Do you want to study a teacher education course at the University of Bolton but need GCSE or Level 2 English to meet the entry requirements? Our specialist team can support you to achieve the equivalent of GCSE English at grade 4/C (or above) through just 12 weeks of online distance learning.

Key information

Award:

Cert(CPD)

Mode of Study:

Part-time Distance Learning

Duration:

12 weeks

Location:

University of Bolton

Start date:

05/10/2023, 08/02/2024, 06/06/2024

Course Details

The University of Bolton's GCSE English Equivalency programme is designed to help you achieve the necessary Level 2 English grade for admission to our initial teacher training and teacher education courses. If you don't hold GCSE English at grade 4/C or above or a suitable Level 2 equivalent, this short course can help you achieve the entry requirements. Even if you hold a Level 3 qualification in English, such as A-level English, you must still provide evidence of Level 2 English skills for these courses.

Our subject specialists offer personalised, stimulating teaching, supporting you to gain the knowledge and skills needed to achieve the equivalent of GCSE English at grade 4/C (or higher). Through a combination of live online teaching and learning, pre-recorded videos, and self-directed study, you can build your understanding of English at Level 2. Our up-to-date resources, tasks, and activities align fully with the national curriculum for English, ensuring parity with examination board GCSEs.

Upon successfully completing our GCSE English Equivalency course, you'll possess vital skills, knowledge, and understanding of language and literary concepts at Level 2. As well as supporting your progression to further and higher education, these will be useful in your professional life and enhance your functional literacy.

PLEASE NOTE: This GCSE English Equivalency certificate meets the GCSE/Level 2 English entry requirement for University of Bolton teacher education courses. It does not necessarily hold any currency with other institutions or employers. It is your responsibility to check that this equivalency course will be accepted for your target programme with us before registering.

Highlights

We realise that not everyone achieved their GCSEs when they studied at school or in further education. The University of Bolton's GCSE English Equivalency course offers you the chance to demonstrate your proficiency in this subject and supports you in meeting the entry requirements for our teacher education programmes.
Live online sessions with our specialist English tutors give you plenty of opportunities to ask questions. Our dedicated team will support and encourage you every step of the way.

Key Features

Our enthusiastic team will support you in reading and appreciating the depth and power of English literary heritage.
We'll help you learn to understand and critically evaluate texts and make informed personal responses.
We'll support you in developing the ability to write accurately, fluently, effectively and at length for pleasure and information.
A key focus of the course is to help you consolidate and build on your knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.
Our experts will coach you in speaking confidently, audibly and effectively.

This course is designed for people holding a conditional offer for one of the initial teacher education courses approved by the University of Bolton. Please contact the programme leader for details of how to apply.
As this is a refresher course, we expect that you have previously studied the topics typically covered by the national curriculum and GCSE English.
You must show commitment to 12 weeks of online delivery by our English specialist team to best prepare you for your examinations to demonstrate your English knowledge. Normally, you should be able to attend the University of Bolton campus in person for the assessment sessions.
As this is an online course, you'll need access to a computer with appropriate software and accessories, such as a webcam and microphone. You'll also need basic IT skills. In particular, you'll need to be able to access and use the University of Bolton's virtual learning environment, Moodle. Please contact the programme leader for details if you are uncertain that you'll be able to meet these requirements.

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

Successfully completing the University of Bolton's GCSE English Equivalency programme will demonstrate your proficiency in this subject and support you in meeting the entry requirements for our teacher education courses.

GCSEs are a fundamental stepping-stone for progression into a wide variety of careers and higher-level study. To maximise your future employability, we recommend you also achieve a full GCSE in English (at grade 4 or above) awarded by a UK examination board (or an international equivalent).

Course fees

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2022-2023 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

Bursaries

Click here for more information about the scholarships and bursaries available to University of Bolton students.

For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:

Please contact the programme leader for details of the application procedure. You can find their name, email address and phone number in the Programme Contacts section of this page.

Our GCSE English Equivalency course is an intensive distance learning programme. We expect you to attend live online seminars and engage with online support materials to consolidate your learning.

We'll assess your achievement of the learning outcomes through examination and presentation. You'll undertake two timed examinations of 1 hour and 30 minutes each to demonstrate your reading and writing skills. You'll also undertake a 10-minute presentation so we can assess your speaking and listening skills. Please note, these assessment sessions will normally be held on campus and you'll be expected to attend them in person.

Modules

GCSE English Equivalency (Online)

Assessment methods

Level	Assesment method
Level zero	Written exams 100%

Learning activities

Level	Learning activity
Level zero	Guided independent study 20%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 80%

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.