Pre-sessional
English courses

If the level of your English is not quite where it needs to be for entry onto your chosen degree programme, take a look at our Pre-sessional English courses.

In-sessional
English language support

Studying a degree programme in a language that is not your own can be challenging. Academic conventions in different languages vary, and the vocabulary and structures required for communicating at an academic level can be more difficult to master than everyday English.

During your time studying at UCA, you will be required to:

  • interact critically with high-level academic texts
  • follow and learn from lectures
  • contribute to academic discussions
  • work collaboratively with your peers
  • reflect on your work
  • complete written or spoken assignments

The English for Academic Purposes (EAP) team are available to give you the language support that you will need to succeed in all these areas.

Access to this support is totally free! Read on to find out more about how we can help you develop your academic English.

Course-specific
sessions

Course-specific sessions focus on helping you understand the language and concepts that are connected to your course. This often includes looking in detail at areas such as:

  • how you will be assessed
  • what assignments you will need to complete
  • core reading texts
  • the project briefs for your course

These sessions are arranged by your main course tutor and the EAP tutor linked to your school or campus. They will be scheduled for a time that fits around your timetable and will usually be held weekly. If you are informed that sessions have been arranged for your year group, you should make sure you attend them each week.

Sometimes, it may be decided that EAP support is best given while main course lessons are happening. This is known as embedded support, and it means that the EAP tutor is available to guide you during a main course lesson and help you understand more complicated concepts, information or instructions.

Course-specific sessions may be delivered in-person or online. Your main course tutor, or the EAP tutor will let you know.

Tutorials

A tutorial with an EAP tutor will give you the opportunity to receive targeted one-to-one feedback, support, or input on an area of academic skills or language, or an assignment you are working on. International students find tutorials particularly useful for:

  • getting feedback on written work
  • developing research skills and ideas
  • practising presentations
  • getting help with academic texts

EAP tutorials usually last for 45 minutes and can be booked through the UCA Library. To book, follow these steps:

  • Go to the EAP Tutors page on the UCA Library website, here
  • Click on ‘Book a tutorial’
  • Select your campus
  • Select EAP Tutors
  • Select the EAP Tutor that you want to see
  • Choose the day and time that works for you
  • Fill in your details, and upload any documents that will be relevant for the tutorial
  • Click ‘Confirm Appointment’

You will receive an email confirming your booking. This will include an option to add the tutorial to your calendar, which we recommend that you do.

Most tutorials are held online, but if you would prefer to see the EAP tutor in person, send them an email to let them know.

Please note that EAP Tutors do not provide proofreading services.

Workshops

In Term 2, the EAP team runs 90-minute workshops focusing on different key academic skills each week. These interactive sessions are available to international students on all courses, both undergraduate and post-graduate, and are designed to develop students’ confidence in areas such as:

  • Harvard referencing
  • Giving presentations
  • Critical thinking
  • Reflection

Workshops also provide an opportunity for students to connect with others who are studying on different courses and different campuses, and to develop their general academic skills in a supportive environment.

You can check the schedule for upcoming workshops and make bookings to attend them here.

Contact

All international students are automatically enrolled into the In-sessional English Language Support module in myUCA when they start their degree course. The EAP team send regular email announcements from here about workshops and other events, so keep an eye out for them.

If you have a particular question or request, you can always contact the team by emailing English.support@uca.ac.uk, or you can contact the EAP tutor connected to your course directly. Check the EAP Tutors page on the UCA Library website to see who your EAP tutor is.