Pre-sessional English programmes

Our pre-sessional English programmes are for international students with an offer to study at Lancaster University, and who need or wish to improve their English language and study skills before starting their degree studies.

Students studying in an informal space, a mixture of desks and comfortable chairs.

If you do not meet the English requirements for your chosen academic course, you may still be able to come to Lancaster if you successfully complete a pre-sessional English (PSE) course before you start your studies. Depending on your current English language level, you may be eligible for our 20-week, 10-week or 4-week PSE. Each course has an online option with the same course content.

Upon successful completion of the PSE, having reached the English level required, you can progress directly to your academic programme without retaking an English language test.

Students sitting on the steps

2-week Study Start programme

We also offer an optional two-week academic induction programme called Study Start for students who have already met our English language requirements. Study Start provides international students with a great opportunity to settle into life at Lancaster, and to become an independent and confident student, well-prepared to start your academic studies.

Study Start programme

How to apply

To apply for one of our pre-sessional English programmes, you will need to be holding an offer from Lancaster University. Your offer may contain information about the English language requirements for our PSE programmes. These vary, depending on the academic programme you will be studying. See our entry requirements page.

Tab Content: Undergraduate applicants

If you have not met the English language requirements for direct entry, please contact Undergraduate Admissions with a copy of your English language certificate to enquire if you are eligible for one of our pre-sessional programmes.

To be considered for a pre-sessional programme you need to have made Lancaster University your firm choice in UCAS. There is no deposit for the pre-sessional programmes.

  1. 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.
  2. We will then send you an email confirming that we have added the pre-sessional programme to your offer. If you have already accepted your academic offer, you will not need to accept it again after the pre-sessional programme has been added. You will not be issued with a separate offer letter for the pre-sessional programme.
  3. 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.

If you decide not to accept a place on the pre-sessional programme that is offered, you will need to meet the English language condition originally stated in the offer letter. If you are planning to take another English test in order to meet your English condition, we would advise you to book a test as soon as possible.

If you improve your English scores, it may be possible to take a shorter pre-sessional programme, provided that you meet the entry requirement for the shorter programme. If you have already been accepted onto one pre-sessional and now meet the requirements for another, you should contact us to discuss this, uploading the new English test to your online application.

Unconditional offers

If your offer is showing as ‘unconditional’, but you have been offered a pre-sessional programme, then you have been accepted for study at Lancaster provided you successfully complete the pre-sessional. This means that you have to participate in all classes, contribute in class, complete all pieces of work to the required standard 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.

Tab Content: Postgraduate applicants

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 certificate. You should upload this to your application in our postgraduate application portal.

If you decide not to accept a place on the pre-sessional programme that is offered, you will need to meet the English language condition originally stated in the offer letter. If you are planning to take another English test in order to meet your English condition, we would advise you to book a test as soon as possible.

If you improve your English scores, it may be possible to take a shorter pre-sessional programme provided that you meet the entry requirement for the shorter programme. If you have already been accepted onto one pre-sessional and now meet the requirements for another, you should contact us to discuss this, uploading the new English test to your online application.

Unconditional offers

If your offer is showing as ‘unconditional’, but you have been offered a pre-sessional programme, then you have been accepted for study at Lancaster provided you successfully complete the pre-sessional. This means that you have to participate in all classes, contribute in class, complete all pieces of work to the required standard 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.

Tab Content: Deadlines

To be considered for any of the PSE programmes, you need to have confirmed that you would like the relevant programme to be added to your offer by the deadlines below:

  • 20-week PSE programme: 21 March 2025 (programme available to postgraduate students only)
  • 10-week PSE programme: 30 May 2025
  • 4 or 5-week PSE programme: 18 July 2025

If you have already met our English language requirements and you are interested in taking one of our pre-sessional programmes, we recommend you consider our two-week Study Start programme as an alternative. However, if you are particularly interested in taking a pre-sessional English programme, please contact the admissions team and we will consider your request.

Visa and CAS information

The University will issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) which you will use for your visa application. The timing of issuing this will depend on the mode of delivery you choose, either online or on campus. Once you have a CAS for the pre-sessional, you do not have to return home between completing the language programme and starting your degree.

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

Visa and CAS undergraduate and postgraduate Accordion accordion

Student sitting on the bed while another sits on a chair in student accommodation chatting.

Arrival and accommodation

If you are studying with us in-person, we will email you close to the start of your pre-sessional programme with information about arrivals, accommodation, and shuttle options from Manchester Airport.

Travel information to campus can be found on our Maps and Travel page.

You do not need to apply for accommodation for our pre-sessional courses. Once you accept your course offer, we will automatically assign you to a room on campus and you will live with other students attending the course. Your room will have a private bathroom and shared kitchen. Accommodation and living costs are not included in the tuition fee. Please contact us if you do not need the accommodation on campus.

The cost for pre-sessional English programmes and Study Start accommodation in 2025 is £191.10 per week for an ensuite room with a private bathroom.

Contact

For general pre-sessional English enquiries such as entry requirements and eligibility, please contact the admissions team.

For detailed enquiries such as the content, logistics and arrivals for pre-sessional programmes, please contact the Pre-sessional English team: