Pre-sessional course

Course detail Description

There are several Pre-sessional course lengths to choose from, depending on your current level of English and the language requirements you need to meet for your degree offer:

• 15-weeks
• 10-weeks
• 6-weeks

Use our Pre-sessional English calculator to see what English language score is required for your degree and which Pre-sessional course you should take.

During the course you’ll focus on reading, writing, listening and speaking English in an academic setting, and develop useful academic skills like notetaking, library-based research, essay writing, discussion, presenting, critical reading and active listening.

You’ll also have regular tutorials during which you will have the opportunity to ask quesstions and discuss issues related to your studies on the course.

Combined Pre-sessional

We also offer a Combined Pre-sessional course, which includes a blend of online and on-campus learning. The first four weeks of the course take place online, so you can start from the comfort of your own home. You then come to King’s to study the remaining part of the course on campus.

There are three course lengths available, depending on your needs: 15-weeks, 10-weeks and 6-weeks. The Combined Pre-sessional courses provide you with all of the same benefits as the face-to-face Pre-sessional, whilst also giving you the flexibility to begin the course online.

Extra preparation

Do you meet the academic conditions for your degree and the English language requirements, but feel like you could improve your academic English before starting your degree?

The 6-week Pre-sessional course is a great choice to build your confidence and help you to be better prepared before starting your studies.

If you need a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you may also be eligible for an integrated CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies), covering your Pre-sessional course and your main degree.

Please contact our Admissions team for more information.

Term Dates Pre-sessional Course Timetable ProgrammeStart date*End date

15-week Pre-sessional

20 May 2019

6 September 2019

10-week Pre-sessional

20 June 2019

6 September 2019

6-week Pre-sessional

25 July 2019

6 September 2019

*This includes a mandatory course induction.

Course purpose

The purpose of the Pre-sessional course is to:

• help you to meet the minimum language entry requirements for your chosen degree course
• help improve your academic writing
• let you practise seminar skills and academic discussion in order to express arguments more clearly and concisely
• make you a more effective reader
• provide opportunities for lecture listening and note-taking practice
• develop your grammatical competence
• improve your understanding of and ability to use academic English appropriately and effectively in an academic environment
• introduce you to UK academic culture

Course format and assessment

Teaching

The Pre-sessional course is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and classes, some of which will be online. Regular tutorials are arranged throughout the course, during which you will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues related to your studies on the course.

This is a full-time intensive course. A typical week includes approximately 17 contact hours, usually including online and face-to-face time; however, some weeks will see more contact hours than others.

You are expected to spend a similar amount of time on self-study.

Assessment

Typically, students may be assessed by means of any of the following:

• Essay(s)
• Viva(s) (a written or oral explication of a piece of research)
• Oral presentation(s)
• Exam(s)
• Seminar(s)
• Portfolio(s) of work, written and/or oral

The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give a good indication of what to expect. However, they may change if the course content changes.

Read more

Structure

Year 1

The Pre-sessional course is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and classes, some of which will be online, and you are expected to dedicate time to self-study and independent research tasks.

Students will be allocated to one of four modules, dependent upon their target degree course:

The ‘Academic English’ module will be taken by students aiming to progress to:

- The Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy

- The Dickson Poon School of Law

- Arts & Humanities (with the exception of CMCI and DDH)

- The science and health faculties (NMS, IoPPN, FoLSM, Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care)

The 'Management' module will be taken by students aiming to enter management-related courses delivered by King's Business School.

The 'Finance' module will be taken by students aiming to enter finance-related courses delivered by King's Business School.

The 'Cultural Industries and Digital Humanities' module will be taken by students aiming to enter programmes delivered by the Department of Culture, Media and Creative Industries and the Department of Digital Humanities.

The Management, Finance, and Cultural Industries & Digital Humanities modules contain a mixture of core, general content and language and skills central to the target subject area. The Academic English module focuses on the ability to use academic English vocabulary, genres of text, and skills relating to a wide range of academic situations and topics.

Please note that the module a student takes is determined by their target degree course; students cannot opt for an alternative module.

You will study the following:

English for academic purposes

The course helps you to develop your academic essay writing, language, and research skills, as well as your critical reading and listening abilities.

Seminar and presentation skills

The course helps you to develop your oral skills, focusing on your ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, to present and defend a position, and to listen and respond to other people’s ideas.

Tutorials

Students’ progress is monitored carefully. Regular tutorials are arranged throughout the course, during which you will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues related to your studies on the course.

Required Modules Students are allocated to one module, which is determined by their target degree course. Optional Modules n/a