Pre-sessional English language courses

Our pre-sessional English courses are designed to improve your English language skills to the level required by your chosen degree at Stirling. The courses are delivered in partnership with global education leader, INTO University of Stirling.

How to apply for a pre-sessional English course

Our courses

For those starting a degree course at the University of Stirling in September 2023, we have a range of on-campus and online courses.

On-campus courses
Online courses

Online courses

Students can study a 10-week or 6-week online course.

The online courses have been designed by our expert partners at INTO University of Stirling to provide the same high-quality level of teaching and student support as the on-campus courses.

10-week pre-sessional English course

Designed to improve your IELTS score by 1.0 in one or more skills.

6-week pre-sessional English course

Designed to improve your IELTS score by 0.5 in one or more skills.

Online course features

  • 25 learning hours delivered per week for the 12-week and 8-week online courses.
  • Half of the teaching will be delivered live through a state-of-the-art virtual classroom, enabling students to engage with other students and with the lecturer.
  • Live virtual classroom sessions will be delivered Monday to Friday between 08:30-13:00 (typically between the hours of 9:30 and 12:00 GMT).
  • Classes are delivered by experienced and qualified English language teaching staff.
  • Classes will include lectures, interactive quizzes, video, group projects, presentations and writing practice.
  • Students will develop and enhance their skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, research and presentation.
  • Students will be able to balance their study time between live virtual classroom sessions, self-study and group work with fellow students.
  • An IELTS equivalent score at the end of the course.

Online course assessment

Students will have a number of formative tests over the course and a final assessment at the end of the programme.

Accessing online course content

The course will be accessed through INTO University of Stirling’s online learning platform and live virtual classroom technology.

As we approach the start date for your course, you will be sent an email with a unique link and instructions on how to join.

Equipment needed for the online course

To ensure that you can fully participate, it is essential that you have:

  • a desktop or laptop computer
  • good quality headphones and microphone
  • a web camera
  • a reliable internet connection

On campus courses

We are offering a 10-week and a 6-week course that will be taught face-to-face on campus.

10-week pre-sessional English course

Designed to improve your IELTS score by 1.0 in one or more skills.

  • Dates - 19 June to 25 August 2023, or 2 October to 15 December 2023
  • Entry requirements - The course is suitable for students with current IELTS levels between 5.0 and 6.5. See the English language tests the University accepts.
  • Fees - £4,567
  • Application deadline - 5 June 2023 (for 19 June start), or 18 September 2023 (for 2 October start)

6-week pre-sessional English course

Designed to improve your IELTS score by 0.5 in one or more skills.

On campus course features

  • 25 learning hours delivered per week for the 6 week course
  • On campus teaching will be delivered in the INTO Building and Cottrell Building, allowing you to study in the heart of the University campus
  • Classes will typically run Monday to Friday from 09:30-12:00 then 13:00-15:30
  • Classes are delivered by experienced and qualified English language teaching staff
  • Classes will include lectures, interactive quizzes, video, group projects, presentations and writing practice.
  • Students will develop and enhance their skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, research and presentation.
  • Students will be able to balance their study time between live virtual classroom sessions, self-study and group work with fellow students.
  • An IELTS equivalent score at the end of the course.

On campus course assessment

Students will have a number of formative tests over the course and a final assessment at the end of the programme.

Accommodation

Students need to apply for accommodation separately to applying for the course. Once you have accepted your offer to study at the University of Stirling, you will gain access to the University’s online Applicant Portal – where you can apply for your accommodation. Your accommodation fees are to be paid to the University of Stirling through the online Applicant Portal when you accept your offer of accommodation.

Pre-sessional English entry requirements

Our online and on campus courses are suitable for students with current IELTS levels between 5.0 and 6.5 and who need to improve their IELTS score by either 0.5 (8- and 6-week courses) or 1.0 (12-week course).

The University accepts a wide variety of English language tests including IELTS (UKVI & Academic) and PTE Academic for on-campus and online courses, TOEFL iBT, Password English Language Testing and China College English Test (CET) for online pre-sessional English courses only.

English language grade equivalencies
Column one lists the IELTs score, with its equivalents in other tests in rows two to six
IELTS and Password Solo TOEFL iBT Pearsons Test of English Academic CET4 (Total) CET6 (Total)
5.0 overall with 5.0 in each part 63 overall with 15 in Listening, 14 in Reading, 19 in Speaking, 16 in Writing 36-41 overall  with 36-41 in each part 425 N/A
5.5 overall with 5.5  in each part 72 overall with 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17 in Writing 42-49 overall with 42-49 in each part 550-600 425
6.0 overall with 6.0 in each part 80 overall with 19 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking, 19 in Writing 50-57 overall with 50-57 in each part 650-700 550-600
6.5 overall with 6.5  in each part 88 overall with 21 in Listening, 22 in Reading, 23 in Speaking, 22 in Writing 58-64  overall with 58-64 in each part 650-700 550-600
7.0 overall with 7.0 in each part 95 overall with 22 in Listening,  24 in Reading, 25 in Speaking, 24 in Writing 65-72 overall with 65-72 in each part N/A 650-700

How to apply

If you have already applied for a course and have received an offer from the University of Stirling, you can apply for our online Pre-sessional English language course via our portal. 

Apply now for Pre-Sessional English

Want to find out more?

Find out more about studying at Stirling or our pre-sessional English courses.

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