Our English Language Skills courses are available to all undergraduate and postgraduate students, and staff, who use English as an additional language.
Course overview
In these classes, you will develop your vocabulary and grammar as well as your reading, listening, speaking and writing skills.
We offer courses at two different levels, based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR):
- Advanced - equivalent to level C1 of the CEFR
- Proficiency - equivalent to level C2 of the of the CEFR
If you're a visiting and exchange student, you can get five credits if you complete either course (depending on the agreement with the home institution), providing you pass the 3 assessments at the end of the course. If you are taking the class for credit, you should let your teacher know as soon as you can.
What to expect
You will have three hours of teaching per week. Completion of set homework and preparation for classes is also a course requirement.
To benefit from your class, it is important to prepare thoroughly, participate actively and complete homework.
During your class, you will work on improving your skills in the following areas: grammar, listening, reading, speaking and writing. We want you to enjoy the classes and take an active part. Don't be afraid of making mistakes because this is how we all learn. As you make progress, however, we hope you will incorporate and activate what you have learnt and make fewer mistakes.
Class timetable
In 2025-26, English Language Skills classes will run in-person on campus on Wednesdays from 14.15 to 17.05, in both semester 1 and semester 2. Please check MyTimetable to make sure you can attend a class at this time before completing the Placement Test.
You're not able to select which class you join; you will be allocated to the course that is the best fit for you based on your Placement Test score.
Please only take the Placement Test if you want to enrol in one of our English Language Skills classes. We don't want to offer you a place in a class that you’re not able or willing to attend.
Why you should enrol
"Thank you for your English support this semester. It's been the best English learning experience I’ve ever had. I hope this session can continue as I couldn’t learn enough from you." (Shiyu)
How to apply for a place
To enrol in an English Language Skills class, you must apply for a place by completing a Placement Test on Moodle. You are not able to join a class without completing the Placement Test first.
You must complete both parts of the Placement Test – Use of English and Writing. We will not score your test, or offer you a place on a course, if you have not completed both parts. It is your responsibility to ensure you have successfully submitted both parts of the test. Due to the extremely high number of incomplete tests we receive, we are not able to let you know if you have not submitted both parts.
When you take the test, it is important you demonstrate your real ability. Please don't use anything (for example a dictionary, Google, or other people) to help you complete the answers because this may mean you are placed in the wrong class. Being in the wrong class is of no benefit to anyone.
Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis. The sooner you complete your Placement Test, the more likely you are to be offered a place in a class. There are 25 places available in each class.
All tests will be graded by the Course Leader and the first 50 students to complete the Placement Test will be offered a place on either the Advanced or Proficiency course.
More information
For more information about our English Language Skills classes, and a complete timetable of deadlines in semester 1 2025-26, view the Language Skills workflow in MySkills.