Intensive Academic English Skills Course (4-w UNC)

Start date
2022-23 entry: 14 August 2023
Duration
4 weeks
Course Type
Postgraduate, Presessional English, Undergraduate, Presessional English
Image for English for Academic Purposes (UNC)

The University of Birmingham offers a 4-week intensive Academic English Skills course for students who have already met their English language requirements and hold an unconditional offer. Our experienced and qualified tutors will guide you through the academic skills, study skills and university life skills you will need to be ready for your main programme of study in turn, giving you a strong start to your chosen degree programme.

What you will study

There is a different topic focus each week which provides a foundation for the key skills you will learn. The course aims to develop essential skills that will improve the below areas:

  • Accuracy and fluency in Academic English for study
  • The ability to write academically using accurate referencing and avoiding plagiarism
  • A range of reading skills for academic texts
  • Grammatical competence
  • Vocabulary and study skills
  • Seminar and presentation skills
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Skills for working independently and with a team
  • Preparing for an assignment 
  • Getting to know others through volunteering 

The course served as an excellent preparation for university studies in the UK. It focused on relevant topics and enhanced essay writing skills providing an insight into ideal structures of an essay. It provided me with the necessary skills to tackle assignments on my degree course and improved my English skills in general. I enjoyed the interactive classes and the friendly atmosphere of the course and interacting with students from different parts of the world.

Fabian (Austria)

Why study this course?

If you want to have a strong start to your chosen degree programme then why not register for the 4-week intensive Academic English Skills course and give yourself a great start to your life and study at the University of Birmingham.

You will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of social activities at no additional cost to help you make friends whilst getting to know the campus, the city and the country.

Fees

Fees

The fee for this course is £1,620.

How to pay this fee is detailed on the Methods of Payment for the Presessional English Courses page.

How To Apply

The deadline for receipt of applications is six weeks before the start date of the course: 3 July 2023.

Please note that the University reserves the right to close applications earlier in the event that the course is full. Due to high demand for Presessional English courses you are advised to apply as early as possible.

Before applying please read the following: Important information about presessional courses at the University of Birmingham

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online.

Apply Now 

If you have any queries please contact: BIA@contacts.bham.ac.uk.


You must be an international student and have an unconditional offer for a main degree programme at the University of Birmingham.

 

Our maximum class size on the 4-week intensive Academic English Skills course is 18 students, so tutors can give you individual attention and regular tutorials to help you meet your needs. All our tutors are qualified and experienced.

UNC_LandT

Academic English is different from the 'general' English you may have learned before. You will be supported along the way by personal tutors and a welfare tutor, who can help with both academic and welfare issues.

Contact Hours

You will have 15.8 hours of tuition (or 19 classes of 50 minute lessons). Each 50 minute class is followed by a 10 minute break. Classes are scheduled between 9.00 am and 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday. You will also be expected to do between 7-10 hours of independent study a week.

Classes are Monday to Friday. There is no teaching on Saturday or Sunday.

There is a public holiday on 28 August 2023 and there will be no classes.

 

Assessment Methods

The course is assessed through weekly formative assignments, seminar tasks, in class activities and 1-1 tutoring to ensure that you are maintaining improvement in core skill areas.  There is an essay and presentation at the end of the course where you will receive detailed feedback to help you progress your skills: the assessments are not compulsory and can be completed or not completed.

 

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 can help you achieve your goal. 

 

Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. 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 employer-endorsed award-winning Personal Skills Award (PSA) recognises your extra-curricular activities, and provides an accredited employability programme designed to improve your career prospects.

 

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, and 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 you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.

 

 

 

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