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“I find the course I am on is suitable for me and my tutor makes it easy to achieve my goals by helping with any queries and giving me direction when it is needed.”
We’ll give you a solid platform from which to launch onto bigger and more exciting things.
English courses at South Birmingham College
South Birmingham College is one of the UK’s leading Colleges and is one of only two Colleges in the West Midlands that have Beacon College Status. Every year we deliver the best results of all the Colleges in the Birmingham area.
The College offers a range of English courses that are taught by qualified and experienced teachers, and can help prepare you for further study at the College or at university. All of our international student English courses are run at either our Digbeth Campus or the Women’s Academy, which is a female only campus. Class sizes do vary but will never be more than 25 students in any class. Students will have regular tutorial sessions where you can discuss how you are doing with your tutor. Students also have access to a range of other services including:
Course enrichment International students will be able to join in a range of activities organised by the College, such as football and cricket and excursions. In addition, educational trips will take place termly. Some of these will be free. Trips which require a contribution from the student will be optional.
Courses Before enrolling on one of our courses, all students are given an initial assessment to determine their English level in the following four skills: u
u u u u u u
General advice from student services Specialist advice from the international team Careers and advice on finding a job or applying to university Taking part in the International Student Society Use of the gym, table tennis and other activities Access to Learning Hubs for books, magazines and computers
Speaking Listening u Reading u Writing u
Based on the results of the initial assessment, you will be enrolled on the appropriate course and given an induction to the campus and the programme. Students are also asked to complete a diagnostic assessment to determine what aspects of language they need to work on.
Term times The College operates on a traditional academic year that runs from September to July. The calendar below shows the dates the College is open and the days that lessons are taking place. Each student will be issued with a timetable that indicates when you should be in class. MONTH – 2011
M
T
W
T
F
MONTH – 2012
M
T
W
T
F
MONTH – 2012
M
T
W
T
F
September
12
13
14
15
16
January Term Starts 5 Jan
2
3
4
5
6
April
23
24
25
26
27
September
19
20
21
22
23
January
9
10
11
12
13
Apr/May
30
1
2
3
4
Sept/Oct
26
27
28
29
30
January
16
17
18
19
20
May
7
8
9
10
11
October
3
4
5
6
7
January
23
24
25
26
27
May
14
15
16
17
18
October
10
11
12
13
14
Jan/Feb
30
31
1
2
3
May
21
22
23
24
25
October
17
18
19
20
21
February
6
7
8
9
10
May/June
28
29
30
31
1
October Half Term
24
25
26
27
28
February Half Term
13
14
15
16
17
June Half Term
4
5
6
7
8
Oct/Nov
31
1
2
3
4
February
20
21
22
23
24
June
11
12
13
14
15
November
7
8
9
10
11
Febr/Mar
27
28
29
1
2
June
18
19
20
21
22
November
14
15
16
17
18
March
5
6
7
8
9
Jun/Jul
25
26
27
28
29
November
21
22
23
24
25
March
12
13
14
15
16
July Summer Term Ends
2
3
4
5
6
Nov/Dec
28
29
30
1
2
March
19
20
21
22
23 30
December
5
6
7
8
9
Mar/Apr
26
27
28
29
December
12
13
14
15
16
April Easter Break
2
3
4
5
6
December Christmas Break
19
20
21
22
23
April Easter Break
9
10
11
12
13
December Christmas Break
26
27
28
29
30
April
16
17
18
19
20
KEY No classes
English Language Programmes Beginner Level to Advanced Level
IELTS (International English Language Testing Systems) Preparation
Course length: 1 year
Course length: 1 year
Fees: There are different levels of classes depending on your ability. You will be assessed to find the most appropriate for you. You will have to pay the course fee for the level you are assessed at. Fees per year: £3,900* (15 hours) £4,200* (18 hours) £4,600* (21 hours)
Fees: There are different levels of classes depending on your ability. You will be assessed to find the most appropriate for you. You will have to pay the course fee for the level you are assessed at. Fees per year: £4,100* (15 hours) £4,300* (18 hours) £4,700* (21 hours) IELTS Exam Fee: A fee of £130* is payable to Aston University which is the IELTS test centre in Birmingham.
Entry requirements: You must be a minimum of 18 years old. You will need to supply evidence of a Secure English Language Test SELTS when you apply. This must be at a minimum of B1, which is equivalent to IELTS 4.0. A full list of SELTs and approved test providers can be found on the UK Border Agency website. Course Information: In a class of no more than 25 students, you will work on all four language skills which are Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening. Using different techniques and methods, you will learn to listen and read more accurately and be able to speak in a variety of situations. To improve your writing skills, you will work on handwriting, sentence and text formation, using grammar accurately and broadening your vocabulary range in practical writing tasks. You will study a number of topics, such as: u
Describing personal interests Meeting people and social relationships u Education, study and employment u Shopping and consumerism u Travel and tourism
Entry requirements: You must be a minimum of 18 years old. You will need to supply evidence of a Secure English Language Test SELTS when you apply. This must be at a minimum of B1, which is equivalent to IELTS 4.0. A full list of SELTS and approved test providers can be found on the UK Border Agency website. Course Information: We run a preparation course for students wishing to take the Cambridge International English Language Testing System (IELTS) which is essential for university entry in the UK for non-native speakers of English. This course combines General and Academic English to prepare students for entrance to study Bachelor and Masters Degree courses at university or Level 3 and 4 courses (BTEC, HND) at South Birmingham College.
u
The course helps develop all language skills in a variety of topics which are relevant to the IELTS exam as well as focussing on exam technique and practice. In addition, you will develop your academic writing skills to assist with your university course.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to develop: u
Research skills u ICT skills u Study skills and being an independent learner What can I do after this course: On successful completion of this course you can progress onto higher level English Language programmes such as our IELTS Preparation course. Alternatively, you may be eligible for entrance onto a vocational or academic course. Assessment: You will be assessed at your appropriate level by City & Guilds ESOL Examinations and can gain certificates in Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing or a full ESOL award.
In addition to the opportunity to take the IELTS exam, you may also complete City & Guilds International or Skills for Life ESOL assessments. What can I do after this course: On successful completion of this course you could progress onto Higher Education courses where a good level of English is a requirement. To apply for courses at University level you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 (subject to course requirements). Course timetable: Classes are held during week days. The course begins in September and there is another intake in February. The programme will start on 14th September 2011 or 20 February 2012. Timetables will depend on the number of hours of weekly attendance required. Classes will be held weekday mornings and/or afternoons.
The assessments take place at three points during the year to allow students to gain the full qualification. Course timetables: The programme will start on 12th September 2011. Timetables will depend on the number of hours of weekly attendance required. Classes will be held weekday mornings and/or afternoons.
*Prices may change – check with our International Office for latest information.
English Summer School
How to apply
Course length: 2-6 weeks Fees: The fee will vary depending on the length of the course but will typically be around £500* per week of study. Course Information: This course is designed for students who are on a short stay in the UK and wish to incorporate English Language study with a programme of extra-curricular activities, such as visits to local and national places of interest. The course offers consolidation in all language skills at all levels with focus on grammatical accuracy and broadening vocabulary range. Planned excursions help students develop their language to increase confidence in communicating in English inside and outside the classroom.
Before applying – For further information or assistance, please contact the International Office. We will consider your qualifications and suggest the course most suitable for you. Application procedure – If you are applying from outside the UK, please note that we need to receive your application as early as possible before the course start date. This is to allow time for visa applications to be processed. Step 1
Return the application form to the International Office with photocopies of any certificates of your qualifications. You will receive a decision on acceptance onto the course within three working days. If we are unable to offer you a place on that course we will contact you suggesting alternative courses that you may wish to apply for.
Step 2
You will be sent an offer letter and acceptance form and an accommodation request form. The acceptance letter will usually ask for a deposit of £1000 (sterling). Details of how to pay the deposit and how to apply for a student visa will also be enclosed.
Step 3
You will also be asked to provide copies of your bank statements to satisfy the financial requirements of the UK Border Agency in terms of tuition fees and maintenance costs in respect of your first year of study.
Step 4
Complete and return the acceptance form and arrange to make the full course payment to the International Office.
Step 5
Upon payment of your course fee you will receive your Confirmation of Acceptance of Study (CAS). This Confirmation of Acceptance of Study confirms that you have been accepted onto a course. You will need this to apply for a student visa.
Facilities offered include: u
Accommodation (Bed and Breakfast for 20 days) Use of Gym u Lunch: Monday to Friday u Access to broadband during daytime – 9.00am to 6.00pm u
Please contact our International Team for further details.
Applying for a student visa – To obtain a visa, you will need to show the following: u
That you have been accepted for a course of study at a school, college or university that is registered on the UKBA website as a licensed sponsor. u That the course is a minimum of 15 hours per week of organised daytime study at a single institution. u That you can meet the cost of your tuition fees and living expenses. You must show that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and maintenance costs in full for your first year of study before your arrival in the UK, without working in the UK or claiming public funds. u That you intend to leave the UK at the end of your studies. For information on how to apply for a student visa please visit: u u
South Birmingham College High Street Deritend, Digbeth, Birmingham B5 5SU
TELEPHONE
0121 694 5000
www.ukvisas-stage.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/vafs/ www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/
WEBSITE
international@sbc.ac.uk
www.sbc.ac.uk
*Prices may change – check with our International Office for latest information.