Video transcript: Studying a Postgraduate research pre-sessional at the University of Leeds
Transcript for the video embedded on the Postgraduate research pre-sessional English page.
(Upbeat music. Aerial shots of campus. Text on screen says: ‘Prepare for your research degree.’)
(Bee Bond sits in an office on campus, smiling. Text on screen says: ‘Bee Bond, Deputy Director, University of Leeds Language Centre.’)
Bee: Studying on a pre-sessional course at Leeds helps you to adapt to and experience academic study ahead of your degree programme. The main reason that students choose to take a pre-sessional course is because we support students to meet the academic language requirements that are needed to enter their degree programme.
(Students studying at laptops and talking in the classroom.)
Bee: Beyond that, we take you further so that you are not just meeting those language requirements in the way that you would if you were taking a language test, but that you also start to understand how to study within this particular university.
(Millie Walkova sits in a chair in the Language Zone. Text on screen says: ‘Millie Walkova, Programme Leader, Postgraduate research pre-sessional.’)
Millie: On this course, you will develop a variety of academic skills. Obviously, language skills, but in terms of academic language, so language that you need to use in higher education.
(Students studying and talking to tutors in the classroom.)
Millie: You will also learn about UK higher education system. For example, we can look at requirements for doctoral dissertations, what it means to be original in your research, and what are cultural expectations of doing a PhD here.
(Students studying together in the library.)
(Mindy sits on a chair in the Language Zone. Text on screen says: ‘Mindy, Pre-sessional student.’)
Mindy: The pre-sessional course has helped me a lot to build up my confidence in English and prepare me academically for UK university.
(Students talking to tutors in the classroom.)
Mindy: I've learned how to conduct primary research, which is really important and very useful.
(Student giving a presentation in the classroom.)
Mindy: I learned a lot of how to write up a cohesive report, and lastly, I learned a lot how to make a presentation for my research finding with people who study in the same field.
(Mick sits in an office on campus. Text on screen says: ‘Mick Parkin, Deputy Director, University of Leeds Language Centre.’)
Mick: During your time here, we'll help you become more familiar with the facilities available, such as online systems, libraries, which means when you actually start your degree programme, all of that preparation is out of the way.
(Students reading and writing in the library, and walking on campus.)
Mick: You're not new, you're not finding your feet. You can just concentrate on your study right from day one.
(Millie sits on a chair in the Language Zone.)
Millie: Joining the pre-sessional also enables you to get settled in the city of Leeds and meet other international PhD students from various disciplines.
(Students meet and talk outside Leeds University Union.)
(Misa sits on a chair in the Language Zone. Text on screen says: ‘Misa, Pre-sessional student.’)
Misa: I am really happy to come to Leeds. It's easier to settle in to the postgrad student life.
(Students talk in a café and meet outside the Art Gallery.)
Misa: There's a lot of time during the pre-sessional course, so I just hung out with my friends and just explored the city such as the art galleries, cinema, shopping centres, and the parks.
(Freshta sits in a chair in the Language Zone. Text on screen says: ‘Freshta, Pre-sessional student.’)
Freshta: I get used to life in the UK in Leeds.
(Students study in the library, and play a board game together in a café.)
Freshta: We can use the opportunity and time to open a bank account and settle in a really good way and also, I had the time to be familiar with University facilities, libraries, meeting new people at University union, and also building my network from students around the world.
(Aerial shots of campus. Text on screen says: ‘Find out more at leeds.ac.uk/language-centre.’)