Presessional Programme

*The entry requirement is 0.5 higher for academic programmes with an IELTS 7.0 entrance requirement. Other test scores are also acceptable.

Why study a University of Leicester online presessional programme?

• Successful completion meets the English language requirement for all University of Leicester degree programmes. There is no need to take another English language test, such as IELTS, saving time and money.
• Improve study and academic as well as English skills, providing ideal preparation for a degree programme.
• Become familiar with UK study culture.
• Benefit from a £1,000 scholarship** upon progression to your University of Leicester academic course.

Student Case Studies

Hear what our students have to say about their experience studying online at the ELTU.

Features of the online presessional programme

• 8-10 hours of interactive sessions through lectures and tutorials in small groups and 1-to-1 tuition.
• 25 hours of guided independent study per week, through structured online study materials and accompanying tasks.
• A personal tutor to guide you through the module.
• Maximum class size of 16 – learn through interaction with the tutor and other students.
• Experienced, friendly and supportive teachers.
• High-quality and well-established materials delivered on the University’s online learning platform, included in tuition fee.
• Development and practice of reading, writing, speaking and listening.
• Develop your knowledge of your academic area in the project component and learn how to write an academic assignment.
• Learn about UK study culture, including learning how to reference and avoid plagiarism.
• Optional extra-curricular activities, both academic and social, providing interaction with tutors and other students.
• Access to university online facilities, such as the extensive digital library.

Benefits of studying online

• More flexibility in entry requirements and no need to take a UKVI IELTS test, for instance. Please see the full list of acceptable tests, which include CET6 and Gaokao. An online Leicester Presessional English Test is also available.
• Benefit from a £1,000 scholarship** upon progression to your University of Leicester academic course.
• Study at home without having to pay for international travel and accommodation fees.
• No need to apply for a visa, saving time and money.
• Study at your own pace, at times that are convenient for you.
  
  **The £1,000 scholarship is only valid for September 2020 and January 2021 entry to academic courses and for students who have taken an online pre-sessional.

About the English Language Teaching Unit

The English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) has been providing presessional courses for over 30 years and is accredited by the British Council. The ELTU has great experience in using technology to teach, and, for instance, offers a Postgraduate Certificate course online and has been teaching academic English modules online for students at our China campus, collaborating with Dalian University of Technology. The ELTU also offers a comprehensive insessional programme, providing free of charge English support classes to support international students during their academic studies.

Fees Payment

Course fees should be paid in full before the start of the course. Students will not be able to complete online registration and start their studies if they have not paid their course fees.

Payment can be made by any of the following methods:

• Online by Credit or Debit Card (MasterCard, Visa, Maestro and Delta)
• Electronic Bank Transfer
• Cheque / Banker's Draft

Full details are available on the Finance Office web pages.

Refunds

Presessional students are required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure their place on the Presessional English Language course as set out in the relevant programme specification. If a student withdraws within 14 days of date the University received the non-refundable deposit to secure their place on the Presessional English Language the deposit paid will be returned in full. Otherwise it will not be refundable. Please click here for full details of the refund policy.

If you start your course and then decide to leave before completing it, you may be entitled to a full or partial refund depending on the date of your withdrawal:

• If a student withdraws within 14 days of the course start date the fee liability is Nil (there will be a full refund);
• The fee liability is determined by the course tuition fee based on the number of weeks in attendance as a proportion of the number of weeks specified in the normal period of registration as set out in the relevant programme specification;

A partially completed week is treated as a full week for the fee liability calculation.

Ignite will combine 8 to 10 hours per week of compulsory classroom-based live classes in Leicester with 25 hours per week of guided independent study.

Online will be fully delivered online and will combine 8 to 10 hours of compulsory live video classes with 25 hours per week of guided independent study.

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions for more detailed information.

Advantages of the Ignite course

• Meet classmates and teachers in person.
• Access to campus facilities, such as the library, students union and sports facilities.
• Study in an English-speaking environment.
• Familiarise yourself with the university, city and local culture.
• Schedule the independent study at times convenient to you.

Advantages of the Online course

• More flexibility in the admissions process and entry requirements, such as the larger range of acceptable English language test and exams.
• Receive a £1,000 bursary upon progression to your academic course.*
• Save money on accommodation, taking English tests and visa fees.
• Schedule the independent study at times convenient to you.

*The £1,000 scholarship is only valid for September 2020 and January 2021 entry to academic courses and for students who have taken the Online pre-sessional.

Modules A, B and C will only be available online in Term 1 of 2020/21.

*The entry requirement is 0.5 higher for academic programmes with an IELTS 7.0 entrance requirement. Other test scores are also acceptable.

For Online Presessional, English tests and exams other than IELTS are acceptable. For more information, click here.

Why study a University of Leicester online presessional programme?

• Successful completion meets the English language requirement for all University of Leicester degree programmes. There is no need to take another English language test, such as IELTS, saving time and money.
• Improve study and academic as well as English skills, providing ideal preparation for a degree programme.
• Become familiar with UK study culture.

Features of the Ignite and Online Presessional Programmes

• 8 – 10 hours of live interactive sessions per week through tutorials in small groups and 1-to-1 tuition. On the Ignite course, these classes will take place in classrooms in Leicester and on the Online course by video. Attendance of these classes is compulsory.
• 25 hours of guided independent study per week, through structured online study materials and accompanying tasks. Students have the flexibility to complete this study at their convenience.
• A personal tutor to guide you through the module.
• Maximum class size of 16 – learn through interaction with the tutor and other students.
• Experienced, friendly and supportive tutors.
• High-quality and well-established materials delivered on the University’s online learning platform included in the tuition fee.
• Development and practice of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.
• Develop knowledge of your academic area in the project course component and learn how to write an academic assignment.
• Learn about UK study culture, including learning how to reference and avoid plagiarism.

Fees Payment

Course fees should be paid in full before the start of the course. Students will not be able to complete online registration and start their studies if they have not paid their course fees.

• Payment can be made by any of the following methods:
• Online by Credit or Debit Card (MasterCard, Visa, Maestro and Delta)
• Electronic Bank Transfer
• Cheque / Banker's Draft

Full details are available on the Finance Office web pages.

Refunds

Presessional students are required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure their place on the Presessional English Language course as set out in the relevant programme specification. If a student withdraws within 14 days of date the University received the non-refundable deposit to secure their place on the Presessional English Language the deposit paid will be returned in full. Otherwise it will not be refundable. Please click here for full details of the refund policy.

• If you start your course and then decide to leave before completing it, you may be entitled to a full or partial refund depending on the date of your withdrawal:
• If a student withdraws within 14 days of the course start date the fee liability is Nil (there will be a full refund);
• The fee liability is determined by the course tuition fee based on the number of weeks in attendance as a proportion of the number of weeks specified in the normal period of registration as set out in the relevant programme specification;
• A partially completed week is treated as a full week for the fee liability calculation.

Student Case Studies

Hear what our students have to say about their experience studying online at the ELTU.

• Entry requirements shown below are IELTS - you must have minimum IELTS 4.0 in all skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing). If you have a different qualification, check our entry levels page.
• Requires Tier 4 visa, Dependent Visa, or EU passport for Ignite study.
• The minimum age for enrolment on all programmes is 18.
• Maximum 16 students in a class.
• All study materials are included in the tuition fee.
• Course fees should be paid in full before the start of the course: information about fees payment and refunds

• Tailored summer presessionals for undergraduates and postgraduates

Choose your programme below, depending on your level of English. If you live outside the European Union (EU), you must apply before the date shown, or your visa will not arrive in time.

For general enquiries about the Presessional Programme, email: pspadmissions@le.ac.uk

Holidays and closure dates

Please find the dates when there will be no teaching here.

Fees Payment

Course fees should be paid in full before the start of the course. Payment can be made by any of the following methods:

• Online by Credit or Debit Card (MasterCard, Visa, Maestro and Delta)
• Electronic Bank Transfer
• Cheque / Banker's Draft

Full details are available on the Finance Office web pages.

Refunds

Pre-sessional students are required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure their place on the Pre-Sessional English Language course as set out in the relevant programme specification. If a student withdraws within 14 days of date the University received the non-refundable deposit to secure their place on the Pre-Sessional English Language the deposit paid will be returned in full. Otherwise it will not be refundable. Please click here for full details of the refund policy.

If you start your course and then decide to leave before completing it, you may be entitled to a full or partial refund depending on the date of your withdrawal:

• If a student withdraws within 14 days of the course start date the fee liability is Nil (there will be a full refund);
• The fee liability is determined by the course tuition fee based on the number of weeks in attendance as a proportion of the number of weeks specified in the normal period of registration as set out in the relevant programme specification;

A partially completed week is treated as a full week for the fee liability calculation.

Course description

Our 40-week presessional programme will give you the English language and academic skills you need for successful study at a UK university.

Weeks 1-10 (Module A)

• Improve your grammar and vocabulary

• Develop your speaking, listening, writing and reading skills
• Work closely with a small number of teachers
• Learn how to improve your English outside of the classroom

Weeks 11-20 (Module B)

• Develop your vocabulary foundation for general English and academic study
• Continue to develop your speaking, listening and reading skills
• Stronger focus on writing, with special classes to develop this skill
• In the afternoon classes, choose to study the areas that you need to improve most

Weeks 21-30 (Module C)

• Key skills for academic study: academic style in writing; reading skills for longer, more difficult texts; listening and note-taking; speaking skills for discussions and presentations
• Build your vocabulary for general and academic English
• Review key grammar points

Weeks 31-40 (Module D)

• Learn how to structure and write academic essays
• Develop reading skills to deal with long academic texts quickly and effectively
• Develop speaking skills for seminars, tutorials and presentations
• Build your academic and general English vocabulary across a range of topics
• Practise your note-taking by attending real lectures given by guest lecturers from departments across the University of Leicester
• Research and write a 1,500 word essay in your subject area, and learn key academic research and study skills such as referencing and how to avoid plagiarism

Programme materials

All materials are included in the cost of the programme and are carefully selected to prepare you for the level of language you will meet in an English academic environment.

Assessment

At each stage of the programme there are exams to test your skills and check your progress in reading, writing, speaking and listening. You will also do regular written work, which will be marked by your teacher.

What happens after I finish the presessional programme?

Students who complete the Presessional Programme will receive a University of Leicester Assessment of English score. If the ULAE meets the language conditions of your offer, you will receive an unconditional offer for your academic programme.

After you start your degree, master's, or PhD, you can continue to receive help from the English Language Teaching Unit. The ELTU provides a range of support classes and tutorials for international students studying at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Student Case Studies

Hear what our students have to say about their experience studying online at the ELTU.

Course description

Our 30-week presessional programme will give you the English language and academic skills you need for successful study at a UK university.

Weeks 1-10 (Module B)

• Develop your vocabulary foundation for general English and academic study

• Continue to develop your speaking, listening and reading skills
• Stronger focus on writing, with special classes to develop this skill

Weeks 11-20 (Module C)

• Key skills for academic study: academic style in writing; reading skills for longer, more difficult texts; listening and note-taking; speaking skills for discussions and presentations
• Build your vocabulary for general and academic English
• Review key grammar points

Weeks 21-30 (Module D)

• Learn how to structure and write academic essays
• Develop reading skills to deal with long academic texts quickly and effectively
• Develop speaking skills for seminars, tutorials and presentations
• Build your academic and general English vocabulary across a range of topics
• Practise your note-taking by attending real lectures given by guest lecturers from departments across the University of Leicester
• Research and write a 1,500 word essay in your subject area, and learn key academic research and study skills such as referencing and how to avoid plagiarism

Programme materials

All materials are included in the cost of the programme and are carefully selected to prepare you for the level of language you will meet in in an English academic environment.

Assessment

At each stage of the programme there are exams to test your skills and check your progress in reading, writing, speaking and listening. You will also do regular written work, which will be marked by your teacher.

What happens after I finish the presessional programme?

Students who complete the Presessional Programme will receive a University of Leicester Assessment of English score. If the ULAE meets the language conditions of your offer, you will receive an unconditional offer for your academic programme.

After you start your degree, master's, or PhD, you can continue to receive help from the English Language Teaching Unit. The ELTU provides a range of support classes and tutorials for international students studying at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Student Case Studies

Hear what our students have to say about their experience studying online at the ELTU.

Course description

Our 20-week presessional programme will give you the English language and academic skills you need for successful study at a UK university.

Weeks 1-10 (Module C)

• Key skills for academic study: academic style in writing; reading skills for longer, more difficult texts; listening and note-taking; speaking skills for discussions and presentations

• Build your vocabulary for general and academic English
• Review key grammar points

Weeks 11-20 (Module D)

• Learn how to structure and write academic essays
• Develop reading skills to deal with long academic texts quickly and effectively
• Develop speaking skills for seminars, tutorials and presentations
• Build your academic and general English vocabulary across a range of topics
• Practise your note-taking by attending real lectures given by guest lecturers from departments across the University of Leicester
• Research and write a 1,500 word essay in your subject area, and learn key academic research and study skills such as referencing and how to avoid plagiarism

Programme materials

All materials are included in the cost of the programme and are carefully selected to prepare you for the level of language you will meet in an English academic environment.

Assessment

At each stage of the programme there are exams to test your skills and check your progress in reading, writing, speaking and listening. You will also do regular written work, which will be marked by your teacher.

What happens after I finish the presessional programme?

Students who complete the Presessional Programme will receive a University of Leicester Assessment of English score. If the ULAE meets the language conditions of your offer, you will receive an unconditional offer for your academic programme.

After you start your degree, master's, or PhD, you can continue to receive help from the English Language Teaching Unit. The ELTU provides a range of support classes and tutorials for international students studying at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Student Case Studies

Hear what our students have to say about their experience studying online at the ELTU.

Course description

Our 10-week presessional programme will give you the English language and academic skills you need for successful study at a UK university.

• Learn how to structure and write academic essays
• Develop reading skills to deal with long academic texts quickly and effectively
• Develop speaking skills for seminars, tutorials and presentations
• Build your academic and general English vocabulary across a range of topics
• Practise your note-taking by attending real lectures given by guest lecturers from departments across the University of Leicester
• Research and write a 1,500 word essay in your subject area, and learn key academic research and study skills such as referencing and how to avoid plagiarism

Programme materials

All materials are included in the cost of the programme and are carefully selected to prepare you for the level of language you will meet in an English academic environment.

Assessment

At each stage of the programme there are exams to test your skills and check your progress in reading, writing, speaking and listening. You will also do regular written work, which will be marked by your teacher.

What happens after I finish the presessional programme?

Students who complete the Presessional Programme will receive a University of Leicester Assessment of English score. If the ULAE meets the language conditions of your offer, you will receive an unconditional offer for your academic programme.

After you start your degree, master's, or PhD, you can continue to receive help from the English Language Teaching Unit. The ELTU provides a range of support classes and tutorials for international students studying at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Student Case Studies

Hear what our students have to say about their experience studying online at the ELTU.

Presessional 6 weeks course is for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students.

Course description

Our 6-week presessional programme will give you the English language and academic skills you need for successful study at a UK university.

• Learn how to structure and write academic essays
• Develop reading skills to deal with long academic texts quickly and effectively
• Develop speaking skills for seminars, tutorials and presentations
• Build your academic and general English vocabulary across a range of topics
• Practise your note-taking by attending real lectures given by guest lecturers from departments across the University of Leicester
• Research and write a 1,500 word essay in your subject area, and learn key academic research and study skills such as referencing and how to avoid plagiarism

Programme materials

All materials are included in the cost of the programme and are carefully selected to prepare you for the level of language you will meet in an English academic environment.

Assessment

There are exams to test your skills and check your progress in reading, writing, speaking and listening. You will also do regular written work, which will be marked by your teacher.

What happens after I finish the presessional programme?

Students who complete the Presessional Programme will receive a University of Leicester Assessment of English score. If the ULAE meets the language conditions of your offer, you will receive an unconditional offer for your academic programme.

After you start your degree, master's, or PhD, you can continue to receive help from the English Language Teaching Unit. The ELTU provides a range of support classes and tutorials for international students studying at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Student Case Studies

Hear what our students have to say about their experience studying online at the ELTU.

To get a Tier 4 Visa, you must have an English language test result which is recognised by United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI). The two accepted tests are IELTS and Trinity College London ISE.

• Entry levels for Presessional Programme

• Language tests for Tier 4 Visa

Entry levels for Presessional Programme

We understand that it can be very difficult for applicants to take an IELTS test in the current context due to many test centres being closed.

For this reason, we have reviewed the list of tests acceptable for entry onto our presessional programmes (see full list in the table below) and can also offer a Leicester Presessional entry test to applicants who have a conditional offer for a presessional programme starting in July or August 2020.

We will accept exam certificates up to two years of their original date.  Any exam certificates older than two years will not be accepted.

Please note, we now also accept Gaokao results for undergraduate presessional entry (76% minimum) and CET6 results for postgraduate presessional entry (550 minimum) with an ELTU interview. For more detailed information, please refer to our FAQs.

Please note: the entry requirement is 0.5 higher for academic programmes with an IELTS 7.0 entrance requirement.

We also now accept IELTS Indicator tests for entry onto our presessional programmes.

Language tests for Tier 4 Visa

The table shows the minimum scores required in each language area to obtain a Tier 4 Visa.

For information about Tier 4 minimum in other tests, email us: pspadmissions@le.ac.uk

The University now offers an option to study for a postgraduate masters programme with integrated presessional English language.  This combines the 6 week presessional and 10 week presessional programme delivered by the University’s English Language Teaching Unit with the main programme of study.

The benefits of studying an Integrated Masters is that you’ll only need to make one visa application to study in the UK, meaning that you’ll save money and won’t need to renew your visa before you begin your Masters.

Because this is an Integrated English Language course, we can accept a wider range of English tests, including IELTS (standard and UKVI approved), TOEFL iBT and Pearson Test of English (PTE).

The minimum requirements are below:

In order to be eligible, applicants must have:

• successfully completed their undergraduate degree;
• a conditional offer for postgraduate study at the University in January 2021, with the only condition being that you meet the English language requirement;
• taken an English language test within 2 years of the start of the postgraduate masters programme;
• achieved a score in English language which is only slightly lower than the English language requirement for the masters programme.

English language tuition

The presessional English language programme is taught by specialist staff in the English Language Teaching Unit and focuses on the key skills of writing, reading, speaking and listening.

Fees

Students on the integrated programme pay the fee for the English tuition in addition to the fee for the postgraduate degree.  The tuition fee for the 6 week English language course for 2020 is £2,250 and for the 10 week English language course, £3,675.

How to apply

1. Apply online for a postgraduate masters programme.
2. Upon receipt of a conditional offer, apply for the pre-sessional programme Module E http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/eltu/fulltime/presessional/e
3. If you are eligible for an offer for the integrated programme, you’ll be contacted by a member of the PG admissions team. If you wish to take up a place on the integrated programme, you’ll be issued with an unconditional offer letter that integrates the English language tuition with the masters programme.

Tier 4 visas

If you are eligible for an offer for the integrated programme, you’ll be issued with one Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to cover both the English language and the masters programme. This can then be used to apply for one Tier 4 visa.

Progression to the postgraduate masters programme

Students who take up a place with an integrated offer do not automatically progress to their master's. Progression depends upon successfully completing the English language presessional programme.

Your integrated offer remains unconditional provided you successfully complete the English language programme.

If you do not successfully complete the English language programme, your offer for the master's will revert to being conditional on English language and Tier 4 sponsorship will be withdrawn.

If you then meet the English language condition by successfully completing an IELTS test at the appropriate level, you’ll be given an unconditional offer for the masters programme and a new Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to cover the dates of the masters programme only.