Our Foundation Courses, offered at St Giles Colleges in Brighton and London Highgate, are designed for students who want to prepare for a university degree course in Britain, or who wish to develop their qualifications and careers in an English-speaking environment. Successful completion of all modules, will take students from High School (Secondary School) in their own country to University in the UK within one year. The main features of the course are:
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Morning classes of intensive English language study and IELTS preparation |
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An afternoon programme offering a choice of key elective academic subjects: Business Studies, Computer Studies, English Language Teaching |
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Seminars and tutorials to review lecture material and ensure comprehension |
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Development of study skills such as essay writing, research methods, advanced reading, debating and public speaking |
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An introduction to British academic methods and learning culture |
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Expert academic counselling and university placement service |
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Visits to places of interest and presentations by outside speakers and university staff |
Course Length: |
Standard Course: 36 weeks
Fast-track Course: 24 weeks |
Lessons per Week: |
IELTS Preparation: 15
EAP and Lecture Preparation: 5
Key Subject Lectures and Tutorials: 10 |
Maximum class size: |
14 (except lectures) |
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Students develop their English language skills and prepare for the IELTS English examination, which is a condition for entry to university in the UK. The course also includes English for Academic Purposes lessons, which focus on the skills needed by international students when studying at university alongside native English speakers.
The teaching format contains a mixture of lectures, seminars and tutorials, and key subjects are taught in English at pre-degree level. Our lecturers do not simplify their language for overseas students. This helps our students to acclimatise to the style of teaching they can expect at a British university.
Before each lecture, students are prepared by our English language teachers and learn the specialist vocabulary they will encounter in the lecture. Afterwards English teachers will check for understanding and assist students with comprehension.
By the end of the course, all students are expected to reach IELTS 6.5 and to achieve a minimum grade 'C' in their St Giles International subject examinations. There are also regular tests throughout the course and at the end of each term. Your study tutor will use these tests to ensure continued progress throughout the course and to make sure you are always on target.
The course is intensive and requires serious commitment on the part of the student. The attendance requirement is 90%. There is also regular homework of approximately 10 hours per week, which is an essential part of the syllabus and is taken into consideration when assessing the final mark.
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We take our students' progress and welfare very seriously. Every student is assigned a study tutor, who is responsible for advising on all aspects of student life and study in the UK, and who is available to help with any problems or questions you may have during your course.
We offer regular counselling sessions throughout the course. This ensures that students continue to make good progress, and allows regular study planning to take place.
Every month a written progress report will be given to you and/or sent to your sponsor.
Professional university counselling is included as part of the course. This service is offered by experienced specialists with a broad knowledge of education in the UK. This flexible service allows each student to look at the full range of opportunities available, and to choose the best course for him or her: you are not limited to one university.
In addition to a preliminary presentation on university choices in the UK, you will be offered monthly academic counselling sessions throughout your stay. Our academic counsellors will assist you at each stage of the application process, and ensure that you maximise your Higher Education opportunities in the UK.
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Our University Placement Service has an excellent record of helping students to find the right course. Students of St Giles International have been offered places at:
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Birmingham University |
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London Metropolitan University |
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Brighton University |
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Middlesex University |
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Bristol University |
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Oxford Brookes University |
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City University |
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Reading University |
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Coventry University |
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Salford University |
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Essex University |
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South Bank University |
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Greenwich University |
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Sussex University |
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Herriot Watt University |
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Surrey Institute of Art and Design |
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Kent University |
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University College London |
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Kingston University |
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London Institute |
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London Guildhall University |
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University of London Institue of Education
(Queen Mary College) |
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London Institute |
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London College of Fashion |
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English: IELTS 4.5 (TOEFL 450) for September (standard) entry |
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Or IELTS 5.5 (TOEFL 520) for January (fast track) entry |
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Secondary or high school leaving certificate from your own country (transcript required) |
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Letter of recommendation from your school (transcript required) |
Students who have an intermediate level of English, but who do not have IELTS or TOEFL may take the St Giles International Foundation Entry Test to determine their level. We can then advise on suitability for the course. Students who do not have the required level of English may take a standard General English or Study Year Abroad course at a St Giles college before the start of their Foundation Course.
Please book online or contact St Giles Head Office for further details. Alternatively courses may be booked through your local St Giles agent.
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