Pre-sessional course

Pre-sessional English - Delivered in partnership with OI Digital Institute

Pre-Sessional English Programme prepares international students for the academic and linguistic demands of study at Keele and is fully recognised by Keele University degree programmes.

Course Overview

Our Pre-Sessional English courses help you to build the English language and academic skillsets required for university-level study. With multiple course options available, you can improve your understanding and use of English and prepare the skills for success at Keele University.

Over 6, 12 or 16 weeks you will develop your language and academic skills for entry into your chosen degree, with all teaching delivered online for maximum flexibility.

By the end of your course, you will have improved your writing by learning to write opinion essays on a variety of topics and developing strategies to produce coherent, academic texts. You will also strengthen your reading skills by demonstrating thorough comprehension using a range of subskills and by thinking critically when responding to texts. In speaking, you will learn to express yourself effectively and develop strong presentation skills for an academic context. In addition, you will develop your listening skills by expanding your vocabulary, actively following listening input, and taking accurate notes.

What does the course involve?

10 hours of live online classes per week (Monday to Friday, 2 hours per day)
10 hours of guided self-study per week
Access to a Virtual Learning Campus for additional guided learning
Customised study programme throughout the course
1:1 tutorials available where required

Progression onto your degree

Progression onto your degree programme is dependent on achieving the equivalent (or higher) grade requirements listed on your conditional offer. If you are successful in gaining the required grades in the final assessments, you will be eligible to progress. You will also need to pay the tuition deposit for your Degree course and be able to apply for a Student Visa. Other UK Visa's may be considered at the University's discretion.

Entry requirements

Course Length	Entry Level	Exit Level
Undergraduate 16 Weeks	IELTS 4.5 *(4.0)	IELTS 6.0 *(5.5)
Undergraduate 12 Weeks	IELTS 5.0 *(4.5)	IELTS 6.0 *(5.5)
Undergraduate 6 Weeks	IELTS 5.5 *(5.0)	IELTS 6.0 *(5.5)
Postgraduate 16 Weeks	IELTS 5.0 *(4.5)	IELTS 6.5 *(6.0)
Postgraduate 12 Weeks	IELTS 5.5 *(5.0)	IELTS 6.5 *(6.0)
Postgraduate 6 Weeks	IELTS 6.0 *(5.5)	IELTS 6.5 *(6.0)

*No component below the score shown in brackets.

Course dates - 2026

16-Week Programme IELTS improvement: +1.5	12-Week Programme IELTS improvement: +1.0	6-Week Programme IELTS improvement: +0.5
30 March – 17 July 13 April – 31 July 27 April – 14 August	30 March – 19 June 13 April – 03 July 27 April – 17 July 11 May – 31 July 25 May – 14 August	30 March – 08 May 13 April – 22 May 27 April – 05 June 11 May – 19 June 25 May – 03 July 08 June – 17 July 22 June – 31 July 29 June – 07 August 06 July – 14 August

16-Week Programme IELTS improvement: +1.5

12-Week Programme IELTS improvement: +1.0

6-Week Programme IELTS improvement: +0.5

30 March – 17 July

13 April – 31 July

27 April – 14 August

30 March – 19 June

13 April – 03 July

27 April – 17 July

11 May – 31 July

25 May – 14 August

30 March – 08 May

13 April – 22 May

27 April – 05 June

11 May – 19 June

25 May – 03 July

08 June – 17 July

22 June – 31 July

29 June – 07 August

06 July – 14 August

Fees

6 weeks	12 weeks	16 weeks
£1,640	£2,665	£3,490

You will need to have access to a computer or laptop (a tablet alone will not allow you to take advantage of all materials), headphones or earbuds and a microphone, a camera (this could be integrated or a separate camera), and a stable internet connection (in some locations a VPN may be required).