at South Birmingham College

English courses

We’ll give you a solid platform

from which to launch onto bigger and

more exciting things.

With excellent personal tutor support, our students report an

outstanding level of satisfaction with their courses

“I find the course I am on is suitable for me and my tutor makes it easy to achieve my goals by helping with any queries and

giving me direction when it is needed.”

MONtH – 2011 M t W t F

September 12 13 14 15 16

September 19 20 21 22 23

Sept/Oct 26 27 28 29 30

October 3 4 5 6 7

October 10 11 12 13 14

October 17 18 19 20 21

October Half Term 24 25 26 27 28

Oct/Nov 31 1 2 3 4

November 7 8 9 10 11

November 14 15 16 17 18

November 21 22 23 24 25

Nov/Dec 28 29 30 1 2

December 5 6 7 8 9

December 12 13 14 15 16

December Christmas Break 19 20 21 22 23

December Christmas Break 26 27 28 29 30

MONtH – 2012 M t W t F

January Term Starts 5 Jan 2 3 4 5 6

January 9 10 11 12 13

January 16 17 18 19 20

January 23 24 25 26 27

Jan/Feb 30 31 1 2 3

February 6 7 8 9 10

February Half Term 13 14 15 16 17

February 20 21 22 23 24

Febr/Mar 27 28 29 1 2

March 5 6 7 8 9

March 12 13 14 15 16

March 19 20 21 22 23

Mar/Apr 26 27 28 29 30

April Easter Break 2 3 4 5 6

April Easter Break 9 10 11 12 13

April 16 17 18 19 20

MONtH – 2012 M t W t F

April 23 24 25 26 27

Apr/May 30 1 2 3 4

May 7 8 9 10 11

May 14 15 16 17 18

May 21 22 23 24 25

May/June 28 29 30 31 1

June Half Term 4 5 6 7 8

June 11 12 13 14 15

June 18 19 20 21 22

Jun/Jul 25 26 27 28 29

July Summer Term Ends 2 3 4 5 6

KEY No classes

Course enrichmentInternational students will be able to join in a range of activities organised by the College, such as football and cricket and excursions. In addition, educational trips will take place termly. Some of these will be free. Trips which require a contribution from the student will be optional.

CoursesBefore enrolling on one of our courses, all students are given an initial assessment to determine their English level in the following four skills:

u Speakingu Listeningu Readingu Writing

Based on the results of the initial assessment, you will be enrolled on the appropriate course and given an induction to the campus and the programme. Students are also asked to complete a diagnostic assessment to determine what aspects of language they need to work on.

The College offers a range of English courses that are taught by qualified and experienced teachers, and can help prepare you for further study at the College or at university.

All of our international student English courses are run at either our Digbeth Campus or the Women’s Academy, which is a female only campus. Class sizes do vary but will never be more than 25 students in any class.

Students will have regular tutorial sessions where you can discuss how you are doing with your tutor. Students also have access to a range of other services including:

u General advice from student servicesu Specialist advice from the international teamu Careers and advice on finding a job or applying to universityu Taking part in the International Student Societyu Use of the gym, table tennis and other activitiesu Access to Learning Hubs for books, magazines and computers

South Birmingham College is one of the UK’s leading Colleges and is one of only two Colleges in the West Midlands that have Beacon College Status. Every year we deliver the best results of all the Colleges in the Birmingham area.

term timesthe College operates on a traditional academic year that runs from September to July. the calendar below shows the dates the College is open and the days that lessons are taking place. Each student will be issued with a timetable that indicates when you should be in class.

*prices may change – check with our International Office for latest information.

English Language programmes Beginner Level to Advanced Level

Course length: 1 year

Fees: There are different levels of classes depending on your ability. You will be assessed to find the most appropriate for you. You will have to pay the course fee for the level you are assessed at.Fees per year: £3,900* (15 hours) £4,200* (18 hours) £4,600* (21 hours)

Entry requirements: You must be a minimum of 18 years old. You will need to supply evidence of a Secure English Language Test SELTS when you apply. This must be at a minimum of B1, which is equivalent to IELTS 4.0. A full list of SELTs and approved test providers can be found on the UK Border Agency website.

Course Information: In a class of no more than 25 students, you will work on all four language skills which are Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening. Using different techniques and methods, you will learn to listen and read more accurately and be able to speak in a variety of situations. To improve your writing skills, you will work on handwriting, sentence and text formation, using grammar accurately and broadening your vocabulary range in practical writing tasks. You will study a number of topics, such as:

u Describing personal interestsu Meeting people and social relationshipsu Education, study and employmentu Shopping and consumerismu Travel and tourism

In addition, you will have the opportunity to develop:

u Research skillsu ICT skillsu Study skills and being an independent learner

What can I do after this course: On successful completion of this course you can progress onto higher level English Language programmes such as our IELTS Preparation course. Alternatively, you may be eligible for entrance onto a vocational or academic course.

Assessment: You will be assessed at your appropriate level by City & Guilds ESOL Examinations and can gain certificates in Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing or a full ESOL award.

The assessments take place at three points during the year to allow students to gain the full qualification.

Course timetables: The programme will start on 12th September 2011. Timetables will depend on the number of hours of weekly attendance required. Classes will be held weekday mornings and/or afternoons.

IELtS (International English Language Testing Systems) preparation

Course length: 1 year

Fees: There are different levels of classes depending on your ability. You will be assessed to find the most appropriate for you. You will have to pay the course fee for the level you are assessed at.Fees per year: £4,100* (15 hours) £4,300* (18 hours) £4,700* (21 hours)IELTS Exam Fee: A fee of £130* is payable to Aston University which is the IELTS test centre in Birmingham.

Entry requirements: You must be a minimum of 18 years old. You will need to supply evidence of a Secure English Language Test SELTS when you apply. This must be at a minimum of B1, which is equivalent to IELTS 4.0. A full list of SELTS and approved test providers can be found on the UK Border Agency website.

Course Information: We run a preparation course for students wishing to take the Cambridge International English Language Testing System (IELTS) which is essential for university entry in the UK for non-native speakers of English.

This course combines General and Academic English to prepare students for entrance to study Bachelor and Masters Degree courses at university or Level 3 and 4 courses (BTEC, HND) at South Birmingham College.

The course helps develop all language skills in a variety of topics which are relevant to the IELTS exam as well as focussing on exam technique and practice. In addition, you will develop your academic writing skills to assist with your university course.

In addition to the opportunity to take the IELTS exam, you may also complete City & Guilds International or Skills for Life ESOL assessments.

What can I do after this course: On successful completion of this course you could progress onto Higher Education courses where a good level of English is a requirement. To apply for courses at University level you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 (subject to course requirements).

Course timetable: Classes are held during week days. The course begins in September and there is another intake in February. The programme will start on 14th September 2011 or 20 February 2012. Timetables will depend on the number of hours of weekly attendance required. Classes will be held weekday mornings and/or afternoons.

English Summer School

Course length: 2-6 weeks

Fees: The fee will vary depending on the length of the course but will typically be around £500* per week of study.

Course Information: This course is designed for students who are on a short stay in the UK and wish to incorporate English Language study with a programme of extra-curricular activities, such as visits to local and national places of interest. The course offers consolidation in all language skills at all levels with focus on grammatical accuracy and broadening vocabulary range. Planned excursions help students develop their language to increase confidence in communicating in English inside and outside the classroom.

Facilities offered include:

u Accommodation (Bed and Breakfast for 20 days)u Use of Gymu Lunch: Monday to Fridayu Access to broadband during daytime – 9.00am to 6.00pm

Please contact our International Team for further details.

How to apply

Before applying – For further information or assistance, please contact the International Office. We will consider your qualifications and suggest the course most suitable for you.

Application procedure – If you are applying from outside the UK, please note that we need to receive your application as early as possible before the course start date. This is to allow time for visa applications to be processed.

StEp 1 Return the application form to the International Office with photocopies of any certificates of your qualifications. You will receive a decision on acceptance onto the course within three working days. If we are unable to offer you a place on that course we will contact you suggesting alternative courses that you may wish to apply for.

StEp 2 You will be sent an offer letter and acceptance form and an accommodation request form. The acceptance letter will usually ask for a deposit of £1000 (sterling). Details of how to pay the deposit and how to apply for a student visa will also be enclosed.

StEp 3 You will also be asked to provide copies of your bank statements to satisfy the financial requirements of the UK Border Agency in terms of tuition fees and maintenance costs in respect of your first year of study.

StEp 4 Complete and return the acceptance form and arrange to make the full course payment to the International Office.

StEp 5 Upon payment of your course fee you will receive your Confirmation of Acceptance of Study (CAS). This Confirmation of Acceptance of Study confirms that you have been accepted onto a course. You will need this to apply for a student visa.

Applying for a student visa – To obtain a visa, you will need to show the following:

u That you have been accepted for a course of study at a school, college or university that is registered on the UKBA website as a licensed sponsor.

u That the course is a minimum of 15 hours per week of organised daytime study at a single institution.

u That you can meet the cost of your tuition fees and living expenses. You must show that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and maintenance costs in full for your first year of study before your arrival in the UK, without working in the UK or claiming public funds.

u That you intend to leave the UK at the end of your studies.

For information on how to apply for a student visa please visit:

u www.ukvisas-stage.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/vafs/ u www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/

0121 694 5000 international@sbc.ac.uk www.sbc.ac.uk

South Birmingham College High Street Deritend, Digbeth, Birmingham B5 5SU

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*Prices may change – check with our International Office for latest information.