Professional course Pre-Sessional English Programme
Page last updated 27 January 2025
Introduction
The Pre-Sessional English course (PSE) is designed for international students who need to acquire the level of English language skills required to study at UWE Bristol.
The course will help you prepare for studying and living in the UK, including understanding lectures and academic texts, writing assignments, speaking in seminars and giving presentations.
At the end of the course, you will be required to pass an in-house assessment in order to progress to your degree programme.
Student testimonials
This is what our students said about their experience of our Pre-sessional course:
I am very lucky to take this course. In these 15 weeks, I have learned a lot, not only in English but also to understand UWE's teaching mode, which allows me to adapt to my main course more quickly. For essays, my tutors helped me a lot. Thank you for teaching us, and I hope we can meet in Bristol! Shuming Ji, China. MSc Accounting & Finance
Because of coronavirus, we were not able to take the offline course, but the online course gave us a new experience. Every teacher in the course gave us a lot of help in terms of improving our English level. Although thousands of miles away, we can feel your enthusiasm and charm through the screen.
Thanks again to you all! Mingwei Yan, China. MSc Building Information Modelling
It has been a lovely course and the tutors were so kind and helpful. I studied on the face-to-face course before the pandemic and honestly nothing changed when we switched to the online method. Sultan Almutairi, Saudi Arabia. MSc Data Science
The writing part of the course has been like a gym for my mind to improve my communication skills, and I found all the topics extremely interesting. Thanks for all the different assignments during this course. Thanks for all the feedback and time dedicated to me and for this useful and amazing course! Luigi Bertoni, Italy. MBA
There were many advantages of taking this course online due to the coronavirus pandemic, one of which is staying safe at home while completing the necessary language course to start my main programme afterwards. If I have the opportunity to study online again it will be great, because this course has taught me a lot, just as if I was in a classroom. The staff were very helpful and they responded to all my questions and inquiries. Ghada Alali, Qatar, LLM Commercial Law
All parts of the course were so good for learning. The most valuable part of the course was writing. I learnt a lot of things and many techniques for writing assignments. Mubeen Ali, Pakistan. MSc Data Science
Everything in this course was great.Hamid Akbar, Saudi Arabia. MSc Engineering Management
I'd like to thank you for your amazing effort and understanding.Abdulaziz Alaskar, Saudi Arabia. MSc Cyber Security
It's a great class! Shoujie Zhang, China. BA International Business Management
We started as teachers and students, but we have ended up as friends. Tariq Al Diri, Jordan. LLM International Trade and Economic Law
Entry requirements
The length of the PSE you require will depend on your current IELTS score and the score you require to progress to your main programme of study. Entry to undergraduate (UG) degrees usually requires IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. Entry to postgraduate (PG) degrees and direct entry onto year three of an undergraduate degree normally requires IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. Some courses may require a higher level of English, so please check individual degree programmes for entry scores required.
The table below gives information about which PSE you will need to complete in order to proceed to your chosen degree course.
Current IELTS score |
Duration of PSE
| |
| UG applicants | PG and year 3 UG applicants | |
| 4.5 | 5.0 | 15 weeks |
| 5.0 | 5.5 | 10 weeks |
| 5.5 | 6.0 | 5 weeks |
| Applicants with overall required score but with one component at IELTS 5.0 | 5 weeks | |
UWE Bristol only accepts UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) as evidence of English language ability. Please see our English language requirements for more details about these tests.
Please note that unless specified, all students wishing to join a PSE programme must have a minimum IELTS score of 4.0 (or equivalent) in each element.
Applicants will be asked to submit a copy of their English Language qualification before an offer can be given.
For EU students or overseas students who do not need a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK, it may be possible to take the UWE Bristol English Language Placement Test to assess your level for entry. Please email: international@uwe.ac.uk to arrange this.
Structure
Content
As well as English language skills, this course will familiarise you with all aspects of studying and living in the UK including:
- Understanding lectures and academic texts
- Writing academic assignments
- Presentation skills
- Working in groups and individually
- UK culture
- Assessment preparation
- Subject specific lectures (available for selected subject areas)
- Guest lectures.
Learning and Teaching
You will be taught by highly qualified and experienced language teachers. Dedicated tutors will have regular meetings with you to discuss your work and progress.
Classes are small and will be delivered face-to-face on Frenchay campus. You will also be expected to study independently.
Materials will be provided. You will have access to e-learning support, and your progress will be monitored continuously through regular one-to-one tutorials with your class tutor.
Assessment
At the end of the course, you will be assessed in all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) Students who successfully pass the course will be able to progress to their main course without having to take IELTS.
Features
Study facilities
You will be able to take advantage of our excellent study facilities. These include a modern Library open 24/7, with its wide choice of course books and internet access.
Study in Bristol
You will be studying in Bristol, the largest city in the south west of England and home to international companies such as Hewlett-Packard, BBC, Aardman Animations, Atkins, Airbus and Rolls-Royce.
Bristol has excellent transport links with regular buses and trains to London, Scotland, Wales and the South Coast. London is only a 90-minute train journey away. Bristol International Airport makes it easy to travel to Europe at weekends if you wish to explore.
From Bristol, you will have easy access to traditional English countryside and towns including Bath and Oxford. You are also near to the beautiful Devon and Cornwall coastline.
Prices and dates
Supplementary fee information
Pre-sessional courses for degrees starting September 2025
| Current IELTS score | Duration | Start date | End date | Mode of delivery | Price |
UG 4.5 PG 5.0 | 15 weeks | 23 April 2025 | 15 August 2025
| Face-to-face Frenchay campus | £4500 |
UG 5.0 PG 5.5 | 10 weeks | 2 June 2025 | 15 August 2025 | Face-to-face Frenchay campus | £3000 |
UG 5.5 PG 6.0 | 5 weeks | 7 July 2025 | 15 August 2025 | Face-to-face Frenchay campus | £1500 |
| This course is open to UC offer holders who wish to improve their language and/or academic skills and applicants who have the required overall score with onecomponent at IELTS 5.0 | 5 weeks | 7 July 2025 | 15 August 2025 | Face-to-face Frenchay campus | £500
|
How to apply
If you have an appropriate SELT, and would like to apply for a Pre-sessional English Course, please complete the Pre-sessional Application Form.
Extra information
Accommodation
As a pre-sessional student, you can apply for UWE Bristol accommodation, However, we cannot guarantee that there will be availability. We can provide assistance in finding private accommodation if needed.
Privacy notice and policy
Find out more about our privacy notice and the University's terms and conditions.
For further information
- Email: If you would like more information about the Pre-sessional English course, please email shortcourses@uwe.ac.uk. If you have a question about UWE Bristol and the application process, or need help or advice please email International@uwe.ac.uk.
Contact address: Admissions Office, University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) Frenchay Campus, Bristol, BS16 1QY, United Kingdom.
- Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 86644