As international student recruitment continues to evolve, universities are increasingly looking for reliable pathways that not only attract quality applicants but also support their academic success before arrival.
To address this need, Edvoy and New College Group (NCG) are launching a new pre-sessional language pathway in China, designed specifically for postgraduate students progressing to UK master's programmes.
Planned to begin in January 2027, subject to university partnerships, the initiative has been developed to provide institutions with a high-quality and consistent pipeline of postgraduate students from China while helping students build the language, academic and critical thinking skills required for success in UK higher education.
Unlike traditional pre-sessional models, the programme is designed as a partnership between universities, Edvoy and NCG, ensuring the learning outcomes align closely with institutional requirements and student expectations.
Why China, and why now?
China remains one of the most significant international recruitment markets for UK universities. At the end of 2025, Edvoy strengthened its commitment to the region by reopening its mainland China office, expanding its ability to engage directly with prospective students and education partners.
At the same time, NCG's network includes a major Chinese college with more than 1,000 graduates each year. Many of these students are actively seeking progression routes into UK postgraduate programmes, particularly in areas such as:
- Finance
- Management
- Business Analytics
- Artificial Intelligence
- Related business and technology disciplines
This presents a significant opportunity for universities looking to strengthen postgraduate recruitment pipelines from China.
Despite economic challenges within the Chinese market, demand for overseas education remains strong, particularly among students seeking international qualifications, enhanced employability outcomes and global career opportunities. Universities that establish clear and accessible progression routes are well positioned to benefit from this demand.
A university-approved model designed for student success
The programme will run over 24 weeks, comprising:
- 20 weeks of English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
- 4 weeks of subject-specific content developed in collaboration with university partners
While the core curriculum is written and delivered by NCG, the programme has been specifically designed to be flexible.
NCG will work alongside partner universities to align elements of the syllabus with individual institutional entry requirements and academic expectations. This means universities have the opportunity to approve and shape the programme, ensuring students are prepared not only to meet language requirements but also to succeed within their chosen discipline.
The pathway is currently focused exclusively on postgraduate students and will be delivered fully online through a flipped-learning model. Students will participate in both live and independent learning activities designed to mirror the expectations of postgraduate study in the UK.
Building more than language proficiency
The programme goes beyond traditional language preparation by focusing on the academic and professional skills students will need throughout their master's degree.
A key objective is preparing students to successfully complete postgraduate-level research and dissertation projects. Students will develop practical skills including:
- Academic writing and thesis development
- Critical thinking and analysis
- Research methods and source evaluation
- Academic presentations and seminar participation
- Lecture listening and note-taking
- Academic integrity and responsible use of AI
- Communication and collaboration in academic environments
Throughout the programme, students will participate in tutorials, seminars, presentations and assessments that replicate the types of learning activities commonly found in UK postgraduate programmes.
This emphasis on university-ready skills helps students move beyond rote learning and develop the confidence, independence and academic mindset required for success in higher education.
Delivered by New College Group
The pathway will be delivered by New College Group (NCG), Edvoy's sister company and a British Council-certified English language school.
NCG operates two campuses in the UK and delivers international summer school programmes, bringing extensive experience in English language education and academic preparation for international students.
Its expertise in curriculum design and delivery allows universities to offer a high-quality, scalable pre-sessional solution without the operational complexity of managing programmes independently.
Strategic advantages for universities
The partnership model has been designed to create value for universities while improving outcomes for students.
Key benefits include:
- Access to structured cohorts of qualified postgraduate students
- Lower recruitment risk through direct student connections in China
- Better-prepared students with stronger academic readiness
- A focus on critical thinking, communication and independent learning rather than rote memorisation
- A seamless pathway managed by Edvoy and NCG and approved by partner universities
- Increased alignment between pre-arrival preparation and university expectations
- Access to a growing market of students seeking overseas postgraduate opportunities
As competition for international students continues to increase, universities are looking beyond recruitment alone and focusing on preparedness, progression and student success.
By combining local market access in China with specialist academic preparation, the new Edvoy-NCG pathway aims to help institutions build stronger postgraduate pipelines while ensuring students arrive ready to thrive from day one.
For more information please contact Lucy Wigginton, Global Partnership Director.
