12 Week Pre-sessional Online

Language entry requirements

These entry requirements are a guide only. We assess your application based on the specific entry requirements of your main course.

English tests accepted for this course:

• IELTS Academic* / IELTS Academic for UKVI
• PTE Academic* / PTE Academic for UKVI
• TOEFL iBT
• Trinity ISE (Integrated Skills for English)
• LanguageCert International ESOL SELT

*We no longer accept online English tests for Pre-sessional.

Download the 12 week course language entry requirements (PDF 134KB).

Unsure which Pre-sessional course is right for you? Read our Eligibility information. For advice, use our Eligibility Questionnaire.

Course description

12 Week Pre-sessional Online is an intensive English language course designed to prepare you for your UAL undergraduate or postgraduate course.

Join 12 Week Pre-sessional Online to:

• improve your English language skills in the context of art, design, fashion and communication,
• learn vital academic skills to succeed as a UAL student, including critical thinking, academic writing, speaking presentations and collaborative work,
• study on an engaging course taught by supportive, experienced tutors,
• take part in social activities and events for Pre-sessional students and the wider UAL community.

View work created by students in 2023 as part of their courses.

Your tutors

You will be taught by experienced English language tutors. All tutors have a higher level teaching qualification in teaching English language and some also have an MA in Linguistics or Visual Arts.

Hours and timetable

Hours per week: 20 hours, plus a minimum of 5 hours of homework.

Live Classes

There will be 4 hours each day of input or seminars with the tutor and the whole class.

Classroom activities will also include: 1 to 1 tutorials with your tutor; working with video, audio, and written content and group tasks.

Hours

20 hours per week (4 hours per day)

Schedule

Monday to Friday

9am - 1:30pm UK time, with a 30-minute break at 11pm.

Homework

Assignments set for you by your tutor. This may include academic reading and writing, preparing presentations and research.

Hours

A minimum of 5 hours per week (60 minutes per day)

Schedule

Homework is usually assigned daily in preparation for the following day’s classes.

Attendance and materials

Students must attend and participate in all classes. If your attendance is below 90%, you will fail the course. In addition to classes, you will be set daily self-directed study.

You will need a laptop or tablet for classes, research and assignments, Learn more about studying online on our delivery mode page.

Assessment

Your English language skills will be assessed through academic tasks. Speaking and writing skills will be assessed through presentations and reflective project work. Reading and listening skills will be assessed by end-of-course tests. These assessments are designed to prepare you with the skills and knowledge you will need for work on your main course.

Pre-sessional students will be given feedback throughout the course so that strengths and areas for improvement are clear.

To complete your course successfully, you must pass your assignments and end of course exams and attend a minimum of 90% of the course.

If you pass your course, you can progress to your main course at UAL without having to take another IELTS or equivalent English test.

Additional information

Visas

12 Week Pre-sessional Online is delivered entirely online. You don’t need a visa or to travel to London.

Pre-sessional visa and Immigration guidance

Age requirement

You must be at least 18 years old on the start date of the Pre-sessional course.

Disability

We aim for an inclusive learning environment where disabled and dyslexic students can succeed.

If you want to tell us about a disability, please to do this in your Pre-sessional application. You can select the option which best describes your condition.

We will contact you to ask for medical documentation, in English, about your disability. The documentation must be issued to you by a medical professional who is able to detail what disability or additional needs you have. This documentation is used to identify what adjustments UAL can make to support you on your course.

We strongly recommend that you give us full information about any disability or additional needs as soon as possible. If you don’t give us enough time, we may not be able to support you from the first day of your course.

Find more information from UAL Disability Service about the support available to students with disabilities.

To learn which UAL sites and routes are accessible to you, read the guidance from AccessAble.

How to apply