Introduction

We teach English as a Foreign Language through a dedicated department and we prepare international students for the IELTS tests, which are required and recognised by all British universities.

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

Courses

All international students with an IELTS score of between 3.5 and 4.5 are required to do our full-time English as a Foreign Language courses. The aim is to develop English skills sufficiently to enable progression to other academic programmes within the college. The number of hours tuition each week will be approximately 28. It may be possible for such students to do one or two subjects in addition to English, e.g. Maths but requests are considered on an individual student basis.

Download IELTS Subject Information here.

The following IELTS levels are required to study on our main academic programmes:

September start
GCSEs - IELTS of at least 4.5 in all elements
University Foundation Programmes - IELTS of at least 4.5 in all elements
A-Levels - IELTS of at least 5.0 in all elements

January start
A-Levels - IELTS of at least 5.5 in all elements

Students with an IELTS level of between 4.5 and 6.5 will be required to attend IELTS classes alongside their academic programme.

Students with an IELTS level of 6.5 or higher are able to undertake their chosen academic programme without the compulsory need for any extra English tuition.

Teaching approach

Studying English provides a fantastic opportunity to take students out and about into the local community. There is ample opportunity for the academic skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking to be developed.