Foundation College

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Start date
Duration
10 months
Attendance mode
Full-time
Location
On Campus
Fees

Home: £5,760
International: £22,870

Course code
Y3AE
Entry requirements

For a full list of entry requirements, see our Intermediate Certificate Course entry requirements page.  

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The International Foundation programme is a 10-month programme providing academic and English language preparation for international students who want to enter undergraduate degrees in Social Sciences, Finance and Management-related studies, and Arts and Humanities at UK universities,

Since the programme started in 1985 we have prepared students each year for progression to undergraduate study at institutions in the University of London and across the UK. High-ranking British universities recognise the International Foundation as a value-adding academic and English-language programme for international students.

The programme is designed for international students who want to progress to an undergraduate degree at a British university.

You may need to complete a foundation programme for one of two reasons:

  1. You have finished school in your own country, but your school-leaving certificate does not qualify you for direct entry to a UK university.
  2. You have been wholly or partly educated in an English-medium school but have not achieved the A-level, IB or AP grades needed for university entrance because of language difficulties.

Why study on the SOAS International Foundation programme

We have been running a foundation programme at SOAS for over 35 years and have built up extensive experience in preparing students for undergraduate study. The online format provides the perfect balance of regular live classes and flexible self-study opportunities.

We use a unique integrated approach to academic English development, where each academic module has a dedicated English support teacher working alongside the lecturer. Our long-serving staff have a deep understanding of our programmes and expertise in guiding our students successfully through their studies.

We provide our students with individual support through regular one-to-one meetings teaching and support staff.

The central London location - all teaching is done by SOAS staff on the Central London (Russell Square) campus, within walking distance of the SOAS Hall of Residence and the West End of London

The UK campus experience that our students receive – all our students have full SOAS status and have access to all SOAS facilities including library, student support services and students’ union clubs and societies. 

Students receive guaranteed offers for all SOAS undergraduate degrees

Who is the programme for?

You may need to complete a foundation programme for one of two reasons:

  1. You have finished school in your own country, but your school-leaving certificate does not qualify you for direct entry to a UK university.
  2. You have been wholly or partly educated in an English-medium school but have not achieved the A-level, IB or AP grades needed for university entrance because of language difficulties.

Progressing to undergraduate study

Students who achieve a minimum level of academic and English language performance on the Foundation programme are guaranteed progression to SOAS for undergraduate study (subject to satisfying eligibility requirements), and will receive a 20% discount for the first year of undergraduate study.

However the Certificate award from the University of London is recognised by UK universities as an entrance qualification for undergraduate degree programmes and our Academic Advice Team provides one-to-one support with every stage of the undergraduate application procedure.

Information about recent progression to undergraduate study at SOAS and other universities can be found in our Student Destinations Lists.

Scholarships and discounts

There is an Early Bird Discount of £1,000 off tuition fees to offer holders who accept their offer by 30 April 2025.

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This programme aims to:

  • help students gain entry to degree programmes at SOAS and other British universities in the humanities, social sciences, law and business-related studies
  • enable students to extend and deepen their academic knowledge
  • give students the linguistic and academic study skills needed to be successful on a degree programme
  • give students the chance to experience a year of campus life and study in London

Academic year

The programme runs from September to June over two semesters lasting 12-14 weeks each. There is also a ‘reading week’ (a week without classes, which students use to catch up on their reading and work on their assignments) in the middle of each semester. 

The teaching calendar runs for the first 11 weeks of each semester, followed by an assessment period of 2-4 weeks.

Weekly timetable

Students attend between 15 and 19 hours of classes per week for the duration of the teaching calendar. There is a range of class styles. Students attend lectures with all the other students in their academic modules, and small-group seminar tutorial discussions. These are led by an academic lecturer. Students also attend Intensive English for Academic Study module classes, and English support classes connected to each of their academic subject modules.

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.

Guided Options

60 credits from Guided Options

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Programme assessment

Student are assessed through a variety of coursework activities including different forms of written assignment, including essays, research notes, literature reviews and response papers and oral presentations and discussions. Students may be assessed in some modules through oral or written examinations.

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Please note: this is a stand-alone foundation programme and is not automatically linked to a designated undergraduate course. Therefore, it is not eligible for funding from Student Finance England (SFE).

All fees must be paid in full before the start date of the programme. You do not need an invoice to pay your fees - you just need to quote your student ID/reference number. If you are sponsored by a funding or government body or Embassy, you must provide written proof from them that your fees will be paid, with the contact details of the sponsor, before enrolment. 

If the sponsor does not pay, you are responsible for paying the fees.

How to pay

All information on paying your tuition fees, including how to pay by instalments, scholarships and loans, can be found on our Paying your tuition fees support page.  

Accommodation fees

Additional costs

You may be required to purchase books for some modules. Students taking the World Art and Literature module may be required to pay for some gallery visits where there is an entrance charge. 

Please see the full terms and conditions for Foundation.

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