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As part of your application to Birmingham City University you must demonstrate to our satisfaction that your English language skills are strong enough to cope with the demands of higher education study in the UK. Details of how to satisfy the English language requirements are given below. If you meet the minimum English language requirement for your chosen course of study, then Birmingham City University will not make further English language study a condition of admission to the University.

However, during the Orientation Programme that takes place at the start of your first year at Birmingham City University, you will be asked to take a compulsory English language test to assess your overall competence in English and identify any areas for improvement. This assessment will be used to design a programme of language tuition tailored to your needs.

English language classes are provided for international students free of charge. These provide tuition in grammar, reading and understanding lectures, as well as giving assistance with essay and dissertation writing. Classes take place throughout the academic year, and are scheduled at various times of the week to suit students' timetables. Most students need further help, and are encouraged to take supplementary classes offered by the Learner Development Unit. You can visit their web page for more information.

English Language Requirements

During your course all tuition, examinations and subject materials will be in English. In order to benefit from a course of study, you will need a good understanding of the English language. You are required to have one of the following English qualifications before joining Birmingham City University:

• Degrees from America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can be accepted in lieu of meeting the University’s minimum English Language entry requirements, provided that the degree was taught and assessed in English.

  Degrees from other English speaking countries will be considered on an individual basis.

  • IELTS overall band of 6.0 or equivalent for most courses
  • IELTS overall band of 6.0 or equivalent for MBA and MSc Management , a language test will be conducted on arrival, those found to need support will be given a programme of language support which must be followed
  • IELTS 6.5 or equivalent for undergraduate Business top ups and other Business postgraduate courses and MA Landscape Architecture
  • TOEFL: paper based (PBT) 550, internet based (IBT) 79-80 for most courses
  • TOEFL: paper based (PBT) 550, internet based (IBT) 79-80 for MBA and MSc Management , a language test will be conducted on arrival, those found to need support will be given a programme of language support which must be followed
  • PBT 575, IBT 90-91 for other postgraduate Business courses and MA Landscape Architecture

  Global

  • AS Level English Language: minimum grade E
  • A Level English Language: minimum grade E
  • A Level General Studies: minimum grade C
  • Anglia Certificate of Attainment in English (Edexcel): minimum level 4 for UG, minimum level 5 for PG
  • BEC Higher: Pass (grades A, B or C)
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: minimum grade C (minimum grade B for Acting)
  • Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English: minimum grade C
  • Cambridge Overseas School Certificate: minimum grade C
  • Caribbean Examination Council General Proficiency (CxC): grade I, II or III
  • English Language Preparation - Colchester: minimum C1 (equivalent to 6.5 IELTS), for undergraduate Business top ups and Business postgraduate courses and MA Landscape Architecture
  • GCSE or IGSCE English Language: minimum C
  • International Baccalaureate (Higher/Second): minimum 5+
  • Irish Leaving Certificate-Ordinary Level English : minimum grade C
  • Irish Leaving Certificate-Higher Level English: minimum grade D
  • JMB University Test: minimum Pass
  • Oxford High Lever Certificate: minimum Pass
  • Scottish Certificate of Education Standard Grade English: minimum grade C
  • Scottish Certificate of Education-Higher Grade English: minimum grade D
  • Trinity College London English language qualification: Level 2 (equivalent to 6.0 IELTS) or above
  • Warwick English Language Test (WELT): minimum CCC (IELTS 6.0)

  Africa

  • Degrees taught in the medium of English from African countries in which English is the main language: Botswana, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia
  • Cameroon GCE O Level: minimum grade C
  • East African Certificate of Education: minimum grade C
  • Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE): minimum grade C
  • Uganda Certificate of Education: minimum grade 6
  • West African Examinations Council School Certificate (WAEC SSCS): minimum grade C/6
  • Zambian Secondary School Certificate: minimum grade 6

  Hong Kong

  • Hong Kong Use of English Test: minimum of grade C
  • Hong Kong Certificate of Education (HKCEE): minimum grade C
  • Hong Kong Associate Degree: GPA 2.8 or average 70% in academic results
  • Hong Kong Higher Diploma: GPA 2.8 or average 70% in academic results

  India

  • Standard X (year 10) Tamil Nadu and general terminology: minimum 75%
  • Standard X (year 10) Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE): minimum grade 1-6
  • Standard XII (year 12) Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE): minimum 60%
  • Standard XII (year 12) Council for the Indian School Certification Examination (CISCE): minimum 60%
  • Standard XII (year 12) Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education: minimum 60%
  • Standard XII (year 12) Tamil Nadu Board of Secondary Education and Tamil Nadu Board of Higher Secondary Education: minimum 60%
  • Standard XII (year 12) Kerala Board of Public Examinations: minimum 60%
  • Standard XII (year 12) West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education, Calcutta: minimum 60%
  • Standard XII (year 12) Andhra Pradesh Board of Secondary Education, Hyderabad: minimum 60%
  • Standard XII (year 12) Karnataka Board of Pre-University Education: minimum 60%
  • Standard XII (year 12) all other Indian Examination Boards: minimum 75%

  Malaysia

  • Malaysien SPM 1119 Syllabus (UCLES): minimum grade C
  • Malaysia - Nilai College Foundation in Business programme acceptable for year 1 of an UG degree
  • Malaysia - a pass in the Nilai College UK Transfer programme with a score equivalent to GPA 2.6 / or 65% is acceptable for final year top-up degrees

  Singapore

  • Singapore GCE O Level: minimum grade C

  Sri Lanka

  • Sri Lanka GCE O Level: minimum Credit

  Thailand

  • Degrees from Universities in Thailand which have International in their tile and are assessed and taught in the medium of English. Including the following universities in Thailand: ABAC ( Assumption University), MUIC ( Mahidol University International College), BUIC ( Bangkok University International College), Asian University

Those students who do not meet their English language entry requirements in their application may be offered one of two options:

• If your English language test score narrowly misses the Birmingham City University minimum you may still be offered a place on your course provided that you attend our five or ten week Pre-sessional English language course before the start of term;
• If your English needs a lot more work to be brought up to a suitable level, you may be offered a place on the Foundation Certificate in English for Academic Purposes course. This course lasts 5 or 9 months (depending on your entry level) and successful completion of the course will automatically entitle you to begin your chosen course of study at Birmingham City University in the following academic year.

Pre-sessional English language courses

For students who have firmly accepted an offer of a place at Birmingham City University but narrowly miss the minimum English Language requirements, the University offers a five and ten week Pre-sessional English language course before they begin their academic studies. These courses provide a firm foundation for study at Birmingham City University and enable students to gain confidence in English for all aspects of conversation and study.

Who are the courses for?

The course is available to any applicant who has firmly accepted an offer of a place at Birmingham City University but has narrowly missed the minimum English language entry requirements. For example:

For simplicity we have only shown IELTS scores in the above table. However we do accept students who have taken TOEFL and you can find the IELTS/TOEFL equivalence table here.

DI Code 2626 http://www.toefl.org/

When do the programmes start?

5-week Pre-Sessional English Course
Start date: 10 th August 2008 Finish date: 12th September 2008
10-week Pre-Sessional English Course Start date: 6 th July 2007 Finish date: 12 th September 2008

If you have been offered a place on the course it is essential that you are present throughout the full duration of the programme. If you arrive late you may be refused entry to your main academic course of study.

What will the programmes include?

The programmes focus on the language and study skills that students need for academic work, such as listening to lectures and taking notes, reading textbooks, making oral presentations, grammar and academic writing.

Social programme

There will also be a social programme of visits and events during the programme. This will enable you to meet other students and take part in activities during the times when you are not studying. The social events will give you an insight into the British way of life, and help you to make friends and settle down into a new environment.

How much will the programmes cost?

5-week Pre-Sessional English Course
£870 (includes tuition, accommodation, course materials and social activities)

10-week Pre-Sessional English Course
£1,740 (includes tuition, accommodation, course materials and social activities)

Where will I stay?

During the Pre-sessional English programmes you will be provided with accommodation in halls of residence on the City North Campus. The halls have furnished single study bedrooms with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities.

Course requirements

It is important that in accepting a place on the Pre-sessional English programmes you realise that:

• you MUST arrive in Birmingham before the programme start date
• you MUST attend for the full duration of the programme you have been offered
• you will be required to take a test at the end of the programme to establish your competence in English
• you may be required to attend English classes during the first year of your main academic programme
• you MUST proceed to a full-time course of study at Birmingham City University on completion of the Pre-sessional English programme.

If you do not meet the Pre-Sessional English language requirements

Foundation Certificate in English for Academic Purposes (FCEAP)

The University's full-time Foundation Certification in English for Academic Purposes (FCEAP) has two entry points and is designed for students who have appropriate academic qualifications but whose level of English does not reach the required standard for direct entry to their chosen course of study.

For simplicity we have only shown IELTS scores in the above table.  However we do accept students who have taken TOEFL and you can find the IELTS/TOEFL equivalence table here.

DI Code 2626 http://www.toefl.org/

What will the programme include?

The aim of the FCEAP is to help you improve your standard of English so that you can reach your full potential whilst studying at Birmingham City University. Because the course is designed to prepare you for academic life in a British university, we put a lot of emphasis on guiding you towards independent learning and research.

The tutorial system allows you one-to-one contact with your tutors on a regular basis, so that you can discuss issues related to your work.

During the course students study the following modules:

Semester 1 Modules - Intermediate Grammar, General Writing, General Reading, General Listening, Informal Speaking and Pronunciation.

Semester 2 Modules - Advanced Grammar, Academic Writing, Academic Reading, Academic Listening, Formal Speaking.

In order to meet the needs and learning styles of all students, a wide variety of assessment tasks will be used, including a research-based essay, a presentation, tests and coursework assignments.

Start dates and costs

Foundation Certificate in English for Academic Purposes

Start date: 15th September 2008 (full-year) 2 nd February 2009 (second semester entry)

Finish date: 12 th June 2009

Cost: £6,200 (full-year) / £3,100 (second semester entry)

To find out more about the course please contact the Course Director, Julia Barnes by Email at julia.barnes@bcu.ac.uk, or go to the relevant Faculty of Education web page.