Pre-Sessional Standard

About this course

The Pre-Sessional Standard programme is designed for students who have a conditional offer to study with Ulster University, but have not yet met the English language requirements of their chosen course.

This full-time programme will develop your English language skills, improve your academic study skills; reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, introduce yourself to British culture and developing your understanding of university systems, services and facilities.

You will gain essential academic skills:

• Academic writing
• Referencing and citation
• Reading techniques
• Listening and note taking
• Grammar and vocabulary
• Communication and discussion
• Using the internet for study
• Using the University library
• Adapt to British culture

Progression

Successful completion of this programme will guarantee you entry to your target course with an English language requirement of IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

To view our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, please visit the courses page.

Teaching methods

Rather than having specific modules, our teaching methods are designed to boost your academic writing, reading techniques, grammar and vocabulary, using the internet and library for study.

You will attend 21 hours of classes a week which will be taught via a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, directed study, guest lectures, project work and group work.

In addition to your time in class, you will be expected to engage in approximately 19 hours of self-study time per week.

You will taught by our highly qualified tutors of English for Academic Purposes (EAP). The Centre for English Learning and Teaching team has proven experience of helping students just like you succeed.

You will have access to Blackboard, our online learning environment, where you can access module resources and reading lists that will assist your preparation for classes and self-study.

On average, you will study in a class of 14 students and no more than 16.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a mixture of coursework and examinations. The marks awarded for class essay, class test, and research assignment account for 40% of the final overall mark, while final examinations, involving application of all four language skills, make up the remaining 60% of marks available.

Entry requirements

The academic entry requirements of your target course applies.

English language requirements

Applicants must satisfy our general entry requirements as well as meeting specific requirements.

You must have IELTS 5.5 with a maximum of one band score at 5.0 (no band scores under 5.0 therefore acceptable).

Other English language tests are accepted, click here to find out more.

If you do not meet these requirements and need additional English language support, you can study our Pre-Sessional Plus programme.

Tuition fees for 2018/19

International students:

• London: £1,200
• Birmingham: £1,100

Please note that the fees outlined are for your tuition only and do not include the cost of any course books that you may choose to purchase, stationery, accommodation etc. As an Ulster University London and Birmingham branch campus student, you will also have access to our on campus libraries and a range of e-learning resources.

Programme books, dictionaries and other materials are provided.

How to find out more

To find out more about this course, we recommend that you complete our enquiry form and one of our team will contact you to discuss your options.

How to apply

You can apply to study the Pre-Sessional Standard via the following methods.

Our Apply page includes further information on how to apply and which documents to include with your application.