Pre-sessional Study Skills Courses
Course Description
Objective: The aim of the Pre-sessional Study Skills Courses is to give students who already hold a degree offer at Aberystwyth University the English language and academic skills they need to succeed.
100% student satisfaction on 2017 Pre-sessionals.
100% progression from 2017 Pre-sessionals to degree.
The Pre-sessional Study Skills Courses prepare you for success on your degree by developing your language skills and your understanding of British academic culture and the expectations of your future department. During these intensive courses, you will have plenty of opportunities to practice and receive detailed feedback on a variety of academic tasks. You will gain competence in the research and writing skills needed for successful completion of written assignments in your chosen discipline, using appropriate academic conventions and avoiding plagiarism. You will become familiar with the wide variety of resources available for research, and will develop skills for note taking while listening to academic lectures or reading specialist texts. You will also learn to give clear, comprehensible and well-structured presentations and to participate in seminars.
The courses run for 42, 30, 12, and 6 weeks.
Students who pass a Pre-sessional Study Skills Course at the level stated in their degree offer can progress automatically to their degree at Aberystwyth University.
Students who successfully pass a Pre-sessional Study Skills Courses will have achieved a minimum English level of CEFR B2.
Minimum age: 17
Maximum class size: 16
More Information
Who is the course for?
These courses are for students who have a conditional offer to study at Aberystwyth University, but need to improve their language level in order to meet the conditions of their offer.
Students who have an unconditional offer to study at Aberystwyth University are encouraged to study an optional six week Pre-Sessional Course, to allow them to find their feet in Aberystwyth, brush up their English and develop their study skills, so that they can start their degree with confidence.
| Qualifications |
You must have met the academic entry requirements of your chosen degree and hold an offer for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at Aberystwyth University. |
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| Age |
You must be at least 17 years old before the course start date. |
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| English Test |
If you need a Tier 4 Visa for this course, you will require an IELTS for UKVI Test. The score you need depends on your future degree. See below.
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| Your IELTS score now | For entry into degrees requiring: |
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| IELTS 6.0 | IELTS 6.5 | IELTS 7.0 |
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| 4.0 (with no score below 4.0) |
42-week Pre-sessional Plus |
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| 4.5 (with no score below 4.5) |
30-week Pre-sessional Plus |
42-week Pre-sessional Plus |
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| 5.0 (with no score below 4.5) |
12-week Pre-Sessional Course |
30-week Pre-sessional Plus |
42-week Pre-sessional Plus |
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| 5.5 (with no score below 5.0) |
6-week Pre-Sessional Course |
12-week Pre-Sessional Course |
30-week Pre-sessional Plus |
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| 6.0 (with no score below 5.5) |
Optional 6-week Pre-Sessional Course |
6-week Pre-Sessional Course |
12-week Pre-Sessional Course |
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| 6.5 (with no score below 5.5) |
Optional 6-week Pre-Sessional Course |
Optional 6-week Pre-Sessional Course |
6-week Pre-Sessional Course |
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| 7.0 (with no score below 5.5) |
Optional 6-week Pre-Sessional Course |
Optional 6-week Pre-Sessional Course |
Optional 6-week Pre-Sessional Course |
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What will I study?
The courses focus on developing you academic skills and improving your command of academic English. The classroom sessions involve intensive practise of the four language skills (writing, reading, listening and speaking) through a variety of academic tasks. You will have the opportunity to experience live lectures and to gain confidence in taking effective notes. You will learn to participate actively in seminars, deliver presentations and present ideas and information to an audience in a professional manner. You will develop strategies for searching for information, reading efficiently, and recording information. There is a strong emphasis on academic writing. By the end of the course you will have learned to research and write academic essays and reports, making skilful use of sources to support your ideas, and using an appropriate academic style.
All courses involve 20 hours of classroom-based study and tutorials a week.
The 42-week and 30-week Pre-sessional Plus Courses consist of the 12-week Pre-sessional, and either one or two terms of the Target English Course. They include holiday periods.
Timetable
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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9-10.30
Reading
Extensive reading and discussion in preparation for lecture
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9-10.30
Listening
Lecture follow up and summary writing from lecture notes
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9-10.30
Writing
Academic genres
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9-10.30
Integrated Skills
Local research project
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9-10.30
Tutorials and self-directed group study tasks in preparation for seminar
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8-6
All day excursion (optional)
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Break
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11-12.30
Integrated Skills
Language development in preparation for lecture
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11-12.30
Writing
Paragraph structures
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11-12.30
Integrated Skills
Language development with a focus on speaking
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11-12
Integrated Skills
Local research project
Language development
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11-12
Speaking
Seminar
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Break
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2-3
Academic Lecture
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2-4
Reading
Identifying main points
From reading to note-making
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1.30- 6
Social programme trip (optional)
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2-4
Tutorials and self-directed group study tasks related to research project
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2-2.15
Personal tutor meeting
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This sample timetable shows you what a typical week on the course looks like. It is not a definitive timetable for your course.
This sample timetable shows you what a typical week on the course looks like. It is not a definitive timetable for your course.
Dates and Fees
Dates and Tuition Fees 2018-2019
| Course | Dates | Fee |
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| 12-week Pre-sessional Study Skills Course |
24 June 2019 - 13 September 2019 |
£3,420 |
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| 6-week Pre-sessional Study Skills Course |
5 August 2019 - 13 September 2019 |
£1,710 |
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Dates and Tuition Fees 2019-2020
| Course | Dates | Fee |
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| 42-week Pre-sessional Study Skills Course |
24 September 2019 - 11 September 2020 |
£11,375 |
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| 30-week Pre-sessional Study Skills Course |
6 January 2020 - 11 September 2020 |
£8,225 |
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| 12-week Pre-sessional Study Skills Course |
22 June 2020 - 11 September 2020 |
£3,500 |
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| 6-week Pre-sessional Study Skills Course |
3 August 2020 - 11 September 2020 |
£1,900 |
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During the 42-week, 30-week and 19-week courses, you may be required to purchase course books. The cost will not exceed £50 per course.
What our students say
Fernanda Cerqueira de Sousa, Brazil
"The Pre-sessional course really helped me to feel confident about beginning my degree."
How to apply
You can download an application from How to Apply.
- Complete the application form and return it to us by email or post, with a copy of your passport and any other documents specified on the application form.
- If you would like to stay in the university accommodation, tick this box on your application form. We will arrange your accommodation. You do not need to make a separate application for accommodation.
- We will assess your application to ensure that the course you have applied for is appropriate for your needs, and that you meet our entry requirements. If you have not met the entry requirements we will recommend a course for you (subject to availability).
- When we accept your application, we will send you an offer letter and an invoice. You will be asked to pay a deposit for your course. You can choose to pay the full fee at this time, or just the deposit.
- Once you have paid your deposit, your course application is complete. If you have not paid the full fee before, you must pay it on the first day of the course.
Key Facts
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Course
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Pre-Sessional Study Skills Course (PS)
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Course objective
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The aim of the Pre-sessional Study Skills Courses is to give students who have a degree offer at Aberystwyth University the English language and academic skills they need to succeed.
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Maximum class size
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16
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Levels
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Students who successfully pass a Pre-sessional Study Skills Courses will have achieved a minimum English level of CEFR B2.
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Available to
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Individuals
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Taught hours per week
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20
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Private study periods
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Students should typically expect to study independently for an additional 15 hours per week.
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Minimum age
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17
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Dates
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2018-2019
12 week PS Course – 24 June 2019 – 13 September 2019
6 week PS Course – 5 August 2019 – 13 September 2019
2019-2020
42 week PS Course – 23 September 2019 – 11 September 2020
30 week PS Course – 6 January 2020 – 11 September 2020
12 week PS Course – 22 June 2020 – 11 September 2020
6 week PS Course – 3 August 2020 – 11 September 2020
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Non-teaching days
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2018-2019
There are no classes on Saturdays or Sundays, or in the following holidays:
- 6 April 2019 - 28 April 2019 (Easter Holiday)
- 6 May 2019 (Bank Holiday)
- 27 May 2019 (Bank Holiday)
- 1 June 2019 - 23 June 2019 (Summer Holiday)
- 26 August 2019 (Bank Holiday)
2019-2020
There are no classes on Saturdays or Sundays, or during the following holidays:
- 16 December 2019 - 4 January 2020 (Christmas Holiday)
- 30 March 2020 - 18 April 2020 (Easter Holiday)
- 4 May 2020 (Bank Holiday)
- 25 May 2020 (Bank Holiday)
- 6 June 2020 - 28 June 2020 (Summer Holiday)
- 31 August 2020 (Bank Holiday)
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Tuition Fee
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2018-2019
12-week PS Course 2019 – £3,420
6-week PS Course 2019 – £1,710
2019-2020
42-week PS Course 2019/2020 – £11,375
30-week PS Course 2020 – £8,225
12-week PS Course 2020 – £3,500
6-week PS Course 2020 – £1,900
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Course material costs
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You may be required to purchase course books. The cost will not exceed £50 per course.
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Social life
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During the academic year the university offers many opportunities for social activities. You can join clubs and societies at the Students Union; enjoy the variety of films, music, drama and comedy at the University Arts Centre; get active at the University Sports Centre or get involved in the Global Experience Programme with trips, cultural events and international meals.
The IEC Summer Social Programme runs from 01 July 2019 - 06 September 2019 and includes a full day trip every Saturday, a half day trip every Wednesday and two evening activities per week. Most activities are free, and any costs will never exceed £25 per week.
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Accommodation
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If you request accommodation when you apply for your course, this will be reserved for you automatically in one of our self-catering halls of residence. Most of our IFC students are allocated rooms in Cwrt Mawr or Pentre Jane Morgan Residences. These are a 5-10 minute walk from your classroom, and costs £103.11 per week in 2019-2020.
You will have a single study bedroom in a 6 or 10 person apartment with shared bathrooms and kitchen facilities, and free Wi-Fi. Accommodation is provided on a self-catering basis.
If you want to live in a single-sex apartment, please inform us when you apply and we will arrange this.
Accommodation will be reserved for you from the Saturday before the course starts. Please contact us if you plan to arrive earlier.
When you arrive, you will be offered the option of buying bedding (sheets, pillows, duvet) at the cost of £25. Laundry facilities are located near all Halls of Residence.
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Insurance
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You are responsible for making your own insurance arrangements. We strongly advise you to take out insurance to cover your journey and your time in the UK. There are many insurance policies designed especially for international students.
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