Study at Cardiff | International

The minimum English Language entry requirement for our Pre-sessional courses is IELTS (Academic) 6.0 (with at least 4.0 in all skill areas).

If your current English level is below these levels you may wish to consider studying the English for University Study Programme.

The length of your course depends on your level of English and academic requirements:

The tuition fees for the Pre-sessional English course do not include accommodation or personal spending costs. Your tuition fees must be paid in full on your first day of class. We regret that Pre-sessional course fees cannot be paid in instalments.

Payment

Payment can be made by:

• Cheque payable to Cardiff University. This is the preferred, safest method of payment.
• Credit Card. Please note that a credit card transaction fee may apply.
• Cash. You may pay in Pounds Sterling when you arrive. Do not send cash through the post.

Please note: we cannot accept cash in foreign currency.

Living Expenses

The tuition fees for the Pre-Sessional English Course do not include accommodation or personal spending costs.

You can find more information about accommodation on the accommodation page. You can also use our 'living costs calculator' to find out the international average living expenses as calculated from the expenditure of international students at Cardiff University.

Arrival deadline

As the course is short and intensive it is essential that students arrive in time for the beginning of the course. Please note that the cut-off date for all Summer Pre-sessional courses is 9am on the first Wednesday of the course. The cut-off date for the Postgraduate Research Pre-sessional is 9am on Monday 7 October 2013.

If you arrive after this time will not be permitted to join to join the course.

Terminations

We hope that you will not want to leave your course once you have started. If, after arrival, you wish to reduce the length of your course for any reason, you should discuss the situation with the English Language Programmes staff as soon as possible. We require a minimum of 4 weeks’ notice in writing. If you have paid in full, the remainder of your course fees, minus fees equivalent to the 4 weeks’ notice period, will be refunded. If you have not yet paid in full we will charge 4 weeks paid notice.

This part of the course will focus on the ways we use the English language in everyday situations – in class, with friends or out and about in the city. We will concentrate on grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and communication. You will also have plenty of opportunities to practise your pronunciation.

Academic study skills are invaluable and we believe that all university students would benefit from this course. In these classes, you will learn and practise the core skills needed to complete your chosen degree programme. They include skills such as note-taking, summarising, text structure, referencing, data analysis, understanding lectures, making presentations and participating in seminars and tutorials.

Our Academic Orientation lessons introduce you to the Cardiff University campus and academic facilities. They provide a basic introduction in the use of computer operating systems and how to use the University’s resource centres. They will provide information about learning strategies, British culture and the traditions of British universities.

Students studying on the Pre-sessional English Course will receive educational counselling and support throughout their course. We will gladly help you to make arrangements for you to visit your new School and are happy to offer our advice and assistance during your transition. Our services do not end there: we offer open access support classes in English language and academic study skills as well as one-to one tutorial sessions to all full-time international students enrolled on undergraduate and postgraduate courses at Cardiff University. Our international Student Advisors offer comprehensive guidance and advice to our Pre-sessional students who will need to extend their visa after completing the Presessional course.

There is an IELTS test centre at Cardiff University. If you wish to take an IELTS test, we can help you to arrange this. The examination fee is not included in the course fee.

Our Pre-sessional students tell us that living with other students in University Residences is the best way to get to know Cardiff and your classmates.

Cardiff University offers an excellent standard of student accommodation:

• All single students who enrol on a Pre-sessional English Course through the normal admissions cycle are guaranteed University accommodation for the duration of their course.
• Each student has an individual study bedroom with 70% of rooms having private bathrooms (called "en-suite"). Students share kitchens and recreational facilities.
• University Residences are within walking distance to your classes, the Students' Union, shops and parks.
• All Halls of Residence have 24-hour security.
• The average cost of university accommodation is £80 per week.

Arranging your accommodation

Your accommodation address and any other relevant details will be sent to you as soon as they are confirmed and at least one week before the course begins.

University accommodation in a hall of residence is available from 2pm on the day before your course starts to 10am the day after it finishes. In some cases, accommodation may be available earlier or later. Please contact us closer to your start date if you need to make early arrival/late departure arrangements (all special arrangements are subject to availability).

The English Language Programmes office can offer some minimal assistance to students who would like to find their own accommodation, but please note that these types of accommodation arrangements are not guaranteed or sponsored by Cardiff University.

There are a number of accommodation agencies that can arrange single or shared rooms and flats for students. We can provide you with a list of agencies that make these arrangements. Please note that most contracts are for a minimum of 6 months, and agents will charge a "finding fee" (equivalent to one week’s rent or more) to help you locate a room/flat to rent. We regret that Cardiff University cannot take responsibility for room/flat accommodation or any contractual or financial arrangements.

You can expect to pay about £75–£100 on rent per week in private accommodation.