Oxford Advanced Pre-sessional Course for Graduate Students



Overview

The Oxford Advanced Pre-sessional Course is a challenging and intensive 9-week programme aimed at preparing students (both native and non-native speakers of English) for postgraduate studies. It combines courses in academic writing and research skills with courses in international relations, history and philosophy and aims to help you:

  • develop your academic writing and speaking skills
  • critically engage with complex written and spoken texts
  • identify and apply effective reading strategies to a variety of texts
  • deliver presentations with confidence and clarity
  • participate effectively in seminars

Programme details

This course aims to prepare you for the demands of graduate studies and comprises at least 15 hours of weekly classes and guided self-study. It is suitable for graduate students from any discipline.

You will take the following two modules:

Academic Literacy Module

From day one we will teach you how to make optimal use of your time and resources, develop effective self-management skills and structure your own learning.

Courses include:

  • Academic literacy in practice
  • Planning, researching and writing a Master’s dissertation
  • Advanced Pronunciation Practice
  • Academic and professional presentation skills
  • Weekly individual academic literacy tutorial

Additional optional classes for non-native speakers of English:

  • IELTs test practice, followed by an IELTS (Academic) test. 

Academic Module

This module comprises introductory courses in philosophy, international relations and history and assumes no previous subject knowledge and includes the following courses:

Open Lectures

You will be encouraged to attend the open lectures and seminars in areas of personal academic interest offered across the University. 

Timetable

You will have 10 classes each week. Please click here for a sample course timetable.

Certification

Students who successfully complete the course will be awarded a University of Oxford certificate of course completion.

You will also receive a transcript showing the grades achieved for your individual assignments.

Fees

Description Costs
Course fee includes all tuition and course materials £6675.00

Funding

We are, unfortunately, unable to offer any scholarships for the Advanced Pre-Sessional Course 2025 at present. 

Payment

The fees for this course are £6675.00. Your fees include:

  • All tuition
  • Academic and cultural orientation
  • All course books and study materials
  • Weekday morning teas/coffees
  • End of course field trip  

Assessment methods

  • Two essays of 2,000 words
  • Formative asssessment during the course

Application

You should email us:

  • Your completed application form
  • A copy of passport pages indicating citizenship
  • Copies of your University/College transcript(s)
  • Personal Statement of 500 words (max.)
  • IELTS (Academic) Test Results Certificate (if required, 6.5 score minimum)*, or Oxford Test of English (Advanced) Certificate
  • A recent CV
  • A passport-style photo

*You can request a language test waiver if you have studied a full-time, degree-level course within the last two years where the teaching and assessment was conducted entirely in English. Please email us if you have any questions.

In addition to the above, please provide the name, affiliation and email address of an academic or professional referee. Your application will not be considered unless you provide all the documentation requested above including contact details of your referee.

The deadline for applications is 10 March 2025 at 2.00pm (UK time). When we have received your completed application form and all related documentation, you will be contacted by the Course Administrator who will advise you if you are invited to the next stage of the selection process, an interview with the Course Director.

Please be aware that successful completion of the course would not automatically make you eligible for a full-time Master’s degree at Oxford. If you have any questions about the course content, structure or requirements then please contact us at ipfd@conted.ox.ac.uk

Alternatively you can read through some frequently asked questions here.

Selection criteria

There are no formal entry requirements for the course although, ideally, applicants should have at least an undergraduate degree. We welcome applications from native speakers of English, as well as from international students whose first language is not English. The course is open to graduates and non graduates.

Accommodation

As a Department, we are not in a position to offer accommodation for the duration of the course, and students should be aware that it is ultimately their own responsibility to secure accommodation.

However, we are happy to provide students with advice on finding suitable accommodation in Oxford.

 

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support