We run Pre-Sessional English (PSE) courses in the UK and online to help you to raise your English language level to meet the entry requirements of your main course. They also prepare you to study in the field of art and design or business at UCA.

Courses run for six weeks, ten weeks and 15 weeks, depending on how much support you need.

Taking a Pre-Sessional English course will not only help you improve your language skills, but it will also help you with your studies and research, and give you more confidence as you settle into UK life. 

The Pre-Sessional English (PSE) courses are designed to equip Business and Art and Design students with the essential English language and communication skills necessary for success in their Creative Arts studies. This is done through using and interacting with materials specifically related to art and design and creative industries while completing activities and tasks to practice and improve academic English language skills. 

Students working towards business-related programmes of study will interact with materials and produce work connected to the business world of art and design, while Art and Design students will focus on materials and tasks related purely to art and design.

The courses cover and assess a range of academic, research, and study skills:

  • Presentation skills
  • Seminar and discussion skills
  • Academic writing skills
  • Referencing and citing
  • Summarising and paraphrasing
  • Reflective practice
  • Listening and note-taking skills
  • Academic reading skills
  • Academic integrity
  • Critical thinking and analysis
  • Research skills
  • Learner autonomy and time management

The PSE course is delivered in an ongoing project format which aims to encourage students to focus on the processes and stages of learning, development, and reflection while working towards their final presentations. 

Each week students receive 12 hours of live lessons, Monday – Thursday. On Fridays, additional sessions focusing on wider areas connected to the creative arts, delivered by creative industry practitioners, when possible, are held for up to two hours, or assessments are run. In addition, students are expected to do at least 15 hours of independent or guided study each week. This includes watching pre-class videos and completing associated activities before most lessons. This flipped learning approach means that the more time-consuming ‘input’ stage of lessons happens outside of class, allowing students to watch and understand the videos at their own pace, while lessons can be used for more communicative practice.

Upcoming
pre-sessional courses

Summer 2025 online pre-sessional courses:

Course

Cost

Dates

Entry requirements

Apply now

Pre-Sessional English for Art and Design
(15 weeks intensive online course)

AND

Pre-Sessional English for Business
(15 weeks intensive online course)

 £5,670 12/05/25 - 22/08/25 IELTS score no more than 1.5
below course entry requirements  		 Email to apply   

Pre-Sessional English for Art and Design
(10 weeks intensive online course)

AND

Pre-Sessional English for Business
(10 weeks intensive online course)

 £4,200 16/06/25 - 22/08/25 IELTS score no more than 1.0
below course entry requirements		 Email to apply  

Pre-Sessional English for Art and Design
(6 weeks intensive online course)

AND

Pre-Sessional English for Business
(6 weeks intensive online course)

£2,470

 

14/07/25 - 22/08/25

 

IELTS score no more than 0.5
below course entry requirements

  Email to apply 

Summer 2025 face-to-face pre-sessional courses at UCA Farnham:

Course

Cost

Dates

Entry requirements

Apply now

Pre-Sessional English for Art and Design
(10 weeks intensive course)

AND

Pre-Sessional English for Business
(10 weeks intensive course)

 £4,200 16/06/25 - 22/08/25 IELTS score no more than 1.0
below course entry requirements		 Email to apply  

Pre-Sessional English for Art and Design
(6 weeks intensive course)

AND

Pre-Sessional English for Business
(6 weeks intensive course)

£2,470

14/07/25 - 22/08/25

IELTS score no more than 0.5
below course entry requirements

  Email to apply

Apply for
pre-sessional courses

You must apply for your chosen main course at UCA before you applying for a Pre-sessional English course. We recommend that you book your place as soon as possible as places are limited.

If you already have an offer for one of our courses, you can apply for a Pre-sessional English course by contacting the International Admissions team on internationaladmissions@uca.ac.uk with your full name, student number, date of birth, chosen Pre-sessional course and a scanned copy of your IELTS certificate.

 

In certain individual circumstances, we may offer a 4-week preparation course in academic skills to ensure the success of your study at UCA.