Pre-Sessional Online
This programme is designed to help you prepare for academic study at Queen Mary and feel confident using English at university level.
You'll develop your academic English and study skills from home while receiving the same high-quality teaching and academic support as our on campus programmes. By the time you arrive on campus, you will be well prepared to engage fully with your studies and your new academic environment.
Summer Courses Online
Course A2: from June to September online for all 13 weeks
Course B2: from July to September online for all 9 weeks
Course C2: from August to September online for all 5 weeks
Structure
You’ll be part of a small, focused group of students; your class has two tutors, one for Reading and Writing, and one for Listening and Speaking. The classes are interactive and carefully designed so that you feel fully supported throughout and become a member of the Queen Mary community. Having two tutors ensures you’ll have high levels of tutor feedback (as well as automated feedback), constant monitoring of your progress, and live lessons and tutorials. Each lesson has its own learning outcomes, and your tutors will set weekly targets for you to achieve.
Requirements for online study
If you choose to have all your teaching online, please ensure that you have the following in order to learn effectively (the University cannot provide you with hardware):
- A fast and reliable computer
- A good internet connection
- A webcam (HD is preferable if you have the choice)
- A microphone
- Headphones are an advantage as they enhance the experience and allow you to hear yourself clearly and with less interference from background noise.
Assessment
At the end of the course, summative assessments test your Writing, Reading, Listening, Speaking ability. Your marks are valid for 2 years and can be used to apply for your visa to study at Queen Mary.
The summative assessments include:
- Writing : 2000 word essay/report, demonstrating your ability to use accurate language, write in academic style and register, construct an argument, and successfully incorporate sources into your writing;
- Reading : Annotated Bibliography demonstrating your ability to understand academic source texts;
- Speaking : Oral presentation of 7-10 minutes + seminar leadership, demonstrating your ability to engage and respond to an academic audience using appropriate register;
- Listening : continuous assessment of listening and responding to questions, evidenced through your performance in listening and speaking lessons and in tutorials with your tutors.
In addition to the end-of-course assessment, you are continuously, and formatively, assessed throughout your studies on your academic literacy and English language skills. These include:
- Making use of academic sources;
- Synthesising sources through summary/paraphrase in order to adopt a stance in relation to argument and evidence;
- Avoiding plagiarism through acknowledging sources (citation and referencing);
- Giving formal presentations and participating in seminars;
- Developing effective lecture listening/note-taking skills.
These are exactly the skills you will need in your future degree studies.
Am I guaranteed to progress to my degree?
You have to pass your assessments in order to progress to your degree.
Entry Requirements
Your offer letter will normally advise you which Summer Pre-Sessional you need to take, and this depends on the English requirements of your chosen undergraduate or postgraduate degree programme. As a general guide, each block leads to a 0.5 improvement in your IELTS score. This is only a guideline. Please see the College website for information on specific English Language Entry Requirements for different courses of study.
Age Requirements
To enrol on the Summer Pre-Sessional, you must be aged 17 or over by the 1st of September before the course begins.
How to Apply for the Summer Pre-Sessional Programmes
You can apply for the Summer Pre-Sessional Programme in your student portal once you have received your offer for your main programme.
Step 1: Apply for your Degree Programme
Before you can apply for your Pre-Sessional Programme, you must first hold an offer for an Undergraduate, Postgraduate or Pre-Masters programme.
You can apply for a degree online by finding your desired programme and following the instructions.
For further information on how to apply, please visit our International webpages.
Step 2: Obtain a Valid Proof of your Level of English.
All Pre-Sessional Programme students must meet Queen Mary's English language requirements and must give evidence of your English language ability by producing an English language test score
Step 3: Apply for the Pre-Sessional Programme.
Once you have accepted your offer for a Queen Mary degree programme, you can apply for the Online Pre-Sessional Programme. This is available within your applicant portal under my Application. Click through to the application form by using the purple ‘Pre-Sessional English’ tile. Select the appropriate course length from the options listed.
You will need to upload a copy of your English Language evidence as a part of the application process.
Step 4: Accept the Pre-Sessional Programme Offer
Successful applicants will receive an offer for their chosen Pre-Sessional Programme. Please confirm your place by accepting this offer online.
Step 5: Request a CAS
Applicants who require Student Immigration Permission (formerly a Tier 4 visa) in order to be able to study in the UK will require a special reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). You will be sent instructions on how to request a CAS once you have firmly accepted your unconditional offer. The College will not start assigning CAS numbers for the Pre-Sessional Programme before April of the year you wish to study.
For immigration advice, please visit http://www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/international/immigration/