Pre-sessional English courses
Pre-Sessional English Courses
Birmingham City University’s Pre-sessional English and Academic Skills courses will help you prepare for your chosen future degree course. In 2025, our pre-sessional courses will be delivered on-campus and online.
Pre-sessional courses will help you to meet the minimum language entry requirements of your chosen degree course while improving your speaking, listening, reading and writing ability. You should select a pre-sessional course according to your current English language level, using the table below:
|
Course |
You have IELTS/equivalent |
You need IELTS |
|---|---|---|
|
16 week |
4.0 (no band less than 4.0) |
5.5 (5.5) |
|
4.5 (no band less than 4.0) |
6.0 (5.5) |
|
|
5.0 (no band less than 4.5) |
6.5 (6.0) |
|
|
5.5 (no band less than 5.0) |
7.0 (6.5) |
|
|
10 week |
4.5 (no band less than 4.5) |
5.5 (5.5) |
|
5.0 (no band less than 4.5) |
6 (5.5) |
|
|
5.5 (no band less than 5.0) |
6.5 (6.0) |
|
|
6.0 (no band less than 5.5) |
7.0 (6.5) |
|
|
6 week |
5.0 (no band less than 5.0) |
5.5 (5.5) |
|
5.5 (no band less than 5.0) |
6 (5.5) |
|
|
6.0 (no band less than 5.5) |
6.5 (6.0) |
|
|
6.5 (no band less than 6.0) |
7.0 |
|
|
2 week |
New 2 week pre-sessional courses for students who have already met the language entry requirements of their degree course. |
|
Apply for a pre-sessional course:
If using a PDF application form, apply for the pre-sessional course you need when applying for your main degree programme. If applying online, please mention this in your personal statement. We have three courses designed to help you improve your English level to the necessary standard.
Course dates for September 2025 intake
|
On-campus pre-sessional courses for degree programmes starting in September 2025 |
Start date |
End date |
Course fees |
|---|---|---|---|
|
16-week on-campus pre-sessional |
May 19 |
September 5 |
£6,000 |
|
10-week on-campus pre-sessional |
June 30 |
September 5 |
£3,400 |
|
6-week on-campus pre-sessional |
July 28 |
September 5 |
£2,040 |
|
Online pre-sessional courses for degree programmes starting in September 2025 |
Start date |
End date |
Course fees |
|---|---|---|---|
|
16-week online pre-sessional |
May 5 |
August 22 |
£6,000 |
|
10-week online pre-sessional |
February 17 |
April 25 |
£3,400 |
|
May 5 |
July 11 |
||
|
June 16 |
August 22 |
||
|
6-week online pre-sessional |
March 17 |
April 25 |
£2,040 |
|
June 2 |
July 11 |
||
|
July 14 |
August 22 |
Course details
The course's on-campus and online versions are designed to equip you with the English proficiency and academic skills necessary to succeed during your main programme. Among the skills you will study on the pre-sessional courses, you will learn how to:
- Deliver successful academic presentations
- Write appropriately structured, coherent and concise essays
- Participate actively in academic contexts
- Take effective notes when reading and listening
- Avoid plagiarism while using suitable academic sources in your work
Online Pre-sessional
Birmingham City University’s Online Pre-sessional English courses all feature:
- Live video classes + regular one-to-one tutorials with a personal tutor
- Authentic academic video, audio and text-based tasks
- Regular conversation practice to develop your speaking ability
- 24/7 access to self-study and group work activities
Online classes take place Monday-Friday through Microsoft Teams, 8:00-12:00 UK time.
Students will need access to a PC or laptop and a good internet connection.
On-campus Pre-sessional
Birmingham City University’s on-campus Pre-sessional English courses occur on our City Centre Campus. You will have small group classes and one-to-one tutorials with your teacher between 8:00 and 15:30, Monday through Friday.
Accommodation
Accommodation can be provided for all 10-week and 6-week on-campus pre-sessional students at University Locks, which is located just a two-minute walk from our City Centre Campus, where all pre-sessional classes occur.
Accommodation is £170.84 per week, and you will be provided with a duvet and cover, sheet, pillow, and pillowcase, as well as a hand and bath towel. You do not need to book accommodation for these courses; it will be allocated on arrival.
More information about University Locks.
Limited accommodation is available for 16-week on-campus pre-sessional students. This is available on a first-come, first-served basis. After accepting your place on the course, please contact: accommodation@bcu.ac.uk
Contact
For more information about Birmingham City University's Pre-sessional courses, please contact: presessional@bcu.ac.uk