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 both in person (on campus) and online.
If you are taking the 10-week pre-sessional as a condition of your offer, you will need to successfully complete the programme and related assessments to progress to your academic course. The requirements for progression will be detailed in the offer letter.
In-person study dates: Monday 15 July – Friday 20 September 2024
Online study dates: Monday 15 July – Friday 20 September 2024
£5,250
The programme provides thorough training in language and academic skills that will enable students to best achieve their academic potential at Lancaster University. The main aims of the programme are:
The programme is taught through live or online sessions, plus work that you do in your own time, that seeks to improve your knowledge and practice of academic Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking and Study skills. We have recently redesigned the programme to include interesting interactive, digital platforms, so that you can use the latest technology to improve your skills. This makes the course much more colourful and motivating for you to study. It will also help you during your degree programme, as you will have access to these learning platforms for the first full year of your study. This means that you will be able to continue to improve your proficiency levels after completing the course, in an interesting, informative and lively way.
You will not be required to take an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test at the end of this programme. Instead, you will take the course assessments which, if you successfully pass, we can use for the English language requirement for your visa application. The programme will assess your progress throughout the course using a range of formative (practice) and summative (final) assessments to check that you are meeting the learning outcomes of the programme. Regular feedback will be provided throughout the programme. Assessments include both coursework and exams.
Close to the start of your pre-sessional programme, we will email you 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 2024 is £177.59 per week for an ensuite room with a private bathroom.
For information about studying a pre-sessional language programme, visit our Pre-sessional English programmes page.
How to applyFor general pre-sessional English enquiries, please contact the relevant admissions team:
For detailed enquiries such as the content, logistics and arrivals for the four or five-week pre-sessional programme, please email pse10@lancaster.ac.uk.
For enquiries about your main degree programme, please contact your department.
For students who require a 1.0 uplift in their IELTS.
For students who require a 0.5 uplift in their IELTS.
Optional induction programme for students who have already met the language requirements.
