How is the Certificate in Academic English different from the Certificate in English Language Studies?

English Language Studies is broader — covering reading, listening, oral presentation and grammar alongside academic English. Academic English is focused specifically on UK academic conventions, essay structure and citation. The two can be taken back to back.

Will the Certificate in Academic English help with IELTS Writing?

Yes — indirectly. The academic-writing discipline the course teaches transfers strongly to IELTS Academic Writing, particularly Task 2. The course doesn't follow the IELTS format specifically, but most students see clear IELTS improvement.

Which citation systems does the Certificate in Academic English teach?

Harvard, MLA and Chicago at working level. Other systems (Vancouver, OSCOLA) are mentioned briefly. You will be able to apply Harvard and MLA confidently by the end of the course.

Can I take the Certificate in Academic English fully online?

Yes. Live tutored writing workshops, recorded foundational lectures and detailed written-work feedback all adapt naturally to remote delivery.

Is the Certificate in Academic English accepted as English-language proof for UK universities?

For LSJHML's own programmes, yes. Other UK universities vary — some accept it; others require IELTS or a Cambridge English Qualification. Admissions can advise on specific institutions.

Certificate in Academic English in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Certificate in Academic English at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a short, focused UK qualification in the English-language conventions UK higher education actually examines on. Across three to six months you will learn UK essay structure, develop academic reading discipline, master citation conventions (Harvard, MLA, Chicago) and write to the standard a UK undergraduate is expected to deliver.

This Certificate is for non-native English speakers (and UK adults returning to academic study) who need a structured grip on academic register specifically, rather than general English. The course assumes solid B1/B2 English and concentrates on what makes academic English different.

Key Features

UK essay structure module — introduction, thesis, evidence, conclusion, paragraph discipline.
Academic reading workshop — strategies for difficult texts, note-taking, summary.
Citation systems — Harvard, MLA, Chicago at working level.
Academic vocabulary expansion — Academic Word List and discipline-specific terminology.
Three short essays with structured tutor feedback.
Three study modes — on-campus, fully online, or distance learning.

What You Will Learn

The Certificate in Academic English is built around the academic-English conventions UK higher education tests for explicitly.

UK essay structure — introduction, thesis statement, body paragraphs, conclusion.
Paragraph discipline — topic sentence, evidence integration, analytical move.
Academic reading — long-text strategies, evaluation, note-taking.
Citation systems — Harvard, MLA, Chicago at working level.
Avoiding plagiarism — paraphrasing, summary, attribution.
Academic register — formality, hedging, signposting.
Critical engagement — evaluating sources, weighing evidence.
Common error patterns and how to self-correct.

Who This Course Is For

International students preparing for UK higher education.
UK adults returning to academic study after time away.
Working professionals moving toward postgraduate study.
Career-changers needing academic-register writing for the first time.

Career Pathways

The Certificate in Academic English supports progression into further study and into English-medium professional roles. Typical applications include:

Progression into a UK Diploma or BA at LSJHML or partner institutions.
Strengthened applications to UK higher education generally.
Research Assistant Roles (with academic-writing strength).
Public Policy and Civil Service Generalist Roles.
Editorial Assistant (academic press, research institution).
Continued Study (Diploma in English Language, BA Academic Writing and Communication).

The Certificate articulates into the Diploma in English Language at LSJHML for students continuing.

Entry Requirements

Minimum age 16.
Secondary school qualification (GCSE/O-Level or international equivalent).
CEFR B1 or above in English (placement test offered).
No prior academic-writing training required.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.