The British Council has launched its Study UK: Prepare to Study and Live in the UK massive open online course (MOOC), which helps international students prepare to study at a university in the UK. Nearly 8,000 learners from 174 countries participated in the first run in September 2018.
The course, is designed to familiarise students with the ways of teaching and learning in the UK, as well as student life. It is entirely free, and registration is now open.
The MOOC will run for four weeks starting on Monday 7 January, with 12 hours of content available. The course includes video lessons from experts in the higher education sector, a Facebook Live session on 10 January, and mentor support throughout.
The course will cover:
Characteristics of higher education in the UK, from active engagement, critical thinking, and evidence-based argumentation, to independent study and academic integrity;
Teaching formats in the UK, from lectures, seminars and tutorials, to student presentations and group assignments, and the roles and functions of each;
Course assessment in the UK, such as written and oral exams, and coursework;
Support services, from library facilities and English language support, to counselling and financial advice;
Practical guidance on UK student life, from finding accommodation and making friends, to packing and what to do on arrival.
Fiona Samson, GREAT Britain Campaign Director at the British Council, said: “We’ve taken our knowledge and experience of working with international students for many years and applied this to a course that aims to make students feel at ease, more confident and well-prepared for study in the UK,” she said.
“This is for all international students who are about to embark on a life-changing experience and will allow them to join an online community of peers in the same position. With more than 273,000 new international students coming to the UK to study every year, we recognise that preparing for success is beneficial not only for the students themselves, but also for UK higher education institutions and the reputation of the UK as a study destination.”
The University of Reading worked with the British Council to create the MOOC.
Vincenzo Raimo, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement) at the University of Reading, said: “I'm proud that the University of Reading has played a key role in developing this MOOC, which will support international students studying in the UK, particularly those coming to the UK for the first time. It's an important tool that shows the UK as a welcoming destination for international students and takes them through some of the challenges they might face.”
The course is co-funded by the British Council and the GREAT Britain campaign as part of their joint Study UK drive. It can be accessed at www.futurelearn.com/courses/prepare-to-study-uk