Online Pre-Sessional Academic English and Study Skills Programme
What does this course offer?
You will study online in your home country. Each week of this course has 15 hours of task-based communicative and collaborative live teaching sessions, during which you'll be monitored by a team of experienced tutors. Before the sessions, there are self-study tasks to help you get the maximum benefit from the live teaching.
The focus is on real situations and tasks that you'll be likely to perform in your future studies.
Live teaching sessions are Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 9.30am UK time, and 10.00am to 11.30am UK time, with a weekly tutorial between 12.00pm to 1.00pm UK time on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.
Please note that you will need to have a fast and reliable internet connection, a laptop or desktop with a webcam and microphone, and somewhere quiet where you can study and take part in the live sessions. A ‘selfie stand’ for a mobile phone of around 1.5 metres in height will be required to participate in the online exams. You will be given more advice in your Exam Strategies sessions.
Find out more about the course from Ben Brown, Deputy Head of RIO (English Language and Regulatory Compliance) at Strathclyde, in the video below:
Learning and Teaching
Your individual learning needs will be identified and you'll be helped to set up an effective self-study plan.
You'll receive feedback on your progress and support for your learning in one-to-one tutorials. Your progress will be assessed regularly through coursework.
The final assessment for the course will give you the opportunity to meet the language requirement for your main degree at Strathclyde.
Course Content
The programme covers the following academic English and study skills areas, as well as work on general English language improvement as required:
- strategies for understanding lectures and talks;
- note-taking and summarising texts;
- participating actively in seminar discussions;
- giving effective presentations and talks;
- improving reading skills and strategies
- writing a variety of text types: reports, essays, annotated bibliographies, summaries, and reflections;
- using the library and the internet for research;
- avoiding plagiarism and developing reference and citation skills;
- expectations of students in UK Universities; and
- effective strategies for online learning.
Transfer from Online to On-Campus Study
Students on Online Pre-sessional Foundation 2, 3, or 4, can begin their studies online, then, subject to availability, transfer to the On Campus Modules 1-3 course at the end of Online Foundation 4. Please see below for more information on the on-campus course. Students wishing to transfer to On-Campus Modules 1-3 will need to have demonstrated acceptable levels of attendance and engagement on the Online Foundation course.
There is a three-week gap between the end of Online Foundation 4, and the start of On-Campus Module 1, in order for students to receive a CAS, obtain their visa, and travel to the UK. Students will need a SELT (IELTS UKVI) at B1, or a non-SELT (IELTS Academic) at B2 in order to receive a CAS, but do not need to meet the published entry requirements for Modules 1-3. Transferring students may receive a Single CAS for Pre-sessional and main degree, if they have met all other conditions for their main degree programme.
Everything about the Pre-sessional course was truly positive, with a high level of teaching. What I enjoyed the most and hope will never change was working in groups with my colleagues. I believe many of us already know a lot of English words, but what we truly need is a space to talk and practice, and this course offered that exactly. Throughout the course, I learned how to structure research more effectively, search for peer-reviewed articles, and evaluate sources critically. These skills will be very helpful in my master's degree studies. Overall, everything went smoothly, and I am very satisfied with the course and would highly recommend it to other students preparing for academic study. Rawan A A A Arashidi, Pre-sessional Online Student, August 2025.
On-Campus Pre-Sessional Academic English and Study Skills Programme
What does this course offer?
You will study at the University of Strathclyde campus, in Glasgow. Each week of this course has 15 hours of task-based communicative and collaborative live teaching sessions, during which you'll be monitored by a team of experienced tutors. Before the sessions, there are self-study tasks to help you get the maximum benefit from the live teaching.
The focus is on real situations and tasks that you'll be likely to perform in your future studies.
Live teaching sessions are from 9.30am to 11.00am UK time, and 11.30am to 1.00pm UK time, with a weekly tutorial between 2.00pm to 3.00pm UK time on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Live teaching is delivered in person in classrooms on the university campus. Students will need to have a laptop in order to take part in the live teaching sessions.
Limited accommodation is available on campus from Modules 1 to 3 in University accommodation at an additional cost of approximately £130 per week (self-catering). Please contact student.accommodation@strath.ac.uk for more information.
Students renting private accommodation should note the pre-arrival guidance regarding the financial cost of living, and the guidance on Council Tax.
Learning and Teaching
Your individual learning needs will be identified and you'll be helped to set up an effective self-study plan.
You'll receive feedback on your progress and support for your learning in one-to-one tutorials. Your progress will be assessed regularly through coursework.
The final assessment for the course will give you the opportunity to meet the language requirement for your main degree at Strathclyde.
Course Content
The programme covers the following academic English and study skills areas, as well as work on general English language improvement as required:
- strategies for understanding lectures and talks;
- note-taking and summarising texts;
- participating actively in seminar discussions;
- giving effective presentations and talks;
- improving reading skills and strategies
- writing a variety of text types: reports, essays, annotated bibliographies, summaries, and reflections;
- using the library and the internet for research;
- avoiding plagiarism and developing reference and citation skills;
- expectations of students in UK Universities; and
- effective learning strategies.
How to Apply
Online Pre-sessional 2026-2027
Applications for the Online Pre-sessional programme are now open. Applicants add a pre-sessional application to their main course application on the Applicant Portal.
The Online Pre-sessional programmes for Postgraduate students are:
- Non-graduating PG Pre-sessional English Modules 1-3 (Online) September Full-Time;
- Non-graduating PG Pre-sessional English Modules 2-3 (Online) October Full-Time;
- Non-graduating PG Pre-sessional Foundation 2-4 plus Modules 1-3 (Online) Full-Time;
- Non-graduating PG Pre-sessional Foundation 3-4 plus Modules 1-3 (Online) Full-Time;
- Non-graduating PG Pre-sessional Foundation 4 plus Modules 1-3 (Online) Full-Time;
- Non-graduating PG Pre-sessional English Modules 1-3 (Online) Full-Time; and
- Non-graduating PG Pre-sessional English Modules 2-3 (Online) Full-Time.
The Online Pre-sessional programmes for Undergraduate students are:
- Non-graduating UG Pre-sessional English Modules 1-3 (Online) September Full-Time;
- Non-graduating UG Pre-sessional English Modules 2-3 (Online) October Full-Time;
- Non-graduating UG Pre-sessional Foundation 2-4 plus Modules 1-3 (Online) Full-Time;
- Non-graduating UG Pre-sessional Foundation 3-4 plus Modules 1-3 (Online) Full-Time;
- Non-graduating UG Pre-sessional Foundation 4 plus Modules 1-3 (Online) Full-Time;
- Non-graduating UG Pre-sessional English Modules 1-3 (Online) Full-Time; and
- Non-graduating UG Pre-sessional English Modules 2-3 (Online) Full-Time.
On-Campus Pre-sessional 2026-2027
Applications for the On-Campus Pre-sessional programme are now open. Applicants add a pre-sessional application to their main course application on the Applicant Portal.
The On-Campus Pre-sessional programmes for Postgraduate students are:
- Non-graduating PG Pre-sessional Foundation 2-4 plus Modules 1-3 Full-Time;
- Non-graduating PG Pre-sessional Foundation 3-4 plus Modules 1-3 Full-Time;
- Non-graduating PG Pre-sessional Foundation 4 plus Modules 1-3 Full-Time;
- Non-graduating PG Pre-sessional English Modules 1-3 Full-Time;
- Non-graduating PG Pre-sessional English Modules 2-3 Full-Time; and
- Non-graduating PG Pre-sessional English Module 3 Full-Time.
The On-Campus Pre-sessional programmes for Undergraduate students are:
- Non-graduating UG Pre-sessional Foundation 2-4 plus Modules 1-3 Full-Time;
- Non-graduating UG Pre-sessional Foundation 3-4 plus Modules 1-3 Full-Time;
- Non-graduating UG Pre-sessional Foundation 4 plus Modules 1-3 Full-Time;
- Non-graduating UG Pre-sessional English Modules 1-3 Full-Time;
- Non-graduating UG Pre-sessional English Modules 2-3 Full-Time; and
- Non-graduating UG Pre-sessional English Module 3 Full-Time.
Students will need to have a laptop to take part in the live teaching sessions.
Limited accommodation is available on campus from Modules 1 to 3 in University accommodation at an additional cost of approximately £130 per week (self-catering). Please contact student.accommodation@strath.ac.uk for more information.
Students renting private accommodation should note the pre-arrival guidance regarding the financial cost of living, and the guidance on Council Tax.
Length of Pre-sessional Programme Required
The length of your course and the modules you need to take will vary depending on your current IELTS score and the language requirement for your main degree. For the length of programme required, please refer to our guidelines below.
For information on alternative English language qualifications accepted for Pre-sessional, please refer to the Recognised English Language Qualifications for Pre-sessional. For any other enquiries contact elt@strath.ac.uk. Please include your main degree registration number when making enquiries about length of Pre-sessional course required.
