Pre-sessional Programmes: Introduction and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Full details of our Pre-sessional Programmes for 2025 will be available here soon.

̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ will be offering the following Pre-sessional Programmes in the summer of 2025:

  • Online Pre-sessional Programme C (11 weeks)
  • Online Pre-sessional Programme D (6 weeks)
  • Campus-based Pre-sessional Programme C (11 weeks)
  • Campus-based Pre-sessional Programme D (6 weeks)

The Pre-sessional 2025 brochure will be available soon.

Online Pre-sessional Programmes C and D allow you to prepare for your degree programme from the comfort of your own home. Campus-based Pre-sessional Programmes C and D are based on our Loughborough campus.

If you have an offer for a ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ or ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ London degree programme but have not yet achieved the minimum English language requirements, you may be eligible to join one of these courses. If you have met the requirements, you may still apply to join one of the programmes to develop your skills and understanding of UK academic conventions.

The Pre-sessional Programmes aim to help you transition more comfortably to UK academic culture, conventions and expectations.

The primary aim of our Pre-sessional Programmes is to prepare international students for the demands of their programme of study by:

  • Increasing students’ overall level of English language proficiency.
  • Equipping students with the academic English and study skills required to cope with the learning demands of a Loughborough degree programme.
  • Assisting students’ integration into the British social and academic environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch from the campus-based programme to the online programme?

We are conscious that there may still some ongoing challenges with global travel.  We very much hope this won’t be a problem for you, but if it is, and you wish to consider switching to the online Pre-sessional Programme, please note the following:

  • If you wish to swap from a campus-based programme to an online programme, you must let us know no later than two weeks before the start of the online programme.
  • If you wish to swap from an online programme to a campus-based programme, you must let us know no later than five weeks before the start of the campus-based programme.
  • There are no late start dates for any of the Pre-sessional Programmes, so you should be able to study from the published start dates.
  • You must pay a CAS or commitment deposit to confirm your place on the programme, whether you are studying online or on campus.  The date by which you should pay the deposit will be outlined in your Pre-sessional email.
  • You will be asked to pay your Pre-sessional tuition fees when you register for your programme.

If you wish to switch to the online Pre-sessional Programme, please let us know.

Can I start on an online programme and then switch to campus-based?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to switch between programmes so think carefully about which would suit you best. Please note, if you register for the campus-based programme and are then unable to attend we are not able to offer an online alternative.

Do all degree programmes have the same English language entry requirements for pre-sessional programmes?

Good question! Not all programmes have the same requirements and in some schools they ask for higher scores. If you want to join a programme in any of the following schools or departments, please check their requirements: Design, Communication and Media; Social Sciences and Humanities; Sport; Exercise and Health Science. Further information can be found on the Pre-sessional course entry requirement page. Please select your suitable level of study for specific school requirements.

Can I study in the UK and do an online pre-sessional?

If you wish to study online you will need to be based in your home country. The University is unable to provide sponsorship for a visa to study in the UK on our online programmes. If you wish to study in the UK, our campus-based programmes might be a suitable option please check entry requirements.

Is accommodation available for the campus-based programme?

On campus accommodation will be available to book soon.

When will I be able to get my Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) so I can get my visa?

If you are studying a campus-based programme, your CAS will be issued to you by the relevant Admissions Office handling your application in plenty of time for you to obtain a visa and travel to the UK.  You must have paid your CAS or commitment deposit first. 

If you are studying an online programme, a CAS for your degree will be issued when you have successfully passed the programme and your grades have been approved by a Programme Board. You must also have met all other conditions of your offer and provided evidence of this to the Admissions Office handling your application. Your CAS will be issued and will allow enough time for you to obtain your visa and travel to the UK for the start of term. 

If you are studying a campus-based pre-sessional programme and are issued with a CAS to cover your pre-sessional studies only, a CAS for your degree will be issued to you once you have successfully completed your pre-sessional programme.

For campus-based programmes, your CAS will be issued once you have paid your CAS deposit and the payment has been confirmed by Flywire. If the start date of the Pre-sessional Programme is more than three months away, your CAS will be issued to you nearer the start date.

What happens if I book a Pre-sessional programme, but then take another English language test and meet the requirements for a shorter Pre-sessional programme?

If you submit your new English language test result to us no later than the application deadline for the shorter Pre-sessional programme, you can switch to itYou do not need to submit a new applicationIf you submit your new English language test results to us after this date, we cannot guarantee that you can switch programme, as this will depend on the availability of space on that programme.

What happens if I book a Pre-sessional Programme, but then take another English language test and meet the University’s English language requirements?

If you submit an acceptable English language test result to us which meets the entry requirements for your degree, at least 2 days before the start of their PS Programme: 

  • You should continue to attend and fully engage in the whole programme. 
  • You will not be required to take the Pre-sessional Programme assessments but will receive feedback throughout the programme on your progress. 
  • You will be allowed to progress to your degree programme. 

If you submit an acceptable English language test result to us which meets the entry requirements for your degree, once the Pre-sessional Programme has started: 

  • You should continue to attend and fully engage in the whole programme. 
  • You will be required to take the Pre-sessional programme assessments, and will progress to your degree programme if you pass these and meet the UKVI minimum requirements.

Is there a deadline for me to accept my offer for a Pre-sessional Programme?

Once you pay your deposit you have accepted your offer for a Pre-sessional programmeYou should initiate payment of the deposit no later than two days after the deadline for your Pre- programme.  If you do not pay your deposit within this deadline, we cannot guarantee your place on the Pre-sessional programme.

What happens to my deposit if I withdraw from the Pre-sessional programme because I have a new English language test which meets the direct English language requirement? Will it be refunded?

If you withdraw from your Pre-sessional programme, and are firmly accepted to your degree, your deposit will be set against the tuition fees for your degree programme.   It will not be refunded.

If I take a Pre-sessional programme with a lower entry requirement, can I then switch to a degree programme with a higher Pre-sessional requirement once I have finished?

When you book a Pre-sessional programme, the degree you tell us you wish to study after you have completed your pre-sessional studies is fixedYou will not normally be able to switch degree programmes later on.

Contact Us

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Admissions Office

Last updated: 8th October 2024