Prepare for Success UK

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Preparing for Academic Life 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 materials to prepare yourself for academic life and improve your English language skills. Follow the items in the order that they are presented or choose a topic from the list. Click on the title to open the activities.

Students starting their university lifeAbout Prepare for Success
Find out how you can use Prepare for Success.

Students in classDifferences 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.

An international student communicating in EnglishThe 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.

A small group of students learning with a tutorWays 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.

A student using a computerPreparing 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.

Some international students in the UKAdapting 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.

A student studying independentlyStudying independently
Consider different advice about how to study independently and then assess your own study habits.

A student writingAcademic 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.

A student reflecting on a course taskCritical thinking
Explore what critical thinking involves and identify any skills that you might need to develop.

Two students looking at an assignmentUnderstanding course assignments
Compare course assignments in the UK with those in your home country and practise interpreting essay titles set by British university tutors.

A bibliographyUsing 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.

A tutor with a studentYour 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.

A student studyingUsing 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.

A student dealing with his course workManaging your course work
Consider how you would manage the production of a 2000-word assignment.

Students in a seminarTaking part in seminars
Listen to a British university tutor talking about what seminars are like and explaining what is expected of students.

Students listening to a lectureListening 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.

A student readingReading for your course
Find out how you can manage your course reading list and learn to read more efficiently.

A student presenting in a seminarSkills 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.

A group of students working togetherWorking with others
Discover what group work involves and the kind of skills that students need to work together effectively.

A student doing course workPreparing 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.

A group of international students talking with an advisorSettling 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.

Students at a graduation ceremonyReaching 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.

Developed by eLanguages in the Centre for Language Study at the University of Southampton for the UK Council for International Student Affairs.
This development was funded by the Prime Minister's Initiative for International Education. For enquiries, please contact elang1@soton.ac.uk.

© University of Southampton / UKCISA, 2008.