Pre-sessional English courses

  • Take a pre-sessional University English course to meet the language requirements of your degree. This course is accepted instead of IELTS as proof of your language ability. You can take the course before a bachelor's or master's degree.

    If you have a degree offer already, send us your IELTS for UKVI language test. We will then advise you on when to start your pre-sessional English programme: admissions@brookes.ac.uk 

  • Ousama-Zahr-Lebanon

    This course will prepare me for writing academic vocab when in the future I’m doing research. I like to talk with our tutors as they are very friendly, and they can explain anything I don’t know.

    Kamonchanok Siriyananda - Thailand, Pre-sessional English Course followed by Msc Cyber Security

  • What will I learn?

    You will develop a wide range of academic English language skills so you are qualified and confident to start your degree.

    Writing

    • Learn to write different types of essays.
    • Learn to brainstorm, organize ideas and edit your essays.

    Reading

    • Learn to understand and evaluate various academic reading texts.
    • Develop your micro-skills including note taking, summarising, scanning, skim reading and referencing.

    Academic grammar and language development

    • Increase your vocabulary.
    • Develop your understanding of sentence structure and word patterns.
    • Learn self-correction techniques.

    Listening and speaking

    • Develop your presentation, feedback and questioning techniques.
    • Learn how to listen for gist and detail.
    • Improve your pronunciation.

    Research

    • Improve your ability to undertake research and analyse data.
    • Learn how to describe and present your findings.

    For more detailed information please visit our University English course webpage.

  • How long do the courses last?

    Pre-sessional English is taught in 6-12 week blocks at four different levels. You will be taught with students of a similar language ability to your own. You will take consecutive course blocks until you reach the level required for your degree course. The tables below show approximately how long you need to study depending on your current and required language level.

    Example course lengths (tables are a guide only)

    Postgraduate

    If you need IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in speaking and listening (required for most postgraduate courses). 

    Your current IELTS* score Course length
    4.5 with at least 4.0 in all skills 36 weeks (over 3 semesters)
    5.0 with at least 4.5 in all skills 24 weeks (over 2 semesters)
    5.5 with at least 5.0 in all skills 12 weeks (over 1 semester)
    6.0 with at least 5.5 in all skills 12 or 6 weeks (6 week course only in summer)
    6.5 with at least 5.5 in all skills 6 week course (only in summer)

    Undergraduate

    If you need IELTS 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in speaking and listening (required for most undergraduate courses).

    Your current IELTS* score Course length
    4.5 with at least 4.0 in all skills 24 weeks (over 2 semesters)
    5.0 with at least 4.5 in all skills 12 weeks (over 1 semester)
    5.5 with at least 5.0 in all skills 12 or 6 weeks  (6 week course only in summer)
    6.0 with at least 5.5 in all skills 6 week course  (only in summer)

    *The only language test accepted for entry on to University English is an IELTS for UKVI test.