Pre-Sessional English Language Course
If you are an RNCM offer holder and your first language isn’t English, you are required to meet our language requirements as part of your offer conditions.
Our Pre-Sessional English Language Course is designed for students whose English is slightly below our English Language requirements, and who need additional time to develop their language skills before embarking on their studies with us.
The RNCM Pre-Sessional Course will help to:
- Introduce students to different aspects of studying in Britain
- Develop and build confidence in using English language skills through listening, speaking,
reading, and writing - Develop musicology skills
- Prepare students for independent learning at the RNCM
The course is divided into the following areas:
Introduction to Studying in Britain
These sessions will focus on referencing your work, writing a bibliography, and the importance of using your own words and ideas in an essay/presentation. You will discuss studying and living in a new country with tutors and peers
Grammar and vocabulary in context
You will revise your grammar skills and expand your vocabulary, whilst developing strategies for dealing with unfamiliar words. You will enhance your reading skills to help you become an efficient reader and you will practice structuring an essay, organising your argument, sequencing your ideas, and writing in an academic style. You will advance your listening and speaking skills through online discussions with your tutors.
Musicology
You will be introduced to an academic approach to music, looking at how you can begin researching and writing about musical works. You will study recordings and examine scores and editions to understand what they reveal about the development of a piece of music. You will build on your vocabulary skills to help describe musical processes and techniques.
Study project
You will use the skills you have learnt during your English and musicology classes to complete a study project, giving you practice in drafting an academic essay. Your developed speaking skills will be utilised in a short presentation of your work at the end of a course.
Assessments
There are two types of assessment on the course: continuous and final.
Continuous assessment
Takes place on a weekly basis. Tutors will discuss your progress with you during your course.
Final assessment
Will be based on the written work and presentation you give for your Study Project; alongside this you will also complete an English language test.
Please note:
- The 2025 Pre-sessional English Language Course lasts for eight weeks. The first two weeks will be delivered online (in June) and the remaining six weeks of the course will be delivered in-person at the RNCM.
- Progression on to your main programme of study at the RNCM is subject to your continuous and final assessments and successfully completing the course to the required level for your programme of study.
- Eligibility for the Pre-sessional English language course will depend on your chosen course of study. All applicants will be assessed by the RNCM admissions team and the English Language Support Tutor, Professor Jean Ammar.
Date and Fees
| Applications open | 17 January 2025 |
| Applications close | 31 March 2025 |
| Total course fee | £4,000* |
*Not inclusive of accommodation
2025 Course dates
Online induction and introductions
| Course Start Date | Wednesday 4 June 2025 |
| Course End Date | Friday 13 June 2025 |
In person teaching
| Course Start Date | Monday 14 July 2025 |
| Course End Date | Friday 22 August 2025 |
How to Apply
Applications for 2025 entry are now closed.
If you have applied, we will contact you via email regarding the decision of your application by 5pm (UK time) on Friday 11 April. Successful applicants will receive an offer letter to the Pre-sessional English Language Course with joining instructions and details of how you should pay for your course.
