Pre-sessional Programme
Pre-sessional courses now available in Malaysia, click here to visit the new UoR Malaysia website.
Pre-sessional English
Our Pre-sessional Programme combines academic English and study skills preparation to help you meet your academic English language requirements for your chosen course of study. You can join the Programme at different points during the year. However, it is important to allow enough time to reach the entry level required for your chosen degree course.
The Pre-sessional Programme is regularly assessed and accredited by the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP) Accreditation Scheme.
The Pre-sessional Programme develops your abilities in the four main language skills:
- writing for academic essays and examinations
- reading of academic books and journal articles
- listening during lectures and discussions
- speaking during group work, discussions, seminars and presentations
It also aims to develop:
- your control of grammar and vocabulary
- better research skills
- more efficient note-taking skills during lectures, seminars and reading
- greater confidence and independence
- better critical thinking skills
- relevant e-learning skills
We adopt an integrated approach to the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, reflecting the way in which the four skills naturally overlap in real academic life
The programme is divided into two parts:
1. Pre-sessional courses during the academic year (October to June)
During the academic year we have 3 courses, Autumn Term, Spring Term and Summer Term (also called Block 1). These courses are suitable for all language levels above beginner level, as they offer extensive language and study skills development. There is more emphasis on language development for those who need it. The programme is full time (21 hours of classroom tuition per week and 20 hours of independent study), with students able to join in October, January and April.
2. Pre-sessional courses during the summer (July to September)
Our summer Pre-sessional courses offer academic English and study skills preparation for students immediately before joining their chosen university courses. They are suitable for students who have already reached a lower-intermediate to advanced level of English. The programme is full time (21 hours per week and 20 hours of independent study) running from July to September, with three possible start dates during these months.
We also run an 8-week Graduate Management and English Language Pre-sessional Course for graduate students entering the School of Management. For more information see the Management and English Programme description.
During the summer we also offer a four-week course for students intending to join the International Foundation Programme (IFP), who would like to improve their level of English beforehand. For more information visit the IFP web pages.
Our Pre-sessional programme offers a lot of flexibility in terms of when you start and how long you study. Many students follow courses during the academic year and during the summer vacation. That means you can join the Programme in October, January, April, June, July and August, and you can study for between 6 and 42 weeks in the year, depending on how much time you need to achieve your objectives. We can advise you how many weeks you are likely to need.
The Pre-sessional learning experience offers:
- a stimulating academic environment in which to prepare for your future studies;
- a full-time and intensive programme, during which active participation is encouraged from all students
- small class sizes of about 12 students organized according to level, maximising group interaction and teacher feedback
- an integrated approach to language and skills teaching, reflecting authentic academic tasks, so you learn through activities such as essay writing and listening to lectures
- the development of learning strategies and problem-solving skills to help you achieve the independence expected of students in UK universities
- the opportunity to research and write an academic paper in your subject area.
The programme is designed to meet your specific needs as they evolve during studies. For lower-level students there is more emphasis on language development; improving your grammar, vocabulary, spelling, pronunciation and language skills. As you develop this knowledge and these skills, the emphasis shifts more towards academic skills, such as supporting your ideas in academic writing with references to other sources.
Most learning materials have been written by academic staff within ISLC, so they closely match your needs and our approach to teaching and learning. The high quality of our materials had led to their publication by Garnet Education, and they are now used in many universities in the UK and abroad.
Staffing
The Programme is staffed by full and part-time experienced, qualified teachers of English for Academic Purposes, many of whom have been on the staff for several years.