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

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. If you have already accepted your academic offer, you will not need to accept it again after the pre-sessional programme has been added.
• 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
• There is no deposit for the pre-sessional programmes
• 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

The 4 or 5 week Pre-sessional English (PSE) 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. The programme will be delivered in person on campus or online.

If you are taking the 4 or 5 week PSE programme as a condition of your offer, you will need to successfully complete the programme to progress to your academic course.

Dates - 2024 entry

The 4 week In-person Pre-sessional English programme starts on Monday 2 September and ends on Friday 27 September.

The 5 week Online Pre-sessional English programme starts on Monday 26 August and ends on Friday 27 September. This programme incorporates a one week compulsory induction running between 26^th and 30^th August.

Cost for 2024

The tuition fees for the 4 or 5 week PSE programme are: £2,950.

Accommodation and living costs are not included.

Deposits

We do not require a deposit for this programme.

Deadline to be considered for the programme

5.00pm (UK time) 19 July 2024 - subject to availability.

Programme outline

4 or 5 week Pre-sessional English programme

The 10 week Pre-sessional English (PSE) 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. The programme will be delivered in person on campus or online.

If you are taking the 10-week PSE programme as a condition of your offer, you will need to successfully complete the programme and related assessments in order to progress to your academic course. The requirements for progression will be detailed in the offer letter.

Dates - 2024 entry

The 10 week In-person Pre-sessional English programme starts on Monday 15 July and ends on Friday 20 September.

The 10 week Online Pre-sessional English programme starts on Monday 8 July and ends on Friday 13 September.

Cost for 2024

The tuition fees for the 10 week PSE programme are: £5,250

Accommodation and living costs are not included.

Deposits

We do not require a deposit for the PSE programme

Deadline to be considered for the programme

5.00pm (UK time) 31 May 2024 - subject to availability.

Programme outline

10 week Pre-sessional English programme

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.

We would be delighted if you decide to join us on campus this year for the duration of the Pre-sessional English course.

Once you have accepted your offer, you will be sent detailed pre-arrival information, including details about the course content, preparing for arrival, accommodation and the free shuttle service from Manchester Airport.

You do not need to apply for accommodation for this course. When you have accepted your offer for the Pre-sessional course, we will automatically assign you to a room on campus. 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.

The cost for Pre-sessional English accommodation in 2024 is £25.37 per day/£177.59 per week for an ensuite room with a private bathroom.

We would be delighted if you decide to join us on campus this year for the duration of the Pre-sessional English course.

Once you have accepted your offer, you will be sent detailed pre-arrival information, including details about the course content, preparing for arrival, accommodation and the free shuttle service from Manchester Airport.

You do not need to apply for accommodation for this course. When you have accepted your offer for the Pre-sessional course, we will automatically assign you to a room on campus. 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.

The cost for Pre-sessional English accommodation in 2024 is £25.37 per day/£177.59 per week for an ensuite room with a private bathroom.

The timing of your CAS will depend on the mode of delivery you choose, either online or on campus.

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 Pre-sessional English 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 Pre-sessional English 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 Pre-sessional English 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 Pre-sessional English 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.

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 Pre-sessional English you will need to extend your Pre-sessional English 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.

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.

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 2 week Study Start programme as an alternative.

However, if you are particularly interested in taking either our 10 week or 4/5 week Pre-sessional English programme, please contact the admissions team

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.

If you have any questions about attending one of our Pre-sessional English programmes, please contact the relevant admissions team

For any specific questions about the pre-sessional content, logistics or arrivals:

4/5 week Pre-sessional English programme

Please contact the International Pathway Programmes team:

PSE@lancaster.ac.uk

10 week Pre-sessional English programme

Please contact the International Pathway Programmes team:

PSE10@lancaster.ac.uk

2 week Study Start programme

Please contact the International Pathway Programmes team:

studystart@lancaster.ac.uk