Choosing your Pre-sessional course
Find out about the pre-sessional English (PSE) programme: the courses we offer, their entry points and how to apply.
Applying for your PSE course
You need to have an offer for your degree programme before you apply for PSE. Which course you apply for depends on the English language requirement for your degree programme. How you apply depends on whether you have a conditional or unconditional offer for your degree programme. This information is included in your offer letter.
English language requirement
Your degree programme offer letter tells you the English language requirements for your degree programme. Alternatively, you can check the English language requirements on individual degree programme pages.
See the table below to decide whether you need the 10-week or 5-week PSE course.
| Current IELTS score or equivalent in accepted test | Recommended course | Dates | Cost | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No more than 0.5 of a band below required IELTS (or equivalent test) scores (overall and elements) | 5- week Pre-sessional English (online) Programme | 12 August 2021 | £2,300 | email The Pre-sessional Team |
| No more than 1.0 of a band below required IELTS (or equivalent test) scores (overall and elements) | 10- week Pre-sessional English (online) Programme | 12 July 2021 | £4,250 | Apply here |
The application deadline is three weeks before the course start date.
If you have taken a different English language test to IELTS, you can check its IELTS-equivalent. If your test is not listed, please email The Pre-sessional Team and we will advise you.
Conditional or standalone offer
Your degree programme offer letter tells you if you have a conditional offer. A conditional offer means your PSE course is separate from your degree programme. This means you must apply for a standalone PSE course.
Applications for the 2021 10-week and 5-week standalone PSE courses are now open. The courses are online.
Unconditional or combined offer
You may be able to get a combined offer if your English language test score is very close to the English language requirement for your degree programme and you meet all the other conditions of your offer. A combined offer means your PSE course is combined with your degree programme.
Who you apply to for a combined offer depends on your postgraduate taught degree programme. Click on the appropriate link below:
- Postgraduate Taught Admissions Team for the Faculty of Engineering and Design, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Science
- School of Management Admissions Team for MSc degree programmes in the School of Management
- MBA Admissions Team for the Bath MBA
Information about visas
As an international student, you may need a visa to study in the UK. For further information about visas and how to apply for one, visit our Student Immigration Service pages.
Academic Year 2021/2 - your learning experience
You can read more about the University’s plans for teaching and learning for the 2021/22 Academic Year.
The 2021 Pre-sessional course will build on the success of the online 2020 programme to develop the language, academic and digital skills you need for your degree studies. Read what some of our students thought about our 2020 online programme:
- Li Nan from China, MSc in Business Analytics
- Toshiaki Masumoto from Japan, MA in International Education and Globalisation
- Yuxiang Liu from China, MSc in Modern Building Design
The 2021 course format will be flexible and offer some in-person teaching and engagement if the global situation allows.