Pre-sessional English

Need to increase your English language (IELTS score)?

If you didn't get the IELTS result you need for direct entry onto your degree programme, you may wish to join one of our pre-sessional English programmes. There are different routes available, depending on your current IELTS score and the result you need for your degree course.

These courses help you to develop your academic language and study skills so that you can study effectively at either undergraduate or postgraduate level. Successful completion of the course means that you will not need to take another IELTS exam.

How to apply

Our Pre-sessional English courses are only available for applicants with an offer to study a degree programme at the University of Hertfordshire.

Email international@herts.ac.uk to request to be placed on a pre-sessional English programme. Remember to include your IELTS test certificate and application ID for your degree programme so that the Admissions Team can review a place for you.

Programme delivery

Pre-sessional English programmes for the Semester A, September 2024 intake will be delivered online. We deliver our Pre-sessional English courses online to ensure they are available to as many students as possible, whilst still maintaining the highest standards of teaching. As these courses will be taught online, you will not be required to apply for a visa to undertake these Pre-Sessional English programmes, saving you time to focus on studying English and preparing for your arrival in the UK for the start of the September 2024 intake. You will still need a visa for your follow on degree course.

Pre-sessional English sessions

If your main degree course starts in Semester A September 2024, the following sessions are available for pre-sessional English:

Standard route

If you need a 6.0 IELTS score and have 5.0 or 5.5 then you should take this route.

Current IELTS score	Required IELTS score	PSE start date September intake	Course duration	Fees
5.0 (with no less than 4.5 in any band)	6.0	20 May 2024	12 weeks	£3,740
5.5 (with no less than 4.5 in any band)	6.0	1 July 2024	6 weeks	£2,040

Higher route

If you need a 6.5 IELTS score and have 5.5 or 6.0 then you should take this route.

Current IELTS score	Required IELTS score	PSE start date September intake	Course duration	Fees
5.5 (with no less than 4.5 in any band)	6.5	20 May 2024	12 weeks	£3,740
6.0 (with no less than 5.0 in any band)	6.5	1 July 2024	6 weeks	£2,040

Advanced route

If you need a 7.0 IELTS score and have 6.0 or 6.5 then you should take this route.

Current IELTS score	Required IELTS score	Online start date September intake	Course duration	Fees
6.0 (with no less than 5.0 in any band)	7.0	20 May 2024	12 weeks	£3,740
6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in any band)	7.0	1 July 2024	6 weeks	£2,040

Need a foundation course instead?

Visit our foundation partner Hertfordshire International College and see the routes available to progress onto a degree programme at the University of Hertfordshire. They are based on our campus, so you can still by part of our community while completing your foundation studies.