What Is a Pre-sessional English Course and Who Needs It

(English)

Short answer: A pre-sessional course is an intensive academic English programme run by the university itself before your degree starts. If your IELTS score is slightly below the requirement, successfully completing the course lets you progress to your main programme.

How a pre-sessional course works

Many universities, especially in the UK, offer two routes in a conditional offer: either you reach the required IELTS score by retaking the test, or you complete the university's pre-sessional course. The grade you get at the end of the course is accepted instead of IELTS.

Courses usually last from 6 to 20 weeks, depending on the gap between your IELTS score and the requirement. The bigger the gap, the longer the course.

What you learn on the course

• writing academic essays and reports;
• citing sources and avoiding plagiarism;
• listening to lectures and taking notes;
• discussions and presentations in seminars;
• getting to know the university's teaching system.

These skills are very useful in your first semester. We cover academic writing in detail in this article.

Advantages

• You settle into the city and campus before your main programme starts.
• You avoid the stress of retaking IELTS.
• You make student friends in advance.

What to watch out for

• Cost: The course fee is paid separately from the main tuition.
• Visa: The course and the main programme are sometimes combined under one visa and sometimes not, depending on the country and the university. See our student visa guide for the general steps.
• Pass mark: Finishing the course is not enough; you must reach the required pass mark.
• Minimum entry score: A minimum IELTS score may also be required to join the course.

Pre-sessional or foundation?

A pre-sessional course only closes a language gap. If you also lack academic preparation (for example, if your school certificate is not enough for direct entry to a bachelor's degree), foundation programmes may be a better fit.

Who is it for

• Students slightly below the required overall IELTS score.
• Those who want to strengthen academic writing and speaking.
• First-time international students who want to prepare for the academic environment.

Frequently asked questions

Does every university have a pre-sessional? No; check your offer letter or the admissions page.

What if I do not finish the course? The admission condition may not be met, so watch attendance and grades.

To choose a route that fits your language level, take a consultation.

EDDE Global

EDDE Global analyses the language condition in your offer letter and helps you choose the most cost-effective route (retaking the test or a pre-sessional course). EDDE Academy also runs IELTS preparation courses. Free consultation: konsultasiya.eddeglobal.az.