Pre-Sessional English Language Programme​

This is a 12 week, 5 module programme for students who wish to join a course of study at CU-Ulster, but who do not have either the necessary English Language requirements or who require additional support to prepare for educational study.

Course Structure
There are 2 pathways:
- Pre-Foundation
- Pre-Masters
Anyone who holds a conditional offer for a CU-Ulster programme and who needs to achieve the required level of English to meet the offer condition.
Anyone who wishes to be better prepared for academic study prior to joining a higher education course.

Course Structure
There are 2 pathways:
- Pre-Foundation
- Pre-Masters
To provide foundations for university-level study.
To build on language and skills developed in previous tertiary-level study.
To enable learners to meet the English language requirement to access IFP/Y (Level 3) and HND Business (Level 4) and MBA (Level 7) programmes.

Course Structure
There are 2 pathways:
- Pre-Foundation
- Pre-Masters
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
Produce Texts of a Range of Genres, Including Essays and Reports Using an Appropriate Style.
Understand and Respond to Academic Lectures in Their Field.
Understand the Content, Purpose, and Author Opinions When Reading Academic Texts.
Analyse and Evaluate Information Presented Using Critical Thinking Skills.
Take Part in Seminar Discussions on Academic Topics.
Deliver an Effective Academic Presentation.
Demonstrate the Use of Appropriate Strategies for Academic Success.
Understand and Meet the Requirements of Their Chosen English Language Test.

Course Structure
There are 2 pathways:
- Pre-Foundation
- Pre-Masters

Pre-Foundation is aimed at those wishing to gain access either to a pre-degree Foundation year or the first year of a Bachelor Degree or BTEC Higher National Diploma.

Pre-Masters is aimed at those wishing to start a postgraduate programme such as an MBA or Masters qualification.

Teaching sessions are independent of each other, which allows students to join at any stage of the course. It is advised that students join no later than week 7 in order to complete all sessions on the course. Delivery will take place both face to face and online. Class timings are flexible based on the circumstances of the cohort.

The programme will be delivered over a period of 12 weeks (depending on cohort) with classes taking place both online and face to face. At the end of the course, students will complete an English Language test and progress onto their qualification with Ulster University or Pearson Education. Each pathway has 4 Academic modules plus an additional exam preparation module.

Academic Composition
- Research and using sources: finding information, paraphrasing and summarising, referencing
- Writing Skills: characteristics of genres, organisation, creating cohesion, complex grammar and vocabulary, academic style, the writing process
- Developing an argument: essay and paragraph structure, providing evidence and support, acknowledging counterarguments, drawing conclusions
Listening in an academic setting
- Taking notes when listening
- Awareness of lecture structure, content and meaning through inferring and evaluating, signposting language, deducing the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary
- Listening skills: listening for gist and specific information
Academic Literature
- Understanding meaning: subject-specific vocabulary, implicit content, conceptual meaning
Understanding relationships between ideas: text structure, main and supporting ideas, use of cohesive devices
Reading critically: facts and opinions, use of evidence, validity and reliability of claims and evidence
Effective reading: prediction, skimming and scanning
Note-taking
Communication
- Seminar discussion skills
- Oral presentations
Exam Strategies
- Familiarity with test format
- Time management
- Assessment criteria

Assessment
At the end of the course, students will complete either an IELTS, Pearson PTE or Password test (To be decided).

Length of course
Each module is 36 hours long and is delivered over a 12-week duration (3 hours a week).

The whole course (5 modules) will be 15 hours per week for 12 weeks.

Course fees
The cost per module is: 2,500 QAR if taken individually.

OR

For the whole 5 module course, the cost is 10,000 QAR, which includes the cost of entry to the English Test (if required).

If you are successful in gaining entry to your chosen course, these fees will be discounted from your first year’s tuition fee*

*terms and conditions apply.

Minimum IELTS level to join the programme

  • A minimum score of 4.0 in IELTS, Password or equivalent for the Pre-Foundation Pathway
  • A minimum score of 5.0 in IELTS, Password or equivalent for the Pre-Masters Pathway

(There may be exceptions. This will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis)

Entry Criteria

Pre-Foundation

You must:

  • Have successfully completed the General Secondary Education Certificate or Qatar Senior School Certificate with a minimum of 50% in 5 subjects.
  • Have an Academic IELTS overall score of no less than 4.0 or equivalent.

 

Pre-Master

You must:

  • Have a second class honours degree (or higher) or equivalent.
  • Have an Academic IELTS overall score of no less than 5.0 or equivalent.