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.
Improve your academic English level to the standard needed to study your research degree.
Studying a pre-sessional course
Special features of this course:
- Start dates throughout the year – study when it suits you best
- Develop your academic research skills in the context of your research subject area
- The opportunity to study with other research students
How long you need to study for depends on your current English language level and the level required for your research degree.
How to apply
- Choose your year of entry
- Use your current IELTS score, and the score you need for your degree to see how long you should study for
- Select your preferred start month for detailed course information, fees and to apply
2022/23 entry
If you start your pre-sessional course in July or August (summer), find out more about entry requirements for our six and 10 week summer pre-sessional English courses.
Our academic year is made up of two semesters (autumn and spring) plus the summer.
If you're starting your pre-sessional course in September 2022 or January 2023, use the following list to check your eligibility. Or, if your research degree offer is from one of the schools in the following list, please email your offer letter and most recent English language qualification to langc@leeds.ac.uk so that we can advise you on your eligibility for a pre-sessional course:
- School of Computing
- School of Media and Communication
- School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies
- Leeds University Business School
If your degree requires an overall IELTS score of 6.0
- Your current score: 4.5 with no components below 4.0. You need: Two semesters plus summer starting in September
- Your current score: 5.0 with no components below 4.5. You need: Two semesters starting in September or one semester plus summer starting in January
- Your current score: 5.5 with components at 5.0 allowed, none below 5.0. You need: Two semesters starting in September or one semester plus summer starting in January. If you have one component at 5.0 (not writing) you may be eligible to study for one semester starting in September or January
If your degree requires an overall IELTS score of 6.5
- Your current score: 4.5 with no components below 4.0. You need: Not eligible to apply
- Your current score: 5.0 with no components below 4.5. You need: Two semesters plus summer starting in September
- Your current score: 5.5 with components at 5.0 allowed, none below 5.0. You need: Two semesters starting in September or one semester plus summer starting in January
- Your current score: 6.0 with one or two components at 5.5 allowed, none below 5.5. You need: One semester starting in September or January
If your degree requires an overall IELTS score of 7.0
- Your current score: 4.5 with no components below 4.0. You need: Not eligible to apply.
- Your current score: 5.0 with no components below 4.5. You need: Not eligible to apply
- Your current score: 5.5 with components at 5.0 allowed, none below 5.0. You need: Two semesters plus summer starting in September
- Your current score: 6.0 with one or two components at 5.5 allowed, none below 5.5. You need: Two semesters starting in September or one semester plus summer starting in January
- Your current score: 6.5 with one or two components at 6.0 allowed, none below 6.0. You need: One semester starting in September or January
2023/24 entry
If you start your pre-sessional course in July or August (summer), find out more about entry requirements for our six and 10 week summer pre-sessional English courses.
Our academic year is made up of two semesters (autumn and spring) plus the summer.
If you're starting your pre-sessional course in September 2023 or January 2024, use the following list to check your eligibility. Or, if your research degree offer is from one of the schools in the following list, please email your offer letter and most recent English language qualification to langc@leeds.ac.uk so that we can advise you on your eligibility for a pre-sessional course:
- School of Computing
- School of Media and Communication
- School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies
- Leeds University Business School
If your degree requires an overall IELTS score of 6.0
- Your current score: 4.5 with no components below 4.0. You need: Two semesters plus summer starting in September
- Your current score: 5.0 with no components below 4.5. You need: Two semesters starting in September or one semester plus summer starting in January
- Your current score: 5.5 with components at 5.0 allowed, none below 5.0. You need: Two semesters starting in September or one semester plus summer starting in January. If you have one component at 5.0 (not writing) you may be eligible to study for one semester starting in September or January
If your degree requires an overall IELTS score of 6.5
- Your current score: 4.5 with no components below 4.0. You need: Not eligible to apply
- Your current score: 5.0 with no components below 4.5. You need: Two semesters plus summer starting in September
- Your current score: 5.5 with components at 5.0 allowed, none below 5.0. You need: Two semesters starting in September or one semester plus summer starting in January
- Your current score: 6.0 with one or two components at 5.5 allowed, none below 5.5. You need: One semester starting in September or January
If your degree requires an overall IELTS score of 7.0
- Your current score: 4.5 with no components below 4.0. You need: Not eligible to apply.
- Your current score: 5.0 with no components below 4.5. You need: Not eligible to apply
- Your current score: 5.5 with components at 5.0 allowed, none below 5.0. You need: Two semesters plus summer starting in September
- Your current score: 6.0 with one or two components at 5.5 allowed, none below 5.5. You need: Two semesters starting in September or one semester plus summer starting in January
- Your current score: 6.5 with one or two components at 6.0 allowed, none below 6.0. You need: One semester starting in September or January
Further information
For other English qualifications, read the English language equivalent qualifications page.
The minimum age to study on this course is 18.
If you have any questions, please email langc@leeds.ac.uk.