Transition to Studying in the UK

Planning to study in the UK?

This course will introduce you to some of the language skills, cultural and practical aspects of life and study in the UK.

Register your interest

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Overview

Course details

You will study how English is used in a university context in this course. It familiarises students with the language used in formal academic settings like lectures and seminars, as well as in less structured social scenarios. As participants progress through the curriculum, they gain confidence in interacting with teachers, fellow students, and the local community. Moreover, they develop a nuanced understanding of the language expectations and situations they may encounter during their university studies in the UK.

Students sitting around a picnic table

Who is this course for?

Primarily designed for international students intending to pursue education in the UK, whether through a pre-sessional program or direct entry into a degree programme, this course is beneficial for those seeking English language proficiency and cultural acclimatization. This course is aimed both at students who would benefit from English language practice as well as those who would like to learn more about daily life in universities in the UK. 

student and academic sitting in chairs looking at a book

Teaching format 

This course adopts an asynchronous online learning format, comprising lecture content, interactive components, and weekly synchronous conversation cafes facilitated by English language teachers based in the United Kingdom. 

Students sitting in a room looking at one thing

Duration and Structure

Designed to be completed over six weeks, each week incorporates a diverse range of activities to ensure a comprehensive learning experience. These activities include: 

  • Cultural Awareness Videos

Participants engage with videos designed to enhance cultural awareness and explore behavioral expectations in the UK. 

  • Interactive Discussions 

Through online synchronous conversation cafes and asynchronous forum posts, students actively participate in discussions with both teachers and peers, fostering a collaborative learning environment. 

  • Comprehension Exercises 

Various exercises, including multiple-choice assessments, are integrated to gauge comprehension and reinforce learning. 

  • Academic Lectures 

Participants watch academic lectures on common topics, followed by answering questions to deepen their understanding of academic language usage. 

  • Reflection on Progress 

Regular reflections on individual progress and competencies serve as a valuable tool for self-assessment and continuous improvement throughout the course. 

Course requirements

Applicants should be at least B1 (IELTS 5.5) in order to benefit from the programme.  They do not need to hold an offer for entry into a degree programme in the UK, but they should at least intend to study in the UK in the near future.   

The time commitment for this course is typically six to eight hours per week. 

Certificate

If successful, you will receive a Certificate of Completion and a digital badge from the University of St Andrews. 

Course dates

Start date:
Coming soon
Cost:
£300
Duration:
41 days

Course teachers

Aaron Rotsinger

Aaron Rotsinger

Aaron Rotsinger is the Pre-sessional Director at the University of St Andrews. He has 20+ years experience working with international students in contexts all over the world, including time spent working in universities in the USA, China, Turkey, Vietnam, Kazakhstan and the UK.

Stefan O'Grady

Stefan O'Grady

Stefan O'Grady is the co-ordinator of the 4 week pre-sessional at the University of St Andrews.  He has a PhD in language learning and assessment and his work has been published in Language Testing, Language Teaching Research, Research Methods in Applied Linguistics and others. As an English teacher he has experience of working in China, France, Turkey, the Arabian Gulf region, and the UK.