Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes

If you already have an offer to start a degree at the University of Derby, this course will give you an IELTS equivalent which will allow you to progress to the University of Derby programmes.

If you already have an offer to start a degree at the University of Derby and the required IELTS for it, there is still the opportunity to study the 5 week course to update your academic skills and get ahead for UK study and success on your degree.

The course will help you:

• Achieve the entry level for your degree course - either undergraduate or postgraduate
• Develop your academic skills to successfully complete assignments on your degree
• Improve your confidence before your degree course
• Make friends and learn with fellow students who will be studying at Derby, before you begin your degree

This course will enable you to improve your skills and knowledge in the following areas:

• Academic speaking, including presentations and seminar skills
• Academic listening and note-taking
• Academic reading, including research and referencing skills
• Academic writing
• Vocabulary
• Grammar
• Critical thinking skills
• Using AI tools ethically to enhance learning
• Understanding of British university culture

This course is taught online and depending on your level of English on entry, you will need to study for 12, 8 or 5 weeks. 

If you pass this Pre-sessional English course at the level stated in your degree offer, you will be able to automatically progress to your degree at the University of Derby. You will have achieved a minimum English level of CEFR B2. 

You must be age 17 years or older to enrol on to this course. 

Courses will only run if there is sufficient student demand. 

This course will enable you to improve your skills and knowledge in the following areas: 

• Academic speaking, including presentations and seminar skills
• Academic listening and note-taking
• Academic reading, including research and referencing skills
• Academic writing
• Vocabulary
• Grammar
• Critical thinking skills
• Understanding of British university culture

Please note that our modules are subject to change. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

How you will learn

This is a full-time course with 20 hours of study per week of which 12-15 hours of attendance of online classes are required alongside self-study. It is a highly interactive course, with lots of small group work and discussion. This will enable you to increase your confidence and learn from others.

If you want to start your main degree in September 2026

If you need an IELTS 7

If your required English level is 7, contact us or the Programme Leader Alex Hudson. We will look at your current English language scores and advise if our courses would be suitable for you to achieve what you need within the timeframes of the 12, 8 or 5 week length of a course.

2025/26 Fees for new entrants

These fees will apply to any course studied between September 2025 and August 2026:

• 5 Weeks = £1,300
• 8 Weeks = £2,380
• 12 Weeks = £3,600

You will need to pay in full before you start the course.

Empower your workforce with block bookings

Take advantage of a short courses block booking to upskill your employees. Our short courses run on-campus and online and include new legislation and other up-to-the-minute issues. Get in touch today and we will tailor a package to meet the needs of your business.

Contact us

If you want to find out more about studying a short course, please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Course policies

• Learner charter
• Cancellation policy
• Code of conduct for learner discipline
• Terms and conditions