The UK University Experience Course

Course Desciption

Objective: The aim of this course is to give high school students an opportunity to improve their English language skills, and gain insight into what studying at university is like, and how approaches to learning differ between school and university.

The UK University Experience Course immerses students in life in a British University with seminars and practical workshops in at least 6 different academic departments, classes focussing on academic English and study skills for university, British and Welsh culture classes and activities, and social activities and trips. The course involves 20 hours of class time a week, plus a full programme of social activities.

The course is taught on the Aberystwyth University campus, and students will have full access to all University facilities including 24-hour computer rooms, University libraries, the University Arts Centre, the University Sports Centre and other University facilities. They can also make use of the wonderful resources at the National Library of Wales, just next door to the University.

Accommodation is provided in our Halls of Residence, and students will typically share a six or eight bedroom apartment or house with their classmates and group leaders. Every apartment has a fully equipped kitchen, and the University has a range of restaurants and cafeterias providing tasty and reasonably priced food. Groups may also choose to purchase meal cards so that students can eat in the University cafeterias and restaurants without the need to carry cash.

Age range: 16 -19

Maximum class size: 16

Group bookings only.

More Information

Who is the course for?

This course is for high school students aged 16-19 who want to improve their English and get a taste of university study in Britain.

Age You must be aged 16 or over at the start of the course
Language Level You must have an English level between CEFR B1/IELTS 4.5 -  CEFR B2/IELTS 6.0
Other The course is open for group bookings only.  Minimum group size of 10 participants.  Groups must be accompanied by a suitable staff member from the home school. and each participant must have written consent form their parents

What will I study?

You will have 20 hours tuition per week, from Monday to Friday.  Each week you will typically spend 12 hours studying English, and 8 hours in different university departments.  There are trips with other international students on Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays, and evening social activities twice a week.

In you English Language and Study Skills classes you will focus on improving your spoken and written communication, and developing some of the vital skills students need at university.  You will learn how to carry out small-scale research projects, participate actively in seminars, give formal presentations and develop you own "academic voice".

You will also take part in activities organised by 6 different departments in the university.  Each department will provide you with a lively, interactive and fun introduction to their subject.  It does not matter whether you have studied the subject before or not.

One day you might be writing code and programming a robot in the University's Robotics Lab, the next making you own movie in the Department of Theatre, Film and Television, and the next exploring global poverty in the International Politics Department.

Depending on you group's needs and interests, your University Experience Course may include activities with the following departments:

  • Art
  • Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS)
  • Computer Science
  • Education and lifelong LEarning
  • English and Creative Writing
  • Geography and Earth Sciences
  • International Politics
  • Law and Criminology
  • Management and Business
  • Psychology
  • Sport and Exercise Science
  • Theatre, Film and Television Studies

Sample Timetable

 MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday
9-10:30 Learning at School & University: What's the difference? Psychology Seminar I: How does colour influence the taste of food? Reading at University: How to use a research library Environmental Science Fieldtrip: Exploring role of forests in slowing climate change Integrated language skills: Speaking and listening focus Social Programme - Full day trip to Cardiff including visit to The Doctor Who Experience and free time for shopping and exploring Wales' vibrant capital city

Rest Day

Opportunity to relax and explore Aberystwyth
10:30-12:30 Speaking at University: Skills for being an active participant Psychology Seminar II: How do psychologists know what they know? Writing at University: How and Why do we reference? Environmental Science Seminar: Calculating and mapping carbon storage using GIS software Film-Making Workshop I: Planning and scripting a short film
 

 

Lunch
14:00-16:30 Free Integrated language skills: Reading and writing focus Social Programme - Visit to Powis Castle Speaking at University: Taking part in discussions Free
Evening International Food Party Free Free Sports Evening Free

Please note: this timetable has been provided as a guide only and will be adapted according to the needs and interests of participants.

Timetable

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

9-10.30

Learning at School

& University:

What’s the difference?

9-10.30

Psychology Seminar I:

How does colour

influence the taste

of food?

9-10.30

Reading at university:

How to use a research library

9-10.30

 

Tour of the Robotics Labs and Introduction to the University’s artificial intelligence research

9-10.30

 

Integrated language skills: speaking and

listening focus

8-6

Full day trip to Cardiff with options to visit:

  • Museums
  • Galleries
  • The Doctor who Experience
  • Cardiff Castle
  • Or just to enjoy the great shopping and eating options in Wales’ vibrant capital city

Break

11-12.30

Speaking at University: Skills for being an active participant

11-12.30

Psychology Seminar II:

How do psychologists know what they know?

11-12.30

Writing at university: how

and why do we reference?

 

11-12.30

Hands on Robotics Workshop

11-12

Film-making Workshop I:

Planning and scripting a short film

Break

Free

2-4.30     

Integrated language skills:

reading and writing focus

1.30-6

Social Programme: Visit to

Powis Castle

2-4

Speaking at University:

Taking part in discussions

Free

7-9

International Food Party

 

 

7-9

Sports Night

 

 

This sample timetable shows you what a typical week on the course looks like. It is not a definitive timetable for your course.

Dates and fees

CourseDatesFees
The UK University Experience Course Flexible dates Email tesol@aber.ac.uk for details

* Fee includes all tuition and accommodation

How to apply

This course is open for group bookings only.

If you would like to make a group booking, our staff are here to guide you through the application process.  Please contact us by email at tesol@aber.ac.uk and we will be happy to help.

Key Facts

Course

The UK University Experience Course (UKUE)

Course objective

The aim of this course is to give high school students an opportunity to improve their English language skills, and gain insight into what studying at university is like and how approaches to learning differ between school and university.

Maximum class size

16

Levels

CEFR B1 and above

Available to

Groups (accompanied by group leader)

Taught hours per week

20

Private study periods

Students should typically expect to study independently for an additional 5 – 10 hours per week.

Minimum age

Age range: 16 - 19

Dates

Flexible dates

Non-teaching days

There are no classes on Saturdays or Sundays.

Tuition Fee

We will create a package price for your group according to your preferred dates, group size and needs.

For more details, please email tesol@aber.ac.uk

Course material costs

None

Social life

A social programme consisting of a full day trip on Saturdays, and a half day trip every Wednesdays will be provided for all courses.

During the summer months, participants will join other international students on the IEC Summer Social Programme

Activities are free, but participants should up to £25 per week spending money for the social programme.

Accommodation

Accommodation will be reserved for your group in one of our halls of residence, within a 5-12 minute walk from your classrooms.

All halls of residence have fully equipped kitchens, and groups can also purchase meal cards enabling them to eat all meals in one of the University’s restaurants.

From mid-July to mid-September, accommodation will be in our Fferm Penglais halls of residence. Each student will have a private study room with double bed, en-suite bathroom and Wi-Fi, in a 6 – 8 person apartment with shared kitchen facilities.

At other times of year, accommodation will be in our Cwrt Mawr or Pentre Jane Morgan Residences. Students will each have a single study bedroom in a 6 or 10 person apartment with shared bathrooms and kitchen facilities, and free Wi-Fi.

Accommodation will be available from 3pm on the Saturday before the course starts until 10am on the Saturday after your course finishes.

You will be provided with bedding and a towel, and these will be changed once a week.

Laundry facilities are available near all Halls.

Insurance

The home high school or nominated group leader is responsible for ensuring all course participants have adequate travel insurance to cover their journey, their possessions and any medical treatment or personal accidents. There are many insurance policies designed especially for international students.