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 Masters degree.
Studying a pre-sessional course
Special features of this course:
- Start dates throughout the year – study when it suits you best
- Teaching tailored to your subject area in the summer
- Study with other students also preparing for a Masters
How long you need to study for depends on your current English language level and the level required for your degree.
How to apply
- Choose your year of entry
- Use the table 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.
If you're starting your pre-sessional course in September 2022 or January 2023, use the following list to check your eligibility.
Our academic year is made up of two semesters (autumn and spring) plus the summer.
You can study a pre-sessional for different lengths of time depending on your requirements. Select the start month to see course information and how to apply.
If your postgraduate degree requires an overall IELTS score of 6.5
- 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, or study our online part-time pre-sessional starting in January. You'll study for two semesters, or one semester and summer, if you hold two components at 5.5 and are preparing for:
- a taught postgraduate course in the Business School
- MSc (Eng) Engineering Project Management
- MSc (Eng) International Construction Management and Engineering
If your postgraduate degree requires an overall IELTS score of 7.0
- 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, or study our online part-time pre-sessional starting in January. You'll study for two semesters, or one semester and summer, if you hold two components at 6.0 and are preparing for a taught postgraduate course in the Business School
2023/24 entry
If you plan to 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.
If you're starting your pre-sessional course in September 2023 or January 2024, use the following list to check your eligibility.
Our academic year is made up of two semesters (autumn and spring) plus the summer.
You can study a pre-sessional for different lengths of time depending on your requirements. Select the start month to see course information and how to apply.
If your postgraduate degree requires an overall IELTS score of 6.5
- 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, or study our online part-time pre-sessional starting in January. You'll study for two semesters, or one semester and summer, if you hold two components at 5.5 and are preparing for:
- a taught postgraduate course in the Business School
- MSc (Eng) Engineering Project Management
- MSc (Eng) International Construction Management and Engineering
If your postgraduate degree requires an overall IELTS score of 7.0
- 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, or study our online part-time pre-sessional starting in January. You'll study for two semesters, or one semester and summer, if you hold two components at 6.0 and are preparing for a taught postgraduate course in the Business School
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 the Language Centre: langc@leeds.ac.uk.