10-week Academic English Qualification Course (blended learning)

Program Overview

10-week Academic English Qualification Course (blended learning) 2025 entry

This course is for users of English as an additional language who are considering postgraduate study at an English-medium institution. This could be in the UK or another country.

Overview

The course will prepare you for your future studies by developing your academic English and study skills. You will get to participate in lectures and experience academic, social and cultural life at a leading UK university.

Entry Requirements

• You must be studying on or have already completed an undergraduate degree programme.
• You must provide evidence of English language ability equivalent to B1+ level or higher on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This evidence can be from any English language test score, or a university transcript showing performance on English language or English-medium modules. Other forms of evidence may be considered, but we want to ensure you have sufficient English language ability to benefit from the course.
• Applicants will need to have a laptop computer that they can use both in class and for out-of-class assignments.

Application Deadline

Saturday 17 May 2025

A limited number of AEQC places are offered each year, and these are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants should apply as early as possible to secure a place.

Course Details

This is a full-time pre-degree course to prepare students who use English as an additional language, for postgraduate degree programmes.

This intensive course will help you to:

• enhance your academic English
• develop your academic skills
• learn about postgraduate study at a UK university
• experience living and studying in the UK
• meet English language requirements to study a postgraduate degree at the University of St Andrews or another institution

Learning Outcomes

Students who complete this course with an overall score of 14 or higher should be able to:

• Write clear, well-structured texts on complex topics in an appropriate style for their field, using supporting evidence and examples from sources as required.
• Contribute meaningfully to discussions on complex subjects in their field, expanding and supporting points of view with appropriate reasons and examples.
• Demonstrate detailed understanding of a wide range of lengthy, complex texts where stated opinions and implied points of view are discussed, given time to reread where necessary.
• Demonstrate sufficient understanding to follow extended speech on abstract and complex topics of academic relevance.
• Produce work that demonstrates an understanding of good academic practice and scholarship, including strategies to avoid plagiarism.

Certificate of Performance

If you complete all the assessments on the course, you will be issued with a certificate of performance. This describes your performance overall and in the four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking, with scores that are aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Evidence for St Andrews

Your certificate can normally be used to meet English language entry requirements for postgraduate degree programmes at the University of St Andrews. You will need to meet the performance thresholds for your intended subject as stated on the English language requirements for postgraduate students page.

Evidence for Other Universities

AEQC certificates may be accepted on a case-by-case basis by other universities as evidence of English language ability. Please contact the relevant institution directly to confirm.

Teaching

Online Phase

During the online phase, you will participate in online learning activities for approximately 18 hours per week and will work individually on assignments. Online learning activities will typically include:

• watching lectures and other videos created for the course
• completing interactive worksheets or online tasks
• contributing to discussion forums
• engaging in peer assessment of written work
• joining live video tutorials or English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classes

You will also have to submit assignments and will receive electronic feedback from your teacher.

On-Site Phase in St Andrews

This phase of the course consists of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classes and academic lectures and seminars. These sessions will help you to enhance your academic reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. You will also gain an understanding of good academic practice in higher education.

Fees

£5,130

• A non-refundable deposit of £500 is required to reserve your place on the AEQC.
• Fees must be paid in full by Friday 30 May 2025.

Accommodation

Students can apply for University accommodation for the last four weeks of the course.

Your Future

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.