Free Online Course Open to All International Students

Studying overseas can be a daunting and overwhelming experience, particularly if it is your first time. Not only have you got to adapt to life in a new country, but the academic culture could also be very different from what you’ve been used to. It can feel like taking a big leap into the unknown.

Thankfully If you are one of the 437,000 international students coming to study in the UK this year, there is now a free course to help you land safely. The course, Prepare to Study and Live in the UK, has been funded by the British Council and developed in partnership with University of Reading.

Fiona Samson, GREAT Britain Campaign Director at the British Council describes it as “a course that aims to make students feel at ease, more confident and well-prepared for study in the UK.”

Available to any international student, This free MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), will run from the 3rd September for 4 Weeks (late comers will be able to join at any time during the whole four-week length of the course).

Hosted by FutureLearn, It includes 12 hours of content, video lessons, a live facebook event and online mentor support.

Apply Here

What The Course Covers

The main focus of the course will be to help you understand what to expect from education in the UK, giving an overview of what skills you will need and how university courses are structured.

The areas covered include:

- Student skills: Active engagement, critical thinking, evidence based arguing, independent (self-directed) study, academic integrity.

- How courses are structured and common study modes: lectures, seminars, tutorials, presentations and group study.

- The English language skills needed for success, and the resources available to develop them.

- How study is assessed in the UK, and the common processes involved.

- Practical issues, such as what you should bring, how to find accommodation, and what cultural norms you should be aware of.

What You Will Gain

By the end of the course you will be more confident about starting university and getting settled in to student life. You will be able to demonstrate an understanding of UK academic culture, reflect upon what language and study skills you possess and need to develop, and assess what resources are available to you. You will also receive a PDF Certificate of Achievement!

Although such a course is first and foremost beneficial to you, the international student, it is also true that all of the UK benefits from your warm welcome. It is through such initiatives that Britain can remain one of the most desirable study destinations in the world.

Related Links

British Council

FutureLearn

University of Reading International Office