Pre-sessional English

Students walking on campus

Before you study your degree, you should consider taking a pre-sessional academic English programme. Our pre-sessional programmes are the best way to bring your English up to the level required for university study and develop the study strategies to enable you to perform to the best of your ability on your degree. Successful completion* of one of our pre-sessional programmes at the required level will guarantee you direct entry to your chosen degree.

*Other institutions accept the outcomes for the Heriot-Watt pre-sessional course. Please check with the admissions team for the university and degree you wish to study.

BALEAP logo

Accreditation

Heriot-Watt's pre-sessional English programme is accredited by BALEAP, the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes.

The BALEAP Accreditation Scheme (BAS) is designed to establish and sustain the standard required of specialist English for Academic Purposes provision to enhance the student experience.

Programme structure and dates

We offer both online and on-campus pre-sessional English programmes.

There are different entry points to the pre-sessional programme throughout the year. The length of your pre-sessional English programme will depend on your current English level and the demands of the degree you plan to study. We offer 20-week, 14-week, 10-week and 6-week pre-sessional programmes.

On the 20-week pre-sessional programme we offer both blended and fully online modes of study.

In the blended programme, the first 10 weeks of the course are delivered online, and final weeks are taught and assessed on campus.

In the online programme, all modules are taught and assessed fully online.

All students are assessed during the final 6 weeks.

Pre-sessional English delivery and start dates
Programme Duration Start Date End Date Cost
PSE20 20 weeks 24 March 2025 8 August 2025 £8,768
PSE14 14 weeks 28 April 2025 8 August 2025 £6,144
PSE10 10 weeks 2 June 2025 8 August 2025 £4,384
PSE6 6 weeks 7 July 2025 8 August 2025 £2,640

PSE entry requirements

20 Week

  • IELTS 4.5 (No element below 4.5)
  • IELTS 5.0 (No element below 4.5)

14 Week

  • IELTS 5.0 (No element below 4.5)
  • IELTS 5.0 (Writing 5, No other element below 4.5)

10 Week

  • IELTS 5.0 (Writing 5, No other element below 4.5)
  • IELTS 5.5 (No other element below 5.0)

6 Week

  • IELTS 5.5 (No element below 5.0)
  • IELTS 5.5  (no band lower than 5.5)

Aims of the programme

The aim of the PSE is to improve your use of English for Academic Purposes, build your confidence in using English and equip you with the academic study skills you will need to be successful in your chosen degree. The PSE is also designed to develop your awareness of your chosen discipline through a range of subject specific ESAP (English for Specific Academic Purposes) course materials and assessments.

The Course Learning Outcomes for the pre-sessional are:
LO1 Demonstrate detailed understanding of a wide range of lengthy, complex texts, reading with a large degree of independence, adapting style and speed of reading to different texts and purposes.
LO2 Research and plan written tasks effectively, by identifying and incorporating reliable and relevant source materials.
LO3 Communicate complex ideas effectively in writing using an appropriate structure and showing awareness of purpose, style, register and audience.
LO4 Express ideas and opinions with precision, by presenting and responding to complex lines of argument convincingly and providing relevant explanations, arguments and comments.
LO5 Produce work that demonstrates an understanding of good academic practice and scholarship, including strategies to avoid plagiarism.
LO6 Follow and take effective notes on academic lectures, talks, reports and other forms of academic/professional presentations which are propositionally and linguistically complex.

Assessment and progression

Your English Language reading, speaking, writing and listening skills are assessed through four integrated skills assessments. You will be assessed in the final weeks of the 6-week course and each assessment is based on authentic learning activities and types of assessments students encounter at university.

To progress to your degree at university you must achieve a minimum grade C (50%) equivalent to CEFR B2.*

* Other institutions accept the Heriot-Watt pre-sessional course. Please check with the admissions team about the university and the degree you wish to study.

How to apply

Find out how to apply for Pre-sessional English.

Key information

Academic English Admissions