Pre-Sessional English

About this course

Course overview

99% of students progressed onto their desired degree after successfully passing
the course in 2022/23*

The QA Higher Education Pre-Sessional English (PSE) programme is designed to develop your
English skills to meet the English language entry requirements of a QA partner university
programme, at the foundation, undergraduate or postgraduate level. The course duration options
are setup with your destination course English language requirements in mind to help you to
progress.

The programme combines English language skills development with academic study skills required
for you to successfully study at a UK university. It also allows you to develop social English
language skills, both in class and outside class (online: though social activities and tasks).

Who is this programme for?

https://qahighereducation.com/courses/pre-sessional-english/ Course information correct as of

Content published from webpage – for links and further info visit the website 19th November 2024 11:11:07
The programme is for those who would like to progress to a university-level programme with one of
QA Higher Education’s partner universities and need to develop their English language skills to
meet the required entry-level. It is suitable for both international learners and some home students
whose first language is not English.

In addition, the PSE is suitable for those of you who would like to improve your English and
experience and understand how academic English is learnt and applied in a university context. It
is a good way to experience what it is like to study academic English. Pre-Sessional English (PSE)
can be studied in conjunction with an IELTS prep course to help get ready for an IELTS exam.
Pre-Sessional English is suitable for students who wish to study at

.
..
foundation level
undergraduate level
postgraduate level

What will be covered on the course?

The 15-week programme will focus on the development of your language skills in reading, writing,
speaking and listening; systems: vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. You will also develop your
confidence in everyday social English and, to help prepare for life here in the UK at a university, you
will explore and learn more about British culture and history.

The 10 and 5-week programme teaches you the language and academic skills necessary for you
to gain the maximum benefit from your future academic course. You will develop these skills in a
content-based approach to learning involving critical thinking, questioning, discussion, reflection
and analysis.

By the end of the course, you will feel confident to research your subject, deal with a range of
academic texts, attend lectures, take part in seminars and tutorials, and produce extended written
academic assignments.

Tuition hours/online

When you study online, in advance of each class you will be provided with guidance notes and
lecture materials. Before each class, you will be expected to engage with this learning to help you
prepare for the class. To support this approach, before each class you can join a session with your
lecturer to ask them to explain anything you don’t understand or simply want to know more
about. These drop-in sessions make sure that you are well prepared for when the actual lesson
starts.

Typically if you are learning online you would receive:

.
16 hours of scheduled classes
4 hours of writing tutorials

https://qahighereducation.com/courses/pre-sessional-english/ Course information correct as of

Content published from webpage – for links and further info visit the website 19th November 2024 11:11:07
. Drop-in sessions scheduled before or after classes, you can attend as many of these as you need
or wish, up to a maximum of 4 hours per week.

The maximum class size is 18 students.

As Pre-Sessional English is open to students from across the world the classes will be scheduled
to meet the requirements for different time zones.

Below is an example timetable; times may slightly vary depending on the country of origin/time size
of the majority of students.

Approximate difference
British Summer Time Asia (+7) Middle East (+3) Latin America (-4)
9am – 1pm 4pm – 8pm 12noon – 4pm n/a
2pm – 6pm n/a 5pm – 9pm 10am – 2pm

Example timetable

This programme is delivered by QA Higher Education

*Progression is noĞ guaranĞeed and Ğhe course requires Ğhe full commiĞmenĞ of each sĞudenĞ Ğo
successfully compleĞe Ğhe course. The pass raĞe is based on 59 ouĞ of 60 sĞudenĞs passing.

Careers and further study

Successful completion of the Pre-Sessional English will prepare you for UK University study. You
will be required to meet the academic and English requirements of your destination courses, as
outlined in your offer letter (if applicable).

Universities you can progress onto:

.
London Metropolitan University
Northumbria University

.
Solent University
Ulster University

.
University of South Wales
St Mary’s University

Modules

https://qahighereducation.com/courses/pre-sessional-english/ Course information correct as of

Content published from webpage – for links and further info visit the website 19th November 2024 11:11:07
All modules are core and are 0 credits.

Reading, Writing and Language (15 week programme)

This unit is designed to develop your reading and writing skills. Reading sessions will include key
reading techniques such as skimming, scanning.

The grammar and vocabulary of academic writing will be reviewed in-depth to support your writing
and understanding of texts.

Speaking, Listening and Language (15 week programme)

This unit will develop your listening and speaking skills. Listening sessions will include listening
techniques such as listening for gist, listening for specific information and listening for detail.
Speaking sessions will include giving presentations and discussions in seminars.

Grammar and vocabulary of spoken English will be reviewed in-depth to support your
understanding of listening to texts and speaking.

British Culture and Social English (15 week programme)

This module aims to help you with developing your social English and strategies of using English
inside and outside the classroom.

There will be some pronunciation exercises on individual sounds and areas of connected speech.

Reading, Writing and Language (All PSE students)

This unit is designed to develop your reading and writing skills. Reading sessions will include
reading techniques such as skimming, scanning and extensive reading, strategies for dealing with
an unknown language, and predicting content.

Writing sessions will include structuring essays at sentence and paragraph levels, understanding
thesis statements, and referencing.

The grammar and vocabulary of academic writing will be reviewed in-depth to support your writing
and understanding of texts.

Speaking, Listening and Language (All PSE students)

This unit will develop your listening and speaking skills. Listening sessions will include listening
techniques such as listening for gist, listening for specific information and listening for detail. It will
also cover areas such as note-taking.

Speaking sessions will include giving presentations and discussions in seminars.

https://qahighereducation.com/courses/pre-sessional-english/ Course information correct as of

Content published from webpage – for links and further info visit the website 19th November 2024 11:11:07
Grammar and vocabulary of spoken English will be reviewed in-depth to support your
understanding of listening to texts and speaking.

UK Project (All PSE students)

This module is designed to help international students understand the conventions of conducting
research, which is an important component of UK university study.

You will explore UK life and attempt to apply your research skills in a UK project.

The module develops your acculturation and will allow you to identify and explain the differences
between your own culture and British culture.

You will be required to prepare and present on your research topic and write a report.

Entry requirements
There are no academic entry requirements for this programme.

You will be required to meet the academic conditions of offer for any course you plan to study after
your Pre-Sessional English course.

There is no minimum age requirement for this programme. Parental/Guardian consent will be
required for those under 18s.

Destination Course 7.0 Destination 6.5 Destination 6.0 Destina

Target entry requirements 7.0 overall with a min of 7.0 6.5 overall with a min of 6.0 6.0 overall with no
(IELTS equivalent) in all components in all components component below
5 weeks 6.5 overall with a min of 6.0 6.0 overall with no 5.5 overall with no
in all components component below 5.0 component below
10 weeks 6.0 overall with no 5.5 overall with no 5.0 overall with no
component below 5.5 component below 5.0 component below
15 week 5.5 overall with no 5.0 overall with no 4.5 overall with no
component below 5.0 component below 4.5 component below

Applicants can use the following to meet the English language requirement:

.
Pearson – PTE
TOEFL

.
IELTS – Academic
IELTS – Indicator

.
Duolingo
QA Higher Education English Test

https://qahighereducation.com/courses/pre-sessional-english/ Course information correct as of

Content published from webpage – for links and further info visit the website 19th November 2024 11:11:07
Fees & finance
Tuition fees (2024/25)

.
..
5 week: £1,500
10 week: £3,000
15 week: £4,500

Tuition fees (2025/26)

.
..
5 week: £1,500
10 week: £3,000
15 week: £4,500

Your tuition fees cover the cost of teaching, access to resources, registration costs, and Student
Support Services. They do not include the cost of course books, stationery and
photocopying/printing costs, accommodation, living costs, travel, hobbies, sports or other leisure
activities.

Additional costs

For students studying online, access to a laptop/PC with a microphone, speakers and a webcam
is required.

Note: students without access to a PC/laptop will be unable to attempt the final
assessments. Students cannot complete this course with a smartphone only.

Students in China may require access to a VPN to utilise all learning and assessment software.

How to make a payment – Flywire

Pay your tuition fees quickly and easily with Flywire, an online payment platform available in over
240 countries and more than 140 currencies. Payments can be made using a variety of methods,
including bank transfers, credit cards, e-wallets, and more.

Pay with Flywire here

Did you know that if you arrange a local currency bank transfer with Flywire and discover a
better exchange rate at your bank within two hours, you can send them a quote from your bank,
and they’ll match it?*

*Terms and condiĞions apply.

https://qahighereducation.com/courses/pre-sessional-english/ Course information correct as of

Content published from webpage – for links and further info visit the website 19th November 2024 11:11:07
How to apply
You can apply directly to study Pre-Sessional English via our online application form.
Please be sure to apply for the correct start date for your current and target English
language level.
The IELTS destinations listed below are what you need for your progression degree’s
entry requirements.

Next application deadline: See dates and fees here.

Apply below for February 2025 (5-week) or January 2025 (10-week):

You will be directed to a QA Higher Education portal to set up an account and complete your
application.

IELTS Destinations 5 10
week week
IELTS 5.5 Apply for February Apply for January
IELTS 6.0 Apply for February Apply for January
IELTS 6.5 Apply for February Apply for January

Apply below for July 2025 (5-week), June 2025 (10-week) or May 2025 (15-week):

You will be directed to a QA Higher Education portal to set up an account and complete your
application.

IELTS Destinations 5 10 week 15 week

week
IELTS 5.5 Apply for July Apply for June Apply for May
IELTS 6.0 Apply for July Apply for June Apply for May
IELTS 6.5 Apply for July Apply for June Apply for May

https://qahighereducation.com/courses/pre-sessional-english/ Course information correct as of

Content published from webpage – for links and further info visit the website 19th November 2024 11:11:07