Skip to main content

Pre-sessional English

What is Pre-sessional English?

Pre-sessional courses are for international students who hold an offer to study a degree at UAL and need to meet their English language requirement. They provide you with a high level of support with academic and language skills and prepare you to succeed at UAL.

If you pass your Pre-sessional course and meet your requirements, you will progress to your main academic course at UAL.

Courses available either online or on campus in London.

Our Pre-sessional courses are accredited by BALEAP.

2026 entry

Applications for 2026 are now open.

Find out how to apply.

Register for our webinar to find out more.

What are the benefits?

  • Experience and adapt to academic study in the UK ahead of your degree.
  • Improve your academic English language skills, including reading, writing, listening and speaking.
  • Get used to the University facilities such as libraries and learning platforms.
  • Settle into UAL life before your degree begins.
  • Meet other students and build a community of friends.

Pre-sessional award

We offer three Pre-sessional Awards of £1000.

To be eligible, you must be 18 years or older, hold an offer to join one of our Pre-sessional courses and to join a main UAL degree programme.

  • The award will be paid by tuition fee discount.
  • Our cancellation policy still applies.
  • Winners will be asked to act as ambassadors for the Pre-sessional programme, with the choice to create social posts or blogs introducing their studies.

Find out how to apply.

Our courses

  • Photo of a large armchair in an outdoor setting, with Chinese script on a box on a wall behind
    Pre-sessional art club work 2021: Intuitive by Siyan Lu

    7 Week Pre-sessional On Campus

    For applicants who want to study on campus and need to improve their English level by 0.5 IELTS bands (or equivalent).

  • Ernestine Chua, Computer/Laptop/Technology Drawing

    12 Week Pre-sessional Online

    For applicants who want to study online and need to improve their English level by 1.0 IELTS bands (or equivalent).

  • Study Abroad Fashion Design Summer School. Item credit: Adam Razvi
    Study Abroad Fashion Design Summer School. Item credit: Adam Razvi

    Find out which course is right for you

Student sitting in front of a window, smiling
Image credit: Adam Razvi
The biggest strength of this course is that students can gain practical English skills through the materials. I found that listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills were intertwined, and a physical class is the best place to improve all of them together. Additionally, classmates from other countries are so valuable that I got so many insights through communication with them. I strongly recommend other students come and join the pre-sessional on campus before their main courses start.

-  Satoko Suzuki MA Innovation Management, Central Saint Martins

Join a UAL community wherever you are

You will join an engaging course taught by supportive, experienced tutors. For online courses, you do not need to travel to London.

We can accept a variety of English language tests with applications. Entry requirements can be found on our courses pages.

More information

Contact us

presessional-admissions@arts.ac.uk

Ready to apply?

Pre-sessional at UAL:

More than a language course