English Language Teaching Unit
Pre-sessional English Language Programmes 2016-2017
Contents 3 Pre-sessional programmes 4 Why study a pre-sessional programme at the University of Leicester? 5 Entry requirements and visa information 7 About the pre-sessional programmes 8 Case studies 10 Accommodation and payment of fees 11 About the ELTU, University and city
2 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
The pre-sessional courses were very useful and the team are like your family. My English improved so rapidly. Alregab, Saudi Arabia
Pre-sessional programmes University of Leicester pre-sessional programmes are designed to improve English and study skills while helping students to meet the required English language level for entry onto University of Leicester degree programmes. They are an excellent way of preparing for academic study in the UK.
The University of Leicester’s pre-sessional programmes are provided by the English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU), which is accredited by the British Council and has nearly 30 years of experience in offering pre-sessional English.
Aims of the pre-sessional programme • To allow you to meet the English language condition of your admissions offer to a degree programme at the University of Leicester. • To help improve your language and study skills in preparation for your future academic courses at the University of Leicester.
Table 1: Programmes for applicants needing an exit level of IELTS 6.0 or 6.5 PROGRAMME
ENTRY REQUIREMENT START – END DATES
40 weeks (Course A,B,C,D)
IELTS 4.0
30 weeks (Course B,C,D)
IELTS 4.5
20 weeks (Course C,D)
IELTS 5.0
10 weeks (Course D)
IELTS 5.5
6 weeks (Course E)
IELTS 6.0 Postgraduates only
Study Skills
Unconditional offer from the University of Leicester
APPLY BEFORE
FEE
3 October 2016 – 8 September 2017
15 August 2016
£13,400
9 January 2017 – 8 December 2017
7 November 2016
£13,400
3 October 2016 – 16 June 2017
15 August 2016
£10,050
9 January 2017 – 8 September 2017
7 November 2016
£10,050
3 April 2017 – 8 December 2017
13 February 2017
£10,050
9 January 2017 – 16 June 2017
7 November 2016
£6,700
3 April 2017 – 8 September 2017
13 February 2017
£6,700
(outside EU)
3 July 2017 – 8 December 2017
15 May 2017
£6,700
3 October 2016 – 9 December 2016
15 August 2016
£3,350
3 April 2017 – 16 June 2017
13 February 2017
£3,350
3 July 2017 – 8 September 2017
15 May 2017
£3,350
31 July 2017 – 8 September 2017
12 June 2017
£2,010
11 September 2017 – 22 September 2017
14 August 2017
£400
ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING UNIT 3
Why study a pre-sessional programme at the University of Leicester? • Successful completion meets the English language requirement for all University of Leicester degree programmes. There is no need to take another English language test, such as IELTS. • Improve your study and academic skills – ideal preparation for your degree programme. • Familiarise yourself with UK study culture. • Practise your language skills in an English-speaking environment. • Familiarise yourself with the city and the university and make friends before you start your degree.
Features of the pre-sessional programme
• Free day trip to a place of interest, such as Cambridge, York or Stratford.
• Maximum class size of 16, facilitating interactive learning with classmates and tutor.
• Extra-curricular activities such as Book Club, Language Café and end of summer pre-sessional party.
• Experienced, friendly and supportive teachers.
• Free coach collection service for summer pre-sessional courses from Heathrow Airport on specific dates.
• Multiple entry points to accommodate students with IELTS levels from 4.0 to 6.0. • Year-round courses with several start dates for courses A to D.
• Full access to university facilities such as wifi, library and Students Union.
• High pass rates.
• Possibility of booking university accommodation.
• All study materials are included in the tuition fee.
• Student support service and advice with visas.
Entry requirements and visa information It is possible to join pre-sessional programmes with either a Tier 4 visa or a Short-term study visa.
Table 2
In either case, you must demonstrate that you have the minimum English level by producing the appropriate certificate when applying.
COURSE 40 weeks (Course A,B,C,D)
4.0
ISE I with Merit in all components
Entry on a Tier 4 visa
30 weeks (Course B,C,D)
4.5
ISE I with Distinction in all components
20 weeks (Course C,D)
5.0
ISE II with Pass in all components
10 weeks (Course D)
5.5
ISE II with Merit in all components
6 weeks (Course E)
6.0
ISE II with Distinction in all components
To successfully apply for a Tier 4 visa, you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) result, recognised by United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI), which meets the entry requirement for the course you are applying for. These can be seen in Table 2. The two accepted tests are: • IELTS Academic for UKVI • Trinity College London ISE Tier 4 (Student). You must also have the minimum scores required in each language area indicated in Table 3.
• Course E is for Masters and PhD applicants only. For Masters applicants, it may be possible to integrate your offer with that for your academic programme. Please visit www.le.ac.uk/integrated-offer for more information. • The entry levels for applicants needing an exit level equivalent to IELTS 7.0, such as for Law, are 0.5 of an IELTS band higher e.g. IELTS 4.5 for a 40 week programme.
IELTS ACADEMIC TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON FOR UKVI ISE
Table 3 EXAM
SPEAKING LISTENING READING
WRITING OVERALL SCORE
IELTS Academic for UKVI
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
Trinity ISE I
Merit
Merit
Merit
Merit
(Not applicable)
• The minimum age for enrolment is 18 years old. If we make you an offer, you will need to accept your place and pay a tuition fee deposit of £200. We will then issue you with a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS) for your pre-sessional programme so that you can apply for a Tier 4 visa. The CAS will state the latest date you can arrive. You must arrive by this date to be eligible for the course.
To be issued a CAS integrated with your Masters programme, a deposit of half of your tuition fees is required. This information is correct at the time of printing but is subject to change in the future. Please visit the following websites for further information: • www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/ overview • www.le.ac.uk/pseentry
ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING UNIT 5
Entry on a Short-term study visa For students entering the UK with a Short-term study visa, we can accept a wider range of test results. See Table 4 for more details. There is no minimum component score requirement. Other tests may be accepted and we may be able to arrange a test for you if you are already in the UK. Please email
[email protected] for more information. Please note that a Short-term study visa has more restrictions than a Tier 4 visa. For instance, it does not give entitlement to work, to also bring family members into the UK or allow for the visa to be extended beyond the maximum 11 months.
Table 4 COURSE
IELTS
TOEFL iBT
PEARSON PTE
PASSWORD
30 weeks (Courses ABC)
4.0
42
–
4.0
30 weeks (Courses BCD)
4.5
53
36
4.5
20 weeks (Courses BC)
4.5
53
36
4.5
20 weeks (Courses CD)
5.0
60
42
5.0
10 weeks (Course C)
5.0
60
42
5.0
10 weeks (Course D)
5.5
70
46
–
How do I apply? Please go to www.le.ac.uk/pse to apply online. You will normally receive a reply in five working days. The last date for applications for each course is noted on Table 1 on page 3. Please ensure you attach an official copy of your English language certificate to show your current level of English language.
6 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
About the pre-sessional programmes Our pre-sessional courses are structured so that it is possible to join at any stage and progress to the level required for academic study. Courses A, B and C progressively develop students’ language proficiency in preparation for Course D, with an increasing focus on academic skills.
Course details MORNING CLASSES: 15 HOURS PER WEEK (MONDAY – FRIDAY, 9.30 – 11.00, 11.30 – 13.00) Courses A, B and C:
General language improvement: focus on general language improvement, including grammar and vocabulary, reading, listening, speaking and writing, knowledge of British life and culture; an increasing focus on academic skills
Courses D and E:
English for academic study and language improvement at an advanced level: listening to lectures and note-taking, discussion skills for seminars, using the library, grammar and vocabulary, reading academic texts.
AFTERNOON CLASSES: 6 HOURS PER WEEK (3 WEEKDAY AFTERNOONS, 14.00 – 16.00) Courses A, B and C:
English development: further work on areas of English that need improvement, development of academic skills (Courses B and C) and completion of a quantitative research project (Courses B and C).
Courses D and E:
Project: through tutorials and self-study, you plan, research and write a 1,500 word essay on a topic related to your academic study.
About Study Skills The course focuses on English for academic study and language improvement at an advanced level and equips students with skills that they will find valuable when they commence their academic programmes. It is for students with an unconditional offer for a University of Leicester degree course who have already met the English language requirement. Classes include listening to lectures and note taking, presenting a seminar paper, discussion skills, training in library research methods, grammar and vocabulary development, reading academic texts and help in producing a 1,500 word academic assignment.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING UNIT 7
Case studies Jingjing from China Jingjing came to the ELTU with an IELTS score of 4.0 and improved her English to reach the standard required for entry onto MSc Marketing. She chose the ELTU as it offers a longer pre-sessional compared to other universities so she could start with a relatively low IELTS score. Jingjing was concerned that studying English in her own country could be more focused on learning how to pass a test rather than how to use the language itself. Jingjing found the courses progressive with courses A and B focusing on basic knowledge and grammar, building up her confidence ready for Course D. In particular, her writing improved through the weekly assignments and support from her tutors. She also enjoyed having the opportunity to meet and interact with other people, particularly during extra-curricular activities such as the Book Club, Language Café and course trips. Jingjing recommends the David Wilson library as offering a good environment for private study. She likes Leicester as she finds it a convenient city with a lower cost of living than others in the UK. Jingjing enjoys discovering local places to eat and was surprised to find so many Chinese restaurants close by!
8 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
Rusul from Iraq Before coming to the UK, Rusul worked as a lecturer in Chemistry at Baghdad University. After completing a 30 week pre-sessional programme, she began a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Leicester. Rusul enjoyed studying at the ELTU as she built up her confidence, self-esteem and cultural knowledge, developing friendships with both tutors and classmates. She found Course B to be really good for grammar, preparing students for Courses C and D. Rusul says that she would recommend the ELTU as the staff are friendly and give students lots of knowledge and confidence. Rusul also studied the ELTU’s in-sessional programme during her academic studies. She found this to be useful revision of everything she did in the pre-sessional classes, particularly speaking and presentation skills, and made her realise that she was much better prepared for academic studies than those who started directly onto the PhD. Rusul appreciates living in Leicester as she regards the local people as friendly and respectful of other cultures and religions. She describes Leicester as multi-cultural and convenient, with nothing being too far away. Because of its centrality, she finds it easy to travel to other cities, particularly London.
Juvenal from Colombia Juvenal worked as a pathologist before coming to Leicester. After completing a 20 week pre-sessional English course, he started a PhD in Genetics at the University of Leicester sponsored by the Colombian government. Juvenal decided to apply for ELTU’s pre-sessional course in preference to re-taking an IELTS test. He chose to come to Europe to study rather than America as he regarded it to be more multicultural and easy to travel from one place to another. Juvenal describes the ELTU as “excellent” and believes that it exceeded his expectations, despite finding Course D very intensive. In particular, he learnt about paraphrasing, was given good tips for reading and improved his writing skills greatly. He appreciated the friendliness of the ELTU staff and classmates and recommends Blackboard as a useful online tool to access useful study information. He believes that Leicester has a lot to offer and, although describing it as a small city, believes it has everything that a student needs. Although he has found many good local restaurants, he has used some of his spare time to learn to cook. He also intends to watch a Leicester City football match soon.
Xiaoshan from China
Hasim from Indonesia
Xiaoshan made a career change to come to the University of Leicester, deciding to study MA Media and Public Relations after a 30 week pre-sessional at the ELTU. An acquaintance, who believed that the ELTU had previously helped her academic studies, recommended the ELTU to Xiaoshan.
Hasim worked as a researcher for the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture before applying for an MPhil in Chemistry at the University of Leicester. Hasim first decided to complete a 10 week presessional to improve his English and update his study skills.
Xiaoshan appreciated the pre-sessional course as she was able to study academic English and culture and not just general English, which provided good preparation for her degree studies. She also enjoyed activities such as the Language Café as it offered a good opportunity to socialise with people of other nationalities. Not only did this help Xiaoshan’s speaking skills but it also allowed her to learn about other cultures and languages – she even learned a few words of Arabic from her Saudi friends. Xiaoshan recommends that students should use the ELTU lending library to borrow books suggested by tutors as this can improve reading skills, vocabulary and grammar.
Hasim found a different style of learning at the ELTU and believes that the ELTU taught him skills which are applicable to future studies, work and life in general. Becoming more independent in his studies, he describes how the tutors “gave students the keys” but then how students needed to explore and learn by themselves to improve.
Xiaoshan finds Leicester to be peaceful, international and located in the heart of the country, making it easy to travel to other places.
In particular, he found that the project class gave him the writing skills to produce academic articles and reports in English. He learnt how to order his writing, support his ideas with arguments and give counter arguments. Hasim likes Leicester as it is central and easy to travel around the UK. He has also found that his accommodation is a lot lower cost than that of his friends who live in other UK cities. Hasim also appreciates the research contributions of the university, such as the discovery of King Richard III.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING UNIT 9
Accommodation Pre-sessional students are usually accommodated in university halls of residence. Accommodation is self-catered and normally consists of a single study bedroom with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. Applications for rooms should be made online. Further information can be found at www.le.ac.uk/accommodation. Please note that this accommodation is not suitable for families. However, family accommodation to suit a range of tastes and budgets may easily be rented from private landlords.
Payment of fees A £200 deposit is required for you to secure your place on the course. The remainder of your course fees should be paid in full prior to the start of the course. This can be done using one of the following methods: • Online by credit or debit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Maestro and Delta) • Bank transfer • Cheque or banker’s draft Please contact
[email protected] for further information. 10 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
© LCFC/Plumb Images
About the ELTU
About the University
About the city
In addition to pre-sessional programmes, the ELTU offers many other courses, including:
Established in 1921 and granted its royal charter in 1957, the University of Leicester is ranked among the top 25 universities in the UK by The Sunday Times and the top 200 in the world by the Times Higher Education newspaper. It has gained worldwide recognition for pioneering work in establishing genetic fingerprinting in 1986 and for the recent discovery and identification of the remains of King Richard III. The university is situated on a compact campus twenty minutes’ walk from the city centre and has a range of excellent facilities and services, including the award-winning David Wilson Library.
Leicester is one of the most lively and diverse cities in the UK, known for its multi-cultural society and friendly and safe atmosphere. Situated in the centre of England, Leicester is well connected by road, rail and air and is only just over an hour by train from London. As well as a wide range of modern shopping and leisure facilities, Leicester has a rich history dating back 2000 years and hosts a wide array of cultural events. Leicester is also a renowned sporting city with Leicester City winning the English Premier League football title in 2016 and Leicester Tigers holding the record for English Premiership titles in rugby union.
• Free in-sessional courses for the University’s international students • English language courses for Erasmus / Study Abroad students • Preparation courses for Cambridge English exams • Teaching training courses, such as the Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) • A distance learning Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching English for Academic Purposes • Bespoke specialised English courses for professionals, teachers and academics.
The tutors are very helpful and they really help me improve my English. Risa, South Korea
ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING UNIT 11
Programmes for applicants needing an exit level of IELTS 6.0 or 6.5 PROGRAMME
ENTRY REQUIREMENT START – END DATES
40 weeks (Course A,B,C,D)
IELTS 4.0
30 weeks (Course B,C,D)
IELTS 4.5
20 weeks (Course C,D)
IELTS 5.0
APPLY BEFORE
FEE
3 October 2016 – 8 September 2017
15 August 2016
£13,400
9 January 2017 – 8 December 2017
7 November 2016
£13,400
3 October 2016 – 16 June 2017
15 August 2016
£10,050
9 January 2017 – 8 September 2017
7 November 2016
£10,050
3 April 2017 – 8 December 2017
13 February 2017
£10,050
9 January 2017 – 16 June 2017
7 November 2016
£6,700
3 April 2017 – 8 September 2017
13 February 2017
£6,700
3 July 2017 – 8 December 2017
15 May 2017
£6,700
3 October 2016 – 9 December 2016
15 August 2016
£3,350
3 April 2017 – 16 June 2017
13 February 2017
£3,350
(outside EU)
10 weeks (Course D)
IELTS 5.5
3 July 2017 – 8 September 2017
15 May 2017
£3,350
6 weeks (Course E)
IELTS 6.0 Postgraduates only
31 July 2017 – 8 September 2017
12 June 2017
£2,010
Study Skills
Unconditional offer from the University of Leicester
11 September 2017 – 22 September 2017
14 August 2017
£400
@uniofleicester · /uoleltu For more information English Language Teaching Unit, University of Leicester, Readson House, 96-98 Regent Road, Leicester, LE1 7DF, UK
© University of Leicester
However, in exceptional circumstances it may be necessary for the University to cancel or change a programme or part of the specification more substantially. For example, due to the unavailability of key teaching staff, changes or developments in knowledge or teaching methods, the way in which assessment is carried out, or where a course or part of it is over-subscribed to the extent that the quality of teaching would be affected to the detriment of students. In these circumstances, we will contact you as soon as possible and in any event will give you [30 days] written notice before the relevant change is due to take place. Where this occurs, we will also and in consultation with you, offer you an alternative course or programme (as appropriate) or the opportunity to cancel your contract with the University and obtain a refund of any advance payments that you have made.
10929_09/16
t: +44 (0) 116 229 7859 f: +44 (0) 116 229 7818 e:
[email protected] w: www.le.ac.uk/eltu
Printed by Print Services, University of Leicester, using vegetable based inks on FSC certified stock
This brochure was published in September 2016. The University of Leicester endeavours to ensure that the content of its prospectus, programme specification, website content and all other materials are complete and accurate. On occasion it may be necessary to make some alterations to particular aspects of a course or module, and where these are minor, for example altering the lecture timetable or location, then we will ensure that you have as much notice as possible of the change to ensure that the disruption to your studies is minimised.
