Students at a university in the UK

Learning activities to prepare you for study in the UK

If you are an international student planning to come and study in further or higher education in the UK, you can use these learning activities to prepare yourself for academic life and improve your English language skills. Use the learning resources in any order you like by clicking on a title or go to the 'study pathways' page if you would like to search by skill or topic. You can watch the demo to see how to use an activity.

Prepare for Success is an interactive pre-arrival learning tool for international students who are getting ready to come to the UK to study. These learning resources about different aspects of academic life in the UK help you find out what British academic life is like and what kind of academic skills you will need for effective study. As well as preparing you for what to expect during your studies, the activities provide scope for language improvement*. There is also an interactive FAQs page where you can find simple answers to questions about study in the UK.

* Prepare for Success is intended primarily for international students whose first language is not English. It is aimed at students with an IELTS level between 5.0 and 7.5 or equivalent.

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About Prepare for Success

Find out how you can use Prepare for Success.
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Differences in university study

Listen to international students talking about differences in study they experienced when they came to the UK. Find out what differences there might be for you.
3

The language challenge

How prepared are you for the language challenge ahead? Watch a video to learn how other international students faced the challenge when they arrived and find out how you can prepare yourself.
4

Ways of being taught on your course

Explore four common ways of being taught on university courses in the UK. Find out what to expect in a lecture, a seminar, a tutorial and a workshop.
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Preparing for online study

Do a quiz to discover how much of your time will be spent online during your studies. Listen to a university tutor talking about the technologies that students use on the course that she teaches.
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Adapting to a new life

Watch a video in which students talk about the cultural challenges for students coming to the UK. Then assess yourself to find out how ready you are for them.
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Studying independently

Consider different advice about how to study independently and then assess your own study habits.
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Academic writing at university

Do a quiz to find out how prepared you are for the academic writing you will need to do at a British university.
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Critical thinking

Explore what critical thinking involves and identify any skills that you might need to develop.
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Understanding course assignments

Compare course assignments in the UK with those in your home country and practise interpreting essay titles set by British university tutors.
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Using what you read in your academic writing

Learn about the correct ways to reference what you read in your own writing. Find out how to avoid plagiarism.
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Your relationship with your tutors

Listen to a British student talking about his relationship with his tutors. Do a quiz to find out what to expect of university tutors in the UK.
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Using study time effectively

Discover what the best study routine for you might be. Practise organising a day's timetable for an international student on a university course in the UK.
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Managing your course work

Consider how you would manage the production of a 2000-word assignment.
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Taking part in seminars

Listen to a British university tutor talking about what seminars are like and explaining what is expected of students.
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Listening to lectures

Find out how lectures in the UK might be different from those you have attended before and listen for clues in a lecture that can help your understanding.
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Reading for your course

Find out how you can manage your course reading list and learn to read more efficiently.
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Skills for presenting in seminars

Think about the skills you will need if you are asked to give a presentation on your course. Watch a video of a student presenting to identify some useful techniques.
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Working with others

Discover what group work involves and the kind of skills that students need to work together effectively.
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Preparing for course work and exams

Listen to an interview with a student comparing exams in the UK with exams in her home country. Identify ways to deal with some common course work problems.
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Settling down to study

Listen to student advice on how to settle down to study in the UK. Find out about an exciting competition for international students.
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Reaching the end and taking the next step

Do a fun quiz to find out how much you remember. Send some feedback to us on what you think of Prepare for Success.