Pre-Sessional English (Standard route)

About the course

Students whose level of English is not yet high enough to enter their chosen undergraduate or postgraduate degree will be required to take one or more Pre-Sessional English courses in order to help them to achieve the necessary standard. Students are assessed during and at the end of the course through coursework and in class tests.

The Pre-sessional English course aims to:

• develop your vocabulary range and improve your pronunciation and grammar
• help you to understand university lectures and seminars and to take notes effectively
• help you to write accurate and appropriate essays, reports and academic assignments
• help you to read academic books, journals and papers efficiently
• improve your spoken ability in academic contexts

Why choose this course?

The Pre-sessional English Standard course is designed to improve students' general English and English for academic purposes. This module is designed for students who have IELTS 5 or 5.5 or equivalent and wish to progress onto their chosen degree programme at UH which has an entry point of IELTS 6.

• It helps you to develop your academic English language and study skills so you can pursue your studies at university, either at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
• It gives you some insight into student life and some cultural and leisure activities.
• If successful on the course you can progress directly onto your chosen degree programme

Course dates

PSS1F - 1 July 2013 - 13 September 2013

PSS2F - 5 August 2013 - 13 September 2013

PSS3F - 7 October 2013 - 20 December 2013

PSS4F - 11 November 2013 - 20 December 2013

Study routes

• Full Time (Less than 24 weeks),

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Teaching methods

As a student of Pre-Sessional English, you will be taught by well-qualified lecturers with considerable experience in the teaching of English in the UK and overseas. They will take a personal interest in your progress and well-being. The teaching takes place in small groups using modern teaching and learning methods. The courses are intensive and you will be required to do homework and out-of-class assignments. You will also be able to take part in a social programme.

The atmosphere of the course is friendly with small teaching groups. Pre-Sessional English courses are an excellent way to become acclimatised to the British university scene, and to make friends before the beginning of the academic year.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Knowledge and Understanding

Successful students will typically have knowledge of:

• a good range of vocabulary common to academic texts
• how to use grammar and vocabulary to create a range of written and spoken academic discourse
• how to use texts to increase grammatical and lexical knowledge
• how to increase reading efficiency
• strategies to improve listening to spoken input in talks and seminars
• referencing conventions

Skills and Attributes

Successful students will typically be able to:

• produce spoken English intelligibly and effectively using a good range of vocabulary
• demonstrate understanding of spoken academic discourse with a good range of vocabulary
• apply different reading strategies appropriately to a modest range of texts
• write notes in a range of styles and from these create summaries and syntheses
• utilise sources and employ appropriate academic referencing conventions
• plan and write a modest range of academic essays and reports
• use a range of library and internet resources effectively

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes STANDARD 1

  11a. Module content (for publication, max 150 words): The Pre-sessional English Standard 1/3 course is designed to improve students' general English and English for academic purposes. This module is designed for students who have IELTS 5 (for example) or equivalent and wish to progress onto their chosen degree programme at UH which has an entry point of IELTS 6. There is a focus on: • vocabulary acquisition, storage and appropriate use • listening comprehension strategies and note taking • strategies for effective and critical reading of a modest range of texts • academic writing and speaking conventions • working in groups Where possible students work in under- or post- graduate groups where there are shared subject interests.

• Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes STANDARD 2

  The Pre-sessional English Standard 2/4 course is designed to improve students' general English and English for academic purposes. This module is designed for students who have IELTS 5.5 (for example) or equivalent and wish to progress onto their chosen degree programme at UH which has an entry point of IELTS 6. There is a focus on: • vocabulary acquisition, storage and appropriate use • listening comprehension strategies and detailed note taking • strategies for effective and critical reading of a good range of texts • academic writing and speaking conventions • the acquisition and application of referencing conventions as employed in a UK university or academic environment Where possible students work in under- or post-graduate groups which have shared subject interests.

• Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes STANDARD 3

  The Pre-sessional English Standard 1/3 course is designed to improve students' general English and English for academic purposes. This module is designed for students who have IELTS 5 (for example) or equivalent and wish to progress onto their chosen degree programme at UH which has an entry point of IELTS 6. There is a focus on: • vocabulary acquisition, storage and appropriate use • listening comprehension strategies and note taking • strategies for effective and critical reading of a modest range of texts • academic writing and speaking conventions • working in groups Where possible students work in under- or post- graduate groups where there are shared subject interests.

• Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes STANDARD 4

  The Pre-sessional English Standard 2/4 course is designed to improve students' general English and English for academic purposes. This module is designed for students who have IELTS 5.5 (for example) or equivalent and wish to progress onto their chosen degree programme at UH which has an entry point of IELTS 6. There is a focus on: • vocabulary acquisition, storage and appropriate use • listening comprehension strategies and detailed note taking • strategies for effective and critical reading of a good range of texts • academic writing and speaking conventions • the acquisition and application of referencing conventions as employed in a UK university or academic environment Where possible students work in under- or post-graduate groups which have shared subject interests.

Optional

Fees & funding

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Additional course costs

PSS1F - July start (11 week course) - £2750

PSS2F - August start (6 week course) - £1500

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply