Course information
Length
See table below
Department
Course overview
This intensive programme is for international students about to start full-time study at a UK university.
Please note: This year, our 12-week, 9-week, and 5-week pre-sessional programmes will be offered online only due to the ongoing restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Programme details are the same, we will just deliver the course digitally. Please see the Pre-sessional Online page for more information.
This programme is more than just a language course, which is why it is longer than other pre-sessional programmes you might find elsewhere. It will also familiarise you with the British education system and will develop your study skills. And it is tailored to the arts and social sciences, so it’s ideal if you’re planning on studying these subjects in the future.
The programme covers:
- English language
- Academic study skills
- Cultural background studies
- Critical analysis
There is continuous assessment through regular assignments, especially listening exercises, presentations and essays. At the end of the programme, you receive a profile of your performance and progress and recommendations for your future language development.
Dates and Fees for 2021
14 June – 3 September 2021 (£4,330)
5 July – 3 September 2021 (£3,600)
2 August – 3 September 2021 (£2,195)
There are different UKVI IELTS requirements depending on the length of the programme you want to apply for. See below for details.
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Programme Convenor, Marl'ene Edwin.
What you'll study
For 2020–21, we have made some changes to how the teaching and assessment of certain programmes are delivered. To check what changes affect this programme, please visit the Programme Changes page
Modules
- Academic Reading and Writing Skills
- Academic Listening
- Academic Grammar and Vocabulary
- Pronunciation Skills
- Presentation and Seminar Skills
- Modernity
- Critical Thinking
- Research and Study Skills
- Postmodernity
- Textual Analysis
Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.
Structure
The 12, 9 and 5 week programmes all follow a weekly timetable of 21 hours of online learning, consisting of 21 hours of work online (including 3 hours of guided independent study and webinars and tutorials). There is also a series of five lectures which takes place during the final five weeks of the programme covering some key themes generic to most Goldsmiths disciplines.
Lessons are every day with some classes accompanied by recorded lectures and flipped classes.
In addition students are also expected to engage in a minimum of 10 hours of independent self-study outside of the programme hours each week.
Assessment
Students are required to complete formative written assignments throughout the programme.
The end-of-programme summative assessment includes:
- An annotated bibliography on 2 sources used in your essay. (20%)
- A critical analysis of 2 further sources used in your essay. (20%)
- A skeleton Draft of your essay including Thesis statement, topic sentences and use of references. (20%)
- A self-reflective audio/video recording on your City project based on your learning journal. (10%)
- A listening comprehension based on a lecture ( 10 %)
- The final essay (responding to feedback) 1,500 words incorporating parts 1,2 and 3. (20%)
The overall aim of the Goldsmiths Pre-Sessional Programme is to improve your Academic English to the level whereby you can participate in your chosen undergraduate or postgraduate programme.
Learning outcomes
Successful completion of the programme will mean that you have:
- developed both independent and collaborative academic study skills, enabling you to both analyse issues and formulate questions;
- developed your English for academic purposes and gained the ability to both listen to and communicate complex ideas to a variety of audiences;
- developed as an autonomous learner, so that you can derive meaning from complexity using evidence;
- increased your intercultural awareness, gained a better knowledge of Goldsmiths, London and the UK and developed your social and academic life.
This is achieved by:
- the programme concentrating on increasing cultural and interdisciplinary knowledge through independent and collaborative learning;
- focusing on the four language learning skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing;
- the skills being practised within a genuine academic context; i.e. listening to lectures, reading academic texts, understanding academic presentations and writing academic essays. Guided independent study will also focus on grammar and vocabulary development;
- gaining confidence in academic writing conventions, including in-text citation, referencing, direct quotation and compiling bibliographies;
- studying content with a discipline specific focus. This means that you will be developing your academic English through content that is challenging, dynamic, interesting, and often useful for your future studies;
- the programme allowing you to develop creative thinking along with critical thinking skills through debating, and evaluating complex ideas.
Progression
Progression onto your degree programme will depend on achieving an overall pass mark of 50% for Postgraduate students and 40% for Undergraduate students.
Failure to achieve the required grade or not engaging appropriately with the Pre-sessional course will mean students have not met the conditions of their offer from the University and will therefore not be permitted to progress on to their degree programme.
Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.
Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.
What our students say
Entry requirements
English language requirements
For IELTS and alternative English language requirements for Pre-sessional Programmes, please see the Alternative Requirements page.
International qualifications
We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.
Fees & funding
Dates and Fees for pre-sessional online 2020
14 June – 3 September 2021 (£4,330)
5 July – 3 September 2021 (£3,600)
2 August – 3 September 2021 (£2,195)
Tuition fees must be paid in full when you accept our offer of a place.
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.
There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments.