How you learn

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

Our pre-sessional courses are open to all international students coming to study at Sheffield Hallam. This is the perfect transition from studying in your own country to learning in a UK university. It’s designed to prepare you for admission onto your undergraduate or postgraduate degree course at Sheffield Hallam University, by improving your English language and academic skills.

You’ll study in small groups of up to 16 students – receiving lots of individual support and gaining the confidence to study independently in the future. Your classmates will be from a range of countries and together you’ll form a happy and supportive working team.

Your lecturers will use a multi-skilled approach to teach you the skills you need for your own subject area or discipline. This includes learning to listen to lectures and reading books for the writing and presentation of university assessments.

You learn through:

• Access to subject-specific materials and real-world activities
• Presentations and seminars
• Independent and group study
• Feedback sessions to help you prepare for assessments
• One-to-one or small group tutorials to help you to focus on important areas of development
• Speaking, reading, writing and listening assessments

Course topics

Throughout the course, you'll refine your academic writing, reading, listening and speaking abilities – developing essential skills like paraphrasing, summarising and synthesis. You’ll engage with your lecturer on a daily basis (Monday to Friday).

These short courses provide an invaluable introduction to academic study in the UK, covering essential areas such as critical thinking, academic writing, referencing and citation, and study skills. They're an ideal chance for you to settle into university life in Sheffield and lay a solid foundation for success on your degree course.

We use teaching tasks in class that draw on the best and latest research into your rapidly developing awareness of academic language. You’ll develop the use of the grammar and vocabulary needed on university courses, and enhance your knowledge and understanding of your area of future study at Sheffield Hallam University.

We’ve also built in the study skills and awareness of academic practices that you need to thrive, both academically and in your future careers.

Course support

After completing the pre-sessional course, you'll have access to further English support during your studies at Sheffield Hallam through our in-sessional English for Academic Purposes course: University English Scheme.

Covering essential language and study skills for university success, this offers a valuable opportunity to enhance your English in a classroom environment while living in Sheffield. These sessions are free for Sheffield Hallam students and provide a great chance to forge new friendships across the university and beyond.

You’ll also be supported in your learning journey through:

• Access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development.
• Access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources.

Applied learning

Throughout the course, we provide extensive support as you engage in practice writing tasks and presentations, all with a targeted focus on your upcoming degree.

You'll have the opportunity to select a specific area within your future degree that interests you – using academic skills to find and analyse a specialised text within this area. This text analysis will delve into the nuances of academic language, including definitions, perspectives, stance, citation and referencing. You'll then deliver concise presentations based on your chosen specialist text.

By delving into these tasks, you'll not only enhance your academic skills, but also gain practical insights directly relevant to your future studies. Our aim is to equip you with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate your future course confidently and effectively.

Future careers

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

In addition to improving communication skills, you’ll develop:

• Independent, critical thought
• Self-directed learning
• The ability to find data
• The ability to use information technology effectively
• Time management skills
• Team working skills
• The ability to evaluate your own progress
• The ability to give and receive feedback effectively
• 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.

City Campus map | City Campus tour 

Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Entry requirements

Fees and funding

Legal information

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