Academic Literacies for Accelerated Nursing module (IC20025)
Develop the English language proficiency and academic skills you need to progress to a Nursing degree. This module takes you from IELTS 6.0 to the CEFR C1 standard required
Nursing courses require a higher level of English language proficiency than most other degrees. This module is designed to help you meet that standard.
You'll develop your academic English skills in a healthcare context, working on the reading, writing, listening, and speaking competencies that university study demands. The content is mapped to CEFR B2+ and C1 level descriptors, with a clear focus on reaching the IELTS 7.0 equivalent needed for Nursing.
A key theme is academic practice. You'll learn how to research effectively using library and digital resources, write extended academic texts with clarity and coherence, and engage in presentations, seminars, and debates. The module also develops your understanding of academic ethics and the conventions of university-level writing.
Teaching takes place in small groups of up to 18 students, with a mix of seminars and workshops. Your progress is monitored closely throughout the module, and individual tutoring is available.
What you will learn
In this module, you will:
- Raise your English proficiency to the CEFR C1/IELTS 7.0 level required for Nursing
- Research effectively by critically reading, evaluating, and synthesising academic sources
- Write extended academic texts with clarity, coherence, and proper source integration
- Develop listening, speaking, and presentational skills for seminars, debates, and academic presentations
- Think critically, analyse evidence, and evaluate arguments in an academic context
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 7.0 / CEFR C1
- Research effectively by critically reading, evaluating, and synthesising sources using library and digital resources
- Write extended texts appropriate to an academic context with few problems of coherence and cohesion, and show awareness of academic writing ethics
- Demonstrate the listening, speaking, and presentational skills required for presentations, seminars, and debates
- Conceptualise and think critically, analyse, synthesise, and evaluate
Assignments / assessments
Academic presentation (30%)
- 12-minute presentation on a nursing or healthcare case study or issue
Oral viva (20%)
- 10-minute oral examination responding to tutor questions on a draft literature review
Written work: reading and research (50%)
- 1,500-1,700 words integrating at least four academic sources from journals, textbooks, and professional guidelines
This module does not have a final exam.
Teaching methods / timetable
- Seminars with interactive language and academic skills activities
- Workshops focused on academic writing, presenting, and research skills
- One-to-one tutoring sessions with personal tutor
This module is delivered at the International College Dundee in small groups of up to 18 students. It runs in two cohorts each year, typically January to June and April to September.