SOAS, University of London (The School of Oriental and African Studies)

Overview

The SOAS pre-master's programme is a ten-month course providing academic and language preparation for international students who want to enter Masters degrees (taught and researched) at British universities in social science, business and management-related studies, arts and humanities.

The pre-master's programme was started in 1993 in order to provide international students with a thorough preparation for entering demanding Master degrees at British universities or at universities, research institutes or business-schools abroad where the language of instruction is English.

All high-ranking British universities recognise the SOAS Foundation Diploma for Postgraduate Studies (FDPS) as a value-adding academic and English-language programme for international students.

Click here to view the 2013-14 FDPS Brochure (pdf; 477kb)

FDPS students who progress to a master's programme at SOAS will receive a 5% discount on their master's course fees.

 Destinations of some of the students who completed the course in July 2012.

Programme Aims

• to familiarise students with the academic culture of British university education
• to introduce students to further study in academic disciplines relevant to their chosen field of study
• to develop the speaking and writing skills in Academic English, critical thinking and independent study skills necessary for success on a programme in a British university
• to offer students a challenging and career-enhancing year of intensive study within the city and the University of London

Features of the Programme

Supervised Research Paper (The Independent Study Project)

A very valuable and popular feature of the pre-master's programme is the opportunity to carry out a research project of your choice, supervised by a suitable academic from the University of London. 

The weekly cycle and structure of classes:

A distinctive feature of English language study in IFCELS is that language and subject study are integrated: language classes are specific to each subject and classroom activities are designed to help you develop vocabulary, oral and written skills appropriate to the subject.

Reading class (English teacher)

• academic reading
•  note-making
• vocabulary expansion

Lecture (Subject teacher)

• academic listening
• note-taking
• critical thinking

Lecture review (English teacher)

• concept analysis
• vocabulary expansion
• critical thinking

Seminar (Subject lecturer)

• presenting an argument
• critical questioning
• academic debate

Writing Class (English Teacher)

• essay writing
• question analysis
• structuring an argument

Dates and fees

DATES 2013 - 14
Introductory Course 18 – 25 September 2013
Autumn Term 30 September - 13 December 2013
(Reading Week: 4 - 8 November)
Spring Term 6 January – 21 March 2014
(Reading Week: 10 – 14 February)
Summer Term 22 April – 27 June 2014
(No Reading Week)

FEES 2013 - 14
Tuition £13,850
Application £90 (non-refundable)

Details of Accommodation Fees

Note
All fees must be paid in full before the start date of the programme

Entrance Requirements and Application Procedure

Academic requirements

You must have a Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution in your own country or elsewhere.

(If you have a three-year Diploma, you may in certain cases be considered for admission if you have substantial relevant work experience)

English Language requirements

You will need a good intermediate level of English (CEFR B2) before you join the programme.The minimum language requirements are IELTS 5.5 in each sub-score or TOEFL iBT L17, R18, S20, W17. If you have not taken an approved English test or if your scores are below these, you will be asked to do English language tests including Reading, Writing and Listening. All applicants will be interviewed either face-to-face in London or in their own country, or by telephone.

The department offers preparatory English language programmes starting in September, January, April and during the summer. You may be given an offer for FDPS requiring you to attend a language programme.

Application Procedure

Please fill out and print the 

FDPS Application Form 2013 -14 then e-mail it as an attachment to ifcels@soas.ac.uk

OR

post it, together with the required supporting documents, to:

Head of Department
International Foundation Courses & English Language Studies (IFCELS)
SOAS (University of London)
23/24 Russell Square
London WC1H 0XG
UK

To pay your application fee:

Students and agents can now pay the 90.00 GBP application fee online. Please note that this method will generate an online receipt for the transaction, and will not issue a corresponding invoice.

Go to the SOAS Online Store IFCELS Application Fee