UNIVERSITY PREPARATION COURSES

Getting into a university abroad straight after school is a tall order: different education systems, the language barrier, an unfamiliar exam format and admissions essays. This is exactly where preparation courses come in. Over 6–12 months they help you strengthen your language and core subjects and get used to the academic culture of another country.

What else makes preparation programmes so useful? They give you a gentle start: you are already living on campus or with a family, learning to write academic papers, give presentations, use the library and meet tight deadlines. By the time you enrol on the main programme, you feel far more confident than any applicant arriving cold.

The main types of preparation course

• One-year preparation programmes (the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia) — for senior pupils after Year 10–11. They cover academic English and 3–4 core subjects (business, engineering, medicine, IT and others) and guarantee admission to partner universities.

• Academic transition programmes (the USA, Canada) — a hybrid of a preparation course and the first year of a Bachelor's. You study on the university campus and, on successful completion, move into the second year.

• Studienkolleg in Germany, Austria and Switzerland — for those applying to German-language universities. It ends with an exam equivalent to the local school-leaving certificate, and is compulsory if your own school certificate is not recognised as complete.

• Master's preparation — for those who want to go on to a Master's but lack the language or academic credits. It lasts 1–2 semesters.

At state-run Studienkolleg in Germany tuition is often free, but entry is competitive and German at B1–B2 level is required.

Accommodation during preparation courses

• Host family — your own room, or living with a family with meals included. Good language practice and genuine immersion in the culture. Popular in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the USA.
   
• Residence or hall of residence — a room on or near campus, with full board or self-catering. The most convenient option for focusing on your studies.

What a preparation programme fee usually covers

• Academic language tuition for your studies

• Core subjects in your chosen field (mathematics, economics, physics, biology and so on)

• Study materials and access to digital libraries

• Advice on choosing a university and help with your applications

• Preparation for language entrance exams (universities' internal tests)

• A certificate on completion (accepted by partner universities)