We highly recommend the Pre-sessional English courses for any international or EU student planning to study at a UK university. The courses are excellent preparation for study even if you have already fulfilled the English language requirement for your main course.
Students who have not chosen their main academic programme should contact the course administrators for advice about which course to choose.
If you have not fulfilled the English language requirement for your main course, your offer letter should tell you which course to apply for. If it does not, the Pre-sessional Team will advise you on which course is suitable for you. You can also download the Which Pre-sessional English course is right for me? (PDF) guide.
The minimum English language entry requirements for our pre-sessional courses are set out below.
Where academic programmes have entry requirements lower than IELTS 5.5 (e.g. foundation courses), students will be placed on a pre-sessional that allows them to achieve minimum exit grades of 5.5. equivalent in all skills.
Please note: our course does not cater for students who are aiming for grades higher than IELTS 7.0.
Students who need a Student Route visa to study on the Pre-sessional English course (see visa information below):
All other students:
A wide range of Kingston University accepted tests can be used for entry onto our pre-sessional if:
These tests include IELTS Academic and PTE Academic. To see details of other accepted tests please check here: Other English language tests and qualifications.
For details of equivalent scores in other acceptable qualifications ask the course administrator for advice.
No visa is required to study the Pre-sessional English course from your home country.
See information below for studying the Pre-sessional English course in the UK.
You may be eligible for a joint CAS which will enable you to apply for one Student Route visa to cover both the Pre-sessional English course and your main degree course if:
Please note: postgraduate students will have to pay the £5,000 deposit for their main course before a joint CAS can be applied for.
Please be aware if you do not successfully complete the Pre-sessional English course and have a joint CAS:
If you are intending to take the course in the UK and use a short-term study visa, you must check that you will have enough time to return home to apply for a Student Route visa and arrive back to study by the start of your intended main course. Please seek advice from the Student Life Centre's Immigration Advisers before you start the Pre-sessional English course: our administrators can tell you how to contact them.
The Pre-sessional English courses are highly effective and rewarding, but are very intensive and need a full-time commitment from participants. If you have other commitments during the course such as work, university or family obligations, please let us know before you apply. We will be able to advise you.
Pre-sessional administrators
Tel: +44 (0)20 8417 7042 / +44 (0)20 8417 7790
Please note: administrators are best contacted by email.
See our latest prospectuses to find out more about studying at Kingston:
See our video of Kingston upon Thames, taking in the bustling town centre and riverside.
Our pre-sessional English course is accredited by the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP). This organisation sets rigorous criteria to ensure that courses in English language and study skills for speakers of other languages are of a high standard and provide an excellent quality of service.
Watch our pre-arrival videos for information on healthcare, studying and student life in the UK.
Pre-sessional administrators
Tel: +44 (0)20 8417 7042 / +44 (0)20 8417 7790
Please note: administrators are best contacted by email.