Libraries

Institute libraries

Our students have access rights to the institute libraries, Senate House Library and other libraries in the University and London, including the British Library.

Seven of the School's institutes have internationally-renowned research libraries. Collections comprise in excess of 1.2 million volumes, 26,000 electronic journals and 300,000 photographs. As a student of the School, you can access any of these libraries on presentation of your ID card. Differing borrowing rights apply at different institutes.

• Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Library
• Institute of Classical Studies Library
• Institute of Commonwealth Studies Library
• Germanic Studies Library
• Institute of Historical Research Library
• Latin American Studies Library
• Warburg Institute Library, Photographic Collection and Archive

Senate House Library

Students of the School have the right to full membership of Senate House Library, one of the largest humanities and social sciences libraries in the UK. The Library holds over 2 million titles with particular subject strengths in English, Economic and Social History, History, Modern Languages, Geography, Music, Philosophy and Psychology. Extensive area studies collections are held in United States, Latin America and Carribbean, and Commonwealth studies. The Library also has substantial and unique holdings in rare books and Special Collections, including archives and manuscripts. The distinctive strengths of the Historic Collections are in 17th to 19th century book holdings, historic periodicals and palaeography.

Students can now access resources using ATHENS. Directly from publisher websites use the login or institutional login option. Select University of London: External System (ATHENS) in the dropdown list, then School of Advanced Studies students. Login using your standard SAS email and password. The Athens login does not provide universal access to content on publisher websites. Please refer to library catalogues and websites to confirm availability of content.

Federal University of London libraries

The School's Master's degree students are able to access nearly all of the libraries of the institutions that make up the federal University of London on production of their SAS ID cards. The University of London Library Access Agreement enables University of London students access to books and other library materials in subject areas that are often unrivalled and that have been built over many years.

School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Library

Students of the School are able to use the SOAS Library and take advantage of their extended opening hours. You will need to apply for a SOAS library card and produce your SAS ID card in order to do so.

Other libraries

Our students are also able to gain access to many other libraries in London that have close academic links with the School including the British Library, the Wellcome Library for the History and Understanding of Medicine, the Society of Antiquaries of London, the Bibliographical Society, and the University of London Institute in Paris.

There are also a number of library resources you may find helpful:

• History Online's guide to history libraries and collections
• The combined catalogue of the Consortium of University and Research Libraries (CURL) provides a convenient way of searching many library catalogues simultaneously

Access arrangements to other libraries vary considerably and it is always worth checking before visiting. The Registry can provide proof of student status where necessary.

Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL) Access Scheme

The Society of College, National and University Libraries Access Scheme enables research students of the School to borrow materials from other libraries in participating institutions.

You can access the Library e-resources guide here [PDF].