What are the English language requirements?

If English is not your first language, you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6 or 6.5, depending on your course.  The English Language Equivalent Scores Table details scores for other English language examinations.

If you would benefit from additional language skills support, or if you wish to gain further English language qualifications, Cirencester College, which is adjacent to the RAC, offers a number of English language courses.

Pre-Sessional Course

Before starting your degree programme, you may like to attend a four-week Pre-Sessional course to help you adjust to your new environment. This course is focused on learning in a UK University and teaches ‘English for academic purposes’.  It will also prepare you for life in the UK through cultural orientation.

For precise dates, costs, and to apply for this course you can download the Pre-Sessional Application Form 2011, or for more information please contact admissions@rac.ac.uk.

How will I Study?

The College operates a three-term academic year with teaching spanning either all three-terms or the first two-terms (except the European and International MBA courses, where full-time teaching covers term-two only; January to March).  Where written examinations are sat, they are normally held at the end of these sessions.

Term Dates

The Modular System

All College courses are based on a modular system.  Each module requires a student input of at least 150 hours, and will result in the award of 15-credits on successful completion.  Each module comprises a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practicals, visits, private study time and assessments.  Most modules are assessed by a combination of coursework, completed during the module, and an end-of-module written examination. These examinations normally last for three-hours.

Students are required to complete a total of 120 credits of study for each full academic year. The staff-based input to each module will be timetabled, and students are expected to complete as much additional work as necessary in order to complete the required work.  You are expected to attend all timetabled activities for each module for which you are registered.

Study Approaches

Students are expected (and encouraged) to work as independent learners, developing their skills of investigation, critical analysis and synthesis.  In addition, experience of group-working environments feature within many activities, enhancing teamwork and leadership skills.

Reading widely around each subject area is essential to widen your knowledge base.  Staff will expect a degree of independent study, and will look for evidence of this in any coursework and examinations.  Academic staff are available for private consultation outside the normal timetabled modular activities should students wish to discuss specific problems with the material.

Writing Techniques

It is essential that you adopt UK conventions for academic writing and referencing. If you do not properly reference your work and acknowledge sources of information and ideas you may be guilty of a breach of the assessment regulations.  As a result, you may fail your course or a module.  If you have any questions about your academic writing or UK conventions, it is important that you ask your Tutor before submitting a piece of coursework or sitting an examination.

Further Information

You will have opportunities to enjoy many different experiences during your studies in the UK.  The British Council website offers excellent advice and support for international students.

Where will I live?

Accommodation is available to international students on campus.  Alternatively, many students rent rooms or houses in the local area. Typical prices for a furnished one-bedroom flat in Cirencester range from approximately £400-£600 per month. Food and electricity/gas costs will be on top. Cheaper accommodation is available further away from the College, and furnished and unfurnished houses may also be rented both in Cirencester and surrounding villages. If you are living in private accommodation, remember to arrange insurance cover for your possessions (known as ‘contents insurance’ or ‘students' possessions cover’.)

For further information please contact the Accommodation Officer;

Tel: 01285 652531 | Email: lorna.hook@rac.ac.uk