Course Summary

Most professional careers require good language skills, and English is the most common language of business around the world. So it is important that you are extremely proficient in English if you hope to work in either an international or English-speaking environment. This course is unique in its focus on the English language in the workplace.

You will become an expert in a wide range of tasks, from producing CVs, to launching products, to making presentations, to language interpretation and translation. By learning research strategies and data analysis, you will be able to assess evidence and shape it into presentable material. While you work on projects that replicate the world of work in English, you will be encouraged to develop your team-working skills and practice your professional English in group settings. You will also investigate how culture affects the choice of language we use, particularly in international business.

Your friendly, experienced instructors will support you throughout your course, and lessons will be highly interactive so that you can discuss issues raised in class. Furthermore, you will find a support network in your fellow classmates. By working with students from other countries, you can gain an international perspective that will help to prepare you for positions in international business.

Why choose this course?

Compelling, appropriate and accurate language will help you network, land a job and excel in the workplace. This course is designed to guide you in the development of those skills that will make you employable in English and international working environments. Lessons and projects will enable you to practice genuine business situations and hone your communicative capabilities. Upon completing the course, you should be ready to pursue careers in the world of international business and public services, as well as numerous other sectors where excellent language skills are required.

During the course you will:

• Develop communication skills in English to a level suitable for professional employment
• Master the arts of presenting, interpreting and translating
• Learn effective research and analytical tools
• Prepare small-scale research projects in English
• Discover how culture affects the choice of language we use in a business context
• Work in diverse groups to develop team-work skills and gain an international perspective
• Have the opportunity to take the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English exam, the highest of five levels of internationally recognised English Language Qualifications

Areas of study you may cover on this course include:

• Interpreting and translation
• Cultural communication
• Analysis of language style
• Language and skills of professional presentations
• Research strategies

Further Information

BAINCAA

Assessment

There will be a variety of assessments, encompassing the skills and techniques studied. As well as this, there will be some assessment in the form of exams. However, in large part, you will be expected to produce artefacts in the form of portfolios as well as presentations.

Educational Aims

The aim of the course is to apply previously acquired English Language Skills to professional settings. We aim to ensure that you leave the course with a set of skills at a professional level of competence. As well as this, the course aims to encourage in you less teacher dependency and a greater degree of autonomy.

You will find that teachers will ask you to work harder to solve problems and work out the answers to questions than you are perhaps used to in your home educational setting and you will also be expected to get into the habit of working as a member of a team on projects largely conducted outside of class time.

In sum, we are aiming to make you professional communicators in English, able to apply the standards expected in a variety of professional contexts to complex and challenging careers.

Student support

A class tutor system is in place, which means that each student on this course will be have a personal tutor assigned to them. This will usually be the teacher most regularly involved with your studies. You will be able to visit your tutor outside of class time to ask questions or discuss problems you are having with the course or with your experience in the UK.

Your tutor will often be able to give you direct help, but if not he/she will be able to direct you to a member of staff who can.

We have strong links with the Chaplaincy, which is a popular sanctuary for students looking for conversation and a place which offers quiet surroundings in which to worship.

Team working

As a matter of course the modern student centred language classroom will rely heavily on input from students whether in group work or in pairs. Teachers may group you with other students who share similar backgrounds and experiences but often they prefer to group you with students whose backgrounds are different from yours in order to maximise the need to exchange views and opinions.

Career Management Skills

Over the duration of the course you will network with other students, the course team as well as have opportunities to go to presentations and lectures provided by the Knowledge Network, which is a vibrant and lively meeting point for business people to share their knowledge and opportunities. More information can be obtained on

Entry

Students transferring onto the fourth year of the programme, taught at the University of Bedfordshire, require an IELTS level of 6.0 or equivalent.

UK students Undergraduate entry requirements

Standard entry requirements for Foundation degrees (FD/FdSc)

A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.

Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.

• As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.

Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.

We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.

Standard entry requirements for Undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc)

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

The general requirement is one of the following:

• UCAS Tariff Score greater than 200, which should include either two A level passes or an AVCE Double Award
• An Access qualification
• Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma

Students from the European Union

Entry requirements

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.

How to apply

International students

• Undergraduate applications (BA/BSc) can be made direct to the University or via our representatives in your home country. If you intend to apply to more than one university in the UK you should apply via UCAS. If you want to apply to the University of Bedfordshire only you should apply directly using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Postgraduate applications should be made directly to the University using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Healthcare, nursing and midwifery students Many of these courses are not available to overseas students due to UK immigration law in regard to bursary funding. Please contact international admissions to find out if you are eligible to apply
• BA Nursing Studies Level 3 (with or without Overseas Nursing Programme) is available to overseas students - please contact International Admissions by email at international-admissions@beds.ac.uk for further information

(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)

Course application form for international students

We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.

• Course application form for direct applications [PDF]

How to complete your course application

Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.

Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section

Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL)

APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.

Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.

We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.

• APL application form for International students [100Kb] updated 041007

What next?

Return your completed application to:

University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom

Contact International Admissions

T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk

Awarding institution

University of Bedfordshire

Professional, Statuatory and Regulatory Body Accreditation

British Council

Students with disabilities

There are no elements of the course which would be problematic for students with disabilities, and we are able to adapt lesson input for those who are hard of hearing and short sighted. The Vicarage Street building has ramp access and automatic doors for wheelchairs.

Skills Development

Communication:

The classes run on a communicative, student centred basis. You will be encouraged to communicate with others in group work activities regularly. This may involve negotiating, agreeing, expressing opinions, hypothesising and much more besides. English language skills development is the main focus of the programme. This extends to communication through reading and writing as well as speaking and listening, in formal and less formal circumstances.

You will find your teachers are approachable and friendly because we try to maximise opportunities for interaction in class as well as in tutorial sessions.

Research and Evaluation:

You will develop your research skills in most of the units of the course. The Business Project unit will involve genuine marketing research and evaluation of your own ideas and solutions to problems is an integral part of the overall programme.

Creativity and Critical Thinking:

The use of language in the media, as well as in translation and interpretation calls for a creative and risk taking approach to the choices you make in your use of lexis and grammar. You will be expected to analyse how others have used the language to persuade or criticise and adopt your own style within the constraints of the genre under investigation.

Improving learning and performance

As an International student, you may not be familiar with the roles you are expected to perform as a university student in Britain. Developing a sense of learner autonomy is an obvious example. Through the tasks we set and the examples given in class, we encourage you to become an active learner, rather than a passive `empty vessel.

You will also have regular tutorial opportunities through the Language Centre drop in service as well as office hours offered by your teachers.

Progress files

Guidance and support on Progress Files is available on the CETL web site

You will be expected to keep a progress file, along with all students of the University. Over the duration of the qualification you will be collecting a large amount of information, which is an important record of your achievements. You will be guided and supported to collect and save relevant evidence related to your personal development and this will form the basis of the e-portfolio which is an essential feature of the e-portfolio.

Professional standards

A professional environment is an important pre condition for effective learning. To achieve this, standards of conduct are expected from all members of the University tutors and students alike.

Much of this is common sense and involves demonstrating respect for others and not behaving in a manner which is likely to cause offence. It is expected that students on the English for International Communication course will be punctual, behave in a manner which propagates a positive learning atmosphere and be aware of and comply with the rules for classrooms.

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

The encouragement and maintenance of the behavioural standards mentioned above are embedded in the teaching and atmosphere of the work done in the department as a whole.