COURSE OVERVIEW
*Subject to revalidation
The modules help students whose first language is not English to achieve a level of functional and academic English language skills required to study in the UK and bridge the gap between their own educational and cultural background and the challenges of the British higher education system and culture.
The aims of the Programme are:
- To prepare students whose first language is not English to achieve a standard of academic English required to study at undergraduate and postgraduate level
- To develop the linguistic and communicative competence of students across the four main language skill areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking as an integrative set
- To develop academic study skills necessary for effective learning through the medium of English
- To help students gain an understanding of academic and cultural practice of university study so that they will be able to participate in and benefit fully from their degree programmes
- To familiarise students on a wide range of learning experiences and assessment types to prepare them for further academic study
- To develop students as active and autonomous learners, so that they are able to undertake independent study and research.
*Subject to revalidation
This course is subject to revalidation. 'Revalidation' is the process by which the University refreshes its existing provision. Revalidation assesses the quality and standards of the programme to ensure it continues to provide a distinct, high quality academic experience for students, enabling them to acquire the necessary academic knowledge, understanding, general and subject-specific skills required to pursue a graduate level career.
ABOUT THIS COURSE
Start date
24 July to 1 September 2023.
Learning and teaching
The Programme is designed to enable international students to make the transition from their previous learning and teaching style to the style of the more autonomous learning environment of the UK Higher Education system. This is undertaken in a highly supportive environment and enables students to engage appropriately when they progress through their levels of study. Through scaffolding, students are prepared and taught how to produce more complex pieces of assessed work. This process helps to raise the standard of work produced by students and the External Examiner (2014) believed student work to be 'better than the work produced in similar courses across the sector'.
The Programme employs a variety of teaching and learning strategies, with a focus on developing a range of knowledge and skills, providing students with the ability to apply them to a selected area of study. As well as the development of English language skills as an integrated set, students begin to develop academic and research skills that are relevant to the UK Higher Education system. These include an introduction to critical thinking, time management, referencing, individual research and presentations. The Programme develops an independent learning culture and provides a stimulating learning experience for international students. The programme ‘provides excellent language instruction/practice through relevant and interesting content. Students are being given more choice in topics for assessments and are thus developing a more independent way to study’ (External Examiner, 2019).
Opportunities are provided for students to reflect on their knowledge and skills, particularly through a process of peer interaction, which includes class discussion, debate and group work. This sharing of experience encourages students to modify and develop their own, and their peers', academic knowledge and practices. Students are encouraged to be independent active learners through their involvement in assignments and active contribution to teaching and learning assignments.
Assessment
Assessment can have a fundamental effect on students' learning as it serves to evaluate and measure success, and provide relevant and timely feedback, thereby developing in students a motivation and a commitment to learn.
The Programme External Examiners have supported both assessment and feedback positively, and the clear and focused assignment briefs (External Examiner, 2015). According to the External Examiner (2014) 'there is evidence of some very high levels of performance among the cohort as a whole, which itself can be said to be the result of high levels of engagement on the part of the students concerned as well as of focused and effective teaching from staff at ELTSU.' ‘ELTSU staff universally provide excellent feedback, and teach the students to use it in their redrafting of work, and also for future assignments’ (External Examiner, 2018). ‘The coursework assessments allow students to work at their own level: that is, there is room for students to exhibit a high level of evaluation and innovation, and at the same time, are scaffolded where necessary’ (External Examiner, 2019).
Summative Assessment
Writing assessment (1500 Words) 35%
Presentation 25%
Reading Exam 20%
Listening Comprehension 20%
At the University of Winchester validated programmes may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances. The University is committed to ensuring that all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used in the programme you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day/Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.
Careers
At the University of Winchester, we are committed to ensuring all our students gain employability skills to enable you to enter graduate level jobs and pursue the profession of your choice.
Employability
Whilst the principal progression route is degree programmes at the University of Winchester, the Programme embraces the University's philosophy on employability where possible. Increasingly international jobs require English as a second language, and request that applicants are proficient users. Meeting this higher language profile criteria is an essential requirement for some jobs and/or advancement within roles. The Programme accepts students at the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) B2 level (overall) and helps them develop through to B2+ (independent users). The Programme therefore prepares international students through the provision of academic English language skills which will enhance their future employment prospects. Throughout the Programme, the core and soft skills of students are developed. These soft skills include independence, self-awareness, decision-making, teamwork, global citizenship and communication and are embedded within the curriculum.
How to apply
Applications should be made through our online application form.
Before you start your application
The first step in the process is to create an account that will enable you to save your application and come back to it later if you wish.
Please ensure you use an email address that you will have access to until the course start date.
Once you start your application, use the left-hand navigation to move through each of the sections of the application, being sure to complete all mandatory sections that are shown with an asterisk.
For some questions there is additional help you can view by selecting the question mark at the end of the question.
Please ensure you start your application with enough time to complete the process ahead of the published application deadline.
Follow the button below to begin the online application process, you'll find instructions and help throughout the form.
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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
To enter the Pre-sessional Programme, an international student will have to have achieved an appropriate IELTS level (or equivalent), as shown below:
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Undergraduate or Postgraduate course requirement (IELTS) |
6-week Pre-sessional requirement (IELTS)
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Overall IELTS score of 5.5 and a minimum of 5.5 in all other components |
Overall IELTS score of minimum 5.0 and minimum of 5.0 in all other components
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Overall IELTS score of 6.0 and a minimum of 5.5 in writing
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Overall IELTS score of minimum 5.5 and a minimum of 5.0 in writing
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Overall IELTS score of 7.0 and a minimum of 6.5 in all other components |
Overall IELTS score of minimum 6.5 and a minimum of 6.0 in all other components
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Overall IELTS score of 7.0 and a minimum of 7.0 in writing |
Overall IELTS score of minimum 6.5 and a minimum of 6.5 in writing
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Please note: some programmes may have different requirements to those listed above.
Additional entry requirements
Students will also be required to meet the academic requirements listed for the course they wish to study prior to the start of the pre-sessional course. For more information, please see the entry requirements on the individual course pages.
Progression requirements
To progress to an undergraduate level at the University of Winchester, students will need to pass all four assessments for the Programme: writing assessment, reading exam, presentation and listening comprehension. The minimum pass mark for each of these assessments shall be defined for each student by the receiving programme in the offer letter sent by Student Recruitment & Admissions.
Course duration
6 weeks
Course enquiries and applications
Telephone: +44 (0) 1962 827234
Send us a message
International Students
International students seeking additional information about this programme can send an email to International@winchester.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1962 827023
Visit us
Explore our campus and find out more about studying at Winchester by coming to one of our Open Events.
Pre-Sessional Programme
Modules Credits
| Course information | ||
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The Programme prepares international students for access to undergraduate and postgraduate level courses at the University of Winchester and other institutions of higher education in the UK. By the end of the six weeks students are expected to have achieved a level of academic competence that will enable them to successfully function within the higher education environment. This intensive course, which involves 25 contact hours in a typical week, gives students whose first language is not English an opportunity to practise and develop their academic skills as well as their language skills within an academic context. Students' language and academic skills are tested at the end of the six weeks through a set of internal academic assessments. Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing, for full-time students entering the programme in Year 1. Optional modules are listed where applicable. Please note the University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. For further information please refer to the terms and conditions at www.winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions. The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed above. Progression from one level of the programme to the next is subject to meeting the University’s academic regulations. |
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Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing, for full-time students entering the programme in Year 1. Optional modules are listed where applicable. Please note the University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. For further information please refer to the terms and conditions at www.winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions.
The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed above.
Progression from one level of the programme to the next is subject to meeting the University’s academic regulations.
Course Tuition Fees and Additional Costs
For 2022 entry:
Total Cost | £2,250
For more information please contact our International Recruitment Team at International@winchester.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1962 827023
Key course details
- Duration
- 6 weeks
- Location
- King Alfred or West Downs, University of Winchester
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