This Foundation Year prepares students for entry onto an undergraduate programme at SOAS. During the Foundation Year, students are equipped with the skills and knowledge required for undergraduate study. In addition to modules on academic practice, working with numbers, digital skills and technology, topical global issues and cultural fluency, they receive an introduction to different academic disciplines taught at SOAS in the departments of Finance and Management, Economics and Law.

The Foundation Year is excellent preparation for students who may benefit from an additional year of study before beginning an undergraduate degree, including students who do not have the required grades for direct entry onto an undergraduate programme or who have not previously studied the relevant subjects.

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full-time

May be combined with:

• BA or BSc Business, Management, Economics and Law with Foundation Year

Students passing the Foundation Year progress onto another undergraduate degree in the School. Students are supported to make a guided decision about the programme that they wish to go on to study. Progression is possible onto all other undergraduate programmes in the School, subject to availability, including the LLB (but excluding the Senior Status LLB) and all BA Joint Law and another subject programmes (but excluding BA History of Art (Asia, Africa and Europe)). On successful completion of their degree, students will graduate with the degree title and subject progressed onto after the Foundation Year.

International Students

International students requesting an integrated CAS for the 4-year integrated degree (Foundation Year + BA/BSc degree programme) will be required to state on the CAS request form which BA/BSc degree programme they will be progressing to at the end of successful completion of the Foundation Year. Students who later change their mind about the preferred degree programme will need to return to their home country to submit a new Student Visa application. 

Alternatively, you may want to consider doing the International Foundation Programme (ICC). This qualification allows students to apply for a single CAS covering the one-year programme, then apply for their preferred degree programme from within the UK. For further information about this programme see the International Foundation Programme (ICC)

You will take six modules during the Foundation Year, as detailed below. 

Foundation Year

Programme Specification

• BA/BSc Business, Management Programme Spec (pdf; 229kb)

Important notice

Teaching & Learning

The Foundation Year is designed to ensure that students are capable of succeeding at undergraduate level, with an emphasis on the development of skills and knowledge that will be important throughout their undergraduate studies. In the Academic Practice module, for example, students develop a range of academic skills and techniques, including critical thinking and academic writing, culminating in a supported project. Students are closely supported by their Foundation Year teachers and academic advisors. 

Tuition Fees

Full details of undergraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Undergraduate Tuition Fees page.

Fees for 2020/21 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year. 

UK Tuition Fee Loans

Undergraduate students with UK residency taking a degree or some full-time certificate programmes are eligible for a non-means-tested tuition fee loan from Student Finance or SAAS to cover the cost of their tuition fees. You repay this loan once you have left university and are earning over £25,000 per year.

Applying Online:

On the Student Finance system degree programmes are listed in generic groups, instead of by subject.

When completing your loan application please enter ‘degree’ in the course detail box and click the search icon. You can then select the relevant length generic degree title. You will see 7 options, and you should select Humanities and Social Science Degree with Foundation Year.

Paper Application:

If you are an EU resident and applying using a paper form do not enter the UCAS code on the course details page. Instead, enter the generic degree title in the course name box.

Scholarships

For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section

On successful completion of their degree, students will graduate with the degree title and subject progressed onto after the Foundation Year. Advice on future careers will help students to make a guided decision about the undergraduate degree programme that they progress onto.

How to Apply

• How to Apply 
• UCAS website
• Request a prospectus 
• Got a question - use our enquiry form (opens a new window)
• Funding options 
• Tuition Fees 
• Admissions Contacts 

English Language Requirements

Applicants for the Foundation Years who are Speakers of English as a Second Language (ESL speakers) will be asked to submit evidence of their English Language ability and will be expected to meet one of the following requirements:

Direct entry with In-sessional language support

ESL applicants with scores in other English tests should contact englishassess@soas.ac.uk