Skip to main navigationSkip to main content
The University of Southampton
Humanities

Study Year Abroad with English (1 year)

The Study Year Abroad with English is for international students whose first language is not English. If you are an international student with a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 with no less than 5.5 in all components, currently following an Undergraduate degree programme in a recognized institution overseas, you can apply to join the Study Year Abroad with English. The programme is designed for students to help them improve their language skills as a condition of entry to the University of Southampton, or for those who have already met the English language conditions for entry to the University, but who want to find out more about the use of English in academic study and expectations relating to academic life in the UK.

Introducing your course

This is the course page for Study Year Abroad with English at the University of Southampton. Find out everything about Study Year Abroad with English and what studying here involves.

In this course page we explain a range of key information about the course. This includes typical entry requirements, modules you can take and how assessment works. We also suggest career opportunities open to you as a University of Southampton graduate of Study Year Abroad with English.

If you still have questions, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to answer any enquiries. See our contact us page for our telephone, email and address information.

The programme will help you to:

  • develop the English language skills needed for academic study at a British university as a visiting international student on your study year abroad; there will be continuous progression from part 1 when you arrive in mid–February – June ; Part 2 in July – September and Part 3 in October – February
  • develop the necessary study skills for effective learning through the medium of English
  • learn about life in Britain and British culture
  • give you the opportunity to experience the British academic environment as a visiting international student on a study year abroad at the University of Southampton & learn what it means to be part of the global student community in the 21st century.

If you have any questions regarding entry requirements, please contact our Admissions Team (elaccess@southampton.ac.uk) for advice on your entry requirements. For a full list of English language qualifications accepted by the University of Southampton, please visit our International website.

Changes due to COVID-19

Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022.

We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.

Find out more on our COVID advice page.

 

Programme Structure

1)  February – June. The students will arrive after the start of semester 2 in mid-February. Students will study modules drawn from the International Foundation Programme (IFYP), the Pre-sessional year-round programme, the English Language credit-bearing stages and they will also study the English module ENGL3067.

2) July – September: Students follow Pre-sessional 11 weeks.

3) October – January: Semester 1 of the new academic year, students study the module LANG1005 and in addition, after consultation with their Personal Academic Tutor, select three level 4 or 5 undergraduate modules.

How to apply

Apply by completing the application form. Choose the 'apply for this course' button above to download the form.

The application deadline is 15 October.

Typical entry requirements

Selection process:

Study Year Abroad with English - Entry Requirements

The minimum English Language level entry requirements are IELTS 5.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 in all components. Please contact our Admissions Team for advice on your entry requirements. For a full list of English language qualifications accepted by the University of Southampton, please visit our International website

This page contains specific entry requirements for this course. Find out about equivalent entry requirements and qualifications for your country.

Typical course content

During the period of February - September, you will be adapting to studying through the medium of English at a British University & English skills will be taught together, as they are rarely used in isolation. Your classroom sessions therefore focus on vocabulary development, reading and writing; listening and speaking. In addition, you will further develop your study skills through online resources e.g. Prepare for Success

Your knowledge and understanding is further enhanced through the use of communicative teaching activities such as seminars, presentations, guided independent study and the preparation for written assignments. You also attend lectures of academic interest, and all modules use a variety of online materials such as the EAP Toolkit.

Year 1

The following is an indicative list of available optional modules, which are subject to change each academic year. Please note in some instances modules have limited spaces available.

As part of your programme you will take:

From July - September, you will follow Pre-sessional 11 weeks

October – January: Semester 1 of the new academic year, students study the module LANG 1005 and in addition, after consultation with their Personal Academic Tutor, select three level 4 or 5 undergraduate modules chosen from the following programmes.

Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information can be found in the programme handbook (or other appropriate guide or website).

Tuition fees

Please email IC-Students@soton.ac.uk for information about course fees.
Tuition fees for international students differ between each course. Most part-time courses cost 50% of the full-time fee. 

View the full list of course fees

Funding

Scholarships, bursaries or grants may be available to support you through your course. Funding opportunities available to you are linked to your subject area and/or your country of origin. These can be from the University of Southampton or other sources.

Explore funding opportunities

Costs associated with this course

Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such essays, assignments, laboratory reports and dissertations as are required to fulfil the academic requirements for each programme of study.

There will also be further costs for the following, not purchasable from the University:

TypeDescription
StationeryYou will be expected to provide your own day-to-day stationary items, e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks, etc.). Any specialist stationery items will be specified under the Additional Costs tab of the relevant module profile.
BooksWhere a module specifies core texts these should generally be available on the reserve list in the library. However due to demand, students may prefer to buy their own copies. These can be purchased from any source. Some modules suggest reading texts as optional background reading. The library may hold copies of such texts, or alternatively you may wish to purchase your own copies. Although not essential reading, you may benefit from the additional reading materials for the module.
EquipmentComputer Discs or USB drives - Students are expected to provide their own portable data storage device. Software Licenses - All software is provided Hardware - It is advisable that students provide their own laptop or personal computer, although shared facilities are available across the University campus.
Printing and copyingWhere possible, coursework such as essays; projects; dissertations is likely to be submitted on line. However, there are some items where it is not possible to submit on line and students will be asked to provide a printed copy. The University printing costs are currently: A4 - 5p per side (black and white) or 25p per side (colour) A3 - 10p per side (black and white) or 50p per side (colour) Please Note: Paper sizes not recognised by the printing devices will prompt you to select the size and then charge a minimum of 50p per black and white copy and a maximum of £1 per colour copy. You can pay for your printing by using the money loaders or by using print copy payment service by going to https://www.southampton.ac.uk/isolutions/students/printing-for-students.page Please remember that we are unable to refund any credit that has not been used by the end of your course, so please consider this when topping up your printing/copy account. https://www.southampton.ac.uk/printcentre/index.page? also offers a printing and copying service as well as a dissertation/binding service. Current printing and copying costs can be found at https://www.southampton.ac.uk/printcentre/copyrooms/service.pageThey also provide a large format printing service, e.g. Academic posters. Details of current costs can be found at https://www.southampton.ac.uk/printcentre/exhibition/academicposters.page?
PlacementsStudents on placement programmes can expect to cover costs for health and travel insurance, accommodation and living expenses; travel costs; visa costs. This will vary depending on which country you are travelling to. Specific details on what additional costs there will be are detailed in the individual module profiles which can be found under the modules tab of the programmes details of your programme. ML Residence Abroad – Cost Implications - As you know, the ML third year includes a period of study or work abroad as a compulsory element of a four year degree, and as a result, all students pay reduced home tuition fees to Southampton their third year (currently 15% for home and EU students, 40% for International Students) irrespective of what placement they take up. However, as happens whilst you are in Southampton, students are expected to pay their own travel expenses, accommodation and other living expenses. So that you can assess the viability of the different options available to you, the following outlines their general cost implications, but please do bear in mind that these may vary enormously from student to student depending on what placement is selected and where it is located. Should you need further information, please contact the relevant RA language coordinator Students studying or working in Europe - Students are eligible for a small grant through the British Council, which is means tested against their salary (if relevant) and which varies every year (as a guide, students this year receive around 350-400 Euros per month). The only exceptions to this are students who currently live full-time with their parents and for whom household income is above the threshold. British Council students also receive a monthly salary (this varies country to country) and are expected to pay for their International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC) checks, which are mandatory and currently cost £45. University students tend to receive a slightly higher grant than those who working for the British Council since they are not in receipt of a salary. They pay no tuition fees to their host university. Work placement students may or may not be paid, and their grant is calculated accordingly. Students studying or working outside Europe - These students are not eligible for the British Council grant but may be able to apply for funding to support their travel etc. through the International Office. All students are expected to pay for their own student visas; costs vary from country to country. Students studying in Latin America or China will generally have to pay host university fees, although typically these are no more than £100 for the academic year. Students working in Latin America are not generally paid a stipend. Some receive free accommodation, travel or meals as a work benefit, others (generally in voluntary work) often also have to pay to join the scheme and be eligible to work do not receive this. Students taking place in the Mexico link receive a bursary.

In some cases you'll be able to choose modules (which may have different costs associated with that module) which will change the overall cost of a programme to you. Please also ensure you read the section on additional costs in the University’s Fees, Charges and Expenses Regulations in the University Calendar available at www.calendar.soton.ac.uk.

During the period of February - September, you will be adapting to studying through the medium of English at a British University & English skills will be taught together, as they are rarely used in isolation. Your classroom sessions therefore focus on vocabulary development, reading and writing; listening and speaking. In addition, you will further develop your study skills through online resources e.g. Prepare for Success.

Your knowledge and understanding is further enhanced through the use of communicative teaching activities such as seminars, presentations, guided independent study and the preparation for written assignments. You also attend lectures of academic interest, and all modules use a variety of online materials such as the EAP Toolkit.

Depending on the assignment type, written, in-class and tutorial feedback is given to enable you to identify your strengths and weaknesses, and continue to develop your language and academic skills effectively. Tutors give extensive guidance, especially through recommendations of reference and source materials. You will learn to take more responsibility for your own learning as you move through the programme.

Learning activities typically include:

  • Seminars
  • Lectures
  • Discussions – group work
  • Presentations
  • Conducting surveys outside the classroom & interviewing native speakers

Assessment type

Formative assessment

  • wider reading tasks
  • writing tasks-short essays
  • presentations
  • wider listening tasks
  • mini research tasks
  • written examinations

Summative assessment

  • writing tasks e.g. film review 850-950 words; magazine article 1,200-1,500 words
  • oral presentation based on project work connected to a theme of local/cultural interest

Pre-sessional 11 weeks and Pre-sessional 6 weeks

  • The Pre-sessional Programmes are taught by our qualified and experienced teaching staff, who use the highly effective University of Southampton Pre-sessional Programme syllabus for Pre-sessional 11 weeks or Pre-sessional 6 weeks.
  • Your studies will involve taught sessions in reading, writing, listening and speaking, and the emphasis is on how to communicate effectively in English.
  • In addition to classroom sessions with both your class tutor (reading and writing) and your listening and speaking tutor, you will attend weekly independent learning workshops in which you are taught the study skills necessary to succeed in your studies.
  • You will also have weekly tutorials and advising sessions with your tutors and advisers, and attend a weekly lecture.

Overview

  • You will complete a number of assessments for reading, writing, listening and speaking, some of which count towards your final Pre-sessional mark. These assessments are designed to prepare you for study on your degree programme.
  • Examples of assessments include researched essays, reading and listening exams, seminar discussions and presentations.

October-January

The form of assessment will depend on the module selected.

Study Locations

Student life

Avenue Campus

Only a few minutes walk from Highfield Campus, Avenue provides a purpo...Find out more

Share this course Share this on Facebook Share this on Twitter Share this on Weibo
Privacy Settings