English for University Study Programme
The English for University Study Programme is a full-time English language and study skills course for international students.
Duration: September 2024 to June 2025
Mode: full-time, on-campus
Course fees and dates
There are a number of points during the year when you can join the course, each with a different fee.
To cater for different student needs and levels, the English for University Study Programme has entry points in September, January and May. To work out the best month to start, please see our entry requirements.
Start date | End date | Total fee |
---|---|---|
16 September 2024 | 13 June 2025 | £11,900 |
16 September 2024 | 28 March 2025 | £9,350 |
16 September 2024 | 6 December 2024 | £4,675 |
13 January 2025 | 13 June 2025 | £7,225 |
13 January 2025 | 28 March 2025 | £4,675 |
6 May 2025 | 13 June 2025 | £2,550 |
The tuition fees do not include accommodation or personal spending costs.
Find out how to pay fees for the English for University Study programme.
Entry requirements
Find out the minimum entry points for the September, January and May start dates, along with information on how to demonstrate your level of English.
In 2024/25 we will be able to accept the following English language tests for entry to the programme:
September entry
Test | Minimum score |
---|---|
IELTS (Academic) for UKVI | 4.0 overall with at least 4.0 in each sub-score |
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic for UKVI | 43 overall with at least 43 in each sub-score |
January entry
Test | Minimum score |
---|---|
IELTS (Academic) for UKVI | 4.5 overall with at least 4.0 in each sub-score |
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic for UKVI | 46 overall with at least 43 in each sub-score |
May entry
Test | Minimum score |
---|---|
IELTS (Academic) for UKVI | 5.0 overall with at least 4.0 in each sub-score |
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic for UKVI | 51 overall with at least 43 in each sub-score |
Course content
The English for University Study Programme focuses on providing students with the academic study skills they need to study effectively in a UK environment, covering language, study and professional skills and British academic culture.
The course is organised into modules in Academic Speaking, Academic Writing, Academic Listening and Academic Reading, as well as modules in English Usage and UK Study Skills.
The combination and content of each module helps to produce confident students who are capable of operating in English in every aspect of their lives.
Modules
English for Academic Speaking
This module aims to enable students to communicate effectively in a range of academic situations. This is assessed through a formal interview and a presentation, in the Exit Test at the end of each term.
Key speaking skills covered in the module include:
- describing experiences
- expressing opinions
- developing an argument
- paraphrasing and reformulating
- conversation
- giving presentations
- taking part in informal discussions
- taking part in formal discussion and meetings
- taking part in interviews
English for Academic Writing
This module aims to provide students with the written skills they need to operate effectively in an academic environment, and forms part of the Exit Test at the end of each term.
Key writing skills covered in the module include:
- planning and writing essays on complex issues
- developing coherence and cohesion
- developing sentence structures
- developing arguments with ideas and evidence
- writing reports describing data and processes
- writing formal correspondence
- referencing in an academic piece of work
English for Academic Listening
This module aims to provide students with the listening skills they need to function efficiently in an academic environment, and forms part of the Exit Test at the end of each term.
Key listening skills covered in the module are:
- comprehension of extended speech on simple, complex and abstract topics
- understanding conversations, including discussions and debates
- listening to recorded materials from the media, including academic lectures and talks
- listening and taking notes
- listening and paraphrasing
- listening and writing summaries
English for Academic Reading
This module aims to provide students with the reading skills they need to function efficiently in an academic environment, and forms part of the Exit Test at the end of each term.
Key reading skills covered in the module are:
- understanding long, complex and abstract texts
- reading for information and argument
- reading longer texts for gist
- reading longer texts and locating specific information
- reading and taking notes
- reading and paraphrasing
- reading and writing summaries
- understanding formal correspondence
English Usage
This module aims to equip students with the English skills they need to communicate fluently and accurately in spoken English and to understand spoken English in a wide variety of contexts, and forms part of the Exit Test at the end of each term.
Students will also be able to understand and produce a range of written texts.
The key elements of the English Usage module are:
- developing oral fluency in a range of everyday situations
- developing grammatical range, flexibility and accuracy
- developing lexical range, flexibility and accuracy
- developing a wide range of pronunciation features
- developing listening skills for short and extended speech in a range of everyday situations
- using appropriate register, style and genre to produce long and short written texts
UK Study Skills
This module aims to develop the independent study skills that students need to succeed in a UK academic environment and to help them become familiar with UK education and UK culture. This module is available September to April.
The key elements of the English Usage module are:
- producing a portfolio of study skills tasks
- producing a group project based on research
- planning and writing the different sections of a research project
- lectures on UK culture
- writing effective CVs and personal statements
Coursebooks
Coursebooks are not included in tuition fees – further information will be provided nearer the start of term. If a coursebook is required, students will be given details and costs prior to the start of the course.
Additional practice
Students are provided with self-access materials which they are encouraged to use outside class time to practise and revise course content.
Guidance and support
Students studying on the English for University Study Programme will receive educational counselling and support throughout the year, including guidance and advice throughout the application process.
Progression
At the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to sit the EfUS Exit Test.
This test assesses your speaking, listening, reading, writing and English usage skills and results are mapped to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
In order to complete the EfUS course successfully, you must have a minimum of 80% class attendance from your date of enrolment. Students with less than 80% attendance will not have their Exit Test score validated, and an assessment certificate will not be issued.
If your English has improved to the level of language proficiency required for the course you have applied for, and you meet the academic requirements for the course, you may be able to proceed to undergraduate or postgraduate study here if you achieve the appropriate score in the EfUS Exit Test.
If at the end of the programme your English needs a little further improvement for the course you have applied for, and you meet the academic requirements for the course, you can apply for a Pre-sessional Summer Programme to raise your level of proficiency to the course entry requirements.
The comparison table for EfUS gives an indication of the exit levels:
Comparison table for EfUS
Compare the EfUS exit test scores to IELTS scores and the Common European Framework.
If this document cannot be read by your assistive software, you can request an accessible version by emailing web@cardiff.ac.uk. Please include the assistive tools you use and the format you require.
Assessment
Once the programme ends, you'll have the chance to take the English for University Study (EfUS) Exit Test, which assesses your speaking, listening, reading, writing and English usage skills.
The results are then mapped to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Element | EfUS Exit Test tasks | Weighting |
---|---|---|
Speaking |
| 20% |
Writing |
| 20% |
Reading | Reading comprehension and paraphrasing | 20% |
Listening | Listening comprehension, note-taking and paraphrasing | 20% |
English usage | A written test containing task types such as multiple choice, gap-fill and matching Language skills tested:
|
Contact
To find out more please contact:
English Language Programmes Team
Find out how to apply to study our English Language for University Study programme.