Postgraduate pre-sessional English  Six and 10 week summer courses

Preparation and arrival

Read our preparation and arrival information for Language Centre courses.

English language certificates

We accept a range of English language certificates. Check which qualifications we accept, and find out equivalencies for other certificates.

Masters applicants

If you'll be studying a taught postgraduate degree, our postgraduate summer pre-sessional course is tailored to your subject area, so you'll learn academic English that specifically prepares you for your degree. 

Course content in summer (June – September) is developed by teaching staff from the Language Centre and from your academic department. These courses can help if you don't meet the English language requirement for your degree, or if you want to gain a better understanding of using academic language in your subject area before your degree starts. You can see the list of our tailored pre-sessional courses at the end of this page.

Research applicants 

If you'll be studying a research degree, you'll have the opportunity to study with others also preparing for a research degree, using material from your own research interests. You'll learn how to use academic English that specifically prepares you for research using material from your degree subject area.

Summer pre-sessional English courses

Online pre-sessional

Find out more about studying a pre-sessional online.

Select a pre-sessional course from the following list to read more about the course, including entry requirements, start dates and how to apply. 

Pre-sessional English for your Masters course

Pre-sessional English for your research degree 

Frequently asked questions

Which English language certificates do you accept? 

We accept a range of English language certificates for entry to our pre-sessional courses. Find out more about which certificates we accept
 
Please carefully consider which test you take, as it may affect the type of visa you are eligible to apply for. The Language Centre normally recommends a Secure English Language Test (SELT). Read more about visas

Can I submit an application without an English language qualification? 

Yes. You can submit an application without an English language qualification, but you’ll need to provide an eligible qualification before the relevant deadline. 

Do I need to retake an English language qualification following the pre-sessional? 

No. Upon successful completion of the pre-sessional you won’t need to retake another English language test. 

How long will the results of the pre-sessional course be valid for? 

Our pre-sessional course result is valid for two years from the date of completion. 

If you defer your degree offer, please be aware that the English language requirements are subject to change, and you may be asked to provide further English language qualifications to meet the requirements of your degree course. 

What are the entry requirements? 

The entry requirements for our pre-sessional English courses are based on your most recent English language test result and the English language requirements for the degree course you plan to study. 

Masters applicants 

If you'll be studying a taught postgraduate degree, entry requirements for summer pre-sessional courses can be found from the 'Applying, fees and funding' section on your Masters course page. Find your Masters course page for more information

Research applicants 

If you’ll be studying a research degree, you can find the entry requirements for the 10 or 6 week research pre-sessional courses on the following course pages: 

When you apply, please make sure to upload a copy of your offer letter if you have received it. 

How do I apply? 

Apply via the application portal. For on-campus courses, choose either: 

  • Summer pre-sessional (10 weeks) English for Postgraduate Studies, or 
  • Summer pre-sessional (6 weeks) English for Postgraduate Studies 

If you meet the entry requirements, we will issue you with an offer for a pre-sessional aligned to your intended degree course. If you experience any difficulties, please email the Admissions Enquiries team: study@leeds.ac.uk. 

My postgraduate course offer is unconditional. Can I apply for this pre-sessional course? 

Yes.

Can I change from the 10 to the six week pre-sessional if I provide a new English language qualification? 

Yes, if your new English language qualification meets the entry requirements for the six week course and there are places on the course. You’ll need to meet the deadlines for both courses. 

Can I combine scores from more than one English language test to meet the pre-sessional entry requirements? 

No. Eligibility for the pre-sessional course is based on your most recent English language qualification. 

When will I receive a response to my application? 

During peak times, it may take us longer to respond to your application. 

Masters applicants: we'll review your pre-sessional English application after you've received a decision on your Masters application. 

Research applicants: we'll contact you about your pre-sessional application shortly after we receive it. 

I’m a Masters applicant applying for a 10 week pre-sessional course. What type of CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) will I receive? 

The type of CAS you will receive depends on whether you have met the academic conditions of your Masters offer and whether you hold a Secure English Language Test (SELT). 

I have met the academic conditions of my Masters course  

You'll receive a combined CAS that includes your pre-sessional English and your Masters course. 

I haven't met the academic conditions of my Masters course yet and I hold a SELT 

You'll receive a pre-sessional only CAS. If you meet your academic conditions by 2 June 2023, you can request a combined CAS via the application portal.   

I haven't met the academic conditions of my Masters course yet and I don't hold a SELT 

Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor you for a pre-sessional on a Student visa and issue a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies). 

In this case, you can either: 

  • Provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at CEFR B2 level, taken in the last 2 years of the course start date. 
  • Retake an approved English language test, preferably a SELT. 
  • Upload your academic documents via the applicant portal by 2 June 2023 to meet the condition of your Masters offer.
  • If you already have an alternative visa, provide us with a copy of it.

Depending on which of the options above you choose we can then advise you on the offer and the type of CAS you will receive. 

I'm a Masters applicant applying for a six-week pre-sessional course, what type of CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) will I receive? 

The type of CAS you will receive depends on whether you have met the academic conditions of your Masters offer and whether you hold a Secure English Language Test (SELT). 

I have met the academic conditions of my Masters course  

You'll receive a combined CAS that includes your pre-sessional English and your Masters course. 

I haven't met the academic conditions of my Masters course yet  

If you meet the academic conditions of your Masters offer by 5 July 2023, you'll receive a combined CAS. 

If you can't meet the academic conditions of your Masters offer by 5 July 2023, you'll need to provide a valid Secure English Language Test (SELT) certificate and request a pre-sessional-only CAS via the application portal by 5 July 2023. 

Please note that once you request a CAS for your pre-sessional English course only, you won't be able to request a combined CAS for your pre-sessional and Masters courses even if you meet your academic condition by the deadline.  

I’m a research degree applicant applying for a pre-sessional course. What type of CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) will I receive?

I have an unconditional offer for a research degree 

You'll receive a combined CAS that includes your pre-sessional English course and your research degree. 

I have a conditional research degree offer, or I haven't received my research degree offer yet 

If you have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) certificate, you'll receive a CAS for your pre-sessional course only. 

If you don't have a SELT, you may be eligible to study the pre-sessional course on a Visitor visa. Read more about visas for Language Centre students

Do I need to pay a tuition fee deposit? 

Masters applicants 

You’ll need to pay a tuition fee deposit to get your CAS if you require a Student Visa, unless you are able to provide a final award letter confirming that you are receiving full funding from a sponsor or scholarship. You are not required to pay the tuition fee deposit if you don't need a CAS and intend to travel on an alternative visa. 

As the full tuition fee for your pre-sessional English course needs to be paid before you register, we encourage you to pay your tuition fee in full at this stage, rather than paying the deposit only. If you choose to pay the full fee, please still select ‘Tuition deposit’ as the payment type as this will help us to allocate your payment to your CAS.

Your course fee is stated in your pre-sessional English offer letter, and deadlines are listed in the table under the ‘Important dates’ section of this page. 

Any payments you make will be shown on your CAS when it’s issued. As your CAS is a live electronic document, any additional payments will be updated on your CAS until you use it to apply for a visa. 

You only need to pay the tuition fee deposit once for the pre-sessional and the Masters course. You may receive an automated message asking you to pay again when your Masters offer becomes unconditional; however, a confirmation of payment email will follow shortly. 

If you don't attend your pre-sessional English course, any payments you've made will automatically be allocated to your Masters course instead. If you also decline your Masters course offer, your right to a refund of your deposit is limited. 

Read more about tuition fee deposits

Research applicants 

If you'll be studying a research degree, you don't need to pay a tuition fee deposit for your pre-sessional course.  

Can I defer my summer pre-sessional course? 

If you hold an offer to join us in summer 2023, you cannot request a deferral of your offer, however, you can re-apply via your applicant portal for another start date.

Can I start the summer course online if my visa application is delayed? 

No, there will be no option to start online for the on-campus course. If you cannot arrive in time for the on-campus pre-sessional you should email the Language Centre: langc@leeds.ac.uk