International

Our pre-sessional course offers you an opportunity to develop your English and academic skills before progressing onto your main course of study. It is designed for students whose English level does not meet the university’s minimum entry requirements – and for those who simply wish to improve their language skills and confidence before studying.

I highly recommend you to take a pre-sessional course, even if you have passed IELTS. I attended a pre-sessional course in 2019 before my MSc, which helped me a lot on academic English in terms of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The writing practice on the pre-sessional course made it easier to understand lectures and write assignments.

Jane Zhang

What will I study?

In 20+ hours of teaching time per week, you will study:

Academic writing styles and skills
Presentation and speaking skills
Critical thinking, reading skills and strategies
Listening skills for lectures and every day work
Academic good conduct and research skills.

How will it help me?

By the end of the pre-sessional course:

You’ll be better prepared for wider academic study
Your language skills will be stronger
You’ll be comfortable and familiar with the campus and its facilities
You’ll have a chance to meet fellow students and make friends at social events
You’ll be familiar with the surrounding area through our guided weekend trips.

How will I be assessed?

Over the six weeks, you will create a portfolio of written work
Your listening and speaking skills will be assessed at the end of the course

To find out more about our pre-sessional course or to discuss your individual situation, email Stephen Giles, English Language Support Manager, at sjgiles@harper-adams.ac.uk.

6-week course dates

Dates: 2 August – 10 September 2021 inclusive

Minimum entry requirement

Applicants must meet the minimum entry requirement for the course through one of the following Secure English Language Tests (SELTs):

IELTS for UKVI (Academic): 5.5 overall with no less than 5.0 in any component
Trinity ISE II (Taken in UK)
Pearson Test of English Academic for UKVI (59 overall with no less than 46 in any component)
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 SELT (overall pass – with a pass in all components)
PSI Skills for English B2 SELT (pass in all four components)

In addition to English language entry requirements, students must also meet the entry requirements for their chosen course of study as pre-sessional courses are not offered as a stand-alone option.

Visa applicants

One single CAS letter from the University will cover both your pre-sessional and subsequent course of study. Progression onto your chosen course is dependent on you achieving the University’s minimum English entry level in the pre-sessional course assessment. If you do not achieve this level, your sponsorship will be withdrawn and you will be unable to continue in your studies.

Cost of course

£1,850 per student to include all tuition, materials and excursion fees.

Standard self-catered accommodation available from £600 for the duration of the course. Alternative accommodation options are available at a higher cost.