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Students
Tuition Fee
GBP 5,130
Per course
Start Date
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
10 weeks
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
Courses
Major
English | Foreign Language | Linguistics
Area of study
Langauges
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
Tuition Fee
Average International Tuition Fee
GBP 5,130
Intakes
Program start dateApplication deadline
2025-06-26-
About Program

Program Overview


10-week Academic English Qualification Course 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.


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.


After completing the course assessments, you will be issued with a certificate of performance. This can normally be used as evidence of your English language ability if you apply for a postgraduate degree programme at the University of St Andrews within the following 25 months. Other institutions may also accept an Academic English Qualification Course (AEQC) certificate as evidence of English language ability on a case-by-case basis.


Overview

  • Start date: 26 June 2025
  • End date: 4 September 2025
  • Duration: Ten weeks
  • School: International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute (IELLI)

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 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.


Required performance thresholds may change from year to year, and AEQC can only evidence English language levels from CEFR B2- to C1, as shown on our CEFR benchmarking table.


Your certificate will be valid for use at St Andrews for 25 months.


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

  • Teaching format
  • Assessment
  • Support

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.


You will follow the same course of study as students taking our 10-week Academic English Pre-sessional course for postgraduate offer-holders which is accredited by The British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP). You will have opportunities to interact with this group, who intend to continue directly onto degree programmes at the University of St Andrews, during the course.


During the course, you will be tested across the four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking using assessments that are benchmarked to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).


You will be awarded an overall grade on the University of St Andrews 20-point scale to reflect your performance on course assessments, as well as individual scores for each of the four skills.


Overall grades and individual skill scores are benchmarked to CEFR levels as follows:


  • a score of 4 to 6 is equivalent to CEFR B2- level
  • a score of 7 to 10 is equivalent to CEFR B2 level
  • a score of 11 to 13 is equivalent to CEFR B2+ level
  • a score of 14 to 16 is equivalent to CEFR C1- level
  • a score of 17 to 20 is equivalent to CEFR C1 level

You can see how these grades and scores compare with those on other tests using our CEFR benchmarking table for English language tests.


You can use your pre-sessional grades and scores to meet your English language offer conditions, provided that the pre-sessional is listed in the English language test profile for your subject area. See English language requirements for postgraduate students for more details.


You must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To gain access to Honours-level modules, students must achieve the relevant requisites as specified in the policy on entry to Honours and in the relevant programme requirements.


To find out the classification equivalent of points, please see the common reporting scale.


The University’s Student Services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities web page.


Fees

  • £5,130
  • To reserve your place on this course a non-refundable deposit of £500 must be paid within two weeks of accepting your place.
  • Fees must be paid in full by Friday 30 May 2025.
  • You can pay your deposit and your fees, by International bank transfer or credit card through the online payment portal.
  • When making a payment by bank transfer or credit card, choose the ‘Tuition fees’ option and enter the relevant amount. This applies to deposits and balance payments.

The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to students each year.


Accommodation

Students can apply for University accommodation for the duration of the course.


Accommodation will be available from Tuesday 24 June 2025.


To apply for University accommodation, you must complete the online accommodation application form. When you complete the online application, you must ensure you check the box for the 10-­week pre-sessional course.


If you do not wish to apply for University residential accommodation, please be aware that you are responsible for making your own alternative arrangements. Find out more about private accommodation in St Andrews.


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About University
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University of St. Andrews


Overview:

The University of St. Andrews is Scotland's first university, established in 1413. It is renowned for its academic excellence, particularly in postgraduate studies, and consistently ranks among the top universities in the UK.


Services Offered:

The university provides a comprehensive range of services for students, including:

    MySaint:

    A student portal for accessing various resources and information.

    Moodle:

    An online learning platform for course materials and communication.

    Library:

    A well-equipped library with extensive resources and study spaces.

    MMS:

    A student support system for managing academic and personal matters.

    Accommodation:

    On-campus housing options for students.

    Fees and Funding:

    Information on tuition fees and financial aid opportunities.

    Scholarships:

    Various scholarships available for eligible students.

Student Life and Campus Experience:

The university offers a vibrant and diverse campus experience, characterized by:

    Close-knit community:

    A strong sense of belonging fostered by the small town setting.

    Academically stimulating environment:

    Opportunities for intellectual growth and engagement.

    Active research:

    Involvement in cutting-edge research projects.

    International community:

    A diverse student body from around the world.

    Numerous extracurricular activities:

    Opportunities for social interaction and personal development.

Key Reasons to Study There:

    Top-ranked university:

    Consistently ranked among the best in the UK.

    World-leading research:

    Access to cutting-edge research facilities and resources.

    Excellent postgraduate programs:

    A wide range of taught Masters degrees and online courses.

    Strong academic reputation:

    A prestigious institution with a long history of academic excellence.

    Supportive and welcoming community:

    A close-knit environment that fosters a sense of belonging.

Academic Programs:

The university offers a wide range of academic programs across various disciplines, including:

    Arts and Divinity:

    Philosophy, History, English Literature, Theology, etc.

    Science:

    Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, etc.

    Social Sciences:

    Economics, Politics, Sociology, etc.

    Medicine:

    Medicine, Nursing, etc.

    Management:

    Business, Finance, Marketing, etc.

Other:

Total programs
292
Location
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