Students studying in library on laptops

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.

Key facts

Age17+
Duration

6 weeks

16 weeks

Fees

6 weeks: £2,100

16 weeks: £5,600

Intakes6 weeks: September/February/June

16 weeks: September/March
Term dates6 weeks:
23/09/2024 - 15/11/2024
10/02/2025 - 21/03/2025
09/06/2025 - 18/07/2025

16 weeks:
30/09/2024 - 21/02/2025
31/03/2025 - 18/07/2025

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 durationAccepted Test Required score 
16 weeksIELTS 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 UKVIISE I Merit overall, ISE I Merit in reading and writing, ISE I Pass in all other skills
6 weeksIELTS 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 UKVIISE I Distinction overall, ISE I Distinction in reading and writing, ISE I Merit in all other skills
English language exit requirementsYou 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)
Age18+
Duration

6 weeks​​

10 weeks​​

16 weeks​​

Fees

6 weeks: £2,100​​

10 weeks: £3,500​​

16 weeks: £5,600​​ 

Intakes6 weeks: September/February/June

10 weeks: November/January/May

16 weeks: September/March
Term dates6 weeks:
23/09/2024 - 15/11/2024
10/02/2025 - 21/03/2025
09/06/2025 - 18/07/2025

10 weeks:
11/11/2024 - 21/02/2025
13/01/2025 - 21/03/2025
12/05/2025 - 18/07/2025

16 weeks:
30/09/2024 - 21/02/2025
31/03/2025 - 18/07/2025

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 durationAccepted Test Required score 
16 weeksIELTS Academic UKVI / Non-UKVI / Online4.5 overall (4.5 in all skills), or accepted equivalent

LanguageCert SELTB1 SELT 33/50 overall (B1 SELT 33/50 in all skills)

Pearson PTE Academic UKVI / Non-UKVI / Online43 overall (43 in all skills) 

Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI / Non-UKVIISE I Merit overall (ISE I Merit in all skills)

Cambridge ESOL147 overall (147 in all skills) 

Cambridge Linguaskill147 overall (147 in all skills) 

LanguageCert International ESOLB1 Achiever 33/50 in all skills

Oxford Test of English90 overall (90 in all skills) 

Password Skills Solo / Password Skills Plus4.5 overall (4.5 in all skills)
10 weeksIELTS UKVI / Non-UKVI / Online5.0 overall (4.5 in all skills), or accepted equivalent

LanguageCert SELTB1 SELT 38/50 overall (B1 SELT 33/50 in all skills)

Pearson PTE Academic UKVI / Non-UKVI / Online43 overall (43 in all skills) 

Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI / Non-UKVIISE I Distinction overall (ISE I Merit in all skills)

Cambridge ESOL154 overall (147 in all skills) 

Cambridge Linguaskill154 overall (147 in all skills) 

LanguageCert International ESOLB1 Achiever High Pass (B1 Achiever 33/50 in all skills) 

Oxford Test of English100 overall (90 in all skills) 

Password Skills Solo / Password Skills Plus5.0 overall (4.5 in all skills)
6 weeksIELTS UKVI / Non-UKVI / Online5.0 overall (5.0 in reading and writing, minimum 4.5 in all other skills), or accepted equivalent

LanguageCert SELTB1 SELT 38/50 overall (38/50 in all skills)

LanguageCert SELTB2 SELT 25/50 (25/50 in all skills) 

Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI / Non-UKVIISE I Distinction overall (ISE I Distinction in all skills)

Cambridge ESOL154 overall (154 in all skills) 

Cambridge Linguaskill154 overall (154 in all skills) 

LanguageCert International ESOLB1 Achiever 38/50 in all skills

LanguageCert International ESOLB2 Communicator 25/50 in all skills

Oxford Test of English100 overall (100 in all skills) 

Password Skills Solo / Password Skills Plus5.0 overall (5.0 in all skills)
English exit requirementsYou 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)

97%

of students who completed their English Language Preparation Online programme between April and August 2023 progressed to their onward academic programme at their chosen International Study Centre.

Suki from China

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

READY TO JOIN US?

Our student enrolment advisors are here to help with your application and answer any questions you have about studying with us.