Undergraduate
Everything you need to know about our Pre-sessional English Course for Undergraduates, including the course structure, teaching, assessment, fees and course dates.
Not ready to apply?
Register your interest and we will contact you about future course dates.
Register interestIf you hold an offer from the UCL Institute of Education (IOE), you may instead need to take the IOE’s own pre-sessional course, known as the Preparation for Academic Studies in Higher Education (PASHE).
Key information
Study mode
Full time
Delivery mode
Online
Fee
£7,700
Course dates
29 June to 21 August 2026
Waiting list
We are now accepting waiting list applications for this course.
You should read the waiting list guidance below and check you meet the course entry requirements before applying.
- Submitting an application does not guarantee that you will receive an offer of a place on the course. Demand is likely to be high and only limited places at specific UCL Language levels (Levels 1-5) are available.
- Students who have already been offered a place on the Pre-sessional course this year will not be considered.
- Complete applications will be prioritised, so please make sure you complete all fields in the application form and upload all pages of your UCL degree course offer, including any conditions. Students currently studying in the UK should upload a copy of their e-visa, including the end date.
- If you are offered a place via the waiting list, you will have only a short time to make payment of both the application and course fees.
- The waiting list will normally close not later than the course application deadline and may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.
Course overview
The Pre-sessional English Course for Undergraduates prepares you for academic study at UCL by developing the academic skills, language and knowledge you will need for your degree.
This is an academically challenging course designed specifically for students preparing to begin undergraduate study.
You will work closely with other pre-undergraduate students and your tutor, complete formative tasks, and receive regular feedback and guidance as you develop the language and academic skills needed for undergraduate-level work.
The course is suitable if you hold a conditional offer for a UCL undergraduate degree and plan to make UCL your firm choice.
The course is full time and intensive. You must be fully available throughout the course and it cannot be combined with employment, internships or other courses. You must also have completed high school before starting the course.
Course dates
- Start date: Monday 29 June 2026
- End date: Friday 21 August 2026
- Results day: Thursday 27 August 2026
This course normally includes up to 6.5 weeks of teaching and 1.5 weeks of assessment.
You must complete enrolment before or on the course start date so that you can attend your first week of scheduled teaching. Further enrolment information will be sent during the application process.
If you do not complete enrolment, or if you do not attend scheduled teaching within the first five days, you will be withdrawn from the course.
Route to success
99% of students met their UCL English language requirement by successfully completing this course.
End-of-course data 2025
Entry requirements
You are eligible for this course if:
- your current level of English meets the Pre-sessional English course requirements
- you hold a conditional offer for a UCL undergraduate degree
Students with unconditional offers cannot apply for this course.
English language tests we accept
We accept the following tests:
- IELTS – UKVI / Academic / Academic Online
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) – UKVI / Academic
- TOEFL – iBT / Home Edition
Your test must have been taken within two years of the course start date.
We do not accept:
- IELTS one skill retake tests
- TOEFL iBT MyBestScore
You must meet the required scores in a single test. We do not combine scores from multiple tests.
English language requirements
| UCL English level | IELTS | TOEFL | Pearson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 6.0 overall 5.5 each subskill | 4.0 overall 4.0 each subskill | 67 overall 59 each subskill |
| Level 2 | 6.0 overall 5.5 each subskill | 4.5 overall 4.0 each subskill | 67 overall 59 each subskill |
| Level 3 | 6.5 overall 6.0 each subskill | 5.0 overall 4.5 each subskill | 75 overall 67 each subskill |
| Level 4 | 6.5 overall 6.0 each subskill | 5.0 overall 4.5 each subskill | 75 overall 67 each subskill |
| Level 5 | 7.5 overall 7.0 each subskill | 5.5 overall 5.0 each subskill | 80 overall 76 each subskill |
Read more about UCL’s English language requirements.
- Level 1: Overall 87, with 22 in reading and writing and 18 in speaking and listening.
- Level 2: Overall 87, with 22 in reading and writing and 18 in speaking and listening.
- Level 3: Overall 92, with 24 in reading and writing and 20 in speaking and listening.
- Level 4: Overall 92, with 24 in reading and writing and 20 in speaking and listening.
- Level 5: Overall 109, with 27 in reading and writing and 23 in speaking and listening.
You are not eligible if:
- you already hold an unconditional offer for a UCL degree
- you previously completed a UCL Pre-sessional course
- you hold an offer for a programme delivered by the IOE, Faculty of Education and Society
IOE offer holders must apply for the Preparation for Academic Studies in Higher Education (PASHE) course instead.
Undergraduate applicants are not eligible for other Pre-sessional courses.
Applicants under 18 may apply if they hold a valid UCL degree offer.
Teaching, learning and assessment
This course is delivered online. You will be taught remotely through UCL’s online platforms, such as Microsoft Teams, in classes with other pre-undergraduate students.
You will be taught by tutors with experience of preparing international students for undergraduate study at UCL. At the start of the course, your tutors will introduce themselves and explain how the course works.
You will be able to access the UCL resources you need remotely, including the UCL Library catalogue. Studying from your home country can be convenient, but it also means you will need to stay motivated and take an active approach to improving your skills, especially speaking.
What your day looks like
Each day normally begins with independent research for your project and preparation for your lesson. This may include reading texts or watching short videos.
You will then attend a three-hour class with your tutor in a group of up to 13 students. The small class size gives you more opportunities to receive feedback, guidance and support.
You will also have a weekly one-to-one tutorial to discuss your progress and any issues affecting your studies.
This course operates during standard UCL working hours and the teaching and assessment schedule is fixed and cannot be changed.
Students based in time zones significantly west of the UK, for example in the Americas, may find the course challenging because lessons and assessments start early and there may be a large time difference between you, your tutor and your classmates.
Sample timetable
Your weekly timetable will typically include:
- 15 hours of contact time with your tutor in lessons
- a minimum of 15 hours of independent study for research and lesson preparation
- 15 minutes of online individual tutorial time with your tutor
You are expected to attend fully and participate actively in scheduled teaching activities.
The minimum attendance requirement is 85%. If you do not meet this requirement, you may be withdrawn from the course.
If you are withdrawn because of poor attendance, you will not be eligible for a full or pro rata refund.
| Time | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent study | Independent Research Project (three hours) | Independent Research Project (one hour); read journal article and prepare for lesson (two hours) | Independent Research Project (three hours) | Independent Research Project (three hours) | Independent Research Project (two hours); prepare micro-presentation (one hour) |
| 9:30am to 1pm BST (including a 30-minute break) | Research Skills: academic integrity and citing your sources | Academic Reading Circle: working together to understand a complex text | Research Skills: understanding your audience and their expectations; defining key terms | Speaking and Presentation Skills: how to talk about your research; signposting language for presentations | Micro-presentation, Q&A and peer feedback: your Research Project so far |
| 1pm to 3pm BST | Individual tutorial (15 minutes) |
This is a typical week and the timetable may vary during the course.
Assessment
As a conditional undergraduate offer holder, you must achieve the UCL English language level stated in your degree offer letter to progress to your chosen UCL degree.
All students enrolled on the course are required to complete all assessments.
The assessments are based on an independent research project.
You will produce a Research Portfolio based on independent library research.
The Research Portfolio has two components:
- a research essay using academic texts on a topic related to your future degree course
- a record of your research process, including the texts you selected and your use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
You will receive help and guidance from your tutor throughout the course.
You will attend a Viva, which is a spoken exam based on the content of your Research Portfolio.
In the Viva, you will have the opportunity to discuss and clarify aspects of your work.
You will practise for the Viva and receive support in one-to-one tutorials during the course.
Technical requirements
You will receive guidance on using UCL’s online platforms, such as Microsoft Teams, at the start of the course. Technical support is available during normal UK office hours, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
- modern laptop (phones or tablets are not suitable)
- headset or headphones, or functioning speakers and a microphone
- webcam
- Google Chrome
- internet connection of at least 60 Mb/s download and 10 Mb/s upload
- second or external monitor
- external mouse and/or keyboard
- wired ethernet connection
- computer with Intel i7 / Apple M1 processor or equivalent
- 16 GB RAM
- internet connection of 100 Mb/s download and 20 Mb/s upload
Senior team
This is the Undergraduate Pre-sessional Senior team.
Robert Hughes
Head of Pre-sessional Programmes
Robert holds a BA (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Sussex and an MA in Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching from King’s College London, where he won the Language, Discourse & Communication Outstanding Master’s Student Prize. He also holds the Trinity TESOL and Cambridge DELTA (Distinction). Since 2016, he has worked on the Pre-sessional and now leads all academic aspects of CLIE’s Pre-sessional programmes.
Yasha Sosenskiy
Pre-sessional Senior Coordinator (Digital Development)
Yasha holds a degree in International Relations from the University of Edinburgh, an MA in English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics from King’s College London, and the Cambridge DELTA. He has taught for about 15 years in Colombia, Chile, France, Turkey, Cambodia and the USA, and has taught Digital Literacy, Academic English and Politics in UK higher education. At CLIE since 2018, he develops digital platforms, systems and processes, specialising in automation and data management.
Janeane Owens
Pre-sessional Senior Coordinator (Student Experience)
Janeane has over 20 years’ teaching experience in China, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Tunisia, Poland and the UK. At CLIE since 2011, she has taught on and coordinated the Pre-sessional Course since 2015 and leads student support. She holds a BA in History, an MA in Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching, the Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL), the Cambridge DELTA and became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2015.
Ian Newby
Pre-sessional Senior Coordinator (Assessment)
Ian has been involved in teaching and coordinating pre-sessional courses at CLIE since 2008 and has worked on pre-sessional assessment development and validation since 2018.
Ian has a first degree in Earth Sciences and a Master's degree in Information and Communications Technology in Education as well as the Cambridge Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (DELTA). He is currently carrying out post-graduate research on test development and validation in EAP.
Heather McClean
Pre-sessional Senior Coordinator (Academic)
Heather has over 25 years’ English teaching experience and has worked in Japan, the USA and Spain. For 11 years she has worked in Higher Education teaching and leading Pre-sessional and Academic English programmes, and as an IELTS examiner. Most recently, she worked in Educational Development at Queen Mary University of London. She holds a degree in International Business Communication, an MA in Applied Linguistics and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and the Cambridge DELTA.
Melissa Corlett
Pre-sessional Associate Lecturer
Melissa is a teacher, teacher trainer and materials writer. She holds an MSc in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition from the University of Oxford, a Cambridge DELTA, and a certificate in Effective Online Course Design from the University of Oxford. She has over 16 years’ teaching experience in the UK, Russia and Italy. Before joining CLIE in 2020 she taught Academic English at the Royal College of Art and trained teachers for Trinity TESOL and Diploma qualifications.
Ben Nazer
Pre-sessional Associate Lecturer
Ben has been teaching for over 17 years. He has worked on UCL Pre-sessional courses at CLIE since 2018. Previous to this, he taught Academic English at the University of Greenwich and at various international colleges.
He has an MA in Applied Linguistics and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education and a Diploma in English Language Teaching. He was awarded Fellowship of Advance Higher Education in 2020.
Andrew Hewitt
Pre-sessional Associate Lecturer
Andrew graduated in English and Philosophy (Hons) from the University of Leeds and then completed a PGCE in Secondary English. He also completed the CELTA qualification with Trinity College and the DELTA with the University of Cambridge.
He has been teaching since 2002 and worked at language institutes in the UK, Japan, Oman, Libya, Colombia and UAE, mainly working for the British Council. He has been working at CLIE since 2019 as a Teaching Fellow and Digital Materials Writer.
Heather Spence
Pre-sessional Associate Lecturer
Heather has taught English since 2007 and specialised in English for Academic Purposes since 2014. Before joining the CLIE Pre-sessional team in 2021 they taught in Japan, Slovakia, Germany and the UK at the University of Bristol and University of Dundee. Heather completed the CELTA in 2008. They hold a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry with Pharmacology from the University of Dundee and an MSc in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the University of Stirling.
Thomas Hayward
Pre-sessional Associate Lecturer
Thomas began writing teaching materials for CLIE in 2021. He has over 10 years’ teaching experience at UCL, Freie Universität Berlin, the Berlin School of Economics and Law, and the University of Sheffield, and has worked as an IELTS Examiner for the British Council. After graduating with a First in German and History (University of Sheffield), he completed a Cambridge CELTA, a Cambridge DELTA (Distinction), and an MA in Applied Linguistics with TESOL (Distinction, University of Sheffield).
Cameron Dean
Pre-sessional Associate Lecturer
Cameron has taught since 2005 in Australia, the US, the UK and for over 10 years in Türkiye. He has worked on pre-sessional, in-sessional and IFP courses, writing curricula, materials, assessments and teacher training, and is an IELTS examiner for the British Council and IDP. He has worked on this course since 2019 and joined full-time in 2024 after working at the Bristol University. He holds an MA TESOL (UCL IOE), a Cambridge CELTA & DELTA, and a BA in History and Politics (Curtin University).
Follow these steps to apply for the course:
- Check the entry requirements.
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload the following documents with your application:
- all pages of your 2026–27 UCL degree offer, including all academic and English language conditions
- your English language qualification
- the personal details page of your passport
- your most recent UK visa if you have one
- Pay the £90 application fee via the UCL Online Store.
- Wait for an email from us. If we offer you a place, the email will explain how and when to pay the course fee.
Please make sure your application is complete before submitting it. Missing information will delay the decision.
If the course becomes full before you submit a complete application, we may not be able to make you an offer.
We will email you a formal offer of a place on the course once we have checked that your application is complete and that you meet the entry requirements.
The application deadline is 12pm (midday) UK time on 29 May 2026.
We recommend applying as soon as you have received your UCL degree offer and meet the entry requirements.
Applications may close earlier if the course becomes full.
Unless you already hold a valid UK visa, you cannot study this online course while physically located in the UK.
Once your degree offer becomes unconditional and you receive your CAS, you can use it to apply for a Student visa for your undergraduate degree course.
Undergraduate applicants are not eligible for other Pre-sessional courses.
If you hold an offer for a degree delivered by the IOE, Faculty of Education and Society, you must apply for the Preparation for Academic Studies in Higher Education (PASHE) course instead.
If you receive an offer for the course, you must normally pay the full course fee within one week of the offer being made in order to confirm your place.
Payment is made by credit or debit card via the UCL Online Store.
Full instructions on how and where to pay will be included in your offer email.
Once payment has been received, we will email you to confirm your place on the course.
A £90 application fee is required when you submit your application. This fee is paid via the UCL Online Store.
You will receive a full refund of your course fees if any one of the following applies:
- you provide appropriate evidence before the course begins that you have received full funding for the course
- you are enrolled on the face-to-face course and fail to secure the necessary clearance to enter the UK, and a further visa application is not possible; claims must be supported by a Refusal of Entry Clearance letter
- you change your mind about attending the course and request a refund within 14 days of accepting your offer, unless there are fewer than 14 days before the course begins
Other refund requests must be received by 29 May 2026 to be considered. These requests are subject to a 10% administration charge.
Refund requests must be submitted by email to presess@ucl.ac.uk.
No refund will be made if you withdraw from the course or are withdrawn after the course has started, for example because of poor attendance.
Preparing for your undergraduate degree
This course helps you prepare academically for starting your undergraduate degree at UCL.
During the course you will develop the language, research and study skills required for university-level work in English. You will practise reading complex academic texts, understanding lectures, discussing ideas in seminars, presenting your research and producing structured academic writing based on independent research.
You will also become familiar with the expectations of studying at a UK university, including academic integrity, referencing, engaging with academic sources and working independently.
Throughout the course you will use UCL learning resources, including the UCL Library catalogue, to support your research project and build the independent study skills that will be essential for your degree.
Progressing to your degree
After you complete the course, your results will be sent to UCL Admissions.
If you meet the English language requirement stated in your degree offer letter and have satisfied any remaining academic conditions, your offer will be made unconditional.
UCL will then issue you with a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) for your undergraduate degree programme.
You can normally expect to receive your CAS within one to two weeks after Pre-sessional results are released.
Useful links and support
- Student support and wellbeing — central UCL services, including support with health and wellbeing.
- Accommodation — help with finding suitable accommodation and settling into your new home.
- UCL International Student Support — information and advice to help you prepare for, settle into and enjoy life in the UK.
- Visas and immigration — guidance on visa applications, immigration rules and working in the UK.
- Students’ Union UCL — a free, confidential and independent advice and support service covering academic issues, housing, employment and financial matters.
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Queries about this course?
You can get in touch with the team to ask any questions you have.
Pre-sessional English team
Click to email. presess@ucl.ac.ukFollow us
Teaching and learning
This course is taught by approachable and experienced tutors who specialise in preparing international students for undergraduate study at UCL.
Before your degree begins, you will be introduced to the academic expectations, learning resources and wider UCL community.
You will develop the academic language and research skills needed to study successfully at UCL and adapt to the expectations of university-level study in the UK.
