Pre-sessional (Preparation)
If your current English language level is between IELTS 3.5-4.5 or equivalent, the Pre-sessional (Preparation) programme is for you.
It will help you to prepare for academic study at university in the UK, and to improve your English to join a higher level Pre-sessional course.
Special features
You will learn to communicate more accurately and effectively in the university environment, through preparing presentations, group projects and regular writing assignments. You will also learn the language you need to pass language tests for university entry.
If you reach IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent) overall and IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent) in Writing, you can transfer to the Pre-sessional (General) programme or the Pre-sessional (Management) programme. You can do this at any time during the Pre-sessional (Preparation) programme.
Assessment
Your progress is assessed by an end-of-term test of reading, writing, listening, speaking and language accuracy. Your teachers also take all your course work and homework into account when deciding your final grade.
Pre-sessional (Preparation) 1-3
These are ten or eleven week courses running from October to June. You will study an average of 20 hours per week from Monday to Friday, and you should expect to attend all classes.
This example timetable will give you an idea of your study week:
| 9.15-11.05 | 11.15-13.05 | 13.15-15.05 | 15.15-17.05 | |
| Monday | Language Development | Tutorials & lunch break | English for Academic Study & IELTS | Self-study |
| Tuesday | Applied Language Skills | ALS prep & lunch break | Applied Language Skills | Reading project (self-study) |
| Wednesday | Language Development | SALC & lunch break | Living and Studying in the UK | Self-study |
| Thursday | Pronunciation & Accuracy in Speaking | SALC & lunch break | English for Academic Study & IELTS | Assigned reading/writing |
| Friday | Language Development | SALC & lunch break | Active Writing | Language review and self-study task |
SALC = Self Access Language Centre, for guided self-study
ALS Prep = preparation meetings for afternoon Applied Language Skills
Pre-sessional (Preparation) 4 – PSP4
This is an eight-week course in July and August. You will spend the morning with the General English programme (ELAC) studying language development through British cultural themes. In the afternoon you will focus on improving specific skills and language for university study.
Special features
- lectures: weekly guest talks by experts in an area related to British culture
- course-related visits: educational and cultural excursions to places of interest in or near to Bath.
This example timetable will give you an idea of your study week:
| 9.00-11.00 | 11.30-13.00 | 14.15-16.15 | |
| Monday | Course introduction | Campus tour | Academic Project |
| Tuesday | Life and People | Focus on Speaking | Guest lecture |
| Wednesday | Media and Culture | Visit preparation | Course-related visit |
| Thursday | Contemporary Topics | Focus on Listening | Academic Project |
| Friday | Aspects of Britain | Focus on Vocabulary | Free afternoon |
