• Coventry University logo

Preparing for Academic Study

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

Asian Man in library
  • Duration

    2 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours

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

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

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?

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.

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.

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 5 QS Stars for Teaching and Online Learning in the QS World University Ranking 2020 and has received No. 1 in the world for Massive Open Online Courses in MoocLab’s World University Ranking 2021.

  • Established

    1992
  • Location

    Coventry

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn