TRI DUC ENGLISH ✦ ACADEMIC EDGE UNIT 20 EDITION Academic courses Course descriptions · Terminology · Course structure — Understanding university programs Look at this extract from a UK university's web pages. American websites may use different terms. A. Course descriptions Diploma/MA in English Language and Culture Qualification: Diploma or MA. Duration: One year full-time or two years part-time. The MA course is a 180- credit course, consisting of 120 credits of core and elective modules plus a 60-credit dissertation module. Core modules are obligatory . Candidates not wishing to proceed to the MA may opt for the Diploma (120 credits without dissertation). Course description: The course covers all the major aspects of present-day English language and culture. Topics include grammar, vocabulary, language in society, literature in English (for a full list, see the list of modules). Elective modules only run if a minimum of ten students enrol . The modules consist of a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials . Assessment: A 3,000-word assignment must be submitted for each core module. Elective modules are assessed through essays, projects and portfolios . The word limit for the dissertation is 12,000 to 15,000 words. Candidates must achieve a pass grade in all four core modules... Candidates who achieve a grade average of 70% or more over all modules may be eligible for a distinction . * Di chuột vào các từ in đậm/màu cam để xem giải nghĩa học thuật. B. Other aspects of courses Dr Ward is holding a question-and-answer session for new MA students. Reza: Can we defer the dissertation if we can't stay here during the summer? Dr Ward: Yes, you can defer for a year, but don't forget, if you do go home, you won't be able to have fact-to-face supervisions .   Simon: Are the in-sessional language courses compulsory? Dr Ward: No. Most of you did the pre-sessional , which is the most important. But there are good in-sessional ...