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English Language, British Culture and Intercultural Skills

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Improve your English, develop your intercultural skills and explore Yorkshire through our unique programme.

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10th in the UK

for our research, The Times Higher Education's REF ranking, 2021.

15th in the UK

in The Times Good University Guide 2024, with 14 subjects ranked in the top 10.

Joint 17th

in The Complete University Guide 2024, with 13 subjects ranked in the UK top 10.

19th in the UK

in The Guardian University Guide 2024, with 6 subjects ranked in the top 10.

For adults aged 18+, our programme is designed for participants to improve their English language, intercultural competency and soft skills through interactive lessons, workshops and project work. Participants are immersed in British Culture through a rich schedule of visits and trips in the historic city of York and beyond.

Dates and Course Details

Updated: Students may apply to Session Two only.

  • Session Two: 17 to 31 July 2024 - the deadline for applications is 17 May.

English Language, British Culture and Intercultural Skills 

English is a global language, and as such, it serves a variety of purposes for people around the world. For some, it’s purely functional, for others, it’s a gateway to other cultures. 

In this course you will develop your functional English language skills and deepen your knowledge of British culture through a variety of lessons and workshops with our experienced tutors alongside a series of visits and trips in York and Yorkshire to put your learning into context. Specific sessions on intercultural skills will help you to explore cultural differences and strengthen your competency and communication in this area. A taster of the University’s flagship York Strengths programme will assist you in enhancing your employability skills. You will have the opportunity to put the skills and knowledge you have learnt into practice through a group research project. 

Aims

The aim of this module is to develop your English language and intercultural communication skills. 

In particular it helps you: 

  • Strengthen your English language skills through a communicative and functional language based approach
  • Broaden your cultural horizons and enhance your intercultural competence
  • Develop and demonstrate in-demand and transferable professional skills for your future career or studies

Who can apply?

Our international programme is open to learners aged 18+ that meet our entry requirements. You must have had your 18th birthday before your programme starts.

The application deadline is 17 May. 

Applications are processed on a rolling basis. Early application is advised to secure availability for your chosen dates.

Programme details

Study and Skills

  • 21 hours of interactive English language and culture teaching and project work designed and delivered by experienced tutors from our Global Opportunities team. 
  • A taster of the University’s flagship York Strengths employability skills programme.
  • Dedicated sessions on intercultural understanding and communication

Culture and Free Time

Put your learning into context, expand your network and make new friends through our schedule of cultural visits and optional free-time activities:  

  • Two full-day excursions to places of historical, cultural and geographical interest around Yorkshire.
  • Sightseeing visits and tours in York 
  • Regular optional free-time activities led by University of York students

Download the 2024 Timetable

Assessment and Certificate

As part of the course you will be required to complete one piece of work: 
  • A group research and presentation assignment
You will receive a grade and feedback from your tutors. If you complete the assignment and hold a satisfactory attendance record you will be issued with a Certificate of Completion at the end of the programme. 

Programme fees

Our fees  
Tuition fee per session £1,750  

The tuition fee includes all tuition and course materials, transport and entry fees for timetabled trips and visits, a welcome dinner, optional free time activities*, Wi-Fi on campus and in York city centre and a certificate of completion. 

*some activities may have an additional cost. This will be communicated on arrival.

 
Accommodation fee per session (optional) £550
The accommodation fee includes accommodation for 14 nights in a single room on campus and daily breakfast.  

Accommodation and Catering

If you book accommodation with us, you will be staying in a single room with shared bathroom (usually one bathroom per 5 to 6 students) in one of our 11 colleges situated on our wonderful parkland campus. Your fellow students will be staying in the same accommodation block, but you will have the privacy of your own room. 

The accommodation fee includes daily breakfast, which is served in a dining outlet on campus. 

Each accommodation block has a shared kitchen and you will be provided with basic kitchen equipment on arrival. There is a small supermarket on campus as well as a variety of food outlets and cafes.

Discover your accommodation

Getting to the University of York

Students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from the University, including any necessary visas or immigration permissions. 

If you need to apply for a passport or renew/replace your passport, you should begin this process as soon as possible after you have been accepted onto the programme. 

We advise that you do not start to make travel arrangements until you have received your Acceptance Letter and the programme is confirmed. We also strongly advise that you invest in a comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers cancellations, personal possessions and healthcare. Please see our terms and conditions for more details.