Pre-sessional English courses
Subject and course type
- Undergraduate
- Short course
If you are an international or European Union student, and would like to improve your English language skills before you start your degree at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ, or any other university, this course is for you.
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Improve your English language skills
Find the right course for you.
We run a variety of pre-sessional English courses designed to help international students improve their language skills. On this page, we describe all the courses on offer. You can find out what course is right for you and how to apply.
There is also information on payments, refunds and cancellations. We provide contact details too, so you know who to contact if you have any questions.
The course is great! It helped me obtain the English scores I needed to study on a postgraduate degree at Kingston.
Why choose our pre-sessional English courses
Our pre-sessional English courses are designed for international students preparing to study in the UK for the first time. Students whose first language is not English will find our pre-sessional courses useful too.
Your pre-sessional results can also serve as an alternative to IELTS or other English test scores. This means you can meet the English language entry requirements of your chosen degree at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ by undertaking one of our pre-sessional courses.
Our pre-sessional English courses will:
- Develop your English language skills to make you a more confident English speaker
- Ensure you can participate more fully on your chosen university programme
- Build the study skills and independence you need as a learner at a British university
- Introduce you to the university systems so you know what to expect when you arrive
- Help you make friends with other students in class and on our Social Programme
The benefits of studying pre-sessional English online
Our pre-sessional English courses are all online. Courses that take place online are usually cheaper and more convenient than face-to-face lessons.
Post-course surveys show students studying pre-sessional English online with us are happy and successful:
- 97% of online students in 2023 were able to progress to their main ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ course
- 96% of online students in 2023 were satisfied with the course
What to expect from our online classes
Teaching is through online interactive classes and individual tutorials. You will use Canvas, our online learning management system.
Course sessions are held every weekday, between 8am and 2pm UK time with breaks. You will also undertake at least 30 hours of independent study per week outside class times.
We keep classes small with a maximum of 16 students where possible.
Application process
Before completing your online application, read the guidance below carefully. If you expect to have other commitments during the course, let us know before you apply. Other commitments could be work, university or family obligations. Once you’ve told us, we can advise you on your next steps.
The application form will state your pre-sessional course is part-time. This is for technical university systems reasons only. Each pre-sessional course is full-time and you will be considered a full-time student. This will not affect your CAS.
As part of your application, you must submit the following documents:
- A copy of your English language certificate (This must be from within the last two years. You may use IELTS Academic or other selected qualifications. To find out what other qualifications we accept, speak to the Course Administrators.)
- A copy of your passport
- Any sponsorship documents (if applicable)
Make sure you have these documents to hand. You must upload them before you submit your application.
You have the option to save your unfinished application and return to it later. You have 28 days from the date you save your application to complete and submit it. If you do not submit your application within this period, it will be deleted.
Make sure the application form is fully completed before submitting it. If your form is not complete, there will be a delay in processing your application.
Once you have submitted your application, we confirm you are eligible for the pre-sessional course via email. At this time, we will request a non-refundable deposit of £1,000. When you have paid this, we will start to process your application.
The deposit is treated as the first instalment of your course fees.
For advice on how to pay, visit the our payment details section.
Once we have confirmed your eligibility for the Pre-sessional course and you have sent proof of payment of your registration fee, we will process your application.
We will contact you via email, so double check your email address is correct.
You will pay for your Pre-sessional English course via online payments. We will contact you with further instructions after your application is processed.
If you have any questions about completing the application form, contact us: [email protected]
Apply for a pre-sessional English course
We offer four lengths of Pre-sessional English courses. Your International English Language Test score (IELTS) will determine which length you should apply for. The information below will help you decide what course to apply for. We also provide upcoming course dates, prices and apply links.
Students with an English score of 2 IELTS points below the target entry requirement overall, or in an individual element, for their main university degree should apply for the Extended Pre-sessional English language course.
Summer 2025
- Course: Extended Pre-sessional
- Date: 17 March – 1 August 2025 (latest start 9am, 19 March)
- Fee: £8,250
- Book your place: This course is now closed for applications for 2025.
Students with an English score of 1.5 IELTS points below the target entry requirement overall, or in an individual element, for their main university degree should apply for the Long Pre-sessional English language course.
Summer 2025
- Course: Long Pre-sessional
- Date: 14 April – 1 August (latest start 9am, 23 April)
- Fee: £6,900
- Book your place: (Application deadline: 8 April 2025 at 11am)
Please note: our application link is closed for a system update from 3–7 April. Please email [email protected] to register your interest during this time.
Students with an English score of 1 IELTS point below the target entry requirement overall, or in an individual element, for their main university degree should apply for the Medium Pre-sessional English language course.
Summer 2025
- Course: Medium Pre-sessional
- Date: 19 May – 1 August (latest start 9am, 21 May)
- Fee:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£5,450
- Book your place: (Application deadline: 9 May 2025 at 11am)
The Short Pre-sessional English course is for:
- Students with an English score of 0.5 IELTS point below the target entry requirement overall, or in an individual element, for their main university degree.
- Students with an Unconditional offer who have already met their main course English requirements and want to take the Pre-sessional course for practice.
Summer 2025
- Course: Short Pre-sessional
- Date: 23 June – 1 August (latest start 9am, 23 June)
- Fee:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£3,150
- Book your place: (Application deadline: 13 June 2025 at 11am)
What you will study on a pre-sessional English course
The content of our pre-sessional English courses varies depending on the length of the block. Our extended and long pre-sessional blocks focus on integrating skills and language. Whereas our medium and short blocks look in more depth at academic skills and language. Discover more about the course content below. You will also be able to find out what tutorials, projects and assessments to expect.
Our extended and long pre-sessional courses will form a foundation for your future studies. You will review and build upon your existing language skills in a student-centred environment.
Our medium and short pre-sessional classes will help you to develop your language for university study. The focus is on improving your ability to approach, understand and undertake academic work in English. You will take part in reading, writing and speaking and listening classes.
The classes will focus on context-specific grammar and vocabulary. You will learn about the conventions of academic writing, using sources and critical thinking. There is also an introduction to the skills needed for presentations, tutorials and seminars.
The courses take a flipped classroom approach. A flipped approach means you work on preparation tasks ahead of the lesson. When you come to class you should be ready to apply your learning to communicative and analytical tasks.
Weekly project submissions will give you the opportunity to apply your learning. Project tasks will be assessed, and you will receive regular feedback. You will practice reworking your written and spoken work based on this feedback. This process of positive learning will help you improve your performance.
Effective independent study is vital for success at British universities. Working well in groups is also a key skill. As a result, we support you to develop in these areas with structured independent and group study tasks.
You will have an individual tutorial with your tutor every week. This one-to-one support will allow you to discuss feedback on your work, your progress and areas to work on.
Project tasks include presentations, essays, and listening and reading assessments. These will be assessed by your tutors who provide you with detailed feedback on how to improve the quality of your work.
Our end-of-course assessments are accepted by UK Visas and Immigration for entry onto undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
If you achieve the grades you need on the Pre-sessional English course, you will not be required to take an IELTS test after completing the course. However, if you intend to study for a degree at another institution, you will need to check they accept our course results.
If you do not achieve the grades you need, there will be a chance to retake your exams. We will be able to give you advice about the possibilities open to you.
Attending and completing your pre-sessional course
Attendance on pre-sessional English courses
If you are studying on one of our online pre-sessional courses, you can complete the course in your home country. Visas are not required to enrol.
To complete the online course, you will need:
- a laptop or PC with at least 8GB of RAM
- a webcam
- a stable and reliable internet connection (internet speeds with a minimum bandwidth of 600kbps (up/down), with a recommended speed of 1.5 Mbps (up/down))
- a suitable quiet place to study alone
- a detachable webcam for assessments
If you choose to travel to or within the UK during your pre-sessional course, you should check the national government guidance before you start your journey.
If you wish to come to the UK and/or stay in ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ halls accommodation, contact the course administrator.
How to successfully complete your pre-sessional English course
With hard work and regular attendance all students can successfully complete their pre-sessional English course.
To successfully complete a pre-sessional English course, you must:
- Attend a minimum of 80% of all timetabled sessions from day one of your pre-sessional English course
- Complete a minimum of 80% of organised and independent study tasks
- Attain an average minimum score of 80% in the organised and independent study tasks where relevant and review and redo tasks to achieve this score
- Pass the end-of-course assessments at the level required for entry onto your main course
How we support students taking pre-sessional English
We provide a range of support services to students taking pre-sessional English. These services will be available before you arrive in the UK and while you are studying with us.
Pre-course information
Our course administrators will support you through the application process. They will let you know how to prepare for the first day of your course.
We will contact you regularly with updates via the email address you provide on your application form. Please make sure that you read their emails carefully.
Advice on immigration studying at Kingston
University advisors can assist you before (and during) your studies on a range of topics. You can get in touch with them about the following:
- Immigration and visas
- Accommodation
- Financial advice
- Tuition fee payment
- Cultural issues
Main course visa applications
University advisors will assist pre-sessional students who need to apply for a visa for their main courses at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ.
Study support
We are determined to help you successfully complete your course. The Course Director will update you on your progress every week. In this weekly tutorial you can discuss any problems you may have and receive valuable advice and guidance.
You will also be introduced to the University’s online systems, including our library services and extensive e-resources.
Further English language development
We offer free English classes to support international students throughout their studies at Kingston. These free classes will be available during your main course. The sessions are designed to develop your English language skills and include one-to-one tutorials.
At the end of your pre-sessional English course, you will receive information about the classes available. We will give you advice on which classes to join.
What our students say
I learnt Harvard-style referencing before the rest of my class on my main degree. This gave me an advantage when it came to essay writing.
The pre-sessional course allowed me to gain an early understanding of future studies, such as presentation skills and Harvard citations. It is an excellent course.
The pre-sessional course has enabled me to adapt well to the English teaching style. It has also boosted my confidence in English expression.
Cancellation and refund policy
If you want to withdraw from your pre-sessional English course, let us know as soon as possible. Contact us stating your reasons for withdrawing via email.
If you cancel your place before the start of the course you applied for, we will refund all monies paid (less the non-refundable deposit).
If you want to change your course after applying, you must inform us before the start of the course you applied for. For example, if you want to change to a shorter course.
Deposit refunds are at the discretion of the University. For example, we will consider refunding your deposit if you don’t receive your visa for reasons we deem beyond your control. You must be able to provide sufficient documentary evidence. Remember, late applications are made at your own risk.
If you cancel your course after it has started, the amount of money refunded will depend on the course you have signed up to.
- Cancellation during an extended course block – refund price of long course
- Cancellation during a long course block – refund price of medium course
- Cancellation during a medium course block – refund price of short course
- Cancellation during a short course block – no refund
Please note, the £1,000 deposit is non-refundable.
You will be withdrawn from the pre-sessional English course in cases where:
- You have not arrived and enrolled by the latest start date
- Your attendance, completion or attainment fulfilment falls below 80% from day one of your course
Got a question?
If you would like to contact the pre-sessional English team, send us an email and we will be back in touch.
