Foundation College

Pre-sessional courses

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Key information

Duration
8-week and 4-week pre-sessional courses
Start of programme
8-week pre-sessional (21 Jul - 12 Sept 2025) / 4-week pre-sessional (18 Aug – 12 Sept 2025)
Attendance mode
Full-time
Location
On campus
Fees

4-week course: £2,920 (excl accommodation)  
8-week course: £4,680 (excl accommodation)
 

 

Entry requirements

See English language requirements

Course overview

We are pleased to announce that we plan to run all of our pre-sessional courses on campus so that students can benefit fully from face-to-face classes with their student colleagues in a university environment, as well as having access to SOAS' central London campus facilities.

Key features

  • The courses are intended for students who are starting undergraduate or postgraduate degree programmes in late September.
  • Most students taking these courses do so as a requirement of their degree course offers.
  • Some students who are not required to take these courses do so in order to even better prepare themselves for their future studies.
  • Although the majority of students will go on to study at SOAS, students destined for other colleges of the University of London and other universities are welcome to attend too, if there are spaces available.

Pre-sessional courses cater for the needs of students going on to degrees, in which essay-writing is an important component

So bear in mind that:

  • Writing researched and extended essays are important parts of the coursework. Students will be guided in how to read extensively outside the classroom environment using e-learning materials, Internet and Library resources. Students will then be expected to apply these skills in their own writing and to take an active part in tutorial feedback and forum discussions.
  • Students will receive regular 1:1 feedback on their work from their teachers.

Students whose first language is not English often take time to adjust to the requirements of academic study at a UK university, and taking part in a pre-sessional EAP course can help in this process of adjustment, developing students' confidence in their own use of English and in their study skills so that they can embark on their degree programmes fully prepared.

Structure

The 8-week courses consist of 144 hours of guided tuition and the 4 week courses consist of 72 hours: this will be a combination of directed activities and exercises scheduled Monday to Friday, and classroom teaching and tutorials according to the week’s timetable. 

The 8 week courses consist of 144 hours of guided tuition and the 4 week courses consist of 72 hours: this will be a combination of directed activities and exercises scheduled Monday to Friday, and classroom teaching and tutorials according to the week’s timetable.

Assessment

The Pre-sessional courses are designed to support you reaching the exit level required by your academic department. Assessment is built into the course design and will include:

  • writing a Researched Extended Essay
  • an individual Presentation related to your subject area
  • a test of Academic Listening

In addition to these requirements, all students must achieve or maintain an English language level of B2 (Common European Framework).

90% minimum attendance required

In order to successfully complete the Pre-sessional course, you will need to fulfil a minimum attendance and engagement requirement of 90%, submit all required course-work to given deadlines, as well as achieving the grade specific to your study level in assessment.

Timetable

The study schedule is intensive and so it is important that students commit themselves fully to their pre-sessional work. Classes take place every day between 10.00 - 15.00 from Monday to Friday and there are 18 - 20 hours of lessons per week. So students must be available during weekdays. 

Students are also expected to carry out homework and independent research and complete assessed work outside class time.

Important notice

The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes. 

However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. 

Teaching and learning

What is English for academic purposes?

Although many people develop good language skills at school, university or in their work, university study makes particular demands on students' language and study skills. Students need to be able to:

  • listen to lectures and take notes efficiently
  • participate fully in tutorial discussions, including in group seminars
  • present seminar papers based on reading and/or research
  • read and gather information from a wide variety of written sources
  • write relevant, well-argued and accurately presented essays and examination answers in an appropriately academic style

Pre-sessional EAP courses aims

  • to develop students' English language and study skills to the level required for them to be successful in their studies
  • to provide students with an opportunity to interact and engage with students from around the world, and to help them develop effective collaborative strategies both inside and outside the class
  • to help students gain an understanding of the academic and cultural context of university study so that they will be able to participate in and benefit fully from their degree course.

Fees and funding

8-week pre-sessional course

  • Tuition fee: £4,680 (excl accommodation)
  • Course dates: Monday 21 July – Friday 12 September 2025
  • Application dateline: Monday 16 June 2025

4-week pre-sessional course

  • Tuition fee: £2,920 (excl accommodation)
  • Course dates: Monday 18 August – Friday 12 September 2025
  • Application deadline: Monday 30 June 2025

Paying tuition fees

Students will need to pay their fees online as soon as they have accepted the offer of a place on a Pre-sessional course to guarantee their place on the course. All fees must be paid in full before the start date of the programme.

How to pay

1. Online with a credit or debit card 

This is the most efficient way to pay and will mean we can process your paperwork quicker. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Eurocard, Switch, Maestro, Solo and Delta.  You need your student ID/reference number and you will be able to make as many payments as is necessary to pay your fees.. After you have made a payment, you will be given a receipt. Make sure to email a copy of this receipt to: ifcels-finance@soas.ac.uk

2. By bank transfer

Payment of fees at banks must only be made via a bank transfer (that is, from your account into the School's bank account). Please do not deposit money directly into the School's account.

Important note: A bank transfer fee is often charged by both the sending and receiving banks, so you must pay these independently of you course fee. If not, the actual amount received by SOAS will be less than the course fee. 

If funds are received without bank transfer fees being paid this will lead to delays in processing your application documents.

Please ask your bank to provide you with a Remittance Slip or proof of transaction, and be sure they quote your full name and your 6 digit ID number.

School's account details
  • Natwest Bank plc, 94 Moorgate, London, EC2M 6XT
  • Account number: 08622655
  • Sort code: 56-00-23
  • Account holder: School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)
  • Swift number: NWBKGB2L
  • IBAN: GB77NWBK56002308622655 (International Bank Account Number)

3. At enrolment

If you have not paid your tuition fees before arriving in the UK you can do so on the enrolment day, but as this is a very busy time you may have to wait in line to do so. Please try to pay before you arrive.

4. If you are sponsored by a funding or government body

You should email ifcels-finance@soas.ac.uk with proof that your tuition fees will be paid and with contact details of the funding body. If the sponsorship is not confirmed before the start of the academic year then please bring that information with you to enrolment. Please note that if your sponsor does not pay, you are responsible for paying your tuition fees.

Read our Summer programme and pre-sessionals terms and conditions.

Accommodation booking and fees

You can book self-catering halls of residence accommodation at Paul Robeson House for prospective postgraduate students and Dinwiddy House for prospective undergraduate students. These halls are used by SOAS students throughout the year and are a 15-minute walk from the Russell Square campus. Accommodation can be booked directly through the halls of residence. Information about booking accommodation and a discount code will be sent to you once you have accepted your pre-sessional offer. 

Please book accommodation only when you are sure that you will attend the pre-sessional programme. Accommodation fees are only refunded in exceptional circumstances (eg, serious delays in obtaining a visa or not meeting the condition of your main degree programme). Any requests for a refund of accommodation fees should be made directly to the accommodation provider.

Please note: We are still awaiting confirmation of accommodation fees and application deadlines. Once this has been finalised, we will add it to the webpage.

 

Key staff

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