Pre-sessional English course: Entry requirements
We highly recommend the Pre-sessional English courses for any international or EU student planning to study at a UK university. The courses are excellent preparation for study even if you have already fulfilled the English language requirement for your main course.
Students who have not chosen their main academic programme should contact the course administrators for advice about which course to choose.
If you have not fulfilled the English language requirement for your main course, your offer letter should tell you which course to apply for. If it does not, the Pre-sessional Team will advise you on which course is suitable for you. You can also download the Which Pre-sessional English course is right for me? (PDF) guide.
English language entry requirements
The minimum English language entry requirements for our pre-sessional courses are set out below.
- Extended Pre-sessional English course: Your IELTS Academic* scores are no more than 2.0 below your academic programme's English language entry requirements overall and / or in one or more skills: reading, writing, listening and / or speaking.
- Long Pre-sessional English course: Your IELTS Academic* scores are no more than 1.5 below your academic programme's English language entry requirements overall and / or in one or more skills: reading, writing, listening and / or speaking.
- Medium Pre-sessional English course: Your IELTS Academic* scores are no more than 1.0 below your academic programme's English language entry requirements overall and/or in one or more skills: reading, writing, listening and / or speaking.
- Short Pre-sessional English course: Your IELTS Academic* scores are no more 0.5 below your academic programme's English language entry requirements overall and/or in one or more skills: reading, writing, listening and or speaking.
- Please note: Students with IELTS Academic* scores of below 4.0 overall or in individual skills are not eligible for our courses.
- *Please see information on Accepted Tests below.
Exceptions
Where academic programmes have entry requirements lower than IELTS 5.5 (e.g. foundation courses), students will be placed on a pre-sessional that allows them to achieve minimum exit grades of 5.5. equivalent in all skills.
Please note: our course does not cater for students who are aiming for grades higher than IELTS 7.0.
Accepted tests
Students who need a Student Route visa to study on the Pre-sessional English course (see visa information below):
- You need a UKVI approved secure English language tests (SELTs) to apply for Pre-sessional if you will use a SINGLE CAS to study Pre-sessional only. These include IELTS Academic for UKVI. Please ask the course administrators for advice about other tests.
- Please make sure you take the right test.
All other students:
A wide range of Kingston University accepted tests can be used for entry onto our pre-sessional if:
- You have IELTS scores of 5.5 or above in all skills and you will use a JOINT CAS to study Medium or Short Pre-sessional and your main undergraduate or postgraduate programme;
- Or you do not need a Student Route visa to study on Pre-sessional.
These tests include IELTS Academic and PTE Academic. To see details of other accepted tests please check here: Other English language tests and qualifications.
For details of equivalent scores in other acceptable qualifications ask the course administrator for advice.
Visa information
No visa is required to study the Pre-sessional English course from your home country.
See information below for studying the Pre-sessional English course in the UK.
Student Route visa: CAS information
You may be eligible for a joint CAS which will enable you to apply for one Student Route visa to cover both the Pre-sessional English course and your main degree course if:
- you have been offered the Medium or Short Pre-sessional English course; and
- English language is the only condition on your main course offer or you already have an unconditional offer for your main course; and
- you can meet the financial conditions as laid out by the Home Office - view these requirements.
Please note: postgraduate students will have to pay the £5,000 deposit for their main course before a joint CAS can be applied for.
Please be aware if you do not successfully complete the Pre-sessional English course and have a joint CAS:
- You will not be able to commence your studies on your main course.
- The University's compliance officer will inform the Home Office and your student route visa will be curtailed.
Short Term Study Visa
If you are intending to take the course in the UK and use a short-term study visa, you must check that you will have enough time to return home to apply for a Student Route visa and arrive back to study by the start of your intended main course. Please seek advice from the Student Life Centre's Immigration Advisers before you start the Pre-sessional English course: our administrators can tell you how to contact them.
Commitment to study
The Pre-sessional English courses are highly effective and rewarding, but are very intensive and need a full-time commitment from participants. If you have other commitments during the course such as work, university or family obligations, please let us know before you apply. We will be able to advise you.
Contact us
Pre-sessional administrators
Tel: +44 (0)20 8417 7042 / +44 (0)20 8417 7790
Please note: administrators are best contacted by email.
Download a prospectus
See our latest prospectuses to find out more about studying at Kingston:
Pre-sessional links
See what it's like
See our video of Kingston upon Thames, taking in the bustling town centre and riverside.
Pre-sessional course accreditation
Our pre-sessional English course is accredited by the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP). This organisation sets rigorous criteria to ensure that courses in English language and study skills for speakers of other languages are of a high standard and provide an excellent quality of service.
Pre-arrival videos
Watch our pre-arrival videos for information on healthcare, studying and student life in the UK.
Contact us
Pre-sessional administrators
Tel: +44 (0)20 8417 7042 / +44 (0)20 8417 7790
Please note: administrators are best contacted by email.