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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.

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