English Language Preparation
Improve your English language skills
If you meet the academic entry requirements for our programmes but need help with your English language, you can join our English Language Preparation programme delivered fully online first. The programme is designed to develop your English language skills and introduce you to essential academic and study skills before travelling to the International Study Centre to begin your academic programme.
Depending on your current ability and the level you require for your chosen academic programme at the International Study Centre, you will study a 16, 10 or 6-week English language programme. You will be studying the English programme in a diverse online classroom with international students from all around the world, studying at a range of our International Study Centres.
Our innovative learning platform enables you to study more effectively through interactive tasks and activities in addition to live sessions delivered by highly experienced tutors, allowing you to review and challenge yourself at your own pace from the comfort of your own home.
Benefits of studying Online English Preparation
Our English language course is designed to develop your skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking while boosting your confidence in communicating with classmates and tutors ahead of starting your academic programme.
We offer a range of programme lengths available to suit your needs and requirements, with dedicated support and guidance from our expert tuition staff. Whatever your length of study, our preparation courses will make sure you are ready to make the next step onto one of the International Study Centre programmes.
At the end of the online course your English language level will be assessed to ensure that you meet the English language level requirements for your face-to-face academic programme. You are not required to take an additional UKVI Secure English Language Test (SELT) to obtain a student visa before you come to campus.
| Age | 17+ |
| Duration | 6 weeks 16 weeks |
| Fees | 6 weeks: £2,100 16 weeks: £5,600 |
| Intakes | 6 weeks: June/July/September 16 weeks: April/July |
| Term dates | 6 weeks: 17/02/2025 - 28/03/2025 16/06/2025 - 25/07/2025 14/07/2025 - 22/08/2025 22/09/2025 - 31/10/2025 16 weeks: 07/04/2025 - 25/07/2025 14/07/2025 - 31/10/2025 |
English entry requirements Academic IELTS for UKVI or accepted equivalent | 6 weeks: 5.0 overall (5.0 in reading and writing, minimum 4.5 in all other skills) 16 weeks: 4.5 overall (4.5 in reading and writing, minimum 4.0 in all other skills) |
Accepted tests
| Course duration | Accepted Test | Required score |
| 16 weeks | IELTS Academic UKVI | 4.5 overall (4.5 in reading and writing, minimum 4.0 in all other skills), or accepted equivalent |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI | ISE I Merit overall, ISE I Merit in reading and writing, ISE I Pass in all other skills | |
| 6 weeks | IELTS Academic UKVI | 5.0 overall (5.0 in reading and writing, minimum 4.5 in all other skills), or accepted equivalent |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI | ISE I Distinction overall, ISE I Distinction in reading and writing, ISE I Merit in all other skills |
| English language exit requirements | You will be assessed internally at the end of your English programme and will be required to meet the equivalent grade of IELTS 5.5 5.5 (5.5 in reading and writing, minimum of 5.0 in all other skills) |
| Age | 18+ |
| Duration | 6 weeks 10 weeks 16 weeks |
| Fees | 6 weeks: £2,100 10 weeks: £3,500 16 weeks: £5,600 |
| Intakes | 6 weeks: June/July/September 10 weeks: May/August 16 weeks: April/July |
| Term dates | 6 weeks: 10 weeks: 16 weeks: |
English entry requirements Academic IELTS for UKVI or accepted equivalent | 6 weeks: 5.0 overall (5.0 in all other skills) 10 weeks: 5.0 overall (4.5 in all other skills) 16 weeks: 4.5 overall (4.5 in all other skills) |
Accepted tests
You don't need a Secure English Language Test to start this programme. Alternative tests include:
| Course duration | Accepted Test | Required score |
| 16 weeks | IELTS Academic UKVI / Non-UKVI / Online | 4.5 overall (4.5 in all skills), or accepted equivalent |
| LanguageCert SELT | B1 SELT 33/50 overall (B1 SELT 33/50 in all skills) | |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI / Non-UKVI / Online | 43 overall (43 in all skills) | |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI / Non-UKVI | ISE I Merit overall (ISE I Merit in all skills) | |
| Cambridge ESOL | 147 overall (147 in all skills) | |
| LanguageCert International ESOL | B1 Achiever 33/50 in all skills | |
| Oxford Test of English | 90 overall (90 in all skills) | |
| Password Skills Solo / Password Skills Plus | 4.5 overall (4.5 in all skills) | |
| 10 weeks | IELTS UKVI / Non-UKVI / Online | 5.0 overall (4.5 in all skills), or accepted equivalent |
| LanguageCert SELT | B1 SELT 38/50 overall (B1 SELT 33/50 in all skills) | |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI / Non-UKVI / Online | 43 overall (43 in all skills) | |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI / Non-UKVI | ISE I Distinction overall (ISE I Merit in all skills) | |
| Cambridge ESOL | 154 overall (147 in all skills) | |
| LanguageCert International ESOL | B1 Achiever High Pass (B1 Achiever 33/50 in all skills) | |
| Oxford Test of English | 100 overall (90 in all skills) | |
| Password Skills Solo / Password Skills Plus | 5.0 overall (4.5 in all skills) | |
| 6 weeks | IELTS UKVI / Non-UKVI / Online | 5.0 overall (5.0 in reading and writing, minimum 4.5 in all other skills), or accepted equivalent |
| LanguageCert SELT | B1 SELT 38/50 overall (38/50 in all skills) | |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 SELT 25/50 (25/50 in all skills) | |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI / Non-UKVI | ISE I Distinction overall (ISE I Distinction in all skills) | |
| Cambridge ESOL | 154 overall (154 in all skills) | |
| LanguageCert International ESOL | B1 Achiever 38/50 in all skills | |
| LanguageCert International ESOL | B2 Communicator 25/50 in all skills | |
| Oxford Test of English | 100 overall (100 in all skills) | |
| Password Skills Solo / Password Skills Plus | 5.0 overall (5.0 in all skills) |
| English exit requirements | You will be assessed internally at the end of your English programme and will be required to meet the equivalent grade of IELTS 5.5 (minimum 5.5 in all skills) |
You find that your essay skills are increasing and your mindset and your presentation skills and also your English skills. And finally you could get to Durham university. So the International Study Centre is really a good opportunity for the international students from all over the world to come to the UK and enrol in the education of the UK.
Suki from China
Studied International Foundation Year
Now studying BSc (Hons) Psychology
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