SAIS Europe | Pre-term | FAQ
Find out more about the Pre-term Program at Johns Hopkins SAIS.
Get a jump-start on your graduate studies by attending Pre-term
Pre-term Advanced English may be required for some non-native English-speakers; that information would be in your letter of admission if it applies to you. Otherwise, Pre-term is not required but many incoming students choose to attend Pre-term in Bologna. It is recommended for MAIR students who wish to get a jump-start on the data analytics requirement.
No. You may take the Online Principles of Economics course that begins in late April/May to satisfy all Principles of Economics prerequisite for admissiion. This online course will be offered free of charge in Summer 2025 to ensure that all incoming students have a solid grasp of the basics of economics, before beginning their econommics courses in the fall.
Yes. The Online Principles of Economics course is the equivalent of two semesters or one year of Principles of Economics. The Online Principles course covers both Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics, and prepares students for economics classes during the regular academic year. The Online Principles of Economics is designed specifically to prepare students for the economics curriculum at SAIS. This course could also be a useful indicator to determine which level of economics to pursue during the regular academic year.
All matriculated students will receive access around mid-May to an online course in Canvas that will provide tutorials, lessons, problem sets and quizzes to assist you in this preparation. All incoming students are required to take the Pre-Calculus course and quiz by August 1. Students who do not fare well in the online Pre-Calculus quiz are required to attend Prof. Meucci's math review during pre-term.
Students whose primary language is not English are required to pass the SAIS English Proficiency Exam at the beginning of the academic year. This requirement is different than submitting adequate English language scores for admission purposes, necessary to be considered for admission.
The Intensive English Pre-term courses offered in pre-term provide Advanced English Reading and Writing and Advanced Listening and Speaking training. These courses should enhance participation in courses during the regular academic year and help students to achieve the level necessary to pass the internal SAIS English proficiency exam.
Yes, if you started in January, you are welcome to attend Pre-term.
Pre-term courses are considered equivalent to the courses offered during the regular academic year. Pre-term Statistics entails the same number of class hours as during the regular academic year. However, Pre-Term courses are more compressed with less time to study and to do problem sets in between class sessions.
No. Due to overlapping dates you can participate in either Washington DC or SAIS Europe Pre-term.