The College of Humanities houses the School of Art, the School of History, Religions and Philosophies, the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, and the School of Anthropology, Media and Gender. The first ever university linguistics department in the United Kingdom was created in 1932 at SOAS, serving as a centre for research and study in Oriental and African languages. J. R. Firth, known internationally for his work in phonology and semantics, was a Senior Lecturer, Reader and …
