10-week Academic English pre-sessional course (blended learning)

Program Overview

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10-week Academic English pre-sessional course (blended learning) 2025 entry

This blended learning pre-sessional course includes six weeks of online tuition followed by four weeks of study in St Andrews. It is designed to prepare you for your postgraduate degree programme by focusing on the academic language and skills required for success at the University of St Andrews.

Overview

You will develop your ability to use English in academic contexts, as well as learn about academic, social and cultural life in St Andrews.

Entry Requirements

• Applicants must have a conditional or unconditional offer for any postgraduate degree programme at the University of St Andrews.
• Applicants must also have a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) score that meets the minimum requirements in their subject area for the 10-week pre-sessional.
• Applicants will need to have a laptop computer that they can use during the online phase of the course, and to engage in learning activities during the on-site phase.

Application Deadline

Saturday 17 May 2025

A limited number of pre-sessional 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 studying at the University of St Andrews as a postgraduate student
• adapt to living and studying in the UK
• meet English language offer conditions

The course introduces students to different services across the University, including:

• the Library
• Student Services
• Careers Centre
• Saints Sport
• Music Centre

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.

Teaching

• Teaching format
• Assessment
• Support

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.

In-Person Phase

The in-person phase of the course consists of EAP classes, combined with academic lectures and seminars. These sessions will help you to enhance your academic reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, as well as your understanding of good academic practice in higher education.

Progression Requirements

In addition to maintaining satisfactory attendance on the course, you must also achieve an overall grade and individual skill scores to meet the requirements of your chosen degree programme.

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.

Accommodation

Students can apply for University accommodation for the duration of the pre-sessional course.

Students arriving at the beginning of August to study the on-site phase of the course (the final four weeks of the course) will be able to check into their University accommodation from Wednesday 6 August 2025.

Students will have to move out of their allocated room on Friday 5 September 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 4-week pre-sessional course as accommodation is only available for the last four weeks of this 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.