These classes are available to all undergraduate and postgraduate students, and staff, who use English as an additional language.
Course overview
In these classes, you will develop your vocabulary and grammar as well as your reading, listening, speaking and writing skills.
We offer courses at two different levels, based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR):
- Advanced - equivalent to level C1 of the CEFR
- Proficiency - equivalent to level C2 of the of the CEFR
Depending on the agreement with the home institution, visiting and exchange students can get five credits if they complete the Advanced or the Proficiency course.
Semester 2 2024/25 classes
The General English classes run in-person on campus from week 20 to week 31 (w/c 10 February to w/c 28 April 2025). The Advanced classes take place on Tuesdays AND Thursdays, from 18.15 to 20.05. The Proficiency classes take place on Wednesdays from 14.15 to 17.05. You are not able to select which course you join; you will be allocated to the course that is the best fit for you based on your Placement Test score, so please check MyTimetable to make sure you are free to attend both courses before completing the Placement Test.
Please only take the Placement Test if you want to enrol in one of our General English classes. We do not want to offer you a place in a class that you’re not able or willing to attend.
You will have three hours of teaching per week. Completion of set homework and preparation for classes is also a course requirement.
How to apply for a place
To enrol in a General English class, you must apply for a place by completing a Placement Test on Moodle. You are not able to join a class without completing the Placement Test first.
You must complete both parts of the Placement Test – Real Use of English and Real Writing. We will not score your test, or offer you a place on a course, if you have not completed both parts. It is your responsibility to ensure you have successfully submitted both parts of the test. Due to the extremely high number of incomplete tests we receive, we are not able to let individuals know that they have not submitted all parts.
Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The sooner you complete your Placement Test, the more likely you are to be offered a place in a class. There are 25 places available in each class.
You must complete your Placement Test by 26 January 2025. All tests will be graded by the Course Leader and the first 50 students to have completed the Placement Test will be offered a place on either the Advanced or Proficiency course.
More information
For more information about our General English classes, and a complete timetable of deadlines in semester 2 2024-25, view the Language Skills workflow in MySkills.
Student experience
"Every part of the class is helpful and meaningful. I rebuilt the confidence to speak and use English in daily life and study. And thanks to the class I've had a chance to talk with classmates from all over the world." (Quan)