Prospects Postgrad UK 2007/2008 - (Page 26) 26 ADVICE AND INFORMATION www.prospects.ac.uk/PostgradUK SPONSORED BY MATTERS As a general rule, most universities will ask you to have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 or equivalent to begin postgraduate study in the UK, although there are exceptions to this rule, and some programmes may require a score of 7. If you do not have the level of English required for the programme you wish to study however, you can come to the UK prior to starting your study and take a course in English. LANGUAGE If you want to study a postgraduate degree in Britain but are worried your English is not good enough, don’t panic, there are plenty of courses on offer at universities in the UK which will bring your language skills up to speed. WHERE CAN I STUDY MY COURSE? Most universities offer either full or part-time courses in English for Academic Purposes, which have been designed to equip students with the language skills needed to complete a postgraduate course, including reading, writing and speaking. Courses can be completed at the university in which you intend to study or at a different institution altogether. Having said that, there are benefits to be gained from studying your English course at the same institution as your postgraduate degree; mainly that you will be familiar with your surroundings, and are therefore likely to adjust quicker. HOW LONG IS THE COURSE? Courses vary in length; some last only two weeks, whereas others, usually a Graduate Diploma, can last up to a year. Which course you take will depend on the level of English you already have and what level you need to study a postgraduate course. The International Academy at the University of Essex, for example, offers a Graduate Diploma with English for Academic Purposes, as well as Diplomas which combine EAP with modules taught in the departments of Linguistics, Psychology, Politics and Government, and shorter, presessional courses ranging from two weeks to 20 weeks. The Graduate Diploma costs £7,190 and lasts nine months (an academic year). This course is designed for those with an IELTS 5.0 or equivalent and who need extra tuition to bring their skills up to the level that is required for postgraduate study. The shorter pre-sessional courses are available for those who are still short of the requirements or want to brush up on existing skills. At Essex each five-week module on the Pre-sessional course costs £1,000. ‘The aim of the programmes is to prepare them in the academic English they need to be successful in their studies,’ says Liz Austin Pre-sessional Programme Leader. ‘We focus strongly on academic writing skills such as essay writing, report writing, and writing under exams conditions, for example. Listening and note taking, speaking, seminars and presentations are also covered.’ http://www.prospects.ac.uk/PostgradUK
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