Programme Outline

Level 3 - Preparation for Academic Study

This programme is focused on preparing students for academic study but also provides some general English study and is therefore suitable for prospective undergraduate/postgraduate students and for non-native speakers living in the UK.

The course covers all aspects of English language develoment both in terms of the language needed for students to cope with academic study and life in the UK, the content and research methods required in preparation for academic study and other essential aspects of British life and culture both within and outside the institution.  With its focus on research and study skills, it is an excellent preparatory course for those wishing to improve their academic English and refine their skills before they enter onto their further studies.

Students may progress from this course to an academic department if they reach the required level in exams or they may progress onto the Durham pre-sessional course.

Level 1 and 2 - General English and IELTS preparation

This course is for students with a lower level of English language.  It will focus on improving students' general English and practise reading, listening, speaking and writing.  It also includes IELTS preparation classes for students who want to take an IELTS test in order to gain entry to either an academic department of a pre-sessional course.