English language requirements FAQ

As a trusted HEI we are able to use our own method of assessing English language level and for direct entry we can accept tests other than UKVI approved English tests. Currently we are accepting a variety of English qualifications for entry into the 2021 academic year.

We are now accepting a variety of online English tests such as IELTS Indicator, IELCA Academic,  TOEFL At Home and the Duolingo test for entry into the 2021 academic year. See the alternative qualifications for more details.

Yes, you can. Academic assessments and English assessments are done separately, so you could get a conditional academic offer in place from Admissions while you wait for your English assessment to be finalised. However, if you are planning on doing a test, please plan to get the test results to us before the end of June.

In this kind of situation please contact the English Assessor at englishassess@soas.ac.uk to discuss your situation further.

The recommended deadline for submission of English test scores is June 30th 2022.

Where direct entry scores are achieved (no Pre-sessional English required) we accept test submissions until the end of August.

For further information please contact the English Language Assessor at englishassess@soas.ac.uk

We are sorry but we cannot accept finance as a reason for not taking an English language test. Contact the English language assessor englishassess@soas.ac.uk if you want to discuss this further.

SOAS aims to treat all applicants equally, whether they be scholarship candidates who are unable to do Pre-sessional courses or regular fee paying candidates. This means you will have to meet the SOAS English language entry requirements clearly - either by taking the Pre-sessional English course or retaking your English test to meet our requirements. You should factor this into the timeline of your application, so you have plenty of time to retest where necessary.

For Covid-19 situation (online Pre-sessional)

If Pre-sessional courses are online they will likely to be taken from the student's country of residence in which case a CAS (confirmation of acceptance for study from UKVI) will not be necessary for the Pre-sessional courses, unless residency is sought in UK during the time of the Pre-sessional. Only one CAS will be necessary, for the main degree course.

However if courses go live on campus in 2021 then for Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes there is the option of an integrated Pre-sessional for which one CAS is needed. For Doctoral School the Pre-sessional courses are not integrated and will require a further CAS.

In-sessional and Pre-sessional provision is not available for distance learning applicants, so you have to achieve unconditional direct entry scores (eg 125 in Duolingo). You can find more about Distance Learning tests on the distance learning English requirements page.

Please send an email requesting an English exemption to the relevant Admissions department (mastersadmissions@soas.ac.uk or undergradadmissions@soas.ac.uk) outlining the reasons why you think you should be given an exemption and submitting any relevant scans of document originals to support your request. These will then be forwarded to the English assessor for consideration.

No, we need to see some kind of English language qualification to support claims for exemption based on your country of birth and first language parenting.

We can grant exemptions in this situation. At present we are exempting all English medium undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from certain countries (such as Canada, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa) where degrees are normally taken in English, if graduation is within 5 years of entering SOAS. We also look at English medium degrees from university programmes globally. This is subject to a review of your application.

We will normally require language test evidence, such as the IELTS test, in this situation. The same applies for degrees from UK or US institutions or UK or US approved institutions based outside UKVI Majority English Speaking Countries.

No, we require the degree to be three years from within a country which is on the UKVI list of Majority English Speaking countries. You will be required to submit test evidence.

If you refer to our list of alternative qualifications you may find your Foundation or PreMasters programme listed. Otherwise if you have achieved strong scores (usually 65% in the English language component for direct entry with an In-sessional requirement) we may waive the need for an IELTS or other English language test at our discretion. If you are unsure of achieving a good result, you would be advised to take an IELTS or other test in good time as with a regular application as you will not be able to submit your final scores until July or later.

If your qualification is not listed by us on our English language requirements page, inlcluding our alternative qualifications, we cannot offer a waiver and we request an IELTS or other acceptable English language test.