English Language and Academic Studies Programme (ELAS)
Duration: 3, 6 or 9 months
Overview
A 3, 6 or 9 month Diploma/Certificate Programme in Academic English with:
- International Business
- Social Science
- Humanities
The programme meets the needs of different groups of international students:
Students who have a first degree in a particular subject and who wish to pursue postgraduate studies in the same or a related field but who need to develop their English language and study skills and gain experience and confidence in studying academic subjects in the British university environment.
Students who are studying at university in their own country and who wish to spend a period of time at a British university to develop their English language, study skills and insights into the contemporary world through a range of academic subjects.
Students who have a first degree and wish to improve their English for entry to the SOAS Pre-Master's programme (FDPS).
Students who have completed their High School education in their own country and who wish to improve their English language for entry to the SOAS undergraduate foundation programme (ICC).
Professional people who wish to improve their English language skills and deepen their understanding of contemporary issues in a university environment.
Click here to see the ELAS Brochure 2013 (pdf; 1444kb)
Entry Requirements
The minimum English language level to join the ELAS programme is IELTS 4.5 (with 4.5 in writing) or TOEFL iBT 60 with 12 in writing.
For the Certificate/Diploma levels A2/3/4 which include the Academic Subject Courses, you need a minimum of 5.0 IELTS with 5 in writing or TOEFL iBT 68.
We can also take into consideration other English language tests such as Pearson PTE, Passport, TOEFL PBT or TOEIC. You can apply without an English score but you may be asked to take a grammar/writing test and/or an interview in London or in your home country.
If you require a visa to study in the UK, you can normally take two terms on ELAS (September to March or January to June) with a Student Visitor Visa (SVV). For this you are not required to provide an approved English language test score (such as TOEFL iBT or IELTS).
For periods of study longer than 6 months, students requiring a visa will need a CAS issued by SOAS to apply for a Tier 4 General Student Visa. To issue the CAS we will need to see an IELTS or TOEFL iBT certificate from a test taken less than two years before the start date of your studies. The test result must be above CEFR B1 level - for example IELTS 4.0 in each sub-score, TOEFL iBT L9, R4, S16, W13.
You can apply for one, two or three terms but you are reminded that you must take at least two terms studying the same same academic subject to qualify for the award of a Diploma or Certificate.
To speed up the application process, please also email us copies of the following:
1. the photo ID page of your passport (or national ID card if you don't have a passport)
2. your IELTS, TOEFL or other English certificate (if you have one)
Diploma/Certificate candidates or applicants wishing to go on to further academic study in the UK (eg at Masters level) should also email us a copy of their university transcript.
Download an application form (pdf) or complete the on-line application form.
Dates
Spring Term 2013
Orientation for new students 2 January 2013
Teaching dates 7 January – 22 March 2013
(Reading Week: 11 – 15 February)
Summer Term 2013
Orientation for new students 9 - 10 April 2013
Teaching dates 15 April – 28 June 2013
(Reading week 20 - 24 May)
Autumn Term 2013
Orientation for new students 23 - 24 September 2013
Teaching dates 30 September – 13 December 2013
(Reading Week 4 - 8 November)
Spring Term 2014
Orientation for new students 2 January 2014
Teaching dates 6 January - 21 March 2014
(Reading Week 10 -14 February)
Summer Term 2014
Orientation for new students 15 - 16 April 2014
Teaching dates 22 April - 04 July 2014
(Reading Week 20 - 24 May)
Fees
Tuition September 2012 – June 2013 £3,950 per term
£11,850 full academic year
September 2013 – July 2014 £4,150 per term
£12,450 full academic year
All fees are payable in advance on either a termly or annual basis, and refunds of
fees for cancelled terms are made only at the discretion of the Head of
Department.. SOAS reserves the right to alter course programmes and fees without notice.
Structure
All ELAS students study for 18 hours per week.
Pre-intermediate level students in A1 study 14 hours per week of English. All A1 students take A1 Humanities as their academic subject for 4 hours per week.
Intermediate level and above students take intensive academic English in A2, A3, or A4 for 10 hours per week plus they choose one Academic subject for 5 hours per week and one Language/Culture course for 4 hours per week.Pre-intermediate level students study 18 hours per week of English A1 only in their first term. Intermediate level and above students take intensive academic English (A2, A3, A4) )(up to 10 hours per week) plus one Academic subject (5 hours per week) and one Language/Culture course (4 hours per week).
Academic English
The four levels of Academic English focus on developing accurate listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and teach the full range of skills required for the academic subject study and for further studies.
English A1 Pre-intermediate level (preliminary course) 18 hours per week
IELTS 4.5, TOEFL 473, CBT 150, iBT 52 (18 hours per week)
Focuses on accuracy, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, listening, speaking, reading and writing in preparation for English A2. Prepares the foundations for academic essay writingIELTS 4.5, TOEFL 473, CBT 150, iBT 52 (18 hours per week)
Focuses on accuracy, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, listening, speaking, reading and writing in preparation for English A2
English A2, A3, A4 Intermediate to Advanced level (up to 10 hours per week)
IELTS 5.0, TOEFL 500, CBT 173 iBT 60 (10 hours per week)
Focuses on accuracy, vocabulary, speaking, listening, reading, writing and academic study skills for essay assignments in the academic subject studied and research methodology used in the British academic system. Students at this level normally start at A2 and proceed onto A3 and A4 in subsequent terms.
Academic Subjects (Choose 1) (5 hours per week)
Social Sciences
Term 1 (September)
International Political Economy - International trade, Global finance, Regional development, Globalisation
Term 2 (January)
International Relations - Theories of IR, Nationalism & conflict, Collective security, International organisations
Term 3 (April)
Development Studies - Theories of development, Poverty, Aid, Debt, Gender, IMP, UN, World Bank, NGOs and Civil Society
Humanities
Term 1 (September)
Communications - Knowledge & power, Language & meaning, Literature past & present, Globalisation & media
Term 2 (January)
Cultural Studies - Ethnicity & religion, Multi-culturalism, Arts & aesthetics, Post-modernism
Term 3 (April)
Sociology - Identity, Family & gender, Post-feminism, Age & hierarchies
International Business Studies
Term 1 (September)
International Business - Global business, Market analysis, Risk & cost management, Organisational structures
Term 2 (January)
International Management - International HRM, Strategic management, Corporate transformation, Operational management
Term 3 (April)
International Marketing - Marketing mix, Market research, Marketing strategies, Global brand development
Culture/Language courses (Choose 1) (4 hours per week)
- IELTS Examination Preparation
- English Language Skills Practice
- Introduction to Media Studies
- Introduction to Art
Destinations
In 2011, students who joined the ELAS programme to prepare for masters' studies went on to the following courses:
Bath MSc International Management
- Birmingham MBA Accounting & Finance
City MA Political Communication
Durham MSc Strategic Marketing
Edinburgh MSc Religious Studies
Goldsmiths MA Design & Environment
Goldsmiths PGCE MFL
KCL MA/MSc Environment & Development
Kent MA Security & Terrorism
Kingston MA Marketing with English
Lancaster MBA
Sheffield MA Social Policy
SOAS MA Arabic Literature
SOAS MA Chinese Literature
SOAS MSc Development Studies
SOAS MA Gender Studies
SOAS MA History of Art/Archaeology
SOAS MSc International Management for Japan
SOAS MSc International Studies & Diplomacy
SOAS MPhil/PhD Law
SOAS MA Middle & Near East Studies
SOAS MA History of Art/Archaeology
SOAS MA Social Anthropology of Development
SOAS LLM
SOAS LLM
Southampton MSc Operational Research
Surrey MSc International Business Management
University of Heidelberg Masters programme
Westminster LLM Corporate Finance Law
Westminster MSc Finance & Accounting
A Student's Perspective
Sare DemirWhen I actually started my studies on the foundation course at SOAS, it confirmed in my mind that I had made a very good choice.
