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Pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes

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Year of Entry 2024/25

Pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes

Full-time Languages

Improve your English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in preparation for study at a UK university on our City Campus based 15 week, 10 week or 5 week full-time courses.


Everything you need to know...

What is the fee? See Fees and Funding below
How long will I study? 5-15 weeks
Where will I study? City Campus
When do I start? Variable start dates

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Course summary

  • Enhance your practical language skills through written assessments and exams, lectures, presentations and seminars.
  • Improve your use of written English and develop independent study skills in preparation of study in a UK university.
  • Study on a British Council-accredited course.

If you need to improve your English in preparation for your studies, this British Council-accredited intensive course is designed for you. Our team of experienced, qualified tutors will support you to develop academic study skills and your practical language skills through written assessments and exams, course books, lectures, presentations and seminars. You will meet representatives from your future college. Classes are limited to a maximum of sixteen students. Once you have successfully completed the pre-sessional course and met all other entry conditions needed for your degree course, you will receive an unconditional offer for your Sheffield Hallam University degree course.

Accredited by
  • British Council

This course is accredited by the British Council.


How you learn

You will meet your lecturer daily (Monday to Friday), and follow a clear schedule that includes listening, reading, writing and speaking development tasks. Each weekday, you will be given a range of independent or group study tasks. You will receive personal feedback on your work and you will also have one-to-one or small group tutorials to help you to focus on important areas of development.  

Assessments include speaking, reading, writing and listening assessments.

 

Applied learning

Throughout the course, we support you in the completion of practice writing tasks, and presentations which include a focus on your future course.

  • You will identify an area of your future course that interests you and use academic skills to find a specialist text for your future course.  
  • You will analyse your specialist text by focusing on academic language including definitions, perspective and stance, citation and referencing. 
  • You will make short presentations based on your specialist text.
 

Future careers

The course prepares you for academic study rather than directly for employment. However, the academic skills learnt on the course are also valuable in employment. 

In addition to improving communication skills, you develop independent, critical thought and self-directed learning, the ability to find data, the ability to use information technology effectively, time management and team working.

You'll also gain the ability to evaluate your own progress and to give and receive feedback effectively, and an international awareness based on respect for social and cultural diversity.

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

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Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Entry requirements

All students

You should join this course if you need to improve your language level to join your degree.

Visit the TESOL pages for an overview of pre-sessional English Language entry requirements, fees, start dates and length of study.

For information on the different English Language qualifications we will accept for Direct Entry to courses at NQF Level 6, 7 and 8, visit the English language entry requirements page.

*IELTS accepted if you are on a dependant visa or an EU National.

You must be 18 years old when you enrol on the course.

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.


Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK/EU students can be found on the English language pages.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for UK/EU students can be found on the English language pages.

Additional course costs

This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

Additional costs for Languages courses

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

 

How do I apply?

To apply for the pre-sessional course, please complete the application form below.

Application form (DOCX 444KB) (PDF, 185.7KB)

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