Pre-Sessional English Courses

The Language Centre at Wrexham Glyndŵr University runs pre-sessional programmes for students who need to upgrade their English language skills and knowledge in order to satisfy the University’s English language entry criteria for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. These intensive courses consist of 23-25 hours of classes per week, with usually 8-16 students per group; and in addition of plentiful guided independent study/homework.  You will also enjoy all the benefits available to other University students, including banks of material on our VLE (Moodle) which will enable you to hone your language and academic skills.  You will also have access  to IT and library, student welfare, sports facilities, student clubs, social programmes run by the University centrally, or by the Language Centre e.g. on our summer school programmes.

Students will familiarise themselves with the University campus and the many exciting leisure time opportunities in and around Wrexham.  The Language Centre will be your ‘home’ in the first few weeks at the University.  During this time you will have the opportunity to find out about student life at a British University and this will help you settle into your academic course more smoothly at the end of September.

Course design

All modules on offer aim to enable students to further enhance their existing skills in English in order to achieve improved accuracy and general proficiency. Alongside academic study skills, the main focus is the further development of linguistic skills and acquisition of socio-cultural awareness.  Particular attention will be given to ensuring that students achieve the appropriate level of English to complete their pre-sessional course successfully, and then enter their undergraduate or postgraduate studies confidently.  

On successful completion of the pre-sessional programme, students will have improved all four skills (speaking, reading, listening and writing) to an appropriate level and they should be able to communicate according to the level in most academic and social situations, both in receptive and productive skills.  At the end of course, students will understand, use and have generally effective command of fairly complex language.

The teachers, personal tutor and programme leader will all support their students’ learning and monitor their progress closely. On the longer courses, students will receive written interim reports on their work and oral feedback is provided on all courses at regular meetings with tutors. 

By achieving the required pass mark in each skill and overall in the final assessment, students will fulfill the University’s English language entry criteria for undergraduate or postgraduate studies respectively. No further IELTS exam is required after the course; by successfully completing the pre-sessional course the students qualify for entry into their respective academic programme.

Which course is right for me?

The length of the language programme required is determined by your current English language qualifications and the English language entry criteria respectively. The pre-sessional courses  of either 5, 10, 18 or 30 weeks aim to fill the existing gap.

The courses available for entry on Wrexham Glyndŵr University’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at the end of September 2019 are listed below.

The offer letter to successful applicants will include a Student ID number which is needed to apply for accommodation, if required for the duration of the pre-sessional course. Accommodation is available from the week before the start of pre-sessional classes. You must inform the Accommodation Office about your arrival date and time once known. 

*  Tuition and teaching material only.

** Longer periods may be available. For more information, please email languages.foreign@glyndwr.ac.uk.

Example of a weekly timetable

Depending on the length of your course, you will have 23-25 hours per week of classroom contact. You will also have plenty of guided independent study (homework) in order to maximise the benefits from the pre-sessional time. and to aim for the best success for your course.

Social events, such as film viewings and presentation evenings etc. will give you a chance to utilise your newly acquired language skills.

The Language Centre staff will give you general ideas for weekend activities and advise on local travel, shopping facilities etc.  Organised trips will take place during some weekends, and participation is highly recommended, although some additional costs may apply.

The following timetable illustrates an average timetable for a pre-sessional week: