Which pre-sessional programme is right for me?

You can meet the English language entry requirements of your degree course with one of our pre-sessional English programmes. 

We offer three pre-sessional English programmes in English for Academic Purpose:

  • Term Time Pre-sessional English
  • Summer Pre-sessional
  • Extended Masters (EMA)

Each is designed specifically to meet the study needs of international students. Whether students need up to one year of study or an intensive period of study in the summer, we have a programme for everyone.

Class organisation

Students study in groups of up to 16.

We use blended learning techniques, combining taught classes with collaborative workshops, online self-study and one-to-one tutorials. This is supported by our virtual learning environment, My Studies, together with a range of facilities and resources to support your studies and develop independent learning, including our excellent Open Learning Centre.

All our pre-sessional programmes offer 18 hours of tuition per week with allocated time for guided self-study and peer work.

On campus, lessons normally take place between 9:30 and 13:00, Monday to Friday, with additional afternoon lessons between 14:00 and 15:30 two days a week. In the event of remote delivery due to COVID-19, timetables are organised around student time zones. Course content remains the same and face-to-face teaching is delivered online as far as possible using Microsoft Teams.

English language equivalencies

Students around a table

Term-time Pre-sessional English

Improve your English for future academic study and receive help with IELTS preparation and university application.

Students on beach

Summer Pre-sessional

If you have an offer to study a degree course at the university, you can successfully meet the language conditions by completing a summer pre-sessional programme.

Three graduates in gowns and hats

Extended Masters

Combine your masters degree with an English language programme to build strong academic skills. You can obtain a single UK visa to cover both parts.

A group of students sitting on the grass in the sunshine

English language entry requirements

Find out what you need to meet the English language entry requirements of our English language programmes.

Which programme to choose

A) Term Time Pre-sessional English

If you need to study for up to one academic year before starting your degree course

Have you taken an English language test?

  1. You have IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) with no component under 5.0: 10 week (stage 3) English for Academic Study
  2. You have IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent) with no component under 5.0: 20 week (stage 2) English for Academic Study
  3. You have IELTS 4.0 (or equivalent) in all components: 30 week (stage 1) English for Academic Study

B) Summer Pre-sessional and Extended Masters

If you would like an intensive period of study in the summer before starting your degree course

Have you met the language offer conditions for the degree?

  • Yes: four-week Summer Pre-sessional advised but not required
  • No: see options below
  1. You have IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no component under 5.5: 8-week Summer Pre-sessional or 8-week Extended Masters required
  2. You have IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) with no component under 5.5: 12-week Summer Pre-sessional or 12-week Extended Masters required
  3. You have IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) with no component under 5.0: 12-week Summer Pre-sessional required