The 4-week Postgraduate Orientation Programme will introduce you to the academic culture at the University of Warwick, as well as within your discipline area, providing you with the opportunity to develop and refine the academic language and literacy skills you will need to be successful in studying at postgraduate level in English.
This course is for students who are going onto either taught postgraduate programmes or a research degree at the University of Warwick, and who have not previously studied in the UK. The Postgraduate Orientation Programme is designed to help students to become more confident to face the demands of postgraduate study at Warwick. The academics who have designed and will deliver this course have many years of experience in supporting students in developing these skills and preparing them for this level of study in the UK.
This course is not suitable to be used in place of an English language test to meet offer conditions – the course is only available to students who have already met the English language conditions of their main course offer. If you are looking for a Pre-sessional English course to meet your English conditions, please see our Pre-sessional English course options.
This 4-week full time programme provides an excellent orientation to study and life at Warwick.
During the course, you will become familiar with the academic culture, conventions and expectations of being a postgraduate student at the University. The course will enable you to study effectively in your chosen academic field, whilst building your confidence in studying at this level in English.
You will develop the academic skills and attributes expected at postgraduate level at the University of Warwick such as:
confidence in communicating and contributing effectively within your academic field
effective preparation for and participation in seminars
your presentation, team and independent working skills
your critical thinking and analytical skills
your ability to analyse and evaluate within your discipline
your understanding of and ability to apply the principles of academic integrity through referencing and citation, including the appropriate use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Throughout the course, you will also become more familiar with Warwick’s services, systems and processes, meaning that you feel more confident in navigating life at the University and can focus on your academic studies once your main postgraduate programme commences.
How will I be taught?
You will learn in small seminar groups and tutorials of up to 16 students and will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students and your teachers to develop your academic skills. You will complete a variety of academic tasks, which have all been designed to replicate the type of tasks you will be faced with during your postgraduate studies at Warwick, and you will receive verbal and written feedback from your teacher throughout.
During this full-time programme, you will receive 15 hours contact time per week and are expected to actively engage in:
Seminar activities and discussions with the class;
Collaboration on set tasks with a study group;
One-to-one or small group tutorials;
Independent study as directed.
How will I be assessed?
There is no formal assessment on this programme; however, all students willsubmit formative assessments during the course and receive feedback on their work. This offers you the opportunity to practice preparing for and completing assignments, understand how feedback works at the University, and how to use feedback to improve your academic practice.
Students will need to achieve 85% attendance in order to be awarded a certificate of attendance.
If you choose to take our Postgraduate Orientation Programme, then you will have a great balance of studying, socialising and practising your English, as well as careers and skills sessions. All of these provide opportunities for you to meet with your peers and and staff in an informal environment, and really settle in to life at Warwick.
You will be becoming familiar with campus-life and will be using your English language skills in real-life situations, building your confidence ahead of your main postgraduate course - many of these social and cultural activities are also included in the tuition fee making the programme great value for money.
Accommodation on-campus is available as an option for students joining our 4-week Postgraduate Orientation Programme.
If you are studying the 4-week course, we will communicate with you directly about arranging accommodation, as the booking process and campus accommodation option differs to the 10-week and 6-week courses.
Entry Requirements
You are eligible for the 4-week Postgraduate Orientation course if:
You have an offer to study a Postgraduate degree at the University of Warwick for entry in 2025/26
You have already met your English language condition
Applications for the 4-week Postgraduate Orientation course for 2025 will close on 14 July 2025
Your application for the 4-week Postgraduate Orientation course will be assessed once you have received a decision on your postgraduate degree application.
