Pre-sessional Courses
Autumn & Spring Pre-sessional Courses
Our Autumn and Spring courses offer academic English and study skills preparation for students planning to study at the University of Reading, or other UK universities. The timetable is full time (21 hours per week) running from October to March, with students joining in October and January.
These courses cater for all language levels, but are ideal for students entering at lower levels, offering extensive language and study skills development where required.
Our Autumn and Spring Pre-sessional courses aim to develop your skills in the following areas:
- language accuracy and fluency
- writing of academic papers
- reading of academic books and articles
- listening during lectures and discussions
- note-taking during lectures, seminars and reading
- speaking during seminars, group work and discussion
- critical thinking and independence as a learner
- using technology such as Email, word processing, PowerPoint, and the Internet
Here at Reading we offer a real academic environment to prepare you for your studies. We adopt an integrated, rather than separated, approach to the teaching of language and skills, in order to reflect real-life academic tasks, so you learn through tasks such as essay writing, and listening to lectures.
Download information:
Download Presessional 2009-2010 Brochure
Download Presessional 2009-2010 Application Form
Summer Pre-sessional courses
The Summer pre-sessional course offers intensive academic English and study skills preparation for students before joining their chosen university courses. The course is full time (20 - 23 hours per week) running from April to September, with a new intake of students at regular intervals.
The University will refund the postal application extension fee of £250 for students who have only been granted a short-stay visa for the period of the Pre-sessional course and are progressing to degree programmes at the University of Reading.
The pre-sessional course develops your abilities in the four skills:
- writing for academic essays, examinations and dissertations
- reading of academic books and journal articles
- listening during lectures and discussions
- speaking during seminars and presentations
We also aim to develop:
- better research skills
- more efficient note-taking skills
- greater confidence and independence
- better critical thinking skills
- helpful computing skills including the use of Email, word processing, PowerPoint, and the Internet
We adopt an integrated, rather than separated, 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. Learning occurs through tasks such as:
- essay writing
- listening to lectures
- giving presentations
- carrying out an extended project
- taking part in a live academic conference