Birmingham

Academic English Programmes 2011–2012

English for International Students Unit

Effective communication in English is the key to academic success.

Dorota Pacek, English for International Students Unit

English and Academic Skills (EAS) Presessional Programmewww.eisu.bham.ac.uk/courses/eas

Start dates: 17 January, 3 May, 11 July, 30 August, 26 September 2011; 9 January, 23 April, 9 July, 27 August 2012

nApplicants with an offer for the International Foundation Programme in Arts, Business and Law, or in Science and Engineering at the University of Birmingham

nApplicants planning to study at another UK university. Please note: this Presessional course does not include IELTS preparation

The EAS Presessional Programme aims to teach you how to:ndevelop your English language skillsnimprove your academic language and skills

in preparation for writing assignmentsntake part in discussions, listen to lectures

and read academic textsndevelop your speaking and pronunciation

skillsndevelop your critical thinking and study skillsngive presentations

Requirements for Successful Completion Progression is based on achieving the appropriate final score in continual formal assessment, final examinations and a final presentation, and at least 85% attendance each term.

Entry requirements: Please refer to the table on page 5.

The EAS Presessional Programme is appropriate if your level of English is intermediate or above (minimum IELTS 4.0), and you wish to improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for academic study at a UK university. Students have 21 contact hours plus 2 hours of guided self-study,10 hours of independent study and 1 tutorial each week.

The EAS programme is suitable for:nUndergraduate and postgraduate students

intending to apply to, or holding either a conditional or unconditional offer from, the University of Birmingham

nPhD applicants intending to start their studies in September, January or May

nStudy Abroad students

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Presessional Programme www.eisu.bham.ac.uk/courses/presessioneap/index.shtml

Start dates: 3 May, 31 May, 11 July, 8 August 2011

ndevelop accuracy in grammar and pronunciation

nuse familiar and unfamiliar vocabulary to speak and write about new things

nuse the University library resources and IT facilities

Students have an average of 19 contact hours plus 14 independent study hours and 1 tutorial per week.

Requirements for Successful CompletionYour level of academic English is assessed at the end of the programme by means of a 3,000-word written paper and an oral presentation. To complete the programme successfully you must reach a minimum final mark in the assessment and attend at least 90% of the programme.

‘I really appreciated the English-in-your-subject classes because I learnt many new words and it was a good chance to practise reading and writing in my field.’

EAP student

‘The course materials were authentic, very comprehensive, informative and easy to understand with lots of good examples.’

EAP student


The EAP Presessional Programme provides excellent preparation for academic study for postgraduate students with a conditional offer at the University of Birmingham in any of the following areas:nArts and LawnEngineering and Physical SciencesnLife and Environmental SciencesnMedical and Dental SciencesnSocial Sciences

The EAP Presessional Programme aims to teach you how to:nread and understand academic textsnlisten to and understand lectures and

academic debatesngive academic presentationsnspeak and write so that you can clearly

express what you want to say nthink and read critically

The EAS Presessional Programme provides the first step to university entry without retaking IELTS and ensures students have the right support and academic skills at the start of their academic journey.

Cathryn Overall, Director EAS Presessional Programme

2 Academic English Programmes 2011–2012

Business Management English (BME)Presessional Programmewww.eisu.bham.ac.uk/presessionbme

Start dates: 3 May, 31 May, 11 July, 8 August 2011


The BME Presessional is an intensive, motivating and intellectually challenging programme which focuses on the language, key concepts and study skills necessary for academic success. Students have an average of 19 contact hours plus 14 independent study hours and 1 tutorial per week.

This programme is suitable for postgraduate students with a conditional offer to do a GDBA, MSc, MBA, MPhil or PhD at the Birmingham Business School, especially in the following subjects:nAccounting and FinancenHuman Resource ManagementnInternational BusinessnInvestmentsnMarketing

The BME Presessional Programme aims to teach you to:nexpand your business vocabularyndevelop your analytical and critical skillsnpractise writing academic essays, reports,

reflective reviews and a feasibility projectnengage in problem-solving and decision-

making using real casesndevelop strategies for seminar discussions

and presentation skills

nlisten to live lectures by Business School lecturers

nunderstand the importance of research skills and accurate referencing

nmanage time efficiently under pressurenachieve the standard necessary for your

departmental studies

Requirements for Successful Completionnthe appropriate final mark for all assessed

work on the course. This means you must achieve a mark of 50% or above in the assessed case study, long essay, reflective review, oral presentation, feasibility project and final exams

na minimum of 90% attendance

Our usual class size is 12: this enables BME teachers to provide students with regular individual tutorials that prepare them to pass their assessments.

‘The BME course offers you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with academic writing, case study analysis, research skills and plagiarism issues, and it helps to improve your speaking and vocabulary. On top of this, you get introduced to the UK culture and get to interact with people from other continents. All these boost your confidence to be successful and take on challenges in the Business School. ’

Jean-Jacques, BME 2010 (Benin)

‘The BME is a stimulating programme, delivered by a team of experienced and highly-skilled teachers who have a genuine interest in your future success.’

Sophia Butt, BME Presessional Programme Director


3-week Academic English Skills Programmewww.eisu.bham.ac.uk/courses/summer/academic.shtml

30 August – 16 September 2011

nlanguage accuracy and fluency for academic writing, reading, listening and speaking

nyour ability to write academically using accurate referencing and avoiding plagiarism

nreading skills for academic articlesnyour ability to listen to lectures and

discussions and take notes

International Foundation Presessional Programmewww.eisu.bham.ac.uk/courses/intfoundation/dates.shtml

Start dates: 11 July, 8 August 2011


The IFP Presessional programme is suitable for students with a conditional offer for the International Foundation Programmes in Science and Engineering, or in Arts, Business, Social Science and Law. The aims of the IFP Presessional are:nto improve your English language to satisfy

entry requirementsnto improve and develop your academic skills

for Foundation level study

nto build your confidence in the use of language skills for academic study

The IFP Presessional Programme aims to teach you how to: nimprove your speaking, listening, reading

and writing skillsnuse English grammar effectively and

generally accurately in academic tasksnuse source material effectively in

written tasksndevelop strategies for systematically

expanding vocabulary

ndevelop time management and general study skills

ndevelop social communication skills

Students have an average of 21 contact hours, including individual tutorials and 14 independent study hours per week.

Requirements for Successful CompletionnYou must achieve a pass mark in all

assessed work and end-of-course examinations

na minimum of 90% attendance

This intensive programme is suitable if you have an unconditional offer and would like to improve your study skills in preparation for your academic studies.

The Academic English Skills Programme aims to develop:

nseminar skillsncritical thinking skillsnpresentation skillsnstudy skills for a successful academic

course of studynindependence for future academic study

4Academic English Programmes 2011–2012

The departmental requirement in your offer letter is IELTS 6.0

Your current IELTS score is The length of Presessional programme you need is

Overall(minimum)

Writing(minimum)

Birmingham Business School: All 24-month MBA and MSc programmesGraduate Diploma in Business Administration (GDBA)

Biosciences, Chemical Engineering, ChemistryCivil Engineering, Computer Science,Electronic, Electrical and Computer EngineeringGeography, Earth and Environmental SciencesMathematics, Mechanical Engineering (research)Metallurgy and Materials, Physics and AstronomySport and Exercise Science

4.0 – 42 weeks

4.5 4.0 31 weeks

5.0 4.0 20 weeks

5.0 4.5 19 weeks

5.0 5.0 15 weeks

5.5 4.5/5.0 10 weeks

6.0 5.0 6 weeks

IELTS Entry Requirements for EISU Presessional Programmes 2011

Entry Requirements



Overall(minimum)

Writing(minimum)

Birmingham Business School:All 21-month MBA programmes 12-month/modular MBA Strategy and Procurement12-month MSc programmes (*except below)

Archaeology and Antiquity, CURS, EconomicsEnglish, Drama and American & Canadian StudiesGovernment and Society, Health SciencesEducation (taught), History and CulturesLanguage, Cultures, Art History and MusicMechanical Engineering (taught)Philosophy, Theology and ReligionPsychology, Social Policy

4.5 4.0 42 weeks

5.0 4.0 31 weeks

5.0 4.5 20 weeks

5.0 5.0 19 weeks

5.5 5.0 15 weeks

6.0 5.0/5.5 10 weeks

6.5 5.5 6 weeks



Overall(minimum)

Writing(minimum)

Birmingham Business School:12-month MBA programmes*All 12-month Marketing programmes*12-month MSc Human Resource Management

Education (research)Law SchoolMedical and Dental Sciences

5.0 4.5 42 weeks

5.5 5.0 31 weeks

6.0 5.0 20 weeks

6.0 5.5 19 weeks

6.0 6.0 15 weeks

6.5 5.5/6.0 10 weeks

7.0 6.0 6 weeks

IELTS Entry Requirements for the International Foundation Presessional Programme (IFP)


Your current IELTS score is The length of Presessional course you need is

Overall(minimum)

Minimum band score

5.0 4.5 10 weeks

5.5 4.5 6 weeks


Your current IELTS score is The length of Presessional course you need is

Overall(minimum)

Minimum band score

5.5 5.0 10 weeks

6.0 5.0 6 weeks

For TOEFL entry requirements please go to www.eisu.bham.ac.uk


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Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom

www.birmingham.ac.uk

www.birmingham.ac.ukThis brochure was written several months in advance of the start of the academic year. It is intended to provide prospective students with a general picture of the programmes and courses offered by the School.Please note that not all programmes or all courses are offered everyyear. Also, because our research is constantly exploring new areasand directions of study some courses may be dropped and new ones offered in their place.

The class size is normally 12 (maximum 14).

The tuition fee includes all classroom materials and handbooks, access to the University’s libraries, computer clusters, WebCT and email facilities. It also includes the weekend day trips to places of cultural and historic interest, like Cambridge, Bath and York. It does not include entrance fees, other social events and use of the University’s Sports Centre.

Presessional Programme Dates 2011 – 2012 Tuition Fees

31 weeks 17 January–16 September £7,540

20 weeks 3 May–16 September £4,900

19 weeks *3 May–16 September £4,560

15 weeks *31 May–16 September £3,600

10 weeks 11 July–16 September £2,500

6 weeks 8 August–16 September £1,500

3-week intensive summer programme

30 August–16 September £750

42 weeks 26 September 2011 – 14 September 2012

£10,500 tbc

*includes a one week break 4–8 July

Note: Monday 2 and Monday 30 May are public holidays

If your offer is conditional and your offer letter states:‘Alternatively you can attend one of our Presessional English Language Programmes’

This means you have the option of attending and successfully completing a Presessional Programme instead of retaking IELTS. The length of programme you should attend and successfully complete to fulfil this condition depends on your present level of English.

Students who attend a Presessional Programme do not take IELTS at the end of the programme.

Information for all Presessional English Programmes

Deadline for Receipt of ApplicationsYour application should be sent to us at least four weeks before the start of the programme that you wish to attend. A late application will only be considered if places are available, and if you can obtain a visa in time to arrive in Birmingham and be present on the first day of your course. Up-to-date information about the availability of places will be posted on our website www.eisu.bham.ac.uk

Refunds Documentary evidence is required to support a request for a refund, which will only be made in exceptional circumstances, eg, visa refusal. An administration charge of £100 will be deducted.

Visa Advice All visa enquiries about applying for your visa to come to the UK, or to continue your studies once you are here, are dealt with by the International Student Advisory Services (ISAS). If you have any questions please email ISAS for advice at [email protected] or see the ISAS website www.as.bham.ac.uk/studentlife/international/visa/index.shtml. The staff in ISAS will be delighted to provide advice about new visas, visa renewal and visas for dependants (husbands/wives and children) of students.

Accommodation www.housing.bham.ac.ukTo book self-catering accommodation on the University campus or to find accommodation in the private sector, please contact Housing Services: [email protected]

First Week of the CourseIn week one, we provide a full orientation programme to familiarise you with all the University’s facilities and support services, including the computer clusters, library, sports and welfare facilities. You will also be given your timetable and your Birmingham email address and password.

Useful Websiteswww.birmingham.ac.uk/students/pg/life/index.aspx www.as.bham.ac.uk/studentlife/welcome/before/index.shtml www.sport.bham.ac.uk/

Learn more

Presessional EnquiriesEnglish for International Students UnitBirmingham B15 2TT

Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)121 414 7153/7150Fax: +44 (0)121 414 3600

www.eisu.bham.ac.uk


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