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 2025 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 2025 intake. You will still need a visa for your follow on degree course.
Timetable
The pre-sessional English lessons are usually 9am to 12pm UK time every day (with the option for afternoon sessions for some time zones). Students closer to UK time may have afternoon lessons instead of morning lessons. There will be 3 hours every day and then the homework, self-study, and other tasks you will need do on your own. Self-study can be completed at any time that is reasonable for your location. It is expected that you will have approximately three hours of self-study per day, but this may increase for your assignments.
You can use the world clock converter to work out the local time in your country that the lessons will take place.
Below is an example of what a weekly PSE timetable may involve:
| UK Time | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00am - 11:30am | Academic reading and writing | Academic speaking and listening | Tutorials | Academic reading and writing | Academic speaking and listening |
| 12:00pm - 1pm | Speaking practice sessions | Speaking practice sessions | Speaking practice sessions | Speaking practice sessions | Speaking practice sessions |
| 1pm - 4pm | Self-study: homework, individual and/or group assignments | Self-study: homework, individual and/or group assignments | Self-study: homework, individual and/or group assignments | Self-study: homework, individual and/or group assignments | Self-study: homework, individual and/or group assignments |
Attendance
You must attend all sessions in a quiet area to take part in the online sessions. This will also improve your learning and understanding on the course. You need to ensure you have time available to engage with each session. Please do not try to work or complete other commitments while class is in session as this will affect your learning.
Failure to pass this programme may mean that you will be unable to progress onto your chosen study at Herts. Therefore, you will need to ensure you are fully engaging and attending your programme to reach your full potential.
Pre-sessional English sessions
If your main degree course starts in Semester A September 2025, 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 | 26 May 2025 | 11 weeks | £3,800 |
| 5.5 (with no less than 4.5 in any band) | 6.0 | 6 July 2025 | 6 weeks | £2,100 |
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 | 26 May 2025 | 11 weeks | £3,800 |
| 6.0 (with no less than 5.0 in any band) | 6.5 | 6 July 2025 | 6 weeks | £2,100 |
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 | 26 May 2025 | 11 weeks | £3,800 |
| 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in any band) | 7.0 | 6 July 2025 | 6 weeks | £2,100 |
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.