Presessional English

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

Start date
2023-2024 entry: Please see course details
Duration
6-10 weeks
Campus
Dubai
Course Type
Postgraduate, Presessional English, Undergraduate, Presessional English

Our Presessional English programme is designed to develop your English language and academic skills in preparation for your studies at the University of Birmingham Dubai.

Online and on-campus courses

If you have a conditional offer, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. 

The Presessional English 10 week and 6 week online courses are delivered from our Edgbaston campus in the UK using our own virtual learning environment and Zoom. Online classes are taught from 9am to 1pm BST (British Summer Time)

The Presessional English on-campus course is a blended course which combines three days of face-to-face study in class on our Dubai campus with two days taught remotely using Zoom or Teams.

Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.

The table below is a summary of available courses. The course you apply for will depend on the requirements detailed in your offer letter from Admissions.

Available courses
Presessional courseDatesApply nowDeadline for application

10 weeks online (DL)

 17 June - 23 August 2024 English for Academic Purposes Presessional 17 May 2024

6 weeks online (DL)

 15 July - 23 August 2024 English for Academic Purposes Presessional 14 June 2024

6 weeks on-campus

 15 July - 23 August 2024 English for Academic Purposes Presessional 31 May 2024

In the event we do not have the minimum number of applicants required to run the campus course, we reserve the right to cancel the course and offer an alternative or full refund.

For queries about our Presessional English programme, please contact the Presessional Admissions team: presessional@contacts.bham.ac.uk

For visa queries contact: dubaistudentmobility@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Flexible study and small class sizes

Whether you study online or on-campus, our maximum class size on all our Presessional English courses is 18 students, so tutors can give you individual attention and regular tutorials. All our tutors are qualified and experienced in teaching English for Academic Purposes (EAP).

Campus accommodation

If you're interested in our 6-week campus Presessional English course, find all the support you need to book accommodation close to the Dubai campus.

Explore Dubai accommodation choices

Frequently asked questions

You may have some questions about our Presessional English courses or applying to study at our Dubai campus. Visit our FAQ pages for the most common questions and some helpful answers.

Read Dubai application FAQs Read Presessional English FAQs

If you are unable to find the answer to your query, please contact: presessional@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Modules

What you will study

The Presessional English courses are produced by our own academic staff at the University and designed to help you to develop your English language and academic skills in preparation for your studies at the University of Birmingham. Some of the skills you will focus on include:

  • Accuracy and fluency in English for academic study
  • Academic reading and writing skills and critical use of source materials
  • Listening to lectures, taking notes and participating in academic discussions
  • Speaking skills for presentations and seminars
  • Grammatical competence and strategies for building discipline-specific vocabulary

Fees

10 week online £4,500

6 week online £2,700

6 week on-campus AED12,654

Payment methods

Online courses

Information for online course payments

On-campus courses

Make payment via bank transfer to our HSBC bank account 

If you want to request a payment link, please contact: dubaistudentservices@contacts.bham.ac.uk

How To Apply

Our courses are very popular so our advice would be to apply as early as possible.

 

Our apply links will take you to an application portal where you will create an account with the University application system. You will submit your application and supporting documents to us online. 

Please note that online Presessional English courses are marked 'DL' (Distance Learning) in the University application system.

Apply now for a 10 week or 6 week online (DL) Presessional English course

Apply now for the 6 week Dubai campus course


You must be at least 16 years old to apply for one of our Presessional English courses.

English Language qualifications

We will accept the following tests as evidence of English language proficiency:

  • IELTS
  • Pearson
  • TOEFL

For students studying online we also accept the following tests:

  • TOEFL “At Home” Test

The length of presesssional course you are eligible to study on is dependent upon your current English language level, and the level you need to achieve to meet the conditions of your offer.

If you’re not sure which length course is right for you, please check our entry requirements.

View Presessional English entry requirements

Read Dubai application FAQs Read Presessional English FAQs

If you are unable to find the answer to your query, please contact: presessional@contacts.bham.ac.uk

The curriculum is produced by our own academic staff at the University and is delivered using our own learning management system. 

  • Interactive, class-based discussion and listening tasks set by your dedicated class tutor
  • Guided reading and written tasks with feedback to develop your skills
  • Full academic support available throughout your course
  • Regular 1-1 tutorials to discuss your progress and answer any questions
  • You will be assessed using a mixture of coursework and progress tests

The Presessional English on-campus course is a blended course which combines three days of face-to-face study in class on our Dubai campus with two days taught remotely using Zoom or Teams.  

The Presessional online course (10-week and 6-week) is delivered from the UK using our own virtual learning environment and Zoom. Online classes are taught from 9am to 1pm BST (British Summer Time).

Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.

Assessment Methods

Over the duration of your course, you will study three modules:

  • Reading and Writing
  • Speaking and Listening
  • Academic Orientation/English for Specific Academic Purposes (ESAP).

Each module assesses your language skills. You will need to meet the English Language Entry Requirements for your programme with your scores in those modules.

Progression

The requirements for successful completion of your English presessional programme are:

  • The achievement of the appropriate final mark for all assessed work (examinations and assessed coursework)
  • A minimum of 90% attendance
  • Fulfilment of the University requirements for reasonable diligence

Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network Dubai can help you achieve your goal.

Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge. In addition, our Birmingham Dubai Awardard (formerly the Personal Skills Award) recognises your extra-curricular activities and supports you to develop, recognise, and articulate your skills in preparation for real-world recruitment processes.

Your Birmingham degree is evidence of your ability to succeed in a demanding academic environment. Employers target Birmingham students for their drive, diversity, communication and problem-solving skills, their team-working abilities and cultural awareness. Our graduate employment statistics have continued to climb at a rate well above national trends. If you make the most of the wide range of services we offer you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.