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Home Courses > Pre-Sessional English and Study Skills

Overview

This full-time programme is ideal if your academic qualifications meet the requirements for your chosen undergraduate or postgraduate course, but your English language level falls below the entry requirements of the academic course you wish to join.

Key facts

  • Develop your English language skills to meet university requirements
  • Improve your academic study skills, in addition to your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills
  • Introduce yourself to life in the UK and to British culture
  • Develop your understanding of university systems, services and facilities

What will I learn?

The programme teaches you the language and other academic skills necessary for you to gain the maximum benefit from your future academic course. You will develop these skills in a content-based approach to learning involving critical thinking, questioning, discussion, reflection and analysis. You will also develop the ideas and concepts necessary to participate in the global academic community.

By the end of the course you will feel confident to research your subject, deal with a range of academic texts, attend lectures, take part in seminars and tutorials, and produce extended written academic assignments.

How long will I need to study?

We offer two courses depending on your current language level and your proposed course of study (undergraduate or postgraduate). You will study for 6 weeks or 12 weeks.

You can check important dates including teaching, assessment and public holidays on our dates and fees page.  Please note there will be no teaching on public holidays.

How will I study?

  • Teaching and learning take place in seminars, lectures, tutorials and workshops
  • In addition, you will engage in independent study involving directed and self-directed learning
  • You will study in groups averaging no more than 16 in number (maximum 18)
  • Each week classes focus on a topic of global importance and include a lecture and a seminar based on assigned readings as well as other skills classes in speaking, listening, reading, writing and grammar based on the topic and the reading texts

How will I be taught and assessed?

  • A particular emphasis is placed on reading and writing academic English and you will be supported in producing an extended essay as part of your assessment. You will also work in teams to engage in research projects using a range of methodologies and present your findings both orally and in the form of a written research report.
  • Teaching on this programme is delivered through seminars, lectures, tutorials and workshops, totalling 16 hours plus an additional 3 hours for tutorials, per week.
  • Classes take place between 9.30am and 5.30pm during the week.
  • You will also be expected to engage in an independent study involving directed and self-directed learning for 20 hours per week. There is also 1 day a week scheduled for independent learning.

View a sample timetable here

  • Assessments take place through a mix of coursework and a final exam
  • Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) is embedded throughout the course with tools such as the ‘Blackboard’ eLearning Portal and electronic reading lists that will guide your preparation for seminars and independent research
  • You will be assigned your own Guidance Tutor who will provide academic and pastoral support and be your first point of contact if you have questions or problems
  • You will be taught by qualified tutors who hold a minimum Level 7 qualification within the subject area of language tuition and who will guide you on how to develop your language and academic study skills that are required for success at a UK university

You can view more information about the mix of students who study at the Campus with our infographic here.

How will I progress?

Progression on to your chosen academic course depends on a mix of continuous assessment and end-of-semester examinations (not IELTS).

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Academic requirements

  • Relevant progression degree admissions requirements

Age requirements

  • Applicants must be over 18 years old

English language requirements

  • 6 weeks:
    Your IELTS scores are no more than 0.5 below your academic programme’s English language entry requirements overall and/or in one or more skills: reading, writing, listening and/or speaking.
    E.g. if your progression course has an entry requirement of IELTS 6.5, you may study the 6-week programme if you currently hold IELTS 6.0.
  • 12 weeks:
    Your IELTS scores are no more than 1.0 below your academic programme’s English language entry requirements overall and/or in one or more skills: reading, writing, listening and/or speaking.
    E.g. if your progression course has an entry requirement of IELTS 6.5, you may study the 12-week programme if you currently hold IELTS 5.5.

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All modules on this course are core and 0 credits unless otherwise stated.

This module will focus on developing your listening skills through exposure to live lectures similar to those you will experience on your progression academic degree programme in the UK. The listening content will be based on various global issues and will help you to identify structure and language so you can understand meaning through context. The classes will help you develop the tools that you will need to function on your chosen degree programme, such as note-taking, use of the eLearning Portal to develop your listening skills independently, and using peer-to-peer strategies to check your understanding both prior to and following live lectures.

This module will focus on developing your speaking skills through seminar discussion, similar to what you will experience on your progression degree programme in the UK. During these seminars, your tutors will help you to gain confidence in discussing your thoughts and opinions at length and unprompted in class, develop your communicative competence in the English language, as well as learn strategies for communicating interculturally, and articulating criticality.

This module is designed to enable you to develop your academic reading skills to a level appropriate to university study in a variety of discipline areas.

The module introduces current global issues which are of relevance to all students during their studies and also for living and working in a global society in the future. You will read a variety of texts, such as research articles, text books, and magazine/newspaper articles.

As well as understanding of the text, the module aims to develop a grounding in the critical evaluation of a text, its arguments, evidence and sources. This analysis of the text in the module will also help you to develop your own academic writing skills

This module is designed for International students coming from various educational backgrounds. Whatever their previous academic experiences, all students will need a wide range of good writing skills to do well on their degree course.

Universities in the UK employ a wide range of writing assessments and adapting your planning and writing style to these assessments will be important for your overall performance.

The module aims to develop the following academic writing skills:

  • understanding academic texts and using them effectively in your writing
  • making notes for writing and paraphrasing your notes
  • participating in pair and group writing activities in the classes
  • preparing a well-structured outline for an academic essay
  • planning good paragraphs and developing a coherent academic argument
  • doing research & including sources in your written project.

This module is designed to help international students understand the conventions of conducting research, which are important components of both Level 6 (final year undergraduate) and Level 7 (postgraduate) of UK university study.

By the end of the module, you should be able to:

  • Identify a topic worthy of research and formulate research questions/objectives
  • Describe and evaluate some common research methods
  • Design a primary research project, taking into consideration research ethics
  • Analyse qualitative and quantitative data at a descriptive level
  • Present and interpret research findings both in written and oral form
  • Identify and explain differences between your own culture and British culture

This module aims to help you with developing your social English and strategies of using English outside the classroom.

There will be some pronunciation exercises on individual sounds and areas of connected speech.

The module also aims to increase students’ understanding of British/London culture through classroom sessions and a few trips outside the university campus to the local area and London museums.

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The course information displayed on this page is correct for the academic year 2022/23. We aim to run the course as advertised however, changes may be necessary due to updates to the curriculum (due to academic or industry developments), student demand or UK compliance reasons.

Tuition fees 2023/24 

  • 6 weeks: £1,625
  • 12 weeks: £3,250

Please note that your tuition fees do not include the cost of course books that you may choose to purchase, stationery, printing and photocopying, accommodation, living expenses, travel or any other extracurricular activities. As a Northumbria University London Campus student, you will have full access to our online digital library with over 400,000 e-books and 50,000 electronic journals.

The learning materials will be supplied via loan; however, you are expected to buy a paper-based dictionary as you are allowed to use this during your exam.

Your tuition fees cover far more than your time in class with our expert academics, it covers the cost of providing you with excellent services and student experience.

  • Contact time in class – typically in lectures, seminars and tutorials
  • Access to facilities, including computers, on-campus Wi-Fi, printers, vending machines, quiet study spaces
  • The support of our Careers & Employment Service who help you to become more employable, secure placements and run workshops
  • Academic support – our ACE Team run multiple sessions on academic writing, presenting, exam techniques throughout the semester, as well as 1-2-1 appointments and drop-in sessions
  • Student support services such as our Ask4Help Service. Find out more about the services available to you on our Student Support page
  • Access to online resources, including 24/ 7 Library with over 400,000 e-books and 50,000 electronic journals.

Living costs in London

In addition to your tuition fees, you will need to consider how you are going to meet your living costs whilst living in London. You will need to budget for things such as rent, food, travel, clothing and socialising. The UKVI recommend allowing a minimum of £1,334 to cover living costs in London.

To help you understand what kind of costs you can expect, below give you an approximate monthly cost, the actual cost depends on lifestyle and will vary for each individual.

  • Rent: £450 – £550
  • Food: £120
  • Social life: £140
  • Travel: £50
  • Phone: £50
  • Books and equipment: £25

For further information regarding living costs and living in London, we recommend visiting studylondon.ac.uk for further information.

You can also find out more information about accommodation here.

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How to find out more

Enquire now to find out more information about the course, studying with us, the application process, and to ask any other questions you may have.

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How to apply

Once you’re ready to apply, you should submit an enquiry and one of our team will be in touch to discuss your options and what you need to do.

Course duration Spring
6 week Coming soon
12 week Coming soon

 

We strongly recommend that you submit your enquiry as early as possible to allow you to complete all of the preparations needed to study your course. After receiving an offer it can take time to arrange your finances and apply for your visa (if required) and it is important that you arrive in good time to enrol onto your course. Please refer to the Dates and Fees page.

Supporting documents

For us to assess your application in a timely manner, it is important that you provide us with the following documents:

  • Fully completed application form
  • Personal email address must be included on the application form
  • Transcripts and/or certificates (including a certified translation if not in English)
  • Passport – copy of personal details page
  • Proof of financial sponsorship if applicable
  • Reference
  • Confirmation of immigration history including copies of previous and current visas if applicable

You can check more information on how to apply here, including guidelines for the application forms.

Information For Disabled Applicants

At Northumbria University London we welcome applications from disabled students and are committed to ensuring an equal and accessible application journey. Your application will be considered on an equal basis to all other applications. Please contact us if you require any assistance. This website is continually optimised to adhere to accessibility best practice guidelines; tools to assist users with specific accessibility requirements have also been provided. More information is available in our accessibility statement.

 

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Course Information

Level of study:

Pre-Sessional

Tuition fee:

UK/Home Fee: N/A
International Fee: £1,625 or £3,250

Entry requirements:

Relevant progression degree admissions requirements and you must be over 18 years old

English language requirements:

0.5 to 1.0 below your progression degree’s English language requirements overall, and/or in one or more bands.

Mode of study:

Full-time classroom

Duration:

6 weeks or 12 weeks

Assessment methods:

Coursework and exams

Scholarship or bursaries:

Not available

Student finance:

Not available

Payment plan:

Not available

Starts:

February, March, June, July, October, November

Next application deadline

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