Pre-Sessional Programme

The Pre-sessional is a full-time intensive 8-week course run in July and August each year, designed primarily for students who aim to go on to postgraduate study at The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC).   

Who should take this course?

The Pre-sessional is designed for students with conditional offers for UNNC postgraduate degree programmes, and who do not yet have the required level of English language ability for direct entry.

Comparison between IELTS and Pre-sessional Course

Why should you take the UNNC Pre-sessional Programme instead of IELTS?

The chart shows you the difference between IELTS and our Programme. This information should provie useful insights into the benefits of studying on the course. Participation on it will also better prepare you for study at UNNC and other overseas universities:

Course Content

The Pre-sessional Programme is designed to develop both your academic English language ability and academic study skills. On the course you will learn how to:

• Read academic texts effectively and efficiently and undertake research specific to your degree programmes
• Write for your degree programmes, applying appropriate academic conventions 
• Deliver an academic presentation related to your degree programs and participate effectively in an academic discussion
• Listen to academic lectures effectively and efficiently, and take notes as required
• Use appropriate language (grammar and vocabulary) to support clear written and spoken communication

Accreditation

Authoritatively accredited high-quality courses: Pre-sessional courses are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL).

 Demo Class 

Meet the Tutors

Gareth Morris

Senior Tutor for Pre-sessionals

Gareth has worked on a number of courses since joining the university eighteen months ago. Prior to joining UNNC Gareth worked for two years at the Perse School (Suzhou), a decade at Xi’an Jiao Tong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) and four years at Soochow University. Gareth has also completed a doctorate at the University of Exeter and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). His current research interests are in the areas of leadership and management, motivation and satisfaction, recruitment and retention, professional development, organisational and educational psychology, and health and wellbeing. More details are available here: Gareth Morris - University of Nottingham Ningbo China.

Mahmoud Jedani

RWRS Module Convener

Mahmoud is an experienced educator with a BA in English Language and Literature as well as an MA and PhD in Applied Linguistics, specializing in preparing students for the linguistic and academic demands of higher education. With a focus on empowering students to excel in their studies, Mahmoud’s teaching philosophy emphasizes equipping students with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in university environments. Having taught on Pre-sessional courses in the UK, and Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) in Hong Kong, Mahmoud has gained an extensive experience in supporting students, bringing a global perspective to his teaching. Mahmoud is particularly interested in the study of English intonation and its relationship to intelligibility, an area that informs both teaching practices and ongoing research. As an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA), Mahmoud is committed to maintaining high standards in teaching and continuously developing professional practices. More details are available here: Mahmoud Jeidani - University of Nottingham Ningbo China.

Dawn Buckley

RWRS Module Convener

Dawn has taught EAP in China since 2014, gaining experience in three Sino-foreign partnership university contexts including UNNC, as well as in a public university context. She has also worked on Pre-sessional programmes in the university of Bristol, UK. In addition, prior to coming to China, she accumulated several years of experience teaching English in other countries, including summer and year-round programmes. Her current research interest is in technology enhanced learning and the development of self-access educational materials. More details are available here: Dawn Buckley - University of Nottingham Ningbo China.

Ada Wang

LDP Module Convener

Ada is an experienced and dedicated English for Academic Purposes (EAP) educator with a rich international background. For the past 3 years, she has been designing and convening EAP modules, tailoring them to meet the evolving needs of academic English learners. Ada has taught a wide range of students, from university students in China to aviation professionals and civil servants in the UK, drawing on her expertise in engaging students through interactive classroom activities focused on academic reading, writing, listening, and speaking. More details are available here: Ada Wang - University of Nottingham Ningbo China.

Comments from Former Students

The Pre-sessional Course at UNNC provides me, a Chinese university graduate with no prior exposure to an all-English instructional environment, with unprecedented opportunities to access a whole new educational system in advance. It has greatly benefited me through systematic training in writing, listening, presentations, and seminars. The responsible and professional tutors who play vital roles in guiding my learning path during this journey have also left a deep impression on me. Additionally, I have made friends with some of my classmates, which has made my upcoming academic life less lonely. Looking back at that journey in the Pre-sessional Course, I still appreciate it immensely, and I feel that it was a valuable experience.

I graduated from a Chinese university. The Pre-sessional Course helped me to adapt to the English-speaking environment at UNNC and makes the study in PG programme easier. During the course, tutors are friendly and encourage us to speak up. Everyone has the opportunity to express their own opinions. Also, the course trained our critical thinking skills by giving open answer questions. The life in the Master Preparation Course is fulfilling, there are new things to learn and new tasks to complete every day.

Pre-Sessional Entry Requirements

Acceptance on the course is based on an applicant’s language and academic performances. 

The course will normally only accept applicants who are within 0.5 of the required IELTS (or equivalent for other accepted language tests) for entry onto their degree programme. The subskill score is not required for students with IELTS overall 6.0. IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted.

Please submit your qualified language test report via the Application Hub.

 *Please note that we do not accept an IELTS online test, the TOEFL home edition, or a PTE Academic online test. 

Pre-sessional Completion

To complete the Pre-sessional and be eligible to progress to their chosen degree programme, students are required to: 

• Attend classes
• Complete all course assignments
• Pass the overall course assessment

Successful completion of the Pre-sessional programme is recognised by UNNC as an IELTS equivalency. There is no need for you to retake the IELTS examination before you enrol for your degree programme at The University of Nottingham Ningbo China.

Please note, however, that Pre-sessional completion is no guarantee of an offer from a UNNC UG/PG programme, students must still meet the academic requirements.

The Pre-sessional is not valid for progression to PG programmes in subsequent academic years.

 Applicants who intend to progress to study at an institution other than UNNC should check with that institution if completion of the UNNC Pre-sessional will be recognised as an IELTS equivalency. There is no guarantee that this is the case.

When does the Pre-sessional take place?

Note: UNNC reserves the right to cancel the Pre-sessional programme if there are insufficient participants or special circumstances. Specific dates may be changed according to the academic calendar.

Provisional Timetable

Pre-sessional Fees

How to apply

• Please submit your application for Pre-Sessional on Application Hub.
• Please submit your qualified language test report on Application Hub. If you have already submitted the required language test report, you do not need to resubmit this.
• Please find here the guidance on how to apply for Pre-sessional Course on the Application Hub.

FAQs

For enquiries, please contact:

E. admissions@nottingham.edu.cn
T. +86 (0574) 8818 0182