English Language Teaching Unit
English for Medics International Summer Programme
The English for Medics International Summer Programme is ideal for medical students and health professionals who want to improve their English for use in a hospital or medical setting. The course has been running for over seventeen years and was initially devised with the support of a University of Leicester alumnus who is now a doctor in Japan.
Aims
The main aims of the course are to develop participants’ ability to communicate when using English for medical purposes and to provide them with opportunities to find out about the health system and medical practice in the UK. We focus on all four language skills – speaking, listening, reading and writing but the main emphasis will be on improving spoken English. An important aspect of the course is to learn to communicate in an appropriate way. When health professionals communicate with patients, they are expected to have a good ‘bedside manner’.
Why join the English for Medics International Summer Programme?
- Improve your English skills specifically for use in a medical environment
- Learn about health issues in the UK and meet British medical professionals in lectures and academic visits
- Develop general English language skills for everyday communication
- Maximum class size of 16 students
- Up to 21 hours of face-to-face taught classes per week on the University of Leicester campus. Classes generally take place between 9.30am-11.00am, 11.30am-1.00pm and 2.00pm-4.00pm
- Enhance your research and study skills
- Find out what it’s like to study at a British university
- Meet other international medical students
Course description
This intensive course primarily focuses on language used in medical contexts. Participants will be provided with opportunities to use new medical vocabulary and structures in different contexts such as with a patient or consulting with fellow health professionals.
The strands of the course are:
- Medical research project, culminating in the presentation of an academic poster at a research exhibition
- Patient consultation, culminating in an assessed consultation
- Guest lectures and seminars from healthcare professionals
- Classes exploring contemporary UK health issues
As an indication, some of the topics covered in the healthcare lectures and seminars have previously included:
- Genetics
- Perspectives from a general practitioner (GP)
- Perspectives from an emergency doctor
- Perspectives from a local medical student
- Palliative care
- Introduction to the National Health Service (history, structure, challenges, future)
- Midwifery
- Physiotherapy
- Molecular and cell biology (developments in diabetes research)
- International medical education approaches
Key facts
Dates for summer 2025
- Course dates: Monday 4 August - Friday 22 August 2025 (accommodation available from Saturday 2 August - Saturday 23 August 2025). Accommodation for additional nights may be booked at a cost of £30 per night
- Application deadline: Sunday 22 June 2025
- Acceptance and payment deadline: Sunday 29 June 2025
- Registration deadline: Sunday 6 July 2025
- Please note: to ensure courses are allocated in a timely and fair fashion, once an offer letter has been issued, we require you to accept or decline within 21 calendar days
Entry requirements
- Participants are expected to have a minimum English level of IELTS 4.5 or equivalent. We will accept a range of test results, including:
- CASEC
- CET4/CET6
- EIKEN
- GTEC
- OET
- TOEFL
- TOEIC
- Please upload your English test evidence in your online application
- We may be able to test your English
- Participants must be aged 18 or over
- Participants must be students or professionals in a medical or healthcare field
Please email us at summer@le.ac.uk if you have any questions.
Expectations on the course
- Show willingness to engage with tutors and students during class
- Attend all sessions on the timetable
- Be open and kind to students from all backgrounds
Accommodation
- Accommodation will be in self-catered accommodation within walking distance of the campus and the city centre
- Participants will be housed in a single study bedroom with ensuite bathroom and will share kitchen facilities. All bills and Wi-Fi access are included. Bedding and kitchen equipment are provided
Cost
- £2,300 per student
- £2,200 for students from a University of Leicester partner
Payment is required in full to accept a place on the course.
For 2025, there is one scholarship available for a student from a University of Leicester partner institution. Learn more about the International Summer Programme scholarship 2025.
What's included
- Medical and academic English classes
- Lectures on healthcare topics from specialists
- Two day trips to places of interest such as London and Oxford
- Three social events, including a welcome dinner and farewell party
- All study materials
- Self-catered student accommodation – single bedroom with ensuite bathroom and shared kitchen. Bedding and kitchen equipment provided
- Registration giving access to University of Leicester facilities, including the award-winning David Wilson library
- A statement of completion and written feedback
- Closing ceremony with prize giving
- Applicants should be aware that trips and socials will include unsupervised time not accompanied by members of staff
What's not included
- Airport transfers
- Meals and beverages, unless specified in the timetable
- Towel and toiletries
- Visa costs
- Medical and travel insurance
- Access to the university gyms. Short term membership can be purchased at a cost of £10 per week
Apply
Applications will open soon. Please contact the summer programme office for any enquiries at summer@leicester.ac.uk.
Cancellation/refund policy after acceptance of offer
- Up to 6 July 2025 - Full refund
- 7 July - 20 July 2025 - Half refund
- 21 July 2025 or after - No refund