England

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Accessibility statement
This online module is aimed at both UK-based and international students who are already studying or are planning to study at university. L185 focuses on the development of academic reading and writing skills but will also help you make progress in academic speaking and listening skills. It will be useful if you wish to improve your existing competence in academic English. If your goal is to raise your IELTS scores to enable you to gain entry into a university of your choice, its approximate entry and exit IELTS scores are between 5.0–5.5 and 6.5–7.0.
To succeed at university, you need to be able to read and think about a wide range of study material, make useful notes, and write assignments that answer the question. This module will help you to develop the skills and language to do this. You’ll explore how university study materials are organised and how academic language is used in them.
You’ll work with authentic materials from a range of Open University modules which cover areas of academic study such as science, the arts, humanities, social sciences, business, and health studies. You’ll look at the similarities and differences in language across these subjects, while developing the particular language and skills you need for your chosen areas of study.
The module is made up of 40% reading, 40% writing, 10% listening and 10% speaking. Your interactions with the study materials, your tutor and other students on the module will take place online. You'll complete interactive activities, contribute to forums and participate in online tutorials (learning events) in real time.
This is an OU level 1 module. OU level 1 modules provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, to help you progress to other modules.
There are no academic entrance requirements for this module but a certain level of English is recommended, though not compulsory.
The Skills for OU study website provides further information and support on improving your English skills.
Please note that:
If you have any doubts about the module's suitability or your level of English, please speak to an adviser.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
One of the TMAs will require you to use an audio recording tool to record your voice.
You'll also be provided with a printed resources book, and have access to a module website, which includes:
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying L185 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
English for academic purposes online (L185) starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2025 when it will start for the last time.
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