Course content - 4-week Pre-sessional (online & on-campus)
If you have an unconditional offer for The University of Manchester you can study our 4-week Pre-sessional course.
The course aims to:
- raise your level of academic skills;
- improve your confidence working in an academic environment;
- help to prepare you for studying at this University.
Each week you will work towards completing an academic task, such as a group presentation, seminar discussion or producing an academic poster.
Each week your studies will include:
- 12 hours per week of tutor-led sessions in groups of up to 18 students;
- approximately ten hours per week of interactive tasks to be completed either in study groups of up to five students on campus, or individually online;
- an individual tutorial meeting of approximately fifteen-minutes with your tutor, or a 30-minute group tutorial meeting with your study group and tutor.
Sample timetable
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
10.00am - 11.30am* Tutor-led session |
Academic task: An introduction to poster presentations |
Academic reading: Navigating a journal article |
Academic writing: Rewording information from sources |
Academic speaking: Delivering poster presentations |
Individual tutorials |
11.30am-12.00pm | B R E A K | ||||
12.00pm - 1.30pm Tutor-led session |
Academic research skills: An Introduction to the University libraries |
Academic reading: Taking notes when reading |
Academic writing: Incorporating sources into your writing |
Academic speaking: Delivering poster presentations |
Individual tutorials |
1.30pm - 2.30pm | B R E A K | ||||
2.30pm - 3.30pm Study groups |
Academic task: Practising poster presentations |
Academic study skills: Group reflection on task performance |
|||
1-2 hours Individual study |
Academic research skills: Evaluating sources |
Academic task: Preparing poster presentation |
Academic writing: Reference lists |
Academic study skills: Weekly reflection & goal setting |
*All times are local, UK time
All materials will be electronic and accessed via Canvas, which is our central learning environment (CLE).
Online tutor-led sessions will be delivered via Zoom. There will be help accessing these, as well as technical support throughout the course.
Online students must have access to:
- access to a laptop or tablet - mobile phones are not suitable;
- a fast reliable internet connection (we recommend a broadband speed of 5mbps; and a minimum speed of 2mbps);
- a browser such as Google Chrome/Firefox/360 Secure Browser;
- a webcam;
- a microphone;
- headphones.
On campus students must have:
- access to a laptop or a tablet - mobile phones are not suitable;
- a fast, reliable internet connection (we recommend a minimum speed of 2mbps).
- a webcam;
- a microphone;
- headphones.