Home Centre for English as a Foreign Language Pre sessional English Courses

Pre-sessional English Courses

English UKAccredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK

Students who do not meet the English language entry requirements can take a pre-sessional course to develop their language skills before starting a degree. These courses improve your English level to prepare for your undergraduate or post graduate degree. The Pre-sessional English Course is delivered at Luton campus.

  • Teaching hours per week: 24
  • Students are sent timetables prior to induction - Timetable Sample [DOCX]
  • Maximum class size: 25
  • Course books: Average course book price is £25 - £30
  • Minimum enrolment age: The University is committed to equal opportunities in its admissions. All applications are considered on individual academic merit, occasionally the University admits students who are under the age of 18.

Current Entry Requirements for Pre-sessional Courses

16 Weeks Course
Qualification Entry requirements
IELTS 5.0 overall, with minimum 2 skills at 4.5 and 2 skills at 5.0
12 Weeks Course
Qualification Overall
IELTS 5.0 overall, with minimum 4 skills at 5.0
8 Weeks Course
Qualification Overall
IELTS 5.5 overall, with minimum 2 skills at 5.0 and 2 skills at 5.5
4 Weeks Course
Qualification Overall
IELTS 5.5 overall, with minimum 4 skills at 5.5
2 Weeks Course
Qualification Overall
IELTS 5.5 overall, with minimum 3 skills at 5.5 and 1 skill at 6.0

Pre-sessional Courses which lead to a 2024-25 Main Course

The following fees apply for Pre-sessional Courses which start on or after 1st August 2024, up until 31st July 2025.

Duration of Pre-sessional Entry Requirements Pre-sessional start Fee
16 weeks 5.0 overall, 2 bands at 5.0 and 2 bands at 4.5 6th May 2025 £4,800
23rd June 2025
12 weeks 5.0 overall, all bands at minimum 5.0 7th April 2025 £3,600
2nd June 2025
21st July 2025
8 weeks 5.5 overall, bands 5.0 x 2, and 5.5 x 2 6th May 2025 £2,400
30th June 2025
4 weeks 5.5 overall, all bands at minimum 5.5 2nd June 2025 £1,200
28th July 2025
2 weeks 5.5 overall, bands 5.5 x3, and 1 band minimum 6.0 16th June 2025 £600

Pre-sessional Courses which lead to a 2025-26 Main Course

The following fees apply for Pre-sessional Courses which start on or after 1st August 2025, up until 31st July 2026.

Duration of Pre-sessional Entry Requirements Pre-sessional start Fee

16 weeks

5.0 overall, 2 bands at 5.0 and 2 bands at 4.5

 26th August 2025

£6,400
5th May 2026
22nd June 2026

12 weeks

5.0 overall, all bands at minimum 5.0

 22nd September 2025

£5,000
24th November 2025
26th January 2026
23rd March 2026
1st June 2026
20th July 2026

8 weeks

5.5 overall, bands 5.0 x 2, and 5.5 x 2

 26th August 2025

£3,200
20 October 2025
5th January 2026
23rd February 2026
5th May 2026
29th June 2026

4 weeks

5.5 overall, all bands at minimum 5.5

 22nd September 2025

£1,800
17th November 2025
2nd February 2026
23rd March 2026
1st June 2026
27th July 2026

2 weeks

5.5 overall, bands 5.5 x3, and 1 band minimum 6.0

 18th August 2025

£900
6th October 2025
1st December 2025
16th February 2026
20th April 2026
15th June 2026

Applicants from most countries on our Pre-sessional English courses must pay their fees in full (as well as meeting all other offer letter conditions) in order to receive a CAS. There are however, some countries that are exempt, these are:

  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahrain
  • Barbados
  • Belgium
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Cambodia
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • China
  • Croatia
  • Republic of Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • The Dominican Republic
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Indonesia
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kuwait
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Peru
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Romania
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Thailand
  • Tunisia
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United States of America

Students who reach the required level of English can start their degree. Those who are not successful are offered a short programme of remedial study focussing on the skills they need to improve

Students who reach the required level of English after the remedial course can start their degree.

Those who are not successful after the remedial will be deferred to the next academic programme intake and will need to apply for a different visa. The University offers support throughout this process.