Pre-sessional English language courses

The requirements for entry to a pre-sessional English programme vary by course. You can find more details on our English language page.

If you have not met the English language requirements for direct entry you should send us a copy of your English language certificate and contact us to enquire if you are eligible for one of our pre-sessional programmes.

How to apply

• To be considered for a pre-sessional programme you need to have made Lancaster University your firm choice in UCAS
• If you are eligible for a pre-sessional programme we will let you know by email and you will need to reply, confirming that you want to take the pre-sessional programme
• If you opt to take the pre-sessional programme, we will send you an email confirming that you have a place on the pre-sessional programme
• The confirmation email will include the revised start date of your studies and the documents that you need to provide
• If you decide not to accept a place on the pre-sessional programme, you will need to meet the English language condition originally stated in the offer letter

Our English language requirements vary depending on which course you have an academic offer for, the requirements can be found on the English language page.

You don't need to contact us to apply for our pre-sessional programmes.  If you have not met the English language requirements for direct entry, we will automatically consider you for one of our pre-sessional programmes when we receive a copy of your English language certiticate. You should upload this to your MyApplications account.

How to apply

• If you are eligible for a pre-sessional programme we will let you know by email and you will need to reply, confirming that you want to take the pre-sessional programme
• If you opt to take the pre-sessional programme, we will send you an email confirming that we have added the pre-sessional programme to your offer and you will need to accept the updated offer using MyApplications.
• The revised offer will update the start date of your studies and the offer letter in your online application will show that a pre-sessional programme has been added to your offer.  You will not be issued with a separate offer letter for the pre-sessional programme and you will need to pay the deposit if required
• If you decide not to accept a place on the pre-sessional programme, you will need to meet the English language condition originally stated in the offer letter

The EAP programme is for students intending to study at Lancaster University who are required, or wish to improve their English language and study skills before starting their academic studies. 

You will need to successfully complete the 4 week EAP programme to progress to your academic course.

Dates - 2020 entry

The 4 week EAP programme starts on Monday 31 August and ends on Friday 25 September.

Cost for 2020

The cost for the 4 week EAP programme is £1,420.  Accommodation fees will also be payable.

Deposits

Undergraduate applicants do not need to pay a deposit.

Postgraduate applicants will need to pay a deposit of £150.  Details on how to pay the deposit will be sent to you in the email confirming that the programme has been added to your offer.

Deadline to be considered for the programme

5.00pm (UK time) 17 July 2020 - subject to availabilty

Deadline to accept your updated offer and if required, pay the deposit
5.00pm (UK time) on 24 July 2020

The PELP programme is for students intending to study at Lancaster University who are required, or wish to improve their English language and study skills before starting their academic studies. 

You will need to successfully complete the 10 week PELP programme and related assessments to progress to your academic course.  The requirements for progression will be detailed in the offer letter.

Dates - 2020 entry

The 10 week PELP programme starts on Monday 13 July and ends on Friday 18 September.

The PELP programme is for students intending to study at Lancaster University who are required, or wish to improve their English language and study skills before starting their academic studies. See the Programme Outline for further details.

Cost for 2020

The cost for the 10 week PELP programme is £3,020.  Accommodation fees will also be payable.

Deposits

Undergraduate applicants do not need to pay a deposit.

Postgraduate applicants will need to pay a deposit of £150.  Details on how to pay the deposit will be sent to you in the email confirming that the programme has been added to your offer.

Deadline to be considered for the programme

5.00pm (UK time) 29 May 2020 - subject to availabilty

Deadline to accept your updated offer and if required, pay the deposit
5.00pm (UK time) on 5 June 2020

The PELP programme is for students intending to study at Lancaster University who are required, or wish to improve their English language and study skills before starting their academic studies. 

You will need to successfully complete the 10 week PELP programme and related assessments to progress to your academic course.  The requirements for progression will be detailed in the offer letter.

Dates - 2020 entry

The 15 week PELP programme starts on Monday 1 June and ends on Friday 18 September.

The PELP programme is for students intending to study at Lancaster University who are required, or wish to improve their English language and study skills before starting their academic studies. See the Programme Outline for further details.

Cost for 2020

The cost for the 15 week PELP programme is £4,320.  Accommodation fees will also be payable.

Deposits 
If you are offered a place on the programme, you will need to pay a deposit of £150, details on how to pay the deposit will be sent to you in the email confirming that the programme has been added to your offer.

Deadline to be considered for the programme
5.00pm (UK time) 17 April 2020 - subject to availabilty

Deadline to accept your updated offer and if required, pay the deposit
5.00pm (UK time) on 24 April 2020

The PELP programme is for students intending to study at Lancaster University who are required, or wish to improve their English language and study skills before starting their academic studies. 

You will need to successfully complete the 10 week PELP programme and related assessments to progress to your academic course.  The requirements for progression will be detailed in the offer letter.

Dates - 2020 entry

The 20 week PELP programme starts on Monday 27 April and ends on Friday 18 September 2020.

The PELP programme is for students intending to study at Lancaster University who are required, or wish to improve their English language and study skills before starting their academic studies. See the Programme Outline for further details.

Cost for 2020

The cost for the 20 week PELP programme is £6,040.  Accommodation fees will also be payable.

Deposits
If you are offered a place on the programme, you will need to pay a deposit of £150, details on how to pay the deposit will be sent to you in the email confirming that the programme has been added to your offer.

Deadline to be considered for the programme
5.00pm (UK time) 13 March 2020 - subject to availabilty

Deadline to accept your updated offer and if required, pay the deposit
5.00pm (UK time) on 20 March 2020

No. You will be assessed during and at the end of the pre-sessional programme. If your assessment is successful and you reach the English level required you can progress directly to your academic course.

Postgraduate applicants are required to pay a deposit of £150 for all pre-sessional programmes.

The easiest way to pay the deposit is by using our payment portal, where you should 'pay as an applicant'  

If the payment cannot be made online, other payment methods are available.

When making payments, please ensure that you quote your application number in order for us to identify you. 

If I am a sponsored student, do I need to pay a deposit for the pre-sessional programme?

No. If you are sponsored by your government, a company or other recognised institution you do not have to pay a deposit. However, you must upload proof of your sponsorship to MyApplications. 

Is my pre-sessional deposit refundable if I do not come to Lancaster?

Your deposit may be refunded or transferred under certain circumstances, please see full terms and conditions.

How do I apply for accommodation for the PELP programmes?

After you have accepted your place on the pre-sessional programme our accommodation office will let you know the process for reserving your accommodation. 

Will I stay in the same room for the pre-sessional programme and my degree programme?

No. You will initially stay with the other students attending the pre-sessional programmes and you will move at the end of this to the accommodation allocated for your academic studies. This is a straight forward process and will be towards the completion of the pre-sessional programme.

When can I move into my accommodation?

You can normally occupy your room on campus the weekend prior to the start of the pre-sessional programme. Please do not arrive earlier as your room will not be ready for you.

Undergraduate applicants

You will be issued with a CAS for the pre-sessional programme 10-12 weeks before your studies are due to start. 

For the 4 week EAP programme, we will issue you will a single CAS for your pre-sessional programme and academic course if English language is the only condition left for you to meet. 

For the 10 week PELP programme we will issue you with 2 CASs, one for the pre-sessional programme and a separate CAS will be issued for your academic course when you have met the conditions and successfully completed the pre-sessional programme.

Postgraduate applicants

You will be issued with a CAS for the pre-sessional programme 10-12 weeks before your studies are due to start. 

For the 4 week EAP programme, we will issue you will a single CAS for your pre-sessional programme and academic course if English language is the only condition left for you to meet. 

For the 10 week PELP programme, we will issue you will a single CAS for your pre-sessional programme and academic course if English language is the only condition left for you to meet.  If you still have other conditions to meet, such as your current studies, we will issue you with 2 CASs, one for the pre-sessional programme and a separate CAS will be issued for your academic course when you have met the conditions and successfully completed the pre-sessional programme

For the longer PELP programmes, we will issue you with 2 CASs, one for the pre-sessional programme and a separate CAS will be issued for your academic course when you have met the conditions and successfully completed the pre-sessional programme

Do I have to return home to apply for my visa for the academic course at the end of the pre-sessional?

No. If you have a CAS for the pre-sessional only then UK government regulations currently state that you do not have to return home. If you successfully complete the PELP you will need to extend your PELP visa to the academic course at Lancaster. We have an International Student Adviser who will help you with this process.

For more information about UK visas and regulations please visit the UK Border Agency.

We strongly recommend that you arrive directly at Manchester airport as this is the nearest airport to Lancaster. However, if you are planning to arrive at Heathrow airport, in London, we would recommend that you get a connecting flight to Manchester as this is much more convenient than by going by road or rail.  Further Information about travelling to Lancaster can be found on our welcome site. 

How can I get from the airport to Lancaster?

You have the option of travelling by coach, train or taxi. You can find details of all the options available on our maps and travel page.  We do offer a coach shuttle service for some of our pre-sessional programmes, information can be found on our welcome site. and will be available nearer the time.

This may be possible. However, you must meet the entry requirement for the shorter pre-sessional programme. If you have been accepted one pre-sessional and then meet the requirements for another you should contact us.