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Pre-Sessional English - Campus

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Pre-Sessional English - Campus

Aberdeen Campus Pre-sessional (PSE) Courses

Please note that the information below is subject to change. 

Our pre-sessional courses aim to help you make the transition to study at the University of Aberdeen and focuses on the language and skills that you will need including:

  • Planning and structuring longer pieces of writing
  • Using source material in your writing
  • Developing strategies and skills for effective academic study
  • Participating in seminars and giving academic presentations

Advantages of taking these courses include:

  • Successful completion removes the language condition on your offer
  • Extremely high pass rates
  • Preparation for life and study at Aberdeen University
  • Making friends and meeting other international students

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 Campus Based Courses

Visa Processing: Be aware that processing times can vary significantly from country to country. 

2026 Autumn

5 weeks PSE - 16 November 2026 - 18 December 2026 (application deadline 16 October 2026) 

2026/27

40 weeks PSE - 12 October 2026 - 27 August 2027 - (application deadline 11 September 2026) 

30 weeks PSE - 18 January 2027 - 27 August 2027 - (application deadline 11 December 2026) 

20 weeks PSE - 29 March 2027 -  27 August 2027 - (application deadline 26 February 2027) 

15 weeks PSE - 3 May 2027 - 27 August 2027 - (application deadline 2 April 2027) 

7 June - 18 June - Reading Week

10 weeks PSE - 21 June 2027 - 27 August 2027 (application deadline 21 May 2027)

5 weeks PSE - 26 July 2027 - 27 August 2027 - (application deadline 25 June 2027)

2027 Autumn

20 weeks PSE - 26 July 2027 - 17 December 2027 (application deadline 25 June 2027) 

15 weeks PSE -  30 August 2027 - 17 December 2027 (application deadline 30 July 2027)

4 October - 8 October - Reading Week

10 weeks PSE - 11 October 2027 - 17 December 2027 (application deadline 10 September 2027) 

5 weeks PSE - 15 November 2027 - 17 December 2027 (application deadline 15 October 2027) 

If you are in any doubt about which length of course you should be applying for,  please contact the Language Centre LC-application-enquires@abdn.ac.uk.

Join our online Live Chat Events to find out more:

30 weeks PSE - 18 January 2027 - 27 August 2027 - date and link to follow

20 weeks PSE - 29 March 2027 -  27 August 2027 - date and link to follow

FAQ

What kind of visa do I need to take a campus-based course?

Student Visa (Standard or Joint CAS Pathway) 

You will need a SELT (Secure English Language Test). More information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/knowledge-of-english  

Standard CAS Pathway (Available for 40, 30, 20, 10, 5 weeks pre-session) 

  • You receive one CAS for the pre-sessional course that you applied for (CAS is not transferable). 
  • A new CAS is issued for degree study after successful course completion. 
  • Accepted SELTs: UKVI IELTS, UKVI PTE, LanguageCert Academic SELT (UKVI). 
  • Visa can be extended in the UK with the University support. 
  • Self-funded students must pay the deposit. 
  • Sponsored students must submit a sponsorship letter or pay a refundable deposit. 

Joint CAS Pathway (Only available for 10- and 5-week PSE courses leading to all Undergraduate/PGDE Programmes, not Medicine) 

  • One CAS covers both the pre-sessional course and degree programme. 
  • Eligible if academic conditions are met. 
  • If ATAS is required, it needs to be in place before CAS is issued. 
  • Accepted certificates: IELTS (UKVI or non-UKVI), TOEFL iBT (incl. Home Edition), PTE, LanguageCert Academic SELT or non-SELT, Duolingo, Cambridge. 
  • Requires financial evidence covering full tuition and living costs. 
  • Sponsored students must submit a sponsorship letter or pay a refundable deposit. 

Contact us: lc-application-submission@abdn.ac.uk 

Short-Term Study Visa (STSV)  

No SELT required or SELT is below IELTS 4.0; up to two English test certificates may be submitted for admission/placement. Suitable for courses up to 6 months or English Language Visa (6–11 months). Available for 40, 30, 20, 10, 5 weeks pre-session.  

Important Visa Conditions: 

  • You must apply for and secure your own STSV. 
  • You must provide a passport, the UK entry evidence, and a visa that covers the entire course duration. 
  • STSV does NOT allow: 
  • Work (paid/unpaid) 
  • Use of public funds 
  • Visa extension or switching to Student Visa in the UK 
  • Remaining in the UK post-course (you must return home to apply for further study). Please note that due to the requirement to return home to apply for further study you will not have enough time to continue to your degree course in the semester directly following the end of a pre-sessional course. For example: if your pre-sessional course finishes in August 2026, you will not have enough time to obtain a new visa and start the degree course in September 2026. You will be encouraged to plan to continue your studies in January 2027 or September 2027. Please consider this before selecting Short-Term Study Visa.  

Other Visa Types That Allow Study 

If you're already in the UK with any of the following visas, you may be eligible to study without a SELT: 

  • Dependent Visa (e.g., spouse/partner of a student or worker) 
  • Ukraine Scheme Visas 
  • Refugee or Humanitarian Protection 
  • Asylum Seekers (with study conditions permitted) 

Please contact us for eligibility confirmation and an internal placement test.  

 

Which language certificates can I use to apply for this course?

Accepted SELTs for Standard CAS Pathway: 

  • UKVI IELTS 
  • UKVI PTE 
  • LanguageCert Academic SELT (UKVI) 

You may submit up to two certificates for placement purposes. 

Accepted Certificates for Joint CAS Pathway: 

  • IELTS (UKVI or non-UKVI) 
  • TOEFL iBT (incl. Home Edition) 
  • PTE (non-UKVI version allowed) 
  • LanguageCert Academic SELT or non-SELT 
  • Duolingo 
  • Cambridge 

Note: Joint CAS only available for 10- and 5-week PSE courses leading to all Undergraduate/PGDE Programmes, not Medicine courses.  

 

Accepted Certificates for Short-Term Study Visa 

  • ELTS (UKVI or non-UKVI) 
  • TOEFL iBT (incl. Home Edition) 
  • PTE (non-UKVI version allowed) 
  • LanguageCert Academic SELT or non-SELT 
  • Duolingo 
  • Cambridge 
  • Oxford ELLT Digital - English Level Test Online 
  • Internal assessment may be possible. Please contact us to discuss eligibility.  

Postgraduate - Standard CAS Pathway 

5 weeks 

10 weeks 

20 weeks 

30 weeks 

40 weeks 

UKVI IELTS 

O 6.0 
 L 5.5 
 R  5.5 
 W 5.5 
 S 5.5 

O 5.5 
 L 5 
 R 5.5 
 W 5.5 
 S 5 

O 5 
 L  5 
 R 5 
 W 5 
 S 5 

O 4.5 
 L 4.5 
 R 4.5 
 W 4.5 
 S 4.5 

O 4.5 
 L 4 
 R 4 
 W  4.5 
 S 4 

UKVI PTE 

O 59 
 L 59 
 R 59 
 W 59 
 S 59 

O 57 
 L 52 
 R 59 
 W 59 
 S 52 

O 52 
 L 52 
 R 52 
 W 52 
 S 52 

O 47 
 L 47 
 R 47 
 W 47 
 S 47 

O 44 
 L 43 
 R 43 
 W 47 
 S 43 

Language Cert UKVI 

O B2 Pass 
 L 33 
 R 33 
 W 33 
 S 33 

O B2 Pass 
 L 29 
 R 33 
 W 33 
 S 29 

O B1 High Pass 
 L 38 
 R  38 
 W 38 
 S 38 

O B1 Pass 
 L 33 
 R  33 
 W 33 
 S 33 

N/A 

Language Cert Academic SELT  UKVI 

O 65 
 L 60 
 R 60 
 W 60 
 S 60 

O 60 
 L 55 
 R 60 
 W 60 
 S 55 

O 55 
 L 55 
 R 55 
 W 55 
 S 55 

O 50 
 L 50 
 R 50 
 W 50 
 S 50 

N/A 

 

Postgraduate - Joint CAS Pathway 

5 weeks 

10 weeks 

 IELTS (UKVI or non-UKVI) 

O 6.0 
 L 5.5 
 R 5.5 
 W 5.5 
 S 5.5 

O 5.5 
 L 5.5 
 R 5.5 
 W 5.5 
 S 5.5 

TOEFL iBT (incl. Home Edition) 

O 74+ 
 L 17+ 
 R 18+ 
 W 19+ 
 S 20+ 

O 78+ 
 L 17+ 
 R 18+ 
 W 19+ 
 S 20+ 

PTE (UKVI or non-UKVI) 

O 59 
 L 59 
 R 59 
 W 59 
 S 59 

O 59 
 L 59 
 R 59 
 W 59 
 S 59 

LanguageCert Academic SELT or non-SELT 

O 65 
 L 60 
 R 60 
 W 60 
 S 60 

O 60 
 L 60 
 R 60 
 W 60 
 S 60 

Duolingo 

O 105 
 L 95 
 R 95 
 W 95 
 S 95 

O 95 
 L 95 
 R 95 
 W 95 
 S 95 

Cambridge English B2 First or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency  

O 170 
 L 165 
 R 165 
 W 165 
 S 165 

O 165 
 L 165 
 R 165 
 W 165 
 S 165 

 

Undergraduate - Standard CAS Pathway 

5 weeks 

10 weeks 

20 weeks 

30 weeks 

40 weeks 

UKVI IELTS 

O 5.5 
 L 5.5 
 R 5.5 
 W 5.5 
 S 5.5 

O 5.0 
 L 5.0 
 R 5.0 
 W 5.0 
 S 5.0 

O 5.0 
 L 4.5 
 R 4.5 
 W 4.5 
 S 4.5 

O 4.5 
 L 4.5 
 R 4.5 
 W 4.5 
 S 4.5 

O 4 
 L 4 
 R 4 
 W 4 
 S 4 

UKVI PTE 

O 29 
 L 29 
 R 29 
 W 29 
 S 29 

O 52 
 L 52 
 R 52 
 W 52 
 S 52 

O 52 
 L 47 
 R 47 
 W 47 
 S 47 

O 47 
 L 47 
 R 47 
 W 47 
 S 47 

O 43 
 L 43 
 R 43 
 W 43 
 S 43 

Language Cert B1 UKVI 

O 33 
 L 33 
 R 33 
 W 33 
 S 33 

O B2 Pass 
 L 29 
 R 33 
 W 33 
 S 29 

O B1 High Pass 
 L 38 
 R 38 
 W 38 
 S 38 

O B1 Pass 
 L 33 
 R 33 
 W 33 
 S 33 

N/A 

Language Cert Academic SELT  UKVI 

O 60 
 L 60 
 R 60 
 W 60 
 S 60 

O 55 
 L  55 
 R  55 
 W  55 
 S  55 

O 55 
 L 50 
 R 50 
 W 50 
 S 50 

O 50 
 L 50 
 R 50 
 W 50 
 S 50 

N/A 

 

 

Undergraduate - Joint CAS Pathway 

5  weeks 

 IELTS (UKVI or non-UKVI) 

O 5.5 
 L 5.5 
 R 5.5 
 W 5.5 
 S 5.5 

TOEFL iBT (incl. Home Edition) 

O 75+ 
 L 17+ 
 R 18+ 
 W 19+ 
 S 20+ 

PTE (UKVI or non-UKVI) 

O 59 
 L 59 
 R 59 
 W 59 
 S 59 

LanguageCert Academic SELT or non-SELT 

O 65 
 L 60 
 R 60 
 W 60 
 S 60 

Duolingo 

O 105 
 L 95 
 R 95 
 W 95 
 S 95 

Cambridge English B2 First or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency  

O 170 
 L 165 
 R 165 
 W 165 
 S 165 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How can I apply for the course?
  1. Please complete the Pre-Sessional English Application Form 2026/2027.
  2. Submit the form 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.

Courses Autumn 2026 Applications Open *Applications Close
5 weeks open for applications

16 October 2026

Applying after the deadline is sometimes possible.  If you have any questions please contact the Language Centre here.

 

Courses 2026/2027 Applications Open *Applications Close
40 weeks *open for applications 

11 September 2026 

Applying after the deadline is sometimes possible.  If you have any questions please contact the Language Centre here.
30 weeks open for applications 11 December 2026
20 weeks open for applications 26 February 2027
15 weeks open for applications 2 April 2027

 

Courses Summer 2027 Applications Open *Applications Close
10 weeks open for applications 21 May 2027
5 weeks open for applications 25 June 2027

 

Courses Autumn 2027 Applications Open *Applications Close
20 weeks open for applications 25 June 2027
15 weeks open for applications  30 July 2027
10 weeks open for applications 10 September 2027
5 weeks open for applications 15 October 2027

 

*Applying after the deadline is sometimes possible, but places may be limited and visa processing times need to taken into consideration, so treat the published deadlines as firm targets.  If you have any questions please contact the Language Centre here.

 

 

Payment Methods

  1. You can pay by credit card, debit card or PayPal via our online store.
  2. Bank transfer details can be found on the Pre-Sessional English Application Form 2026/2027

 

 

 

 

What are the dates and fees?
Courses Autumn 2026 Induction Course Starts Course Ends Fee
5 weeks TBA 16 November 2026  18 December 2026  £1,900 (deposit £380)

 

Courses 2026/2027 Induction Course Starts Course Ends Fee
40 weeks TBA 12 October 2026 27 August 2027 £15,200 (deposit £3,800)
30 weeks TBA  18 January 2027 27 August 2027  £11,400 (deposit £3,000)
20 weeks TBA  29 March 2027 27 August 2027 £7,600 (deposit £1,520)
15 weeks TBA  3 May 2027 27 August 2027 £5,700 (deposit £1,140)
10 weeks TBA  21 June 2027 27 August 2027 £3,800 (deposit £760)
5 weeks TBA  26 July 2027 27 August 2027 £1,900 (deposit £380)

 

Courses Autumn 2027 Induction Course Starts Course Ends Fee
20 weeks TBA  26 July 2027 17 December 2027 £7,600 (deposit £1,520)
15 weeks TBA  30 August 2027 17 December 2027 £5,700 (deposit £1,140)
10 weeks TBA 11 October 2027 17 December 2027 £3,800 (deposit £760)
5 weeks TBA 15 November 2027 17 December 2027 £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 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 2026  On-Campus Application Close Online Application Close
5 weeks 16 October 2026 16 October 2026
Course 2026/2027  On-Campus Application Close Online Application Close
40 weeks 11 September 2026 11 September 2026
30 weeks 11 December 2026 11 December 2026
20 weeks  26 February 2027 26 February 2027
15 weeks 2 April 2027 2 April 2027
10 weeks 21 May 2027 7 May 2027
5 weeks 25 June 2027 11 June 2027

 

Course Autumn 2027 On-Campus Application Close Online Application Close
20 weeks 25 June 2027 25 June 2027
15 weeks 30 July 2027 30 July 2027
10 weeks 10 September 2027 10 September 2027
5 weeks 15 October 2027 15 October 2027

 

*Applying after the deadline is sometimes possible, but places may be limited and visa processing times need to taken into consideration, so treat the published deadlines as firm targets.  If you have any questions please contact the Language Centre here.

 

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