Improve your academic English
ISE stands for In-Sessional English: Academic Language and Communication.
This programme is aimed at students who have English as an additional, second, or foreign language though it is open to all.
ISE provides 10 optional short modules which help you develop confidence in the use of written or spoken English for your studies and assessments here at the university.
ISE modules are free of charge, but you must register early if you want to get a place on your first choice of option. ISE modules last for 5 weeks except for one 10-week module which is for postgraduate students only.
See ISE Module Catalogue 2024-2025 below for more information on what we offer or email ise@port.ac.uk for queries.
How to register for an ISE Module
- For Campus students at the University of Portsmouth
An ISE Module may be taken up to four times in each academic year - see the Registration and Module Dates 2024-2025 below.
Please select up to three module options. We will try to match you to your first option, but this may not always be possible. See the ISE Module Catalogue 2024-2025 for a brief description of modules on the ISE programme.
Please also note that not every module will be available in every session (sessions are numbered TB1A, TB1B, TB2A, TB2B).
If you do not see your preferred module option in one session, it will be available in another. You can ask ise@port.ac.uk for more information.
- For Distance Learning Students at the University of Portsmouth and Campus Students on the London Campus
- Complete your registration
Registration and Module Dates 2024-2025
Notes:
- There are no classes during consolidation weeks or vacation weeks.
- The online module is only available to Students from the London Campus and Distance Students from the University of Portsmouth.
Teaching Block 1
| First session (TB1A) | Second session (TB1B) | |
|---|---|---|
| You must book your place between these dates | Monday 23 September - Tuesday 1 October | Monday 4 November - Tuesday 12 November |
| The 5-week ISE Modules take place between these dates | Monday 7 October - Friday 15 November |
Monday 18 November - Friday 20 December |
| For the 10-week ISE Module, you must book your place between these dates | Monday 23 September - Tuesday 1 October | |
| The 10-week ISE Module takes place between these dates | Monday 7 October - Friday 20 December | |
Teaching Block 2
| First session (TB2A) | Second session (TB2B) | |
|---|---|---|
| For the 5-week ISE Modules, you must book your place between these dates | Monday 20 January - Tuesday 28 January |
Monday 3 March - Tuesday 11 March |
The 5-week ISE Modules take place between these dates |
Monday 3 February - Friday 7 March | Monday 17 March - Friday 9 May |
| For the 10-week ISE Module, you must book your place between these dates | Monday 20 January - Tuesday 28 January | |
| The 10-week ISE Module takes place between these dates | Monday 3 February - Friday 9 May | |
ISE Module Catalogue 2024-2025
Notes:
STEM = Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics
| Module code | Module title | Module description | When the module can be taken in 2024-2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| M32098 | Communicating ideas visually and verbally | Using visuals to organise information and presenting visuals as part of an assessment | TB1B (2024); TB2B (2025) |
| M32099 | Developing An Academic Style: Phrase and Sentence Structure (Adv) | Identifying the phrase and sentence structures common in clear and effective academic writing | TB1B (2024); TB2A (2025) |
| M32101 | Developing an ear for English: Understanding pronunciation | Recognising the features of rapid and fluent Standard Southern British English pronunciation | TB1A (2024); TB2B (2025) |
| M32103 | Developing effective paragraphs for communicating your ideas clearly | Using paragraph and text organisation clearly and effectively |
TB1B (2024); |
| M32104 | Developing language for presentation, seminar and group work | Develop confidence in effective communication with an audience of peers and/or tutors | TB1B (2024); TB2A (2025); TB2B (2025) |
| M32105 | Developing Scientific Language for Presentation, Seminar and Group Work | Develop confidence in effective communication with an audience of peers and/or tutors (STEM focus) | TB1A (2024); TB2A (2025); |
| M32108 | From taking notes to writing assignments | Review strategies for effective reading, note-taking, and managing information | TB1A (2024); TB2A (2025) |
| M32109 | Improving your academic English for dissertation and final report writing | Overview of strategy and language for planning, organising, and writing an extended project or undergraduate dissertation | TB1A (2024); TB2A (2025); TB2B (2024) |
| M32110 | Language for scientific report writing | Overview of strategy and language for planning, organising, and writing an extended project (STEM focus) | TB1B (2024); TB2B (2025) |
| M32137 | Writing a postgraduate dissertation | Overview of strategy and language for planning, organising, and writing a postgraduate dissertation | TB1 (2024); TB2 (2025) |