Foundation College

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Duration
10-months
Start of programme
September 2025
Location
Online
Fees

Home: £5,760 
International: £9,000

Entry requirements

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

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The ICC 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. The programme is designed for international students for whom English is not a first language and who want to study for an undergraduate degree at a British university.

High-ranking British universities recognise the ICC International Foundation as a value-adding academic and English-language programme for international students.

The SOAS ICC Foundation Online programme gives students the chance to combine regular live classes with extensive self-study activities. So, students can participate in lessons with other students from around the world, while planning self-study around their other commitments.

Live lessons include:

  • weekly tutorial discussions
  • English support classes
  • regular one-to-one study support meetings

Flexible self-study activities include:

  • weekly recorded academic lectures
  • lesson preparation and homework activities
  • research for assignments using online library resources
  • participation in online study forums

Why study on the SOAS International Foundation Online 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.
  • 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 ICC Foundation programme are guaranteed progression to SOAS for undergraduate study (subject to satisfying eligibility requirements).

We also provide support to students who wish to make applications for undergraduate at other universities. Information about recent progression to undergraduate study at SOAS and other universities can be found in our Student Destinations Lists.

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This programme aims to:

  • help students gain entry to degree programmes at SOAS and other British universities in the social sciences 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
  • increase the range of undergraduate subject areas accessible to students through subject-based English language tuition

Academic year

The programme runs from September to June over 2 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 11 hours of live classes per week for 10 weeks in each semester. This is supplemented with additional self-study activities, focusing on lesson preparation and homework as well as research and completion of assignments. 

Students will attend lessons led by a number of different teachers and lecturers. These include academic tutorial discussions, lecture reviews, and academic English classes. Students also have regular one-to-one contact with teaching and support staff.

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.

Semester one

Compulsory modules (60 credits)

Semester two

Compulsory modules (45 credits)

Elective modules

Students choose one elective module from:

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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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Tuition fees 2025/26

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. 

At enrolment

Enrolment is carried out online and should be completed in advance of the start of the programme. The enrolment process cannot be completed until the payment of fees has taken place. 

Late payment of fees will therefore affect your ability to commence your studies.

If you are sponsored by a funding or government body 

You should email ifcels@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. 

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