10 short online lessons
Clear, practical video lessons that you can watch in your own time.
Four-week online preparation programme
Start Strong at a UK university
Arrive prepared. Know what to expect. Start with confidence.
Learn how to follow lectures, participate in seminars, approach academic assignments and understand what British universities expect from you — before your first semester begins.
Short practical lessons, live small-group coaching and personalised feedback from an experienced British university lecturer.
Applying does not commit you to joining the programme.
Founding cohort · September 2026
€59512 places onlyFuture standard price: €749
The transition
Getting into university is only the beginning
You may have achieved the English level required for university entry. But are you prepared to actually study through English at a British university?
For many international students, the difficult part is not grammar or vocabulary. It is adjusting to a completely different academic environment.
You may suddenly be expected to follow fast-moving lectures, contribute to seminar discussions, work independently, communicate confidently with lecturers and understand unfamiliar academic conventions.
These are skills that IELTS and general English courses do not necessarily prepare you for.
Start Strong at a UK university is designed to bridge that gap.
Practical readiness
What will you be better prepared to do?
01
Understand university lectures and identify the information that really matters
02
Take more useful and efficient notes
03
Participate confidently in seminars and group discussions
04
Ask questions and communicate appropriately with lecturers
05
Understand what UK universities expect from independent students
06
Approach academic assignments more effectively
07
Understand academic integrity, plagiarism and responsible use of AI
08
Adjust more confidently to a different academic culture
This is not a general English course. It is practical preparation for studying successfully through English at a UK university.
Flexible, guided, personal
How the programme works
Start Strong combines flexible independent study with live contact, practice and individual feedback.
4 live small-group workshops
One 75-minute interactive session each week to practise, ask questions and work with other students.
University readiness workbook
Practical exercises, strategies and checklists to keep using when your degree begins.
Initial diagnostic assessment
Identify where you feel confident and where more preparation would help.
Personalised feedback
Receive individual feedback on a practical academic task.
Certificate of completion
Confirmation that you completed the four-week programme.
The syllabus roadmap
Four weeks. One confident beginning.
Designed for your transition
Who is Start Strong for?
The programme is designed for international students who are about to begin an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at a UK university and will be studying primarily in English.
It is particularly useful if you:
- 01already have the English level required for university but want to feel better prepared;
- 02have never studied within the British university system;
- 03are worried about understanding lectures or speaking in seminars;
- 04are unsure what lecturers will expect from you;
- 05simply want to arrive knowing how UK university study actually works;
You do not need perfect English.
You need sufficient English to study at university — and a willingness to participate.
Bertie Vitry · University lecturer
The Provost's Office
Your tutor
Bertie Vitry
I am a British university lecturer and Cambridge English Examiner with more than 20 years' experience in higher education.
During my career I have worked with university students, lecturers and professionals in English-language teaching, academic communication, translation and editing.
One thing I have repeatedly seen is that students can arrive at university with very good English and still find the transition to studying through English unexpectedly difficult.
Passing an English examination and functioning confidently in a university lecture, seminar or academic discussion are not the same thing.
My aim is simple: to help you arrive knowing what will be expected, and feeling better prepared to meet those expectations.
Bertie Vitry
From past participants
Students Bertie has helped into university
I got in touch with Bertie when selecting a Masters course abroad. We worked on the application, my approach and letter of application. In the end, I got a place on my first-choice course!
Tommaso
Monte Carlo
I contacted Bertie when applying to UK universities. With his valuable advice and consultancy, I managed to secure a place on my chosen course.
Jacopo
London
Bertie helped me in making an application to an international Masters course. The focus was on interview preparation and the written application. With his help, I managed to get onto my dream course! Recommended!
Federica
Berlin
Bertie is a great example of professionalism. He supported me during my preparation for the IELTS exam. Thanks to his experience and advice, I managed to pass the exam with flying colours and gained a place at Bocconi University in Milan. Highly recommended.
Roberto
Milan
September 2026
Join the founding cohort
Keeping the group small means everyone has the opportunity to participate, practise and receive individual attention.
10 short online lessons
4 live small-group workshops
University readiness workbook
Initial diagnostic assessment
Personalised feedback
Certificate of completion
Founding cohort price
€595
Future standard price: €749
Maximum 12 students12
Applying does not commit you to joining the programme.
Admissions notes
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Start Strong is intended for students who already meet, or are close to meeting, university English requirements. It focuses on functioning effectively in an English-speaking university environment.
University will be demanding.
You don't have to arrive unprepared.
Spend four weeks understanding how British university study actually works before your degree begins.
September 2026 · €595 · Maximum 12 studentsFuture standard price: €749
Applying does not commit you to joining the programme.
