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 4 week EAP programme. 

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. 

If you are taking the 4 week EAP programme as a condition of your offer, you will need to successfully complete the 4 week EAP programme to progress to your academic course.

Dates - 2021 entry

The 4 week EAP programme starts on Monday 30 August and ends on Friday 24 September.

Cost for 2021

The cost for the 4 week EAP programme: £1,650.  

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) 16 July 2021 - subject to availability.

The 10 Week PELP programme. 

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. 

If you are taking the 10 week PELP as a condition of your offer, 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 - 2021 entry

The 10 week PELP programme starts on Monday 12 July and ends on Friday 17 September.

Cost for 2021

The cost for the 10 week PELP programme:  £3,110.  

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) 28 May 2021 - subject to availability.

Programme outline

To be confirmed.

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.

 4 week EAP accommodation

There is no separate accommodation procedure. Once you have accepted the offer of a place on the EAP (Study Skills) Programme and paid your deposit (if applicable) you will automatically be allocated a room on campus.  The Global Experiences Office will email you before the programme with further details.

On-campus, single, self-catering study-bedrooms are available for all English for Academic Purposes (Study Skills) Programme students.  To help with your integration into campus life for the duration of the EAP (Study Skills) programme you will be placed in flats together with all the other students attending the same course. You will live in on-campus accommodation in one of the Colleges which has been allocated for our summer programmes until the last Wednesday of the course, at which time you will then be asked to move to your term-time room if you are staying on campus.

Students can make use of all the resources of the University, including the Library, the extensive Sports Centre, the public computer laboratories and the University Health Centre.

PELP accommodation

There is no separate accommodation procedure. Once you have accepted the offer of a place on the PELP (Pre sessional English Language) Programme and paid your deposit (if applicable) you will automatically be allocated a room on campus.  The Accommodation Office will email you before the programme with further details.

On-campus, single, self-catering study-bedrooms are available for all Pre sessional English Language Programme students. You can arrive at your accommodation from the Saturday prior to the week the PELP programme starts.  To help with your integration into campus life for the duration of the PELP programme you will be placed in flats together with all the other students attending the same course. You will live in on-campus accommodation in one of the Colleges which has been allocated for our summer programmes until the PELP programme has finished, at which time you will then be asked to move to your term-time room if you are staying on campus.

Students can make use of all the resources of the University, including the Library, the extensive Sports Centre, the public computer laboratories and the University Health Centre.

Undergraduate applicants

You will be issued with a CAS for the pre-sessional programme 8-10 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 8-10 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. 

We are unable to offer a pre-sessional place to applicants who do not need to take a pre-sessional programme as part of their offer conditions.

Yes – you have been accepted for study at Lancaster after successful completion of one of our pre-sessional programmes. This means that you have to attend all classes, contribute in class, submit all pieces of work and demonstrate that you are ready for academic study at Lancaster. If you are unable to do this for any reason, you may not be able to progress to your academic studies.

4 week EAP programme

Please contact the Summer Programmes Administration Coordinator: globalschools@lancaster.ac.uk  

PELP programmes

Please contact the International Study Centre:  isc@lancaster.ac.uk