Pre-sessional English programmes for Academic Purposes

A series of short courses which helps you to improve your English and learn essential academic skills before starting your course at Aston University. Students requiring visas, please find out more.

Location: Aston University, Birmingham

Course type
Full-time
Entry requirements

Tables below provide guidance on the minimum entry requirements for pre-sessional English courses.

Duration

Varies

Start date

Course overview

What is a Pre-Sessional English course and is it suitable for me?

A Pre-sessional course helps you to improve your English and learn essential academic skills before starting your degree at Aston University. If you are an international student with an offer to study with us, this course is designed especially for you.

Whatever your level of English, we have a that is right for you. If you already have a upper-intermediate level of English, we offer a 5-week course. If you need more help to improve your English, we also offer 9-week and 18-week courses.

Why should I take a Pre-Sessional English course at Aston University?

  • Be more prepared for your university course
  • Meet the English language requirements of your degree
  • Gain more confidence in using English
  • Learn essential academic skills for your degree, such as research skills and presentation skills
  • Adapt to living and studying in the UK
  • Get your own university mentor
  • Enjoy our social and networking events, and make new friends
  • Take advantage of opportunities to visit places of interest in the UK and Birmingham
  • Access our campus facilities (Library, Sports Centre, Restaurants, Computer Centres & Support Services)

On completion of your course, you will be awarded a module certificate from Aston University, and you will have fulfilled the English Language requirement for entry onto your intended degree at Aston University. Our Pre-sessional English programmes are accredited by BALEAP, an organisation specialising in English for Academic Purposes.

What will I learn?

  • General, academic and subject-specific vocabulary in English
  • Academic writing skills
  • Research skills
  • How to read academic texts
  • How to understand academic lectures and take notes
  • How to express your ideas and opinions in class discussions
  • Presentation skills
  • Pronunciation of English
  • English grammar
  • Intercultural communication skills

Pre-Sessional English courses

Your Pre-sessional English course will prepare you for success by building your confidence in using English and developing the academic skills you will need in your future degree course at Aston.

In the daily live seminars, you will experience a variety of learning activities, such as class and group discussions and projects, as well as lectures and note-taking practice. In addition, you will develop your independent learning skills through guided activities involving reading and writing with feedback from your academic and personal tutor. You will receive full support through regular tutorials.

Meng Du

"I really enjoyed Aston’s Pre-Sessional English course. It not only teaches the English language, but also teaches so many practical skills, for example, how to have a better understanding of lectures, how to take notes and how to contribute in seminars. It helped me adapt more quickly to my Master's course."

Meng Du

Learning, teaching and assessment

Our Pre-sessional English courses are delivered by a team of qualified, experienced and dedicated staff at Aston University's Centre for English Language and Communication (CELCA). Your academic tutors and lecturers have a comprehensive understanding of the UK Higher Education environment and are there to support students through the learning process. We use a variety of innovative and engaging teaching methods which include lectures, seminars, tutorials, interactive workshops and group work activities.

There are also opportunities for individual project work, presentation delivery, seminar participation and attendance of live lectures. Aston's Pre-sessional English courses also provide opportunities to meet and learn with students from a variety of cultural backgrounds and diverse nationalities, and to develop critical intercultural competence skills that will facilitate the transition onto your future degree programmes.

Assessment and Feedback

These are intensive programmes which require commitment to studying and learning. Full attendance is expected, as well as punctuality, class participation and teamwork. The assessment of your performance will be based on assignments, such as written essays and reports, oral presentations, tests and an individual research project.

English language requirements

The tables below provide guidance on the minimum entry requirements for the Pre-sessional English courses. The length of the Pre-sessional course will depend on your current level of English, the required direct entry scores to your chosen degree programme and the nature of the programme. Once the University has made you an offer, your College will confirm which Pre-sessional English course is appropriate for your needs and the needs of your degree programme.

If your qualification is not listed here then please contact us to see if we can accept it.

18 Week Aston Pre-sessional Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements In addition to the qualifications listed below, we also accept a wide range of other qualifications. Please check the 'English Language Requirements' section above.

 UKVI IELTSTOEFL
(online programmes only)
PTE Academic (Pearson)Password (online programmes only)
UG ABS and HLS*Overall 5.0, with no band lower than 4.5Overall 45, with no less than 10 in reading, 13 in listening, 18 in speaking and 15 in writing36 in each skillOverall 5.0, with no band lower than 4.5
UG EPS and SSHOverall 5.0, with no band lower than 4.0Overall 45, with no less than 4 in reading, 9 in listening, 16 in speaking and 13 in writing36 in each skillOverall 5.0, with no band lower than 4.0.
Pharmacy and Optometry
PGT BSS
PGT HLS (excluding OSPAP and Medical School)
PGT EPS (Engineering Management &
Supply Chain Management)
Overall 5.0, with no band lower than 4.5, and writing at 5.0Overall 45, with no less than 10 in reading, 13 in listening, 18 in speaking and 16 in writing36 in each skillOverall 5.0, with no band lower than 4.5, and writing at 5.0.
PGT EPSOverall 5.0, with no band lower than 4.5Overall 45, with no less than 10 in reading, 13 in listening, 18 in speaking and 15 in writing36 in each skillOverall 5.0, with no band lower than 4.5.

*With the exception of UG Pharmacy and Optometry that are now mapped with PGT HLS and Aston Medical School.

9 Week Aston Pre-sessional Entry Requirements

In addition to the qualifications listed below, we also accept a wide range of other qualifications. Please check the 'English Language Requirements' section above.

 UKVI IELTSTOEFL
(online programmes only)
PTE Academic (Pearson)Password (online programmes only)Language Cert IESOL online (online programmes only)
UG ABS and HLS*Overall 5.5, with no band lower than 5.0Overall 59, with no less than 17 in reading, 16 in listening, 19 in speaking, 16 in writing42 in each skillOverall 5.5, with no band lower than 5.0.B2 Overall Pass; each skill at 25/50
UG EPS and SSHOverall 5.0, with no band lower than 4.5Overall 45, with no less than 10 in reading, 13 in listening, 18 in speaking and 15 in writing36 in each skillOverall 5.0, with no band lower than 4.5.B1 Overall High Pass, with no skill lower than 33/50
UG Pharmacy and Optometry
PGT BSS
PGT HLS (excluding OSPAP and
Medical School)
PGT EPS (Engineering Management
& Supply Chain Management
Overall 5.5, with no more than two bands at 5.0 and other bands at 5.5 or aboveOverall 59, with no less than 20 in reading, 16 in listening, 19 in speaking, 20 in writing42 in each skillOverall 5.5, with no more than two bands at 5.0 and other bands at 5.5 or above.B2 Overall Pass; each skill at 25/50
PGT EPSOverall 5.0, with no band lower than 5.0Overall 45, with no less than 17 in reading, 16 in listening, 19 in speaking and 16 in writing36 in each skillOverall 5.0, with no band lower than 5.0.B1 Overall High Pass; each skill at 39/50

*With the exception of UG Pharmacy and Optometry that are now mapped with PGT HLS and Aston Medical School.

5 Week Aston Pre-sessional Entry Requirements

In addition to the qualifications listed below, we also accept a wide range of other qualifications. Please check the 'English Language Requirements' section above.

 UKVI IELTSTOEFL
(online programmes only)
PTE Academic (Pearson)Password (online programmes only)Language Cert IESOL online (online programmes only)
UG ABS and HLS*Overall 6.0, with no band lower than 5.5Overall 78, with no less than 20 in reading, 19 in listening, 20 in speaking, 20 in writing50 in each skillOverall 6.0, with no band lower than 5.5.B2 Overall High Pass; with no skill lower than 25/50
UG EPS and SSHOverall 5.5, with no band lower than 5.0Overall 59, with no less than 17 in reading, 16 in listening, 19 in speaking, 16 in writing42 in each skillOverall 5.5, with no band lower than 5.0.B2 Overall Pass, with each skill at 25/50
UG HLS Pharmacy and Optometry
PGT BSS
PGT LHS (excluding OSPAP)
PGT EPS, (Engineering Management & Supply Chain Management)
Overall 6.0, with no more than two bands at 5.5 and other bands at 6.0 or aboveOverall 78, with no less than 23 in reading, 19 in listening, 20 in speaking, 23 in writing50 in each skillOverall 6.0, with no more than two bands at 5.5 and other bands at 6.0 or aboveB2 Overall High Pass; with no more than two skills at 25/50; other skills at 33/50
PGT EPSOverall 5.5 with no band lower than 5.5Overall 59, with no less than 20 in reading, 19 in listening, 20 in speaking, 20 in writing42 in each skillOverall 5.5 with no band lower than 5.5.B2 Overall Pass; each skill at 25/50

*With the exception of UG Pharmacy and Optometry that are now maped with PGT HLS.

Course dates and fees

The following Pre-sessional English programmes will be taught on-campus at Aston University. Applicants are advised to apply early to secure their place. The deadlines for applications are four weeks prior to the start of each course.

Please note that a Secure English Language Test (SELT) and a visa are normally required for the on-campus programmes; therefore, applicants are advised to allow sufficient time to make all the necessary arrangements.

Aston University reserves the right to withdraw a course if there is insufficient demand.

If you have any questions about the Pre-Sessional English courses, please contact the CELCA Programmes team.

Late arrivals - disclaimer

Please note that the University cannot be held responsible for late arrivals, including visa delays. For this reason, we do not refund any part of the Pre-sessional fees if you arrive later than the advertised start date.

Students requiring visas

You must have your visa in order to enrol on your university course. When making travel arrangements, please make sure you arrive in good time for the final enrolment date.

Find out more information about visas.

Summer Courses 2025

18 Week Campus 

Wednesday 23 April 2025 - Friday 22 August 2025

Friday 22 August 2025

£6,850

9 Week Campus

Monday 23 June - Friday 22 August 2025

£3,600

5 Week Campus

Monday 21 July 2025 - Friday 22 August 2025

£2,050

What's the teaching like on the Pre-sessional programme?

aston university

Any questions?

You are very welcome to contact us if you have any questions.

Email: pre-sessional@aston.ac.uk

Phone: +44 (0)121 204 4910

WhatsApp: +447833952644

WeChat: Aston_U

The information you provide will be used by Aston University to contact you about the University, courses you may be interested in and events you may wish to attend, for anything outside of this purpose we will obtain your consent. Your data is subject to Aston University’s privacy policy and cookie policy. For further information, please visit www.aston.ac.uk/dataprotection