Pre-sessional academic English courses

Do you need to improve your English language to get onto your degree course at University of Plymouth?

<p> Avisha, Plymouth University Summer School 2016<br><br></p>
<p>Plymouth University Summer School students portraits. </p>
<p>Plymouth University Summer School students portraits. </p>

Come and join one of our pre-sessional courses which will prepare you for studying at university and help ensure you can enjoy your experience of living in Plymouth to the full.

Why study a pre-sessional at University of Plymouth?

  • To learn academic English skills to prepare you for your degree course
  • Excellent supportive teachers
  • 1-to-1 meetings with teachers
  • Small class sizes – maximum 16
  • High student success rate
  • Visiting lecturers on academic and social English topics
  • Free 12 weeks term-time ‘English in your subject’ classes
  • Warm friendly team to welcome you at London Heathrow airport and accompany you to Plymouth
  • Social English conversation classes with Plymouth students
  • Student assistants who will live with you, organise fun social activities and trips
  • End of course ‘awards and farewell event’ with prizes

What must I do to pass the pre-sessional course?

  • Attend all classes
  • Do all the homework and assignments
  • Pass the final tests to achieve CEFR B2 English language level

What will I study?

  • English language grammar and vocabulary
  • English for academic study
  • English language development
  • Independent learning skills
  • Social English conversation classes with Plymouth students

How will I learn?

  • Reading tasks based on authentic materials including newspapers, books and journals
  • Academic writing practice including note-taking, essays and reports
  • Development of listening skills within both academic and social contexts
  • Speaking practice including formal discussions, seminars and presentations
  • Social activities organised by our halls accommodation team

There will be 20 hours of teaching each week with regular assessment throughout the courses. In addition, you'll develop your independent learning skills by following a programme of independent study.

If you require a Tier 4 visa, your fees must be paid in full before your CAS is issued. The fees are non-refundable except in cases of visa refusal.

If you do not require a Tier 4 visa, once fees are paid in full, you will receive an unconditional offer letter for the pre-sessional course.

Please note that in order to study on a pre-sessional programme you must hold a valid UKVI approved academic IELTS test. This must have been taken within the last 2 years at a test centre approved by UKVI and will have a SELT unique reference number printed on the IELTS certificate. When you register for an IELTS test please ensure you are booking the correct test, as an academic IELTS test taken at a non-UKVI approved test centre cannot be used to join a pre-sessional course. Please see the list of Approved Secure English Language Tests and Test Centres for more information.

Noha Alsadat

Noha has studied a 26-week pre-sessional academic English course with the English Language Centre at Plymouth University.

She is progressing on to a foundation pathway at Plymouth University International College, leading to BSc (Hons) Tourism and Hospitality Management.

Noha tells us why she chose to study at Plymouth

Scholarship for Pre-sessional Academic English for Health Professions course

This scholarship is for students applying for the pre-sessional for health professions course

Find out more about this scholarship