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

Improve your English language skills with this online course. Develop key academic skills such as note-taking, seminar participation, presenting, managing reading assignments, and writing essays and reports – all designed to help you reach the required English level for your university studies.

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LevelShort courses and CPD

Duration6 weeks

Fee£1,000

Course codeCID1443

Course summary

This six-week online course is for people with an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 5.5 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 designed to improve your English skills for university study and help you with your main course. You’ll develop all four language skills — listening, speaking, reading, and writing – through activities such as listening practice, note-taking, reading exercises, vocabulary building, and writing summaries, essays, and reports. You’ll also gain research skills, learn to deliver academic presentations in English, and take part in group discussions and tutorials to boost your speaking confidence.

In addition, orientation sessions will help you make the most of the University’s library and learning support services, while British Studies lectures will enhance your understanding of the UK and the local area.

How you'll learn

This six-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 to 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 5.5 or above with no individual skill score (speaking, listening, reading and writing) lower than 5. If your level of English is higher than IELTS 5.5 you can study this course and achieve a score 0.5 band higher than your entry score.

If your IELTS or equivalent score is lower than 5.5, you can 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