Pre-sessional English

Overview

Successful completion of assessments at the end of each stage allows progression to the next stage. Successful completion of the final stage (Stage 3) allows progression to a University of Brighton degree course. 

• The programme is suitable for undergraduate, postgraduate and research students. It is also suitable for those wishing to study at another UK university. 
• This programme can be studied on a short-term study visa. 
• Students can join this programme without the need for a formal English language qualification such as IELTS. Those who do not have an English language qualification will be asked to complete a placement test to determine the length of course needed. 
• Students can take this programme without holding a formal offer of a place on a degree course. 
• For students wishing to improve their English without further plans to study in the UK, it is possible to take any of these stages as a 10-week stand-alone option.

Stage 1

You will improve your level of general English and be introduced to English for academic purposes. You will also learn about British culture and go on organised visits to local places of interest.

• Practice in reading, writing, listening and speaking
• Introduction to English for academic purposes
• Grammar review and vocabulary development
• Pronunciation and intonation practice
• Language learning strategies
• Guided self-study
• British culture
• Visits to sites of cultural interest in the south-east of England

Stage 2

You will extend your English language knowledge and skills and further develop your ability to study effectively in a British academic environment.

General English

• Intensive practice in reading, writing, listening and speaking
• Grammar review and vocabulary development
• Pronunciation and intonation practice
• Language learning strategies

Academic English

• Preparation for studying in English
• Listening and note-taking skills
• Extensive reading
• Writing academic essays and reports
• Taking part in seminars and tutorials
• Giving academic presentations
• Introduction to British academic conventions

Stage 3

Your written and spoken English will become more fluent and accurate and you will develop confidence in your English academic study skills.

General English

• Strategies for effective reading, writing, listening and speaking
• Grammar consolidation
• Pronunciation and intonation practice

Academic English

• Research skills – productive use of learning resources
• Efficient note-taking from lectures and reading
• Extensive academic reading
• Extension of academic vocabulary
• Writing successful academic essays, reports and summaries
• Taking part in seminars and tutorials
• Giving confident academic presentations
• British academic conventions

Timetable

Below is an example timetable from Stage 3. 

Class organisation

You will study in groups of up to 16. We use the latest online learning techniques, combining taught classes with online tutor contact, peer discussion and study. This is accomplished though our online learning environment studentcentral, as well as excellent learning resources and further support housed in the Open Learning Centre.

Location

About Brighton

A cosmopolitan city famed for its nightlife, bohemian atmosphere and beautiful surroundings, Brighton is a great place to be a student.

Whether you prefer the natural delights of the sea and South Downs or the bustle of the North Laine shopping district, there are fantastic events throughout the year that reflect the huge amount of character – both historic and modern – that the city possesses.

Brighton is host to three university campuses: City campus, Moulsecoomb and Falmer. City campus is in the centre of town, while Moulsecoomb and Falmer are just ten minutes away by bus or by train.

Social scene – Most students head into the lively centre of Brighton for its mix of bars, pubs, clubs, theatres, comedy houses and live music venues. In the summer the seafront buzzes with activities and impromptu BBQs and picnics on the beach.

The Great Escape festival has been firmly established as the leading event for showcasing new music, with over 300 bands playing 30 venues across the city over three days.

Arts – Brighton hosts England’s biggest arts festival in May each year, and has a selection of highly regarded theatres, galleries and events, not to mention the quirky Royal Pavilion which has become a symbol of the city's eccentricities.

The Brighton Festival is now the largest arts festival in England, and is one of the major milestones in the international cultural calendar. The Brighton Fringe is one of the largest fringe festivals in the world.

Campus

Falmer campus

All our year round pre-sessional English language programmes are based at the Falmer campus. The campus is on the edge of the South Downs National Park, just four miles from Brighton seafront.

With around 7,000 students based here, we've invested £60 million in this campus in the last 10 years, equipping it with outstanding modern facilities.

Over 600 students live in Great Wilkins and Paddock Field halls of residence, both within walking distance. There are a number of areas of Brighton that are popular with students a short cycle or bus ride away.

The campus has excellent sports facilities including:

• a floodlit astroturf football pitch,
• netball courts,
• tennis courts,
• a sports centre with a fitness suite,
• two activity studios,
• a sports hall with six badminton courts.

The campus is right next to Brighton & Hove Albion's Amex Stadium which houses not only football matches, but a number of events throughout the year.

Facilities and support

Whilst you are studying on one of our pre-sessional English language programmes you will have full access to all of the facilities enjoyed by other students at the university. This includes a wide range of academic and personal support services as well as full use of libraries and computer systems.

Our Open Learning Centre is home to facilities including:

• computer workstations
• viewing station equipped with a large screen for group work
• Extensive collection of graded readers
• large collection of English language books and dictionaries for general and academic English
• pronunciation worksheets tailored to several first languages
• local access to photocopier, scanner and printing facilities
• searchable online catalogue of materials
• live satellite television in English, French, German, Spanish
• English and foreign language news, documentaries and films.

You'll also have access to University of Brighton support services including:

• ongoing English language support and the
  Writing Advisory Service (WAS)
• visa advice
• careers guidance
• academic study resources
• specialist international student advice
• health, disability and dyslexia support.

Accommodation

Our accommodation service will be happy to arrange accommodation for the duration of your pre-sessional English language programme, and your degree course.

We offer accommodation options including on-campus university halls of residence, and local host family accommodation:

Halls of residence

Halls accommodation usually consists of a bedroom and shared living and kitchen space in a flat accommodating six students. Most bedrooms have ensuite facilities.

Homestay accommodation

You'll be treated as a member of the family, eating together and sharing the common living areas. Catered and self-catered homestays are available.

I would like accommodation both for my English pre-sessional programme and my degree course

English for Academic Studies students should contact us to apply for accommodation. Email  accommodation-forms@brighton.ac.uk or call us on +44 (0)1273 642858.

I would like accommodation for my English language programme only

English for Academic Studies students should contact us to apply for accommodation. Email  accommodation-forms@brighton.ac.uk or call us on +44 (0)1273 642858.

I would like accommodation for my degree course only

If you do not require accommodation for your English language programme, but will require accommodation for your degree course at Brighton - visit our accommodation pages to find out more about your options and how to apply. 

Social programme

There are lots of social activities for you to get involved in during your time at the CAELD. These activities include Brighton Students' Union activities, International Students Society (ISS) events and CAELD's very own weekly social programme.

Brighton Students' Union activities

The University of Brighton Students' Union provides a year-round programme of events including club nights, karaoke and cinema events.

There are over 100 student-run societies and some exclusively for international and EU students - the International Students Society (ISS) is the largest.

ISS events

The ISS organises events and social activities throughout the academic year especially for international students. Examples of past events are:

• Diwali, Hanukah, Chinese New Year and Christmas celebrations
• trips to London, Bath and Oxford.

The CAELD weekly social programme

The CAELD weekly social programme offers leisure activities throughout the year that includes weekly outings accompanied by our staff.

Brighton is a fantastic place with many things to see and do - the leisure programme includes:

• walks
• sports activities
• sightseeing
• cultural events
• films afternoons.
• online social activities

The cost of these trips are usually under, or around £10, or free if possible.

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