Programme information
Prepare for university success with flexible online english language training
UWS’s English language online courses are intensive programs designed to help international students improve their English language and academic skills before beginning their degree studies. These courses prepare you to meet UWS’s English language entry requirement (IELTS 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5).
Key features:
- Small class sizes - up to 20 students for personalised attention
- Sixty percent live interaction with teachers and classmates
- One-to-one tutorials for individualised support
- Flexible learning - combination of live sessions and self-guided tasks
- Regular feedback from teachers and peers on your progress
Course options and fees
Five week course
- For students with IELTS 5.5 (one component at 5.0)
- 25 hours per week (15 hours teaching + 10 hours self-study)
- Course Fee: £1,990
Eight week course
- For students with IELTS 5.0 (no component below 4.5)
- 25 hours per week (15 hours teaching + 10 hours self-study)
- Course Fee: £3,440
Course outline
We provide a full-time programme of tuition and language practice to help you prepare for your studies at UWS. The course covers:
- Academic English skills: academic writing, academic reading, academic listening and academic speaking
- Authentic and interactive everyday English: interesting topics including current affairs and your specific main course of study
- Presentation and seminar skills: you will be assisted with the preparation of short presentations on topics you are interested in. Presentations are followed by group discussion
- Extended writing: you will research a topic of your choice and will be guided with the writing of a report on your findings
- One-to-one tutorials and live workshops: regular meetings with your class tutor and classmates providing you with the opportunity to discuss your work and progress
Teaching and assessment
Our online teaching software platforms and technologies (Microsoft Teams, Zoom and interactive ebooks) will enable you to join a virtual classroom for the live sessions. You will be able to send messages and files, interact via audio and video link and work in groups on shared notebooks. We have taken different time zones into account when planning the schedule for the live sessions.
Provisional timetable:
Each version of the course involves a combination of direct teaching and self-study per week covering a total of 25 hours:
- Direct teaching: 3 x 5 = 15 hours per week
- Self-study: 2 x 5 = 10 hours per week
Typical weekly schedule:
| Day | China time | UK time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 16:00 – 19:00 | 09:00 – 12:00 |
| Tuesday | 16:00 – 19:00 | 09:00 – 12:00 |
| Wednesday | 16:00 – 19:00 | 09:00 – 12:00 |
| Thursday | 16:00 – 19:00 | 09:00 – 12:00 |
| Friday | 16:00 – 19:00 | 09:00 – 12:00 |
Whilst some minor alterations are possible, this table outlines the expected daily breakdown and activity timetable for each course.
Technical requirements
- Laptop or computer (a smart phone will be too small)
- A webcam (if not inbuilt in the computer)
- Access to fast broadband
- Microsoft Office 365
- Microsoft Teams and Zoom (video conferencing and online meeting) applications
Successfully complete the course and progress directly to your chosen degree program at UWS – no additional IELTS test required.
How to apply
Our online Pre-Sessional English course is designed for students who have received a conditional offer to study at UWS.
If you’re applying for a degree or postgraduate programme and need to improve your English language skills before starting, this course can help you meet your offer conditions.
Apply for your main UWS course first and once you receive your conditional offer, you’ll be invited to join the Pre-Sessional English programme.
Please note that eligibility for the Online Pre-Sessional English Course (ELOC) is limited to applicants from selected countries. For a full list of eligible countries, please contact our admissions officers.