Pre-Sessional English - Online

Online Pre-sessional English PSE courses

You can choose to take a fully online pre-sessional English course. This means that you can study from the comfort of your own home. Our online courses cover similar course content as our Aberdeen Campus Courses. We have worked hard to make our online courses an engaging and interactive experience. However, for those of you that have less proficient speaking and listening skills we recommend that you choose our Aberdeen Campus Courses so that you get that fully 'immersive' experience.

Additional Support Once Your Academic Studies Have Started

As a PSE student you will be eligible to take additional free English skills classes. The Language Centre delivers a wide range of support including academic writing and bespoke courses that focus more specifically on the demands of different degree programmes. For more information, visit the In-Sessional Academic English Skills Support page .

Next online Pre-sessional English courses:

2025 Summer

10 weeks PSE - 9 June 2025 - 15 August 2025 (application deadline 9 May 2025)

5 weeks PSE - 14 July 2025 - 15 August 2025 (application deadline 13 June 2025)

2025 Autumn

5 weeks PSE - 17 November 2025 - 19 December 2025 (application deadline 17 October 2025)

We close for new applications four weeks before the course starts.

2026 Summer

10 weeks PSE - June 2026 - August 2026 - dates to be announced

5 weeks PSE - July 2026 - August 2026 - dates to be announced

Join our online live chat events to find out more:

10 weeks PSE - 9 June 2025 - 15 August 2025 - link to follow

5 weeks PSE - 14 July 2025 - 15 August 2025 - link to follow

FAQ's

Which certificates can I use to apply for the online course?

Postgraduate

You can submit up to two certificates in order to meet the entry requirements.

30-week Pre Sessional English	UKVI IELTS	UKVI PTE	UKVI Language Cert B1	IELTS	TOEFL iBIT	PTE	Language Cert B1	Duolingo
Overall	4.5	47	Pass	4.5	54+	47	Pass	75
Listening	4.5	47	33	4.5	10+	47	33	75
Reading	4.5	47	33	4.5	8+	47	33	75
Writing	4.5	47	33	4.5	15+	47	33	75
Speaking	4.5	47	33	4.5	15+	47	33	75

20-week Pre Sessional English	UKVI IELTS	UKVI PTE	UKVI Language Cert B1	IELTS	TOEFL iBIT	PTE	Language Cert B1	Duolingo
Overall	5.0	52	High Pass	5.0	64+	52	High Pass	90
Listening	5.0	52	38	5.0	14+	52	38	90
Reading3	5.0	52	38	5.0	12+	52	38	90
Writing	5.0	52	38	5.0	17+	52	38	90
Speaking	5.0	52	38	5.0	17+	52	38	90

10-week Pre Sessional English	UKVI IELTS	UKVI PTE	UKVI Language Cert B2	IELTS	TOEFL iBIT	PTE	Language Cert B2	Duolingo
Overall	5.5	57	Pass	5.5	72+	57	Pass	95
Listening	5.5	59	33	5.5	17+	59	33	95
Reading	5.5	59	33	5.5	18+	59	33	95
Writing	5.5	59	33	5.5	19+	59	33	95
Speaking	5.0	52	29	5.0	17+	52	29	90

5-week Pre Sessional English	UKVI IELTS	UKVI PTE	UKVI Language Cert B2	IELTS	TOEFL iBIT	PTE	Language Cert B2	Duolingo
Overall	6.0	59	Pass	6.0	78+	59	Pass	105
Listening	5.5	59	33	5.5	17+	59	33	95
Reading	5.5	59	33	5.5	18+	59	33	95
Writing	5.5	59	33	5.5	19+	59	33	95
Speaking	5.5	59	33	5.5	20+	59	33	95

Undergraduate

You can submit up to two certificates in order to meet the entry requirements.

30-week Pre Sessional English	UKVI IELTS	UKVI PTE	UKVI Language Cert B1	IELTS	TOEFL iBIT	PTE	Language Cert B1	Duolingo
Overall	4.5	47	Pass B1	4.5	54+	47	Pass B1	70
Listening	4.5	47	33	4.5	10+	47	33	70
Reading	4.5	47	33	4.5	8+	47	33	70
Writing	4.5	47	33	4.5	15+	47	33	70
Speaking	4.5	47	33	4.5	15+	47	33	70

20-week Pre Sessional English	UKVI IELTS	UKVI PTE	UKVI Language Cert B1	IELTS	TOEFL iBIT	PTE	Language Cert B1	Duolingo
Overall	5.0	52	High Pass	5.0	64+	52	High Pass	75
Listening	4.5	47	38	4.5	10+	47	38	75
Reading33	4.5	47	38	4.5	8+	47	38	75
Writing	4.5	47	38	4.5	15+	47	38	75
Speaking	4.5	47	38	4.5	15+	47	38	75

10-week Pre Sessional English	UKVI IELTS	UKVI PTE	UKVI Language Cert B1	IELTS	TOEFL iBIT	PTE	Language Cert B2	Duolingo
Overall	5.0	52	Pass	5.0	64+	52	Pass	90
Listening	5.5	59	33	5.5	17+	59	33	95
Reading	5.5	59	33	5.5	18+	59	33	95
Writing	5.0	52	33	5.0	17+	52	33	90
Speaking	5.0	52	29	5.0	17+	52	29	90

5-week Pre Sessional English	UKVI IELTS	UKVI PTE	UKVI Language Cert B2	IELTS	TOEFL iBIT	PTE	Language Cert B2	Duolingo
Overall	5.5	59	Pass	5.5	72+	59	Pass	95
Listening	5.5	59	33	5.5	17+	59	33	95
Reading	5.5	59	33	5.5	18+	59	33	95
Writing	5.5	59	33	5.5	19+	59	33	95
Speaking	5.5	59	33	5.5	20+	59	33	95

How can I apply for a course?

Please complete the application form Pre-Sessional English Application Form 2025/2026 and the terms & conditions document.
Submit the form and the terms & conditions document to lc-application-submission@abdn.ac.uk along with a copy of your language and certificate, passport and proof of payment. In order for us to process the payment we must receive the full course fees. If possible, please submit the application in MS word format.

Please note that you will not be able to change your course, withdraw or receive a refund for the course you have applied for after the applications have closed.

Course Summer 2025	Applications Open	Applications Close
10 weeks	Open for applications	9 May 2025
5 weeks	Open for applications	13 June 2025

Course Autumn 2025	Applications Open	Applications Close
5 weeks	Open for applications	17 October 2025

Payment Methods

You can pay by credit card, debit card or PayPal via our online store.
Bank transfer details can be found on the application form Pre-Sessional English Application Form 2025/2026.

What are the dates and fees?

Course Summer 2025	Induction	Course Starts	Course Ends	Fee
10 weeks	TBA	9 June 2025	15 August 2025	£3,800 (deposit £760)
5 weeks	TBA	14 July 2024	15 August 2025	£1,900 (deposit £380)

Course Autumn 2025	Induction	Course Starts	Course Ends	Fee
5 weeks	TBA	17 November 2025	19 December 2025	£1,900 (deposit £380)

Course Summer 2026	Induction	Course Starts	Course Ends	Fee
10 weeks	TBA	June 2026	August 2026	£3,800 (deposit £760)
5 weeks	TBA	July 2026	August 2026	£1,900 (deposit £380)

The deposit is not refundable. We ask that you pay the full fees prior to the start of the course.

What is required to study online?

Please ensure that you meet the following system requirements:

Hardware
· A stable Internet connection
· A computer fulfilling the software requirements outlined below
· Speakers or headphones and a microphone connected to your PC
· A webcam set up on your PC

Software
· The online course is designed to work best with Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome
· A PDF reader such as Adobe Reader or Foxit Reader
· A .docx file compatible office suite (as a student of the University of Aberdeen you are able to access Office 365 for free, use this link Microsoft Office to find out more)

Digital skills
· You should be familiar with using emails and Microsoft Word or similar
· You should be able to search the internet and be able to use online meeting software

Can I switch from an online to an Aberdeen campus course?

Please note that you will not be able to switch from an online course to an Aberdeen campus based course after the applications have closed.

Course	On-Campus Application Close	Online Application Close
10 weeks	23 May 2025	9 May 2025
5 weeks	27 June 2025	13 June 2025
20 weeks	27 June 2025	N/A
10 weeks	12 September 2025	N/A
5 weeks	N/A	17 October 2025
40 weeks	12 September 2025	N/A
30 weeks	5 December 2025	N/A

What should I do if I am a sponsored student?

We require a sponsorship letter which specifies that it is for the University of Aberdeen online/on-campus pre-sessional course prior to the start of the course.

If you start your course and have not provided the official sponsor letter or we do not receive payment of your tuition fees from your sponsor fees, you will be invoiced in person.

What is the last day that I can apply for the course?

Please note that you will not be able to change your course, withdraw or receive a refund for the course you have applied for after the applications have closed.

Course Summer 2025	On-Campus Application Close	Online Application Close
10 weeks	23 May 2025	9 May 2025
5 weeks	27 June 2025	13 June 2025

Course Autumn 2025	On-Campus Application Close	Online Application Close
20 weeks	27 June 2025	N/A
10 weeks	12 September 2025	N/A
5 weeks	N/A	17 October 2025

Course	On-Campus Application Close	Online Application Close
40 weeks	12 September 2025	N/A
30 weeks	5 December 2025	N/A

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