Foundation College
Pre-sessional courses
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Key information
Key information
- Duration
- 8-week and 4-week pre-sessional courses
- Start of programme
- 8-week Pre-sessional Course (27 July to 18 September 2026) / 4-week Pre-sessional Course (24 August to 18 September 2026)
- Attendance mode
- Full-time
- Location
- On campus
- Fees
-
4-week course: £3,035 (excl. accommodation)
8-week course: £4,865 (excl. accommodation)
- Entry requirements
Course overview
The SOAS Pre-sessional provision at SOAS consists of 4-week and 8-week in-person courses, which are taught on the Russell Square campus in central London.
Students who take the pre-sessional course have the opportunity not only to develop their academic English and study skills, but also to interact with other students who are due to start their undergraduate and postgraduate academic studies next academic year.
Key features
- The courses are intended for students who are starting undergraduate or postgraduate degree programmes in late September.
- Most students taking these courses do so as a requirement of their degree course offers.
- Some 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, if there are spaces available.
Pre-sessional courses cater for the needs of students going on to degrees, in which essay-writing is an important component
So bear in mind that:
- Students will be guided in how to read extensively outside the classroom environment using e-learning materials, Internet and Library resources. Students will then be expected to apply these skills in their own writing and to take an active part in tutorial feedback and forum discussions.
- Students will receive regular 1:1 feedback on their work from their teachers.
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.
Structure
The 8-week courses consist of 144 hours of guided tuition and the 4 week courses consist of 72 hours: this will be a combination of directed activities and exercises scheduled Monday to Friday, and classroom teaching and tutorials according to the week’s timetable.
Assessment
The Pre-sessional courses are designed to support you reaching the exit level required by your academic department. Assessment is built into the course design and will include:
- completing a portfolio of essay writing-focused exercises
- a collaborative group presentation related to your subject area
- a test of academic listening
90% minimum attendance required
In order to successfully complete the Pre-sessional course, you will need to fulfil a minimum attendance and engagement requirement of 90%, submit all required course-work to deadlines, as well as achieving the required level of performance in each assessment component.
Timetable
The study schedule is intensive and so it is important that students commit themselves fully to their pre-sessional work. Classes take place every day between 10:00am - 3:00pm from Monday to Friday and there are approximately 15 hours of lessons per week. So students must be available during weekdays.
Students are also expected to carry out homework and independent research and complete assessed work outside class time.
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.
Teaching and learning
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. Students need to be able to:
- listen to lectures and take notes efficiently
- participate fully in tutorial discussions, including in group seminars
- 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
Pre-sessional EAP courses aims
- to develop students' English language and study skills to the level required for them to be successful in their studies
- to provide students with an opportunity to interact and engage with students from around the world, and to help them develop effective collaborative strategies both inside and outside the class
- 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.
Fees and funding
8-week pre-sessional course
- Tuition fee: £4,865 (excluding accommodation)
- Course dates: 27 July to 18 September 2026
- Application dateline: 22 June 2026
4-week pre-sessional course
- Tuition fee: £3,035 (excluding accommodation)
- Course dates: 24 August to 18 September 2026
- Application deadline: 6 July 2026
Paying tuition fees
Students will need to pay their fees online as soon as they have accepted the offer of a place on a Pre-sessional course to guarantee their place on the course. All fees must be paid in full before the start date of the programme.
Payment Methods
Flywire
SOAS has partnered with Flywire to accept payments from students worldwide. You'll need to use your 6-digit student ID number to make a payment. Flywire offers:
- Payments made in your local currency or pound sterling
- A variety of local payment methods including bank transfers, credit or debit cards and e-wallets
- Best price guarantee on exchange rates
- 24/7 multilingual support from the flywire team
- Real-time payment tracking through email, in-app and text alerts
Online by debit or credit card
We accept Visa, Mastercard, Eurocard, and Maestro cards.
- Visit SOAS Online Payments with your 6 digit SOAS ID number and date of birth.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and keep your confirmation email as your receipt of payment
- If you have any questions about your online payment, email us at webpayments@soas.ac.uk
- SOAS may not receive the payment until the next working day or longer so please ensure that any payments are made well in advance of payment deadlines.
Bank transfer
If you’re unable to use Flywire, then you can make a direct bank transfer.
Step 1
Use the account details below to make your bank transfer. Make sure the bank transfer request includes your full name and your 6-digit student ID number.
If you’re paying from a non-UK bank make sure you pay in GBP and allow for any charges that may be deducted to ensure your transfer amount covers your fees in full.
NatWest Bank plc
94 Moorgate
London
EC2M 6XT
Account number: 08622655
Sort code: 56-00-23
Account holder: SOAS, University of London
Swift number: NWBKGB2L
IBAN: GB77NWBK56002308622655 (International Bank Account number)
Step 2
Email all of the following details to banking@soas.ac.uk so we can locate your payment:
- Your bank’s name
- The amount you paid
- Date of transfer
- Your name
- Your 6-digit student ID number
Step 3
We must receive the payment at least 14 days before enrolment to allow enough time for us to process it. Keep proof of your bank transfer for your records and in case we need to see proof that you paid.
Please do not deposit money at a bank branch directly into the School's account as we won’t be able to trace it.
Pro-forma invoices
If you need to provide an organisation with an invoice before they will release funds to you to pay your tuition fees, please email fees@soas.ac.uk
Read our Summer programme and pre-sessionals terms and conditions.
Accommodation booking and fees
You can book self-catering halls of residence accommodation at Paul Robeson House for prospective postgraduate students and Dinwiddy House for prospective undergraduate students. These halls are used by SOAS students throughout the year and are a 15-minute walk from the Russell Square campus. Accommodation can be booked directly through the halls of residence. Information about booking accommodation and a discount code will be sent to you once you have accepted your pre-sessional offer.
Please book accommodation only when you are sure that you will attend the pre-sessional programme. Accommodation fees are only refunded in exceptional circumstances (eg, serious delays in obtaining a visa or not meeting the condition of your main degree programme). Any requests for a refund of accommodation fees should be made directly to the accommodation provider.
Please note: We are still awaiting confirmation of accommodation fees and application deadlines. Once this has been finalised, we will add it to the webpage.
