Postgrad UK 2008/2009 - (Page 31) www.prospects.ac.uk/PostgradUK Advice and Information 31 Language matters If you want to come to the UK to study a postgraduate degree you will need to make sure that your English language skills are up to speed. Courses in English for Academic Purposes running at universities throughout the UK are the ideal way to prepare. UK universities generally require a minimum International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 or equivalent for entry onto postgraduate courses. This score will depend upon the course you wish to study and some courses may require a higher IELTS score. If you do not have the necessary level of English you can still come to a UK university and improve your skills by studying a pre-sessional course in English for Academic Purposes (EAP). These courses are designed to equip students with the English language skills they need for postgraduate study and your intended university will advise you whether you need to attend a course before you can enrol on a postgraduate course. ‘The overall aim of pre-sessional courses is to prepare students for their postgraduate course,’ explains Carmel Roche, Director of English Language Programmes at the University Language Centre at the University of Manchester. ‘The courses cover academic reading, writing and listening, research and presentation skills. Looking at the bigger picture they also help students to prepare for the sort of academic culture that we have here in the UK.’ READY TO LEARN Dr Michael Hughes is which accredits EAP courses in the UK. He says that as well as developing language skills, pre-sessional courses also help students to prepare for study in a different academic culture. ‘Students who have a first degree from another country will find differences studying in the UK,’ he explains. ‘They may find that they are expected to be much more independent, particularly at Masters level, so pre-sessional courses are not only about developing English language skills but also study skills and cultural orientation.’ A number of universities offer presessional courses designed to prepare students for postgraduate courses in specific subject areas. At the University of Manchester this includes courses related to science and technology, law, social sciences and business management. These have the obvious advantage of developing language skills which are particularly relevant to your intended subject of study. HOW LONG DOES THE COURSE LAST? an IELTS score which is approximately a band and a half below the required score. Shorter courses like the threeweek programme are aimed at students who have the necessary IELTS score but wish to refresh their skills before they start their postgraduate course. The cost of the course will vary depending upon the length of the course. At Manchester prices range from £585 for the three week course to £3,900 for the 20-week course. WHERE SHOULD I LEARN? Students can choose to study at the university where they intend to take their postgraduate course or at another UK university. Taking both courses at the same institution can be a great way to adapt to your new surroundings. ‘This really gives students confidence being at the university and knowing where things are,’ says Carmel. ‘It also allows them to go onto their postgraduate course armed with lots of knowledge about what to expect.’ Wherever you study, you will have access to the full range of services and support available to students at the university. Many courses are also accompanied by a full social programme allowing you to visit other parts of the UK and get to know other students on the course. FURTHER SUPPORT For many international Executive Chair of The British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP), an organisation Pre-sessional courses vary in length, taking anywhere from three weeks to a full year to complete. The University of Manchester, for example, offer a one-year Gateway Programme and four different pre-sessional courses lasting from three to 20 weeks in length. Longer programmes like the 20 week course are designed for students with students successful completion of a presessional course is a requirement for entry onto their postgraduate course. At some universities this will require a further IELTS test to demonstrate just how far your English has improved. Once you are on your postgraduate course most universities will continue to offer in-sessional language support. You can also be sure that skills you have developed on the pre-sessional course will benefit you throughout the rest of your postgraduate study. http://www.prospects.ac.uk/PostgradUK
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