English language requirements

All applicants must be able to show that their English is of a high enough standard to successfully engage with and complete their course at SOAS.

If you have not yet taken an English language test, you can still apply for your degree, but we will include evidence of language requirements as part of your offer conditions. Where applicants have submitted more than one piece of evidence of English (e.g., an IELTS test and a degree from a majority English speaking country) we follow the most recent evidence.

The information provided on this page is a basic guide to our English admissions and SOAS reserves the right to use its own discretion in all cases and the right to request additional evidence of English Language proficiency.

You do not need to provide evidence of your English language ability if you:

• Are a UK national (we reserve the right to request further English evidence).
• Are a national from a government recognised Majority English Speaking Country (MESC) and have successfully completed English-medium high school or an English-medium degree in the respective country. (We reserve the right to ask for further evidence from citizens of Canada in regard to their English language proficiency and would ask Canadian nationals to include a transcript of their high school education with the application so we can confirm their English language background.)
• Have completed a degree in the UK or in any Majority English Speaking Country (UKVI defined) within the last 10 years.
• Have completed a degree that was taught in English from Canada, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or South Africa and graduated within the last 10 years.
• Have passed a Pre-sessional English course at a UK university (2 year validity).
• Have completed an International Foundation Programme (IFP) (55% in academic English) within 2 years of application.

We continue to accept the following online English language tests for September 2026 entry (2-year validity from 1 September 2024):

• Duolingo English Test (DET)
• IELTS Academic Online
• Kaplan Test of English (KTE) (25% discount code SOASKRS25)
• LanguageCert Academic online
• Password Skills Plus
• TOEFL iBT Home Edition

We consider these qualifications alongside other evidence of English language ability, such as your references, curriculum vitae or personal statement. 

Please note we do not accept: Pearson Academic Online or TOEFL Essentials, Oxford ELLT, or Skills for English tests for taught programmes. We also do not accept composite test scores (such as TOEFL MyBest Scores) but we do accept IELTS One Skill Retake. 

Direct entry

With 4-week pre-sessional English

With 8-week pre-sessional English

Alternative qualifications

In addition to these tests, we also accept a range of alternative qualifications to demonstrate evidence of English Language proficiency. Generally, these have 5-year validity, but some may have a 2-year validity.

Doctoral School applications

Please see the Doctoral School English language requirements for English language admissions requirements for research degrees, which are slightly different from those for undergraduate and postgraduate entry.

Online Learning applications

Please see the Online Learning English language requirements for English language admissions requirements for Online Learning programmes.

Foundation Year applications

Foundation Year applicants should check the Foundation Year English language requirements and International Foundation Year applicants should check the entry requirements of the IFP programme.

If you do not meet the English language requirements for your course in full, you may be offered a 4-week or 8-week Pre-sessional English course (these take place in the summer before the academic year starts).

We also offer free, non-credit bearing EFL Study Skills (In-sessional) courses to support you once you start the academic year at SOAS.

Please visit the IFCELS web pages for details of pathway courses, English language teaching and resources at SOAS, such as In-sessional, Pre-sessional, or Foundation courses.

Pre-sessional English courses are not available for Online Learning applicants.

Applicants who require a Student visa must prove their knowledge of the English language when applying. If you are a national of one of the Majority English Speaking Countries as defined by the UKVI, you may not be required to complete an additional English language test.

As a higher education provider, SOAS can assess your level of English using a variety of tests and qualifications. However, you may be asked to provide evidence of a secure English language test (SELT) as part of your Student visa application.

For this reason, we recommend all applicants who plan to apply for a Student visa where possible choose one of the following approved SELTs:

• IELTS for UKVI (Academic test)
• LanguageCert Academic UKVI
• Pearson: PTE Academic UKVI
• Trinity College London: ISE (Level 3)

As indicated, as an approved institution we are also able to accept tests and qualifications that exempt you from needing to take UKVI SELTS, including, for example, IELTS Academic, TOEFL At Home, and IELTS Academic Online.