Still thinking about joining a pre-sessional English course? Here's some reasons to apply:
No more IELTS - we assess your progress throughout the course and you do not need to take another IELTS test at the end
Flexible format – settle into life in Sheffield with our in-person course, or study with us both online and offline.
Improve academic skills - A pre-sessional course covers more than just English language
ELTC Social Programme - Meet new friends and practise your English outside the classroom with our programme of trips and activities
Combined CAS - Join our in-person pre-sessional course and your degree programme on a single visa with a combined CAS, saving you time and hundreds of pounds in visa fees!
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Applications for our 2025-26 academic year pre-sessional courses for entry onto degree programmes beginning in the 2026-27 academic year are now open.
Start Date: Monday 30 June 2025
End Date: Tuesday 7 October 2025
Application Deadline: The application deadline for this course will be passed and we are no longer accepting new applications.
Cost: £2820 (£940 per Month)
Entry requirements:
Your Overall IELTS score:
No more than 1 IELTS band below the overall English language requirement for your degree course
Pre-sessional Course and Scholarship Requirements
You cannot receive the scholarship or gain admission to the University of Sheffield without completing a pre-sessional English course.
Your score in any component of the IELTS test must not be below 4.5.
Pre-sessional courses are available in two formats:
3-month course: raises your IELTS score by approximately 1 band per month.
6-month course: raises your IELTS score by approximately 1.25–1.5 bands per month.
Accepted English Language Tests
In-person (On-campus): IELTS for UKVI (including One Skill Retake), Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) taken in the UK, Pearson Test of English Academic UKVI, LanguageCert Academic SELT.
Online: IELTS Academic, IELTS Indicator (taken after July 2020), Pearson PTE Academic (non-UKVI), Cambridge English C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency, TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition, NCUK English Language Test.
Note: The online version of Pearson PTE Academic is not accepted.
Other tests, such as Duolingo, are not accepted.
Pearson PTE Academic or LanguageCert Academic results can be converted into an equivalent IELTS score to check course entry requirements.
Checking Requirements
You can review the entry requirements for each course via the links provided.
If you have a different test result or are unsure about the requirements, please send an email with your latest test result and the IELTS requirements for your chosen degree programme, and we will advise you on which courses you are eligible for.
Visa Information for International Students
International students will likely require a Student Visa to study in the UK.
To apply for a visa, you will need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Early applicants to the summer pre-sessional courses may be eligible for a combined CAS, allowing you to apply for a single visa covering both your pre-sessional course and your degree programme. This saves time and money and removes the need for a new visa application between completing the pre-sessional course and starting your degree.
Student Experience
Xiaoyi Liu said: “Every lesson in the pre-sessional course prepared me for my master’s. From accessing online study portals to communicating freely and completing my dissertation independently.”