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English for Academic Study

5 (9 reviews)

Prepare to study at university, explore the qualities of a successful student, and learn key vocabulary in an academic context.

English for Academic Study
  • Duration2 weeks
  • Weekly study3 hours
  • LearnFree
  • Extra BenefitsFrom $64Find out more
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This course is part of the program Pre-sessional English Online Award , which is one of the building blocks that leads to a degree in Pre-sessional English Online Award. Find out more.

Increase your knowledge of English for academic study

If you are preparing to study at a university where the first language is English, this course aims to help you understand what is expected, develop skills to help you learn independently, and build your confidence.

You will have the opportunity to review the key vocabulary and concepts used in a university setting, and discover what tutors expect from students. You will also have the opportunity to practise skills to help you expand your vocabulary for an academic setting, including tools to help you pronounce new words.

This course is part of the Pre-sessional English Online Award.

What topics will you cover?

  • Key vocabulary and concepts for the UK university context 
  • Exploring the approach to teaching and learning in UK universities
  • Developing dictionary skills
  • Analysing word forms and word families
  • Accessing and writing definitions
  • Introduction to the phonemic chart and how to use it to support learning and pronunciation skills

When would you like to start?

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more

  • Available now

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Interpret key academic terminology and explore its importance and relevance to successful UK university study.
  • Identify key features and conventions of academic culture in the UK, both online and on campus.
  • Apply the use of a dictionary to help you extend your academic vocabulary range.
  • Record new words effectively.
  • Identify the form of definitions, and produce your own.
  • Produce the phonemic chart to help you pronounce new words.

Who is the course for?

This course is for any student who is planning to study at a university where English is the main language. It’s primarily for students whose first language is not English but will also be useful for students who are coming into higher education after a long period away from studying, or who are mature students looking for an opportunity to refresh their study skills. It will help to prepare students for both study on an online degree and at a university campus.

English for Academic Study is the first course on the Pre-sessional English Online Award delivered by Coventry University, which helps students improve their English language and academic skills for university study. The Award is aimed at students who are 0.5 IELTS below university entry requirements.

Please note that the staff described in the ‘Who will you learn with?’ section below may be subject to change.

Who will you learn with?

Gareth Jones

Gareth Jones

Teaching international learners for over 15 years, helping hundreds of students progress to university study in the UK. Passionate online learning advocate bringing the classroom to your browser.

Mary Forbes

Mary Forbes

I have taught English as a Foreign Language for more than thirty years in Egypt, Japan and at universities in the UK. I am now Director of Pre-sessional English Courses at Coventry University.

Laura Pibworth

Laura Pibworth

Course Leader on the PSE Programmes with over 10 years' experience in UK Further and Higher Education. Research interests include technology-enhanced language learning and the student experience.

Who developed the course?

Coventry University

Coventry secured gold in the UK Government’s 2017 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and is University of the Year for Student Experience in The Times & The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019.

  • Established1992
  • LocationCoventry

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Advance your career with a degree

What's different about this course?

Since 2017 you have been able to take a degree on FutureLearn. This free course is a bit like a starter course for a degree — it should give you a flavour of the degree subject but can also be your first step towards a degree qualification.

If you enjoy this course you can apply to join the program it’s part of to start working towards a degree on FutureLearn.

Don’t worry, you can still take the course without doing a full degree!

How do degrees work on FutureLearn?

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Get academic credit for an online degree from Coventry University

Which program and degree is this course part of?

This course is part of the program Pre-sessional English Online Award , which is one of the building blocks that leads to a degree in Pre-sessional English Online Award.

Find out more and apply

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