The Language Centre at the University of Aberdeen offers various English language courses primarily designed to support international students with improving their proficiency for academic studies or general purposes. Key points for students interested in learning English there include:
Courses and Programmes
- Pre-Sessional English (PSE) Courses: Intensive courses aimed at students whose English skills are slightly below the university’s direct entry requirement. These focus on academic skills such as essay writing, reading, seminar participation, presentations, and study strategies. Completing these courses can remove the language conditions on university offers.
- In-Session Academic English Support (ASkE): For students already registered at the university, offering help with academic writing, communication, seminar skills, and presentation in a supportive environment.
- Evening English Classes: Open to University of Aberdeen students, staff, and the general public, these part-time conversational courses run in the evenings and are more recreational, with no formal assessments. Usually, classes run once a week for several weeks.
- Online and Campus Options: Pre-sessional courses are available both on campus and fully online for flexibility.
Student Support and Experience
- Small Class Sizes and qualified tutors with experience in academic and general English teaching.
- Students benefit from personalized progress monitoring and additional free English skills classes after starting academic studies.
- The Language Centre supports intercultural understanding and collaboration with university schools to cater to specific degree programme needs.
Location and Things to Do in Aberdeen
- The Language Centre is part of the University of Aberdeen, located in a historic and vibrant city with rich cultural attractions such as museums, theatres, parks, and nearby coastal and countryside activities.
- Aberdeen offers a student-friendly environment with cafes, shops, and a mix of contemporary and traditional Scottish life.
Fees and Enrollment
- Evening classes are reasonably priced (around £100 per 5-week course for the public, discounted for university community members).
- Pre-sessional courses have application deadlines and require early booking.
- Courses run in terms throughout the year with flexible start dates typical for UK language programmes.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Types | Pre-Sessional English (campus & online), Evening classes, In-Session Academic Support |
| Target Students | Prospective and current university students, staff, public |
| Level Range | From slightly below university entry to advanced academic English |
| Course Duration | Pre-sessional: 5-10 weeks, Evening classes: 5 weeks |
| Location | University of Aberdeen campus, city of Aberdeen, Scotland |
| Student Support | Academic skills sessions, communication workshops, mentoring |
| Things to Do Nearby | Aberdeen’s cultural venues, natural scenery, shopping, cafes |
This centre is ideal for students planning to start university studies who need to boost their academic English, as well as those looking for flexible part-time English learning in a historic Scottish city.
For further details and enrollment, prospective students can visit the University of Aberdeen Language Centre website or contact the centre directly.
