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On-campus and online courses
If you have a conditional offer, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation. Both on-campus and online students will be offered a variety of social activities alongside academic studies.
You can still apply - courses open for application, 2023-24
The course you apply for will depend on the requirements detailed in your offer letter from Admissions.
Presessional course | Dates | Apply now | Deadline for application |
6 week on campus
|
5 August - 13 September 2024 |
Presessional English |
21 June 2024 |
4 week on campus
unconditional offer holders only
|
27 August - 20 September 2024 |
Presessional English |
12 July 2024 |
Courses now closed for application, 2023-24
32 week campus - 25 September 2023 to 28 June 2024
22 week campus - 25 September 2023 to 22 March 2024
11 week campus - 25 September 2023 to 8 December 2023
6 week campus - 30 October 2023 to 8 December 2023
31 week campus - 8 January 2024 to 13 September 2024
21 week campus - 8 January 2024 to 28 June 2024
11 week campus - 8 January 2024 to 22 March 2024
20 week campus - 22 April 2024 to 13 September 2024
15 week campus - 28 May 2024 to 13 September 2024
10 week online- 17 June 2024 to 23 August 2024
10 week campus 8 July 2024 to 13 September 2024
6 week online - 15 July 2024 to 23 August 2024
Why study this course?
Gain confidence and communicative competence
The benefits of studying a Presessional English course highly outweigh retaking language tests for direct entry. You will:
- Become immersed in the language
- Get acclimatised to studying at a UK university before your main programme
- Make friends with people on your future course
- Start getting used to British culture in a safe and friendly international environment
- Communicate in English outside of the classroom via social activities
A lively social programme
Study on campus and you will get to know the University and experience student life in the city. Take part in our social programme and get involved in cultural and sporting activities, make friends and practise your English in the wider context. Study online and meet you classmates in virtual social activities where you can have fun and get to know each other outside of your teaching and learning.
British Council accredited courses
The British Council inspected and accredited Birmingham International Academy, University of Birmingham in March 2022. The Accreditation Scheme assesses the standards of management, resources and premises, teaching, welfare, and safeguarding under 18s and accredits organisations which meet the overall standard in each area inspected.
The large English language teaching department of this university offers courses in academic English for adults (18+) and young people (16+). Strengths were noted in the areas of strategic and quality management, staff management, premises and facilities, learning resources, academic staff profile, academic management, course design, learner management, teaching and care of students. The inspection report stated that the organisation met the standards of the Scheme.
Campus accommodation
We provide a variety of student accommodation options on and off campus. You will live in a student village where you will have the chance to make friends with people outside of the classroom. Our accommodation options an on-site security team and provide a host of social activities specifically targeted at people living in student halls which helps to provide a vibrant, friendly and safe community. If you are interested in one of our campus pre-sessional English courses, find all the support you need to book your presessional university accommodation.
Entry requirements
You must have a conditional offer for a course (foundation, undergraduate or postgraduate) at the University of Birmingham.
The minimum English language score you need for our Presessional depends on the required English language score for the degree you wish to study next. Your offer letter from the University of Birmingham will tell you what the required IELTS score for your course is.
Applying for our campus-based Presessional courses
In order to meet UKVI entry requirements, Presessional applicants who need a Student Route visa must provide a valid official Secure English Language Test (SELT) certificate, attaining at least a B1 level of English in all skills. For these courses, we accept the following tests:
- IELTS (UKVI)
- Pearson Academic (UKVI)
Students who are eligible for an integrated CAS can also apply with the following tests:
- IELTS Academic (non-UKVI)
- TOEFL “At Home” Test
- Pearson Academic online
Check your eligibility for an integrated CAS (only for students on the 10, 6 and 4-week courses)
Applying for our online courses
Applicants for an online Presessional course can use any of the following tests:
- IELTS (UKVI)
- Pearson Academic (UKVI)
- IELTS Academic (non-UKVI)
- TOEFL “At Home” Test
- Pearson Academic online
Find the right length presessional course for you
You must be at least 16 years old to apply for one of our Presessional English courses.
I was so impressed when I studied a pre-sessional English course at the University of Birmingham. It's a very enjoyable teaching environment, and teachers are supportive and understanding of international students.
Nattaporn Ontrakrai, 10-week Presessional English student at Birmingham International Academy, 2022
Whether you are studying on campus or online,
- You will take part in taught lessons every day, where you will participate in class-based discussion and speaking and listening tasks set by your class tutor.
- You will also have reading and written tasks with teacher feedback to develop your skills.
- You will be fully supported throughout your course and you will receive regular 1-1 tutorials to discuss your progress and get answers to any questions you might have.
- On-campus classes will be delivered face to face and online classes are delivered via Zoom.
- All courses are assessed using a mixture of coursework, portfolio assessments and tests.
Contact Hours
- The first week of your programme includes an introduction to the course and to the University’s facilities and student support services.
- The last 1-2 weeks of the course are usually timetabled for assessment and feedback on your progress.
- You will have 15.8 hours of tuition every week. This is 19 classes of 50-minute lessons.
- Classes on campus are held Monday to Friday and are scheduled between 9.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m, UK time.
- Timetabled online sessions will take into account the needs of students studying in different time zones. There is no teaching on Saturday or Sunday.
- Up to 20 hours per week should be allowed for completion of all pre and post-class activities and coursework.
A sample timetable for Summer Presessional English 2023/24
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
Session 1 |
Reading and Writing |
Reading and Writing |
ESAP |
Reading and Writing |
Reading and Writing |
Session 2 |
Reading and Writing |
Reading and Writing |
ESAP |
Reading and Writing |
ESAP |
Session 3 |
Listening and Speaking |
Listening and Speaking |
ESAP |
Listening and Speaking |
ESAP |
Session 4 |
Listening and Speaking |
Listening and Speaking |
|
Listening and SpeakingESAP |
|
In addition to the taught classes scheduled weekly, you will attend 1-1 tutorials with your tutor and have the oportunity to attend workshops and social events.
Please note there are a number of UK bank holidays (BH) and University closed days throughout the year when the University will be closed and no teaching will take place.
2023-24
University closed days and UK bank holidays (BH)
- Thursday 21 December 2023
- Friday 22 December 2023
- Monday 25 December 2023 (Christmas Day BH)
- Tuesday 26 December 2023 (Boxing Day BH)
- Wednesday 27 December 2023
- Thursday 28 December 2023
- Friday 29 December 2023
- Monday 1 January 2024 (New Year’s Day BH)
- Friday 29 March 2024 (Good Friday BH)
- Monday 1 April 2024 (Easter Monday BH)
- Tuesday 2 April 2024
- Wednesday 3 April 2024
- Monday 6 May 2024 (May BH)
- Monday 27 May 2024 (Spring BH)
- Monday 26 August 2024 (Summer BH)
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
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