Pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes
For students with an minimum IELTS of 5.5 who need to improve their English in order to meet the English language requirement for their degree programme at the University of Southampton.
About our pre-sessional English Language Courses
Pre-sessional English language programmes are the most effective way for international students to prepare to study at the University of Southampton. These programmes allow you to:
- increase your confidence and effectiveness using English on your degree programmes.
- meet your language requirements through learning-focused assessments.
- study alongside other international students who will go on to study on the same or similar degree programmes.
- become familiar with software, processes and learning at the University of Southampton before joining your degree programme.
Which programme is right for me?
Know your entry requirement.
You need to check the English requirement on your conditional offer, and consider which pre-sessional programme you can access.
Know your needs.
A longer programme has more opportunities for learning, feedback, and practice. Take a shorter programme if you are confident you can prepare for your degree studies, and meet the progression requirements, with less guidance and feedback.
PS6: If you feel comfortable with your English ability and study skills, and wish to meet your entry requirements at a high pace, then this programme is suitable for you.
PS11: If you would like to develop your English ability and study skills with more learning tasks, feedback and tutor guidance, then this is suitable for you.
PS16: If you wish to develop more self confidence in your academic skills and communicative ability, and desire a steadier and more supported Pre-sessional experience, then this programme is suitable for you.
PS39/25: If you wish to develop your academic, communicative, and cultural preparation for your studies during a longer programme at the university, then this course is suitable for you.
How do the programmes work?
If you reach your required scores on the pre-sessional assessments, you will meet your degree entry requirements. Pre-sessional teaching and assessments help you understand more about academic communication than language tests do.
If you have an unconditional offer and wish to take a Pre-sessional programme to be more prepared for your studies, your scores on Pre-sessional will not affect your offer.
Our dedicated team of tutors will guide you through a series of academic tasks and assessments tailored to your particular academic subject choice. We therefore make teaching and learning useful for your future studies by focusing on your needs.
These are full-time, intensive programmes, designed to develop your confidence and ability to study on your programmes through English. These are indicative 40 hours of study per week, a combination of 18 to 20 taught hours and 22/20 hours of structured independent learning.
Our approach is to make the Pre-sessional programmes as bespoke as possible to your individual needs. In order to achieve this our dedicated team of tutors and advisors will guide you through a series of academic tasks and assessments tailored to your particular academic subject choice.
Pre-Sessional English Language Programmes
| Course | Mode of Delivery |
Start Date |
End Date |
IELTS Required Min overall * |
Tuition Fee |
Application Deadline |
Pre-payment Deadline |
Enrolment deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
39 Week |
In-person |
29 Sept 2022 |
7 Sept 2023 |
4.5* | £17,550 |
18 August 2022 |
1 September 2022 |
|
| 25 Week | In-person |
26 Jan 2023 |
7 Sept 2023 |
5.0* | £11,250 |
15 Dec 2022 |
29 Dec 2022 |
|
| 16 Week | Online | 19 May | 8 Sept | 5.0* | £7,120 |
28 April |
12 May |
16 May |
| 16 Week |
In-person UK |
19 May | 8 Sept | 5.0* | £7,120 |
14 April |
28 April |
16 May |
| 11 Week | Online |
23 June |
8 Sept | 5.5* | £4,895 |
26 May |
9 June |
20 June |
| 11 Week |
In-person UK |
23 June |
8 Sept | 5.5* | £4,895 |
12 May |
26 May |
20 June |
|
||||||||
| 6 Week | Online |
21 July |
1 Sept |
6.0* | £2,700 |
23 June |
7 July |
18 July |
| 6 Week |
In-person UK |
21 July |
1 Sept | 6.0* | £2,700 | 27 May |
27 May |
18 July |
*Entry requirements for a Pre-sessional course vary, based on the conditional offer for your main degree programme. Full details will be your substantial conditional offer letter.
On campus in-person option
You will need a Secure English Language Test [SELT] and visa to travel to Southampton to study this course on campus. The language qualifications we accept are listed on the Admissions Policies language page. To find out more about our accommodation options, please visit our accommodation pages. We offer a FREE Meet and Greet Airport collection Service, please visit our Meet and greet page.
Online Option
We accept a valid Duolingo test to study this course online. The language qualifications we accept are listed on the Admissions Policies language page. To enquire about transferring from the on campus to online course please contact the admissions team at elaccess@southampton.ac.uk before the pre-payment deadline for the online course.
To apply for a pre-sessional course, please complete the online application form.
If you have a question or would like further information, please contact our Admissions Team:
By telephone: +44 23 8059 3344
By email: elaccess@southampton.ac.uk
Academic Year English Pre-sessional Programmes
For students with an minimum IELTS of 4.5 who need to improve their English in order to meet the English language requirement for their degree programme at the University of Southampton.
Master of Laws (LLM) Postgraduate Pre-sessional
For students planning to study the Master of Laws (LLM) programme at the University of Southampton
Frequently asked questions
Am I guaranteed a place for pre-sessional if I apply before deadline?
We are experiencing a large volume of applications therefore we recommend that applicants apply as soon as possible to secure a place on a Pre-sessional course. Applications may close earlier than the published deadline if the course is full. We will advertise on our website when the course becomes full.
Is there any circumstance in which the pre-payment is refundable?
Your Pre-sessional pre-payment is £500. You should not pay this until you receive a conditional offer of a place on a Pre-sessional course. The payment is not refundable.
May I transfer from the 11-week to the 6-week course if my new IELTS score has met the entry requirement before the 6-week course start date?
We cannot guarantee that you will be able to change your Pre-sessional course. You will not be able to change to the 6-week course if you have enrolled on the 11-week course.
May I transfer between Online and On Campus study before the course start date?
Please contact the admissions team at elaccess@southampton.ac.uk
Do I need to retake my UKVI Academic IELTS if I take the Pre-sessional course?
You need to achieve a level of English suitable for entry to your degree course in the assessments at the end of the pre-sessional course. You will be given a result at the end of the course and if you successfully reach the level required for your degree course, you will progress on to your degree and will not need to take a new IELTS.
What would happen if I fail pre-sessional?
If you work hard on the Pre-sessional course you have a good chance of progressing to your degree course. In a typical year, 90-95% of our Pre-sessional students progress to their degree programme at Southampton. If by the end of the Pre-sessional English course you do not achieve the level required to progress you may not be able to study on your main degree course. You will be given advice on your options when you are given your results at the end of the Pre-sessional course.
Who can I ask about my visa?
The University has a dedicated team of staff to provide information and advice about visas and immigration for students and their dependants. You can submit questions on this student services enquiry form.
May I cancel my pre-sessional course if my new IELTS has met the course entry requirement?
You can cancel your Pre-sessional course at any time before the start date of the course but you will not receive a refund of the pre-payment. This may also affect your CAS and visa application, so please get in touch if you decide to do this.