University English

English language teaching Students from all over the world study on our courses. You will develop your language skills in a supportive multi-cultural environment and benefit from the expertise and experience of our teaching staff.

This course will improve your English language proficiency and equip you with the relevant academic skills to succeed at university.

Who should take this course

You should take this course if you need to:

meet the English language requirements for foundation, undergraduate, pre-master's or postgraduate courses
improve your academic skills in preparation for university study
familiarise yourself with university life before starting your degree course
improve your English language skills as part of a study abroad programme
develop your academic English skills for university study in your own country or at another UK institution.

What the course will cover

You will take modules in academic reading, writing, listening and speaking skills as well as study and research skills. You will learn through the use of authentic materials which will develop your knowledge and understanding of studying at a university level and also of British life and culture. You will be based on the main university campus with access to the full range of the university's learning and support facilities.

An optional IELTS Preparation class is available as part of the course for an additional fee.

For more details of the course content please see the course entry in the university's online prospectus.

Course dates

The course includes 12 weeks of teaching, and you can start in September, January or May.

During the summer there are additional start dates in July (8 weeks) and August (4 weeks) to help you progress onto courses starting in September.

Dates 2011/12

19 September - 16 December 2011 (12 weeks teaching)
23 January - 4 May 2012 (12 weeks teaching and Easter break)
31 May - 24 August 2012 (12 weeks teaching)
29 June - 24 August 2012 (8 weeks teaching)
27 July - 24 August 2012 (4 weeks teaching)

Entry requirements

You will need to take a recognised English language test before applying for this course. This will enable the admissions staff at the university to place you on the most appropriate course and level. A list of acceptable language tests can be found on our English language requirements page.

English language requirements for the 12-week course

(starting in September, January and May)

Level 1: IELTS 4.5 (with 4.0 in all skills); TOEFL ibt 53; Pearson 30 or equivalent
Level 2: IELTS 5.0 (with 4.5 in Reading and Writing); TOEFL ibt 59; Pearson 36 or equivalent
Level 3: IELTS 5.5 (with 5.0 in Reading and Writing); TOEFL ibt 65; Pearson 43 or equivalent
Level 4: IELTS 6.0 (with of 5.5 in Reading and Writing); TOEFL ibt 72; Pearson 51 or equivalent

English language requirements for the 8 and 4-week course

(starting in June and July)

Applications for the 8 and 4 week course will be considered by the international admissions team on a case by case basis. Decisions will be made on the basis of your current academic and English language level and the progression requirements needed in order to enter your chosen degree course in September 2012.

Academic requirements

Minimum of a high school leaving certificate or equivalent

Our admissions team will make the final decision on the most suitable level for you taking into account your scores in each element of your English language test and your overall academic performance.

Progression

The course runs at four levels to match your current language skills. On each level the 12 week course will raise your English skills by the equivalent of up to 1 IELTS point, depending on your final results.

You can take one or more levels, or progress onto any foundation*, pre-master's, undergraduate and postgraduate courses at Oxford Brookes. At the end of the University English course you will not need to take an external test to meet the university's language entry requirements. You will need to meet the academic entry requirements for your chosen course.

* If you are progressing onto a one year foundation course and you need a student visa, you will need to have taken a UK Border Agency (UKBA) approved test such as IELTS. You will need to have achieved at least IELTS 4.5 with 4.5 in all skills or equivalent to meet UKBA regulations.

Level	Final result	Progressions*
University English Level 1 Entry level: IELTS 4.5 or equivalent)	40%	University English Level 2 International Foundation Diploma - This is available as one programme through our International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway)
	60%	Pre-Master’s Diploma (with 60% in Reading and Writing modules) University English Level 3 (with 60% in Reading and Writing modules) International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law or International Foundation Business and Technology (with 60% in Reading and Writing modules)
University English Level 2 Entry level: IELTS 5.0 or equivalent	40%	University English Level 3 International Foundation Diploma
	55%	Pre-Master’s Diploma (with 55% in Reading and Writing modules) International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law or International Foundation Business and Technology (with 55% in Reading and Writing modules)
	60%	University English Level 4 (with 60% in Reading and Writing modules) International Foundation Diploma 1 semester [with credit ] (with 60% in Reading and Writing modulesand 40% in Thinking Critically module) Undergraduate degree (with 60% in Reading and Writing modules) Pre-Master’s Certificate (with 60% in Reading and Writing modules)
University English Level 3 Entry level: IELTS 5.5 or equivalent	40%	University English Level 4 International Foundation Diploma 1 semester [with credit] (with 40% in Thinking Critically module) Undergraduate degree
	50%	Pre-Master’s Diploma (with 50% in Reading and Writing modules) International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law or International Foundation Business and Technology (with 50% in Reading and Writing modules)
	55%	Pre-Master’s Certificate (with 55% in Reading and Writing modules)
	60%	Master’s degree* (with 60% in Reading and Writing modules)
University English Level 4 Entry level: IELTS 6.0 or equivalent	40%	International Foundation Diploma 1 semester [with credit] (with 40% in Thinking Critically module) Undergraduare degrees
	50%	Pre-Master’s Certificate (with 50% in Reading and Writing modules)
	55%	Master’s degrees* (with 55% in Reading and Writing modules)
	60%	Master’s degree* / PhD (some courses) (with 60% in Reading and Writing modules)

* The requirements for some master's courses may be higher so please check with the relevant department.

How to apply

Apply directly to the university using the Oxford Brookes International application form.

Please submit your application form as above with a copy of your IELTS certificate and send this to pathways@brookes.ac.uk

Your application will then be considered and the decision will be communicated via email. If you meet the course requirements you will receive an offer for the number of levels you need to progress to your chosen course.

Visas

If you are from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland you will need to have permission to come to the UK as a student.

If you plan to progress onto another course at Oxford Brookes...

If you only need to take a single level of University English (12, 8 or 4 weeks) and English language is the only condition of your undergraduate or postgraduate offer this can be classed as a pre-sessional course for visa purposes.

You can apply for one Tier 4 student visa for:
- University English starting in May or July and a degree starting in September
- University English starting in September and a degree starting in January (if available)
- University English and a Pre-Master’s Diploma
If you need to take more than one level of University English to meet our undergraduate or postgraduate entry requirements, you can apply for one Tier 4 student visa to cover the whole length of study on University English.

You will be issued with one Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for the whole period of study. To apply for a Tier 4 student visa you will need to have taken a UK Brorder Agency approved language test.

Find out more about applying for a visa.

If you are not planning to continue studying at Oxford Brookes...

You may be able to apply for a student visitor visa for up to 2 levels of University English. You will not be able to extend a atudent visitor visa in the UK if you want to stay and take a new course.