English for Academic Purposes: Pre-sessional English – Intermediate Online

Improve your English skills with our online course, designed for students with an IELTS score of 5.0 or equivalent. You'll practise key academic skills such as note-taking, giving presentations, and writing essays and reports.

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LevelShort courses and CPD

Duration10 weeks

Fee£2,000

Course codeCID1442

Course summary

This 10-week online course is for people with an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 5.0 or equivalent.

The course will help you improve your English language and academic skills and develop your knowledge of life at university in the UK. You'll build on your existing knowledge of English and develop academic skills such as listening, note-taking, reading and summarising, writing essays and reports, doing research and making presentations.

You'll gain a head start by learning about the University before you start your main course and reach the required level of English to be successfully accepted to the University.

At the end of the course, your English will be at the equivalent level of an IELTS 6.0 score, which is the requirement for most of our courses.

What you'll study

You'll study one module to improve your English for academic study and to help you succeed in your main course. You'll practise all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This includes listening exercises, note-taking, reading practice, learning new vocabulary, summarising, and writing essays and reports.

You'll also learn research skills, how to give presentations in English, and take part in group discussions and individual tutorials to build confidence in speaking.

You'll be prepared for university life with orientation sessions to help you use the library and learning support services at the University. British Studies lectures will help you learn about the UK and the local area.

How you'll learn

This 10-week online course is taught via our Virtual Learning Environment, Canvas(opens in new tab). You'll attend online sessions, work on tasks in your own time and practise your English in online chatrooms and group projects. Plus, you'll have weekly tutorial sessions to keep in touch with your lecturer.

When you pass the course, you'll get a Foundation Certificate of Achievement in English for Academic Purposes and have the English language skills to study your chosen course.

Entry requirements

This course is for people who do not speak English as a first language to help you improve your English and be successfully accepted onto a main course at the University.

If you're joining a main course starting in September, you're not eligible for this distance learning course and should apply for the on-campus EAP course instead.

We welcome applications from those with an IELTS or equivalent score of 5 or above, with no individual skill score (speaking, listening, reading and writing) lower than 4.5. If your level of English is higher than IELTS 5, you can study this course and achieve a score 1 band higher than your entry score.

If your IELTS or equivalent score is higher or lower than 5, you can also choose one of these alternative courses to improve your English language skills:

If you need any help completing your application, please contact our student support team.

Fees and finance support

Apply now

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000 or student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk