Pre-sessional Study Skills Courses
Covid-19 Update – Summer 2021 To help you plan in a time of uncertainty, Aberystwyth University will be delivering the 2021 Pre-sessional Courses online in live, interactive classes.
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 2020 Pre-sessionals.
100% progression from 2020 Pre-sessionals to Degree.
Summer 2021 12-week and 6-week Pre-sessionals will take place online. You will have 18 hours per week of live class and tutorial time, and will study in small classes with highly experienced online teachers.
Classes take place Monday - Friday between 9a.m. and 2p.m. UK time.
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
2021 Online Entry Requirements
Summer 2021 Pre-sessional Courses (6-weeks and 12-weeks) will be fully online, due to the global Covid-19 situation.
Apply and pay your deposit at least one month before the course start date to guarantee your place on the course.
Online Pre-sessional Courses, Summer 2021
If you are applying for the Summer 2021 online Pre-sessional Course and do not have IELTS for UKVI, please see below for details of other tests we can accept.
2021 Entry Requirements - Online Pre-sessional [pdf]
12-week Pre-sessional Minimum English Requirements, Summer 2021
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For Aberystwyth University degree requiring IELTS 6.0 (no score below 5.5)
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IELTS, IELTS Indicator & IELTS for UKVI
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Cambridge B1 Preliminary
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LanguageCert International ESOL B1
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Pearson PTE Academic and Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
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TOEFL iBT
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5.0 (with no score below 4.5)
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Grade B or above (with no score below Grade B)
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High Pass on both B1 papers
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40 (with no score below 35)
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50
R-9 S-15
L-12 W-15
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For Aberystwyth University degree requiring IELTS 6.5 (no score below 5.5)
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IELTS, IELTS Indicator & IELTS for UKVI
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Cambridge B2 First
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Language Cert International ESOL B2
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Pearson PTE Academic and Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
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TOEFL iBT
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5.5 (with no score below 5.0)
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Grade C (with no score below Grade C)
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Pass on both B2 papers
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45 (with no score below 40)
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59
R-15 S-18
L-15 W-17
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For Aberystwyth University degree requiring IELTS 7.0 (no score below 6.0)
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IELTS, IELTS Indicator & IELTS for UKVI
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Cambridge B2 First
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Language Cert International ESOL B2
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Pearson PTE Academic and Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
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TOEFL iBT
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6.0 (with no score below 5.5)
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Grade B (with no score below Grade B)
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High Pass on both B2 papers
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55 (with no score below 51)
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79
R-18 S-20
L-17 W-18
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6-week Online Pre-sessional Minimum English Requirements, Summer 2021
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For Aberystwyth University degree requiring IELTS 6.0 (no score below 5.5)
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IELTS, IELTS Indicator & IELTS for UKVI
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Cambridge B2 First
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Language Cert International ESOL B2
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Pearson PTE Academic and Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
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TOEFL iBT
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5.5 (with no score below 5.0)
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Grade C (with no score below Grade C)
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Pass on both B2 papers
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45 (with no score below 40)
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59
R-15 S-18
L-15 W-17
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For Aberystwyth University degree requiring IELTS 6.5 (no score below 5.5)
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IELTS, IELTS Indicator & IELTS for UKVI
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Cambridge B2 First
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Language Cert International ESOL B2
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Pearson PTE Academic and Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
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TOEFL iBT
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6.0 (with no score below 5.0)
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Grade B (with no score below Grade B)
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High Pass on Written B2 paper and Pass on Spoken paper
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55 (with no score below 43)
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79
R-15 S-18
L-15 W-17
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For Aberystwyth University degree requiring IELTS 7.0 (no score below 6.0)
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IELTS, IELTS Indicator & IELTS for UKVI
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Cambridge B2 First
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Language Cert International ESOL B2
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Pearson PTE Academic and Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
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TOEFL iBT
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6.5 (with no score below 5.5)
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Grade A (with no score below Grade A)
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High Pass on both B2 papers
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60 (with no score below 51)
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88
R-18 S-20
L-17 W-18
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Please contact tesol@aber.ac.uk for any queries
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 Student 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.
Summer 2021 online courses offer 18 hours per week of live online sessions, plus extensive independent work.
Face-to-face 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
Summer 2021 Online Pre-sessional classes take place between 9a.m. and 2p.m. UK time.
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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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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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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 2020-2021
| Course | Dates | Tuition Fee |
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| 42-week Pre-sessional Plus |
21 September 2020 - 10 September 2021 |
£11,750 |
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| 30-week Pre-sessional Plus |
21 September 2020 - 28 May 2021 |
£8,450 |
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| 30-week Pre-sessional Plus |
4 January 2021 - 10 September 2021 |
£8,450 |
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| 12-week Pre-sessional Study Skills Course |
21 June 2021 - 10 September 2021 |
£3,500 |
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| 6-week Pre-sessional Study Skills Course |
2 August 2021 - 10 September 2021 |
£1,900 |
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Dates and Tuition Fees 2021-2022
| Course | Dates | Tuition Fee |
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| 42-week Pre-sessional Plus |
27 September 2021 - 16 September 2022 |
£11,750 |
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| 30-week Pre-sessional Plus |
27 September 2021 - 3 June 2022 |
£8,450 |
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| 30-week Pre-sessional Plus |
10 January 2022 - 16 September 2022 |
£8,450 |
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| 12-week Pre-sessional Study Skills Course |
27 June 2022 - 16 September 2022 |
£3,500 |
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| 6-week Pre-sessional Study Skills Course |
8 August 2022 - 16 September 2022 |
£1,900 |
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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 (Face-to-face Course)
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20
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Taught hours per week (Online Course)
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18
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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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2020-2021*
12 week PS Course – 27 June 2021 - 16 September 2021
6 week PS Course – 8 August 2021 - 16 September 2021
*Apply and pay your deposit at least one month before the course start date to guarantee your place on the course.
2021-2022
42 week PS Course – 27 September 2021 – 16 September 2022
30 week PS Course - 27 September 2021 - 3 June 2022
30 week PS Course – 10 January 2021 - 16 September 2022
12 week PS Course – 27 June 2022 - 16 September 2022
6 week PS Course – 8 August 2022 - 16 September 2022
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Non-teaching days
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2020-2021
There are no classes on Saturdays or Sundays, or during the following holidays:
- 14 December 2020 – 02 January 2021 (Christmas Holiday)
- 22 March 2021 – 10 April 2021 (Easter Holiday)
- 3 May 2021 (Bank Holiday)
- 31 May 2021 (Bank Holiday)
- 29 May 2021 - 19 June 2021 (Summer Holiday)
- 30 August 2021 (Bank Holiday)
2021-2022
There are no classes on Saturdays or Sundays, or during the following holidays:
- 20 December 2021 - 8 January 2022 (Christmas Holiday)
- 4 April 2022 - 23 April 2022 (Easter Holiday)
- 2 May 2022 (Bank Holiday)
- 2 June 2022 (Bank Holiday)
- 4 June 2022 - 24 June 2022 (Summer Holiday)
- 29 August 2022 (Bank Holiday)
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Tuition Fee
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2020-2021
42-week PS Course 2020/2021 – £11,750
30-week PS Course 2020/2021 – £8,450
12-week PS Course 2021 – £3,500
6-week PS Course 2021 – £1,900
2021-2022
42-week PS Course 2021/2022 – £11,750
30-week PS Course 2021/2022 – £8,450
12-week PS Course 2022 – £3,500
6-week PS Course 2022 – £1,900
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Course material costs
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All course materials are included in 2020-2021 fees.
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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.
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Accommodation
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Summer 2021 Pre-sessionals
Accommodation is not provided for 12-week and 6-week Pre-sessional Courses in Summer 2021, as these courses are fully online.
2021-22 Pre-sessionals
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. This is a 5-10 minute walk from your classroom.
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.
There will be a bedding pack (duvet, pillow, and linen) in your room when you arrive. You will be charged £25 for this and it is yours to keep. You will also be required to pay a £100 deposit for your room, to be returned when the key is returned and the room is in same condition. You will be expected to pay both amounts on your first day of the course.
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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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