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  • pre-sessional English

Pre-sessional English

Pre-sessional English

We offer three pre-sessional English programmes in English for Academic Purpose:

  • Year-round Pre-sessional
  • Summer Pre-sessional
  • Extended Masters (EMA)

Each is designed specifically to meet the study needs of international students. Whether students need up to one year of study or an intensive period of study in the summer, we have a programme for everyone.

The minimum age of enrolment on our pre-sessional English programmes is 18.

Class organisation

Students study in groups of up to 16.

We use blended learning techniques, combining taught classes with collaborative workshops, online self-study and one-to-one tutorials. This is supported by our virtual learning environment, My Studies, together with a range of facilities and resources to support your studies and develop independent learning, including our excellent Open Learning Centre.

All our pre-sessional programmes offer 18 hours of tuition per week with allocated time for guided self-study and peer work.

On campus, lessons normally take place between 9:30 and 13:00, Monday to Friday, with additional afternoon lessons between 14:00 and 15:30 two days a week. In the event of remote delivery due to COVID-19, timetables are organised around student time zones. Course content remains the same and face-to-face teaching is delivered online as far as possible using Microsoft Teams.

Syllabus

These programmes are based on three academic stages, depending on a student’s language level at entry. 

  • Stage 1: The first stage focuses on general and academic English and provides a strong foundation for the next stages.
  • Stage 2: This stage provides a good foundation in academic English language and skills. Students are taught how to write an academic essay in their subject area based on desk research which they present as a poster with a live Q&A.
  • Stage 3: This final stage provides a comprehensive high-level programme of academic English preparing students for their transition to degree level work. Students produce an academic essay based on desk research in their subject area and give an academic presentation on their work.

Assessment

Successful completion of the assessments for Stage 3 allow students to progress to a University of Brighton degree course without taking a further English language test, such as IELTS.

Fees

Students are required to pay a £500 deposit. Where any teaching materials are required, the cost of these will be covered by the fees for the programme.

UK public holidays 

Classes do not run on UK public holidays. Offices, banks, schools and universities are all closed.

2021 public holidays: 1 January, 2 April, 5 April, 3 May, 31 May, 30 August, and the 25 to 28 December.

Key facts

Type English language pre-sessional

Duration 30, 20 or 10 weeks

Location Brighton, Falmer campus

Apply for this course

Course in detail

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.

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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. 

Weekly timetable (campus)
 DayLesson oneLesson twoLesson three
Monday

Writing process
Learn the steps involved in writing an academic essay

Assignment work
Write an academic essay in your subject area

Directed self study
Work independently

Tuesday

Reading development
Learn reading skills to improve your reading speed and efficiency

Grammar
Review your active knowledge of grammatical forms

Presentation work
Work on a presentation which supports your essay.

Wednesday

Listening and note taking
Improve your listening skills and learn how to take effective notes

Summary writing
Learn to identify main points and summarise information in writing

Free time

Thursday

Academic vocabulary
Increase your knowledge of academic vocabulary

Reading with critical thinking
Develop your critical thinking skills in relation to reading texts

Seminar skills
Learn to communicate effectively and discuss relevant issues with others

Friday

Elements of writing
Improve different aspects of your writing

Vocabulary development
Improve your listening skills and develop effective vocabulary skills

Directed self-study or social
Work independently or take part in organised social activities

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.

Year-round Pre-sessional: dates and fees

Academic year 2021 start dates

Overview
Study timeStage requirementsDatesFees

30 weeks,

 

18 hours
per week

Stage 1

 

IELTS 4.5 no component under 4.0

  • 11 January to 3 September
£8,385

20 weeks,

 

18 hours
per week

Stage 2

 

IELTS 5.0 no component under 5.0

  • 11 January to 4 June
  • 29 March to 3 September
£5,590

10 weeks,

 

18 hours
per week

Stage 3

 

IELTS 5.5 no component under 5.5

  • 29 March to 4 June
  • 28 June to 3 September
£2,795

Break periods 2020–21

There will not be any teaching in the following periods:

  • 22 March 2021 to 26 March 2021
  • 7 June 2021 to 25 June 2021

Dates are subject to confirmation. 

All about...

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.

i360 and ticket booth on the seafront

Brighton Fringe

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.

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Checkland Building Exterior Night

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.

international_students__030

Language lesson

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.

Find out more about halls of residence and homestay accommodation

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.

Join us on Facebook and keep in touch with CAELD news. 

internationl social

Brighton Big Screen

Find out more

If you have questions about making an your application, fees or entry requirements, get in touch with us:

+44 (0)1273 643339
learnenglish@brighton.ac.uk

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How to apply

To make an application for the English for Academic Study programme, you can apply online below.

  1. Please complete this form and attach the relevant items as appropriate.
  2. Applications should be made as early as possible. Any applications made less than one week before the start date of this course must be scanned and emailed to us at  learnenglish@brighton.ac.uk.
  • Which course are you applying for?
  • EAS 30–week
  • EAS 20–week
  • EAS 10–week
  • Personal details
  • Gender
  • Permanent home address (please include street name, and house or flat name/number)
  • Do you hold a current University of Brighton degree offer?
  • Do you have a disability?
    We will use this information to make appropriate arrangements to support your studies.
  • We will use this information to make appropriate arrangements to support your studies.
  • Do you have a criminal conviction in your own country
    To help reduce the risk of harm or injury to students and/or staff caused by the criminal behaviour of other students, you must inform us about any criminal convictions that you may have.
  • To help reduce the risk of harm or injury to students and/or staff caused by the criminal behaviour of other students, you must inform us about any criminal convictions that you may have.
  • Accommodation
    Accommodation in halls of residence provides the option of catered (breakfast and evening meal Monday – Friday during term time) or self-catered accommodation (no meals provided). Halls accommodation costs start at £123 per week. Accommodation in homestay also provides the option of catered (breakfast and hot meal in the evening seven days a week) and non-catered accommodation (no meals provided). Homestay accommodation starts from £105 per week. All subject to availability.
  • Do you require accommodation?
  • English language level
  • Additional information
  • Once your application has been processed we will be in touch regarding the next step in securing your place.
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