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English Language School in Brighton:

University and Career Foundation Courses.





Our Foundation Courses, offered in Brighton and London Highgate, are designed for students who want to prepare for a university degree course in Britain, or who wish to develop their qualifications and careers in an English-speaking environment. Successful completion of all modules, will take students from High School (Secondary School) in their own country to University in the UK within one year. The main features of the course are:

  

Morning classes of intensive English language study and IELTS preparation

  

An afternoon programme offering a choice of key elective academic subjects: Business Studies, Computer Studies, English Language Teaching

  

Seminars and tutorials to review lecture material and ensure comprehension

  

Development of study skills such as essay writing, research methods, advanced reading, debating and public speaking

  

An introduction to British academic methods and learning culture

  

Expert academic counselling and university placement service

  

Visits to places of interest and presentations by outside speakers and university staff

Course Specifications

Course Length:

Standard Course: 36 weeks
Fast-track Course: 24 weeks

Lessons per Week:

IELTS Preparation: 15
EAP and Lecture Preparation: 5
Key Subject Lectures and Tutorials: 10

Maximum class size:

14 (except lectures)

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Course Content

Students develop their English language skills and prepare for the IELTS English examination, which is a condition for entry to university in the UK. The course also includes English for Academic Purposes lessons, which focus on the skills needed by international students when studying at university alongside native English speakers.

The teaching format contains a mixture of lectures, seminars and tutorials, and key subjects are taught in English at pre-degree level. Our lecturers do not simplify their language for overseas students. This helps our students to acclimatise to the style of teaching they can expect at a British university.

Before each lecture, students are prepared by our English language teachers and learn the specialist vocabulary they will encounter in the lecture. Afterwards English teachers will check for understanding and assist students with comprehension.

By the end of the course, all students are expected to reach IELTS 6.5 and to achieve a minimum grade 'C' in their St Giles International subject examinations. There are also regular tests throughout the course and at the end of each term. Your study tutor will use these tests to ensure continued progress throughout the course and to make sure you are always on target.

The course is intensive and requires serious commitment on the part of the student. The attendance requirement is 90%. There is also regular homework of approximately 10 hours per week, which is an essential part of the syllabus and is taken into consideration when assessing the final mark.

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Student Support

We take our students' progress and welfare very seriously. Every student is assigned a study tutor, who is responsible for advising on all aspects of student life and study in the UK, and who is available to help with any problems or questions you may have during your course.

We offer regular counselling sessions throughout the course. This ensures that students continue to make good progress, and allows regular study planning to take place.

Every month a written progress report will be given to you and/or sent to your sponsor.

Academic Counselling

Professional university counselling is included as part of the course. This service is offered by experienced specialists with a broad knowledge of education in the UK. This flexible service allows each student to look at the full range of opportunities available, and to choose the best course for him or her: you are not limited to one university.

In addition to a preliminary presentation on university choices in the UK, you will be offered monthly academic counselling sessions throughout your stay. Our academic counsellors will assist you at each stage of the application process, and ensure that you maximise your Higher Education opportunities in the UK.

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university pathways

Our University Placement Service has an excellent record of helping students to find the right course. Students of St Giles International have been offered places at:

  

Birmingham University

  

London Metropolitan University

  

Brighton University

  

Middlesex University

  

Bristol University

  

Oxford Brookes University

  

City University

  

Reading University

  

Coventry University

  

Salford University

  

Essex University

  

South Bank University

  

Greenwich University

  

Sussex University

  

Herriot Watt University

  

Surrey Institute of Art and Design

  

Kent University

  

University College London

  

Kingston University

  

London Institute

  

London Guildhall University

  

University of London Institue of Education
(Queen Mary College)

  

London Institute

  

London College of Fashion

  

Entrance Requirements

  

English: IELTS 4.5 (TOEFL 450) for September (standard) entry

  

Or IELTS 5.5 (TOEFL 520) for January (fast track) entry

  

Secondary or high school leaving certificate from your own country (transcript required)

  

Letter of recommendation from your school (transcript required)

Students who have an intermediate level of English, but who do not have IELTS or TOEFL may take the Foundation Entry Test to determine their level. We can then advise on suitability for the course. Students who do not have the required level of English may take a standard General English or Study Year Abroad course before the start of their Foundation Course.

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