Academic English and IELTS programmes for international students

We teach English for academic purposes and we prepare international students for the IELTS test, which is recognised by all British universities.

We require international students whose first language is not English to attend IELTS classes unless their IELTS score is sufficient for the university of their choice.  The classes are embodied in our curriculum.

We require all students who do not posses an IELTS score of at least 6.5 to follow an appropriate course of study in Academic English.

We test students within the first few days of their enrolment and use the results to place them on an Academic English course that best suits their needs.

Our courses aim to develop general English language skills; they also aim to help our students become more proficient in use of English in their A-level examinations.  They provide instruction in the academic skills required at British universities, such as note-taking and delivering presentations at seminars.

Admission to university - entrance requirements for international students

Matriculation marks the formal admission of a student to membership of a university.  Proficiency in English is one of the requirements for matriculation.

British universities require prospective students to hold an English qualification as well as passes at A-level in the General Certificate of Education.

The normal requirement for admission is that before entry the candidate should have achieved a satisfactory standard in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) tests.

The required standard is defined by each university in the conditional offers they make to students.  An overall IELTS score of 6.5 is usually the minimum; some university courses require a score of at least 7.0 and sometimes 7.5

An alternative qualification is a pass at Grade C or above in GCSE in English Language or IGCSE in English Language (as a First Language).

Our academic English courses:

• General English

This course is designed for students who hold an IELTS score of 4.0 to 4.5.

Students receive 20 hours tuition a week in English language.  The aim of the course is to develop the students' language skills to the level where they will be able to cope with their A-level studies.

Students also receive 4 hours tuition a week in their A-level subjects.

Students who hold an IELTS score of less than 4.0 are given extra hours of tuition in English language according to their individual needs.

• IELTS preparation

We offer IELTS preparation classes at two levels:

Students who hold an IELTS score of 5.0 receive 8 hours tuition a week in academic English, which they undertake alongside three A-level classes.

Students who hold an IELTS score of 5.5 to 6.0 receive 4 hours tuition a week in academic English, which they undertake alongside four A-level classes.

We require our students to complete the full 4-hour or 8-hour a week IELTS preparation course before they are entered for an IELTS examination in May or June.

• Academic English Higher

This is an advanced course designed for students who hold an IELTS score of at least 6.5 but need to achieve a yet higher score because of the conditions of their university offers.

The course is suitable for students who simply wish to develop further their language skills.  The course focuses on communication skills and the mastery of the finer points of structure and lexis.

Students receive 4 hours tuition a week.

English for Academic Purposes

The Abbey College Cambridge English for Academic Purposes course is taught at three main levels depending on the starting level of English proficiency.  The course focuses on three areas:

• the English language that students require to be able to study in English
• the academic skills needed, such as reading efficiently and writing answers
• preparation for the International English Language Test
• Course Content

The language covered includes a broad spectrum of vocabulary and grammar for academic contexts and subject-specific classes and textbooks.  The aim is to help students to understand both the teacher and what is being taught.

The academic skills developed include the following examples:

Listening:
understanding short lectures, selecting important information and taking notes

Reading:
improving reading speed and the ability to understand the main points quickly; selecting information for an answer or for note-taking
understanding instructions in examination papers

Writing:
developing an ability to write in the required style
to discriminate between fact and opinion, and to be able to develop ideas and support them
training in use of reference material

Speaking:
giving presentations, leading discussions and improving pronunciation

Vocabulary:
maintaining an organised and usable personal record system as well as extending knowledge of subject-specific and more widely used academic words

IELTS Preparation

The IELTS Preparation course lasts 10 weeks and is usually undertaken during the second term.  The course aims to develop further students' language skills.  Examination practice is given regularly.

IELTS Examination Arrangements

The College enters students for IELTS examinations in December, March or May.  The tests are sat at the Anglia Ruskin University Testing Centre in Cambridge.