Pre-sessional Courses
Description
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
- listen to lectures and take notes efficiently
- participate fully in tutorial discussions
- produce and 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
Our pre-sessional EAP courses aim:
- to develop students' English language and study skills to the level required for them to be successful in their studies
- 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
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.
Key Features
- The courses are intended for students who are starting undergraduate or postgraduate degree programmes in late-September or October.
- Courses run for 4 or 8 weeks during the June-September period and involve 18 hours of class time per week, Monday-Friday.
- Most students taking these courses do so as a condition of their degree course offers.
- Many 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.
The pre-sessional courses cater for the needs of students going on to degrees, in which essay-writing is an important component
- Essays and a project are important parts of the coursework. Students will be expected to read extensively outside class and to take part actively in in-class discussion.
- Students will receive regular 1:1 feedback on their work.
This is an intensive training course so you are required to fulfil a minimum attendance requirement of 80%. Please ensure you apply well in time if you require a visa to enable one to be issued.
Course Dates and Fees 2013
8 week course A: 01 July to 23 August
8-week course B: 29 July to 20 September
Tuition Fee: 2700 GBP
Accommodation Fee: 1800 GBP in Dinwiddy House
4-week course A: 29 July to 23 August
4-week course B: 27 August to 20 September
Tuition Fee: 1350 GBP
Accommodation Fee: 900 GBP in Dinwiddy House
The 8-week courses consist of 144 hours of tuition and the 4 week courses consist of 72 hours of tuition.
The content of course A and course B for both the 4-week and 8-week courses is the same. Course A is run from an earlier date for the convenience of students who require an earlier finishing date, for example those who have an academic pre- sessional requirement.
Students will need to pay their fees online as soon as they have accepted the offer of a place on a pre-sessional course.
Accommodation options
Accommodation is available within easy walking distance of SOAS in the SOAS Halls of Residence (Dinwiddy House, self-catering, single en-suite rooms with shared kitchens). All rooms have complementary wireless internet access. All accommodation is on a self catering basis.
Please note that accommodation cannot be reserved until full accommodation fees have been paid.
Applications
SOAS Degree Applicants
If you have already received an offer from SOAS, this will advise you of whether you need a presessional and which course to take.
However, please do NOT apply for this presesional course until you can say yes to ALL the following:
1. You have been sent an academic offer
2. You have sent in all the required academic qualifications to Admissions to satisfy the conditions of this offer.
3. Your English certificates have been submitted for assessment
We cannot offer a presessional place until all of these requirements are met, so please do not apply till then.
For those of you awaiting your academic certificates, this may mean you cannot apply until June or July, but as long as there is still time for you to get a visa if required, this will be fine.
When you are ready, please complete the on-line application form, or print off this application form and send it directly to:
Head of Department
International Foundation Courses and English Language Studies (IFCELS)
SOAS
23/24 Russell Square
London WC1H 0XG
UK
You will not be offered a pre-sessional place until an offer from SOAS has been made and the academic conditions satisfied.
This is because
a) we cannot provide a visa letter until the academic offer is unconditional
b) your offer is not certain until you have fulfilled the academic conditions
c) presessional fees are non refundable, so you need to be sure you need the place
Non-SOAS Degree Applicants
Please complete and submit the application form as above, together with details of your current English language level. If you have a conditional offer from another UK university, please check with them that they will accept this pre-sessional course in preparation for your degree.
Accommodation options
Accommodation is available within easy walking distance of SOAS in Dinwiddy Hall of Residence. This is self catering, single en-suite rooms with shared kitchens. The number of rooms available is limited, so as soon as you have a presessional offer, you need to accept and pay for the course straight away. Please note that accommodation cannot be reserved until full accommodation fees have been paid.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Students taking the 4 week B (26 August - 19 September) will be allocated rooms in Dinwiddy House. All other programmes will be accommodated in Paul Robeson House.
Alternatively, students can request accommodation in International Hall, just 8 minutes walk for the SOAS Russell Square campus. International Hall offers single study-bedrooms with shared bathrooms. Breakfast is included in the price, and students can also buy meals from the restaurant on an ad-hoc basis.
Frequently asked questions
If you have any questions, please look at the following ‘frequently asked questions’
1. Why have I been asked to do this course as a condition of my entry to my degree course?
Because your IELTS/TOEFL score is not high enough to enter directly
2. I haven't got time to do the 8 week course. Can I take the shorter course?
No. The English language assessments for each pre-sessional course are different for each course.
3. Will I automatically gain entrance to my SOAS course if I take this pre sessional course?
No. You have to complete the minimum attendance requirement and pass the final writing and oral presentation tasks to pass the pre-sessional. However, most students do achieve this.
4. If my level is below the pass standard will I be told during the course?
Yes. You will have ongoing feedback and advice from your teacher.
5. When will I get a CAS sent to me?
Once we have sent you an offer of a place, you need to send back the acceptance form and full payment. Then you will be issued a CAS to enable you to apply for a visa.
6. Can I start the course after the published start date? Only in exceptional circumstances, and in no case later than any final date set by the Head of Programme in these circumstances.
7. What if I can't get a visa in time?
You will not be able to take up your place if your arrival date means you will have less than 80% attendance. It is your responsibility to allow enough time for your visa application to be processed
8. Will I get a certificate at the end of my course?
Yes. You will get a certificate of attendance.
9. Will I be in a class with mainly students of my nationality?
No. At SOAS we have a wide mix of nationalities in our classes.
10. What if I fail the pre-sessional course? You will have to defer for one year if you do not have a TOEFL/IELTS score high enough to allow for direct entry
If you require any further information please contact presessional@soas.ac.uk
