Courses

A typical course load is 4 classes per semester.

• Please review your courses with your academic or study abroad advisor to ensure they will transfer back to your home school and that you are following your home school’s policies.
• Please be flexible – we can’t guarantee specific courses. If your participation in the program depends on a particular course, be sure to make a note on your online course form.

Special Considerations

The SOAS academic year is divided into two 12-week terms followed by a 6-week term during which examinations take place.

• Autumn or Spring Semester students: 2 SOAS units, or 16 U.S. credits.
• Academic Year students: 4 SOAS units, or 32 U.S. credits.
• Most single-semester courses: 0.5 credits or 4 U.S. credits.

Overloading is not permitted.

Course Restrictions

• Language classes at SOAS are offered as full-year, 1.0 unit courses.
  • Courses are open to fall semester students.
  • Spring semester students will only be admitted to language classes if they can demonstrate prior knowledge of the language (equivalent to the fall semester half of the class).
  • You will take a placement exam on arrival.

Choosing Your Courses

Review the SOAS courses available to study abroad students.

• Most courses are full-year courses.
• As a single-semester student, it is possible to take either the fall or the spring half of a course if you meet the prerequisites.

When choosing courses, it is important to pay attention to course levels:

• Year 1 Courses - Introductory, No background required
• Year 2 Courses - Sophomore and Junior level. Will need some background, plus satisfy relevant pre-requisites
• Year 3 Courses - Senior, Advanced. Will need significant prior knowledge (at least 5-6 prior courses in the subject, plus satisfy relevant pre-requisites).

Enrollment Process

• Make sure to list at least one alternate course for every course you select, totaling at least 8-10 courses. List your courses in order of preference.
• SOAS does not pre-register any students for classes. Both study abroad and degree students finalize their class schedules upon arrival.

Grade Scale for the United Kingdom - AACRAO EDGE

The following information is vetted and provided by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) on the Electronic Database for Global Education (EDGE).

Intellectual property copyright AACRAO EDGE.