Pre-Sessional course info
In order to allow sufficient time for your visa application, please ensure that you apply for a place on the pre-sessional course as soon as possible after receiving your offer of a place on your degree programme. It usually takes several weeks to obtain a visa, and you will not be permitted to join the course if you arrive after the latest start date.
We do not normally process applications for the pre-sessional courses which are received less than three weeks before the start the course.
The Pre-Sessional Courses are for international students who will be attending academic courses at Loughborough University.
The university considers it very important that international students who will be joining an academic course at Loughborough University should attend one of the Pre-Sessional courses as this enables them to work much more effectively when their academic courses begin.
- Course aims
- Course content
- Accommodation
- Information for Sponsors
- Tutors
- Facilities
- Student welfare
- Important Information
Course aims
The primary aim of this course is to prepare international students for the demands of their programme of study by:
- increasing the students’ overall level of English language proficiency;
- equipping students with the academic English and study skills required to cope with the learning demands of a Loughborough degree programme, and;
- assisting students’ integration into the British social and academic environment.
Course content
Please note, you must be able to attend for the duration of the pre-sessional course in order to meet the conditions of your offer at the University and the conditions of your visa. Further information on visa requirements can be found on our Student Advice and Support Services webpage.
Phase One
Course A and Course B commence in Phase One and begin with an intensive introduction to grammar, vocabulary and the four skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) aimed at rapidly increasing the overall level of English proficiency. There is an increasing emphasis on academic English and IELTS preparation tasks in the second part of Phase One. Survival English and an introduction to British culture is another important element of both courses. Coursebooks and materials are provided and the external IELTS examination fees are included in the course fees. Students receive up to 21 hours of tuition a week and are expected to attend tutorials, complete assignments and independent learning tasks for a further 20 hours per week.
Phase One Assessment
Students who enter the programme in Phase One are required to take an external IELTS examination in June and achieve a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 (and minimum 5.0 in all subtests) or above (depending on the requirements of the student’s academic department) in order to progress to Phase Two.
Please note that some departments require a score higher than IELTS 5.5 in order to progress to Phase Two. Please check the English language requirements for your course. Students who do not achieve the required IELTS score will not be permitted to continue onto Phase Two of their academic course.
Phase Two
The main emphasis in Phase Two is on academic English. Whilst students are expected to read and conduct research on their subject area for the Extended Essay, the pre-sessional course covers English for academic purposes that can be applied to any discipline. Students receive up to 21 hours of tuition a week and are expected to attend tutorials, complete assignments and independent learning tasks for a further 20 hours per week. By the end of the course, successful students will be able to:
- deliver effective oral presentations;
- function within a variety of speaking situations in an academic context, including seminar discussions and tutorials;
- identify key points in a lecture and take effective notes;
- plan, structure, write and review extended pieces of writing;
- demonstrate an understanding of academic writing conventions, to include in-text citation, referencing, direct quotation and bibliographies;
- summarise and paraphrase effectively from written and spoken sources;
- write reflectively on their academic development and independent learning;
- use a range of reading strategies for different purposes;
- critically read, analyse and evaluate academic texts;
- locate, research and take effective notes from written sources;
- work independently and collaboratively.
Phase Two Assessment
Students are also required to complete written assignments throughout the course.
The end-of-course assessment includes:
- an Extended Essay on a question related to their future studies;
- Group Presentation Assessment;
- End-of-course examination comprising listening, reading and writing tasks;
- Independent Learning Portfolio.
Course books and materials are provided. Students also have 24 hour access to online English for academic purposes materials consolidating tasks done in class.
During Phase Two students attend talks and lectures given by Loughborough University’s academic staff and visitors. Students are also given training on how to use the library effectively for their studies.
Tutors give regular one-to-one tutorials throughout all courses to report on and discuss progress made, and to give advice on areas needing further improvement.
Our pre-sessional courses are accredited by the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP) which sets strict criteria for courses in English language and study skills for speakers of other languages.
Loughborough University Pre-sessional Courses were inspected in 2011, and we are pleased to announce that we were successful in achieving accreditation status for a further four years, demonstrating our commitment of offering the best possible service to our students.
Accommodation
Students have the option of living in a University Hall of Residence or living in accommodation from the private rented sector during their course.
It should be noted, however, that University Hall of Residence for the duration of the pre-sessional course is not permanent term-time accommodation. Students will move into their permanent accommodation after the pre-sessional course.
Information for Sponsors
Students who are sponsored should show this section to their sponsor.
Aim
The Pre-sessional Courses aim to help students through the transition period from their own country to Britain. The University strongly recommends that students who have not studied in Britain before should attend a Pre-sessional Course, as this enables them to work much more effectively, and therefore successfully, in a British University environment when their academic courses begin.
Fees
Funders are asked to see this as an important part of the academic course, and to ensure that students are able to attend.
Visas etc.
It is vital that immigration and documentation is processed so that students can arrive in time for their Pre-sessional Course. It is not possible to join the courses late.
Tutors
In addition to the Head of Department, there is a Team Leader, Senior English for Academic Purposes Tutors and a team of English for Academic Purposes Tutors who are all qualified and experienced in teaching study skills and English as a foreign language. There are also International Student Advisers who can help students with practical and personal issues to do with adjusting to their new life at Loughborough University.
In addition to these, there are Social Tutors Student Liaison Assistants, many of whom are Loughborough students, living in the accommodation with the pre-sessional students (for Phase Two from July - September). They help students to become familiar with the University, Loughborough and British culture by arranging cultural and social activities throughout the course.
Facilities
Tuition is within the University campus. Students on all courses will be able to make use of the following facilities:
- On-line English for Academic Purposes resources
- Library
- Computing services
- Full range of sports facilities
- Shops, cafes, restaurants and bars
Student welfare
Within the department, students have access to the Student Advisers, who are able to offer guidance and advice on issues such as visa renewals and police registration. Other student welfare support services available to University students include:
- Muslim Prayer Room
- Careers service
- Loughborough Student Advice
- Student Accommodation Services
- University Counselling Service
- Disability and Additional Needs Support
- Chaplaincy
- Dyslexia support
All of the courses also provide an ideal opportunity to make friends within Loughborough University’s large international community, and become familiar with both the campus and town.
Important Information
- Absence from the Pre-sessional Course may effect the status of your visa. Please email an International Student Adviser for up-to-date visa information.
- If you have any pre-sessional enquiries that are not answered by the Frequently Asked Questions, or need assistance with the application form please email elsu@lboro.ac.uk.
- If you are using an Agent, you must provide your home address for our records. The processing of your application will be delayed until we have this information, as we need this so that we can produce a letter to help you open a bank account when you arrive.
- Please do not provide us with P.O.Box addresses outside of the UK, as DHL will not deliver to these.
- Please do not send a photocopy of a cheque. Applications will not be processed until the original cheque is received.
- Please do not send in more than one application form. You can apply by email, fax or by posting the original, but please ensure you only apply once.
- Please do not send in application forms for more than one pre-sessional course.
- Please enclose a copy of your IELTS/TOEFL certificate with your application. Please do not send in any certificates other than IELTS / TOEFL.
- If you are paying the deposit by bank-to-bank transfer, please ensure you put your name and “PS09” as the reference. Please do not send in copies of bank transfer receipts in order for your application to be processed. The application will only be processed as soon as we receive confirmation from our Finance Department that the money has reached our account.
- If you are applying for a pre-sessional course close to the start date we would advise that you pay you deposit by credit card, cheque or travellers’ cheques, as money paid by bank-to-bank transfer will take two to three weeks to arrive.
- Please write your name, the pre-sessional course you wish to attend and your University application number (either your HB number, for postgraduate students, or your UCAS number, for undergraduate students) on the back of the cheque.