English language and English tests
- Overview
- Accepted qualifications and English tests
- Pre-sessional English courses
- In-country English
- Tests online - pay
- Tests online - schedule
Pre-Sessional English Courses
Improve your speaking, listening, writing and reading before starting your degree course, while studying from the comfort of your home. Birmingham City University’s Online Pre-sessional English courses all feature:
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Live video classes + regular one-to-one tutorials with personal tutor
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Authentic academic video, audio and text-based tasks
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Engaging self-study and group work activities
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Regular conversation practice to develop your speaking ability
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24/7 access to course
Birmingham City University’s pre-sessional courses are designed to equip you with the English proficiency and academic skills necessary to succeed during your main programme. Among the skills you will study on the pre-sessional courses, you will learn how to:
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Deliver successful academic presentations
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Write appropriately structured, coherent and concise essays
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Participate actively in academic contexts
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Take effective notes when reading and listening
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Avoid plagiarism while using suitable academic sources in your work
We deliver pre-sessional courses online through multi-modal courses via Microsoft Teams and BCU Moodle, allowing flexibility to prospective BCU students. Live classes and tutorials take place 8:00-11:00 GMT.
*Students will need access to a PC or laptop and a good quality internet connection.
If your Secure English Language Test (SELT) result is below the required standard, you are eligible to study the University's pre-sessional courses. We have three courses to choose from:
| Course | you have IELTS | you need IELTS |
|---|---|---|
| 16 week | 4.0 (no band less than 4.0) | 5.5 (5.5) |
| 4.5 (no band less than 4.0) | 6.0 (5.5) | |
| 5.0 (no band less than 4.5) | 6.5 (6.0) | |
| 5.5 (no band less than 5.0) | 7.0 (6.5) | |
| 10 week | 4.5 (no band less than 4.5) | 5.5 (5.5) |
| 5.0 (no band less than 4.5) | 6 (5.5) | |
| 5.5 (no band less than 5.0) | 6.5 (6.0) | |
| 6.0 (no band less than 5.5) | 7.0 (6.5) | |
| 6 week | 5.0 (no band less than 5.0) | 5.5 (5.5) |
| 5.5 (no band less than 5.0) | 6 (5.5) | |
| 6.0 (no band less than 5.5) | 6.5 (6.0) | |
| 6.5 (no band less than 6.0) | 7.0 |
| 16 week course | Minimum entry IELTS 4.0 or equivalent | Classes: 25 hours per week | One-to-one tutorials every week |
£6,000* |
| 10 week course | Minimum entry IELTS 4.5 or equivalent | Classes: 20 hours per week | One-to-one tutorials every two weeks |
£3,250* |
| 6 week course | Minimum entry IELTS 5.0 or equivalent | Classes: 20 hours per week | One-to-one tutorials every two weeks |
£1,950* |
| 16 week | 10 week | 6 week | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation Language Skills | X | ||
| Study Skills | X | ||
| Academic Writing & Reading | X | X | X |
| Academic Listening | X | X | X |
| Presentation Skills | X | X | X |
| Group Discussion | X | X | X |
| English Grammar and Pronunciation | X | ||
| Cost | £6,000* | £3,250* | £1,950* |
| Course | Start date | Finish date |
|---|---|---|
| 16-week online summer programme | Monday 10 May 2021 | Friday 27 August 2021 |
| 10-week online summer programme 1 | Monday 10 May 2021 | Friday 16 July 2021 |
| 10-week online summer programme 2 | Monday 21 June 2021 | Friday 27 August 2021 |
| 6-week online summer programme 1 | Monday 7 June 2021 | Friday 16 July 2021 |
| 6-week online summer programme 2 | Monday 19 July 2021 | Friday 27 August 2021 |
Fees
The fees for the 16-week pre-sessional course are £6,000, the 10-week course is £3,950, and the 6-week course is £1,950