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Going On To University

Higher Education

Students from many different countries come to us in order to improve their English for academic study in the UK.

By studying with us you will benefit from:

Our contacts with universities

We work with a number of universities to help our students find the right course at the right university. In the past our students have gone on to study at many institutions in the UK including:

London Business School, University of London (Goldsmiths, Queen Mary, King's College, SOAS, UCL), University of the Arts London (Central St Martins School of Art and Design, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion, Wimbledon College of Art and Design), London Metropolitan University, Oxford Brookes University, Cranfield University, University of Hertfordshire, University of Reading and Cardiff University.

Courses to help you prepare for university

A period on the English for Study version of the Intensive General Course gives excellent preparation for the English needed for academic study. This can be combined with a Cambridge Examination Course or a short IELTS course. If you are going to do an MBA or any other postgraduate degree in Business or Management we also recommend a month on our Young Business English Course as this will add specific work in the language of business, and a Young Lawyers' Course will be very useful for someone intending to take a postgraduate course in Law. We can advise about an appropriate mix of courses.

Examples of typical routes to universities are below:

If you want to go to university as an undergraduate (your first degree) you will usually either have to take British school leaving exams (‘A’ Levels) or a Foundation Year course. ‘A’ levels are more difficult for an international student, and take longer, but they may be necessary if you want to go to a top class university. In addition, you will have to have a good level of English and to show this you will usually need to take an IELTS test, or an alternative, as described below.

If you want to go to university as a postgraduate (your second degree) you will need to have an appropriate academic background (for example a suitable first degree). For some courses (e.g. MBA) you will also need work experience. You will also have to have an appropriate IELTS score, or equivalent.

Universities and colleges often have English language departments. You may benefit from a special pre-sessional course at your university or college, typically for some weeks before their academic course begins, but for the main part of your English studies we can offer a more supportive environment. Most universities and colleges are large and may not offer our level of personal attention.

University counselling and advice

We have a dedicated University Counsellor who meets students that intend to undertake any form of study in the UK to discuss their plans one to one. The Counsellor can advise students on the options available to them and will put them in touch with the universities that most satisfy their needs. Individual tuition is also available for students who would like to practise their interview technique, or that need more support with their 'personal statement'.

The University Counsellor organises a series of university presentations at the school (see table below) as well as visits and open days at universities throughout the year. The latter means students can speak to staff and visit the departments, accommodation and other facilities before making an application. If students wish to visit a university that isn't included in the school's visits the University Counsellor can arrange a personal visit.

If you would like us to help you with university or college entrance it is essential that you meet the University Counsellor regularly so we can ensure your application is done punctually and correctly. Most universities and colleges start in September/October although application deadlines vary.

If you require a visa to study in the UK it is usually necessary to get a provisional offer for the course which will follow your English course before you can get a visa. A provisional offer usually means that you have satisified the university about your academic background, even if you still need to do more work on your English.

University talks at Westcroft Square 2008

DATEINSTITUTIONTALK
12th February 2008 University of Warwick Claire Belkadi from the International Office at Warwick University will talk about postgraduate courses at Warwick, admissions and the Warwick English Language Test, which is an alternative to IELTS. Claire will be available for questions afterwards.
8th April 2008 University of Reading Louis Rogers, from the University of Reading's International Foundation Programme, will talk about the programme and the Foundation English Language Test, which is an alternative to IELTS. Louis will be available for questions afterwards.
6th May 2008 Queen Mary, University of London Simon Pate from Queen Mary's Language and Learning Unit will talk about postgraduate study in the UK and opportunities available at Queen Mary. Simon will be available for questions afterwards.

English language tests for university entrance

Most UK universities and colleges require students to take the IELTS exam to prove their level of English. Many universities also accept TOEFL and Cambridge exams. IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge are not always necessary because some universities also offer their own English language tests. In this case, The London School of English can either administer these tests at the school or organise for students to visit the university to take them.

UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK

The University of Warwick campus is near Coventry, which is just over one hour from London, by train.

Students wishing to study at the University of Warwick can sit the WELT (Warwick English Language Test) at the London School of English instead of IELTS. WELT can be taken at foundation level or at undergraduate/postgraduate level.

Further information on WELT

UNIVERSITY OF READING

Reading is 30 minutes west of London, by train.

The International Foundation Programme (IFP) at the University of Reading is an intensive, one-year undergraduate access course with a long established reputation for academic excellence and student support. The course has been especially designed for international students who do not have British ‘A’ level qualifications or the equivalent.

The linguistic entry requirements can be met through taking a commercial test such as IELTS or TOEFL. However, as an alternative, students from the London School of English can also arrange to take the Foundation English Language Test (FELT) either at the London School of English or at the University of Reading.

For direct entrance onto undergraduate or postgraduate courses students can take TEEP (Test of English for Educational Purposes), which can be arranged at the London School of English. The test is intended to test the language competence and skills most likely to be required of international students during their future academic courses in UK higher education institutions. This is a topic-based language test which assesses a candidate’s ability in Reading, Writing, Listening and Language Knowledge.

UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE

The University of Hertfordshire is based in Hatfield, just 25 minutes by train from London in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside. Entry requirements to the University's range of undergraduate, postgraduate and foundation courses include satisfying the English Language requirements set by the University. This normally requires an IELTS or TOEFL test, however the London School of English administers the University of Hertfordshire's English Language Test (UHELT) on behalf of the University and this is acceptable for entry in place of IELTS or TOEFL.

OTHER UNIVERSITIES

The following universities also accept WELT (which can be taken at the London School of English) in place of IELTS:

University of Birmingham, Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies, University of Buckingham, Bournemouth University, Brunel University, University of Central England, Coventry University, University of East Anglia, Exeter University, University of Kent, Kingston University, University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, Loughborough University, Middlesex University, University of Newcastle, Northumbria University, Nottingham Trent International College, Oxford Brookes University, Queen Mary University of London, Queens University Belfast, Royal Holloway University of London, Sunderland University, University of Wales Swansea, Westminster University, University of the West of England, Bristol

Details on other universities that will accept TEEP in place of IELTS can be found in the TEEP handbook.