Overview
Prepare for academic study at Anglia Ruskin University. Our Pre-Sessional English course for students progressing to a foundation or pathway course at ARU College lasts between six and 20 weeks. By the end of the course you should feel confident communicating in English and ready to start your foundation course. Choose to study on campus or online.
Course content
ARU Language Centre's online Pre-sessional Course for those preparing to study at ARU College is an intensive, full-time programme, with 15 hours of online tuition with our tutors each week, and 15 hours of guided online self-study for you to complete each week.
The course includes:
- English grammar and vocabulary work
- fluency focus
- pronunciation focus
- speaking for presentations and seminars
- reading, summarising and referencing
- listening and note-taking
- extended writing project
- exam preparation
- life in the UK – cultural awareness training
- regular one-to-one online tutorials to work on your speaking and listening skills
Download the online Pre-sessional Course description and sample timetable
You can also study our Pre-sessional English course face-to-face on our Cambridge campus.
Our face-to-face Pre-sessional Course is an intensive, full-time programme, with 21 hours of class tuition with our tutors each week, and up to 15 hours of guided self-study for you to complete each week.
The course includes:
- English grammar and vocabulary work
- fluency focus
- pronunciation focus
- speaking for presentations and seminars
- reading, summarising and referencing
- listening and note-taking
- extended writing project
- exam preparation
- life in the UK – cultural awareness training
- orientation and introduction to campus learning resources
Download the face-to-face Pre-sessional Course description and sample timetable
Course dates and fees
The following pre-sessional English courses will either be face-to-face, taking place on our Cambridge campus, or online. Please email [email protected] for more information about whether a face-to-face course will run.
Pre-Sessional English courses for entry onto a foundation programme at ARU College starting in May 2025
All courses offering a pathway for entry to ARU College in May 2025 will be online only.
Course length: 15 weeks
Start date: 2 January 2025*
End date: 11 April 2025
Course fee: £5,475
*Thursday start due to public holiday - additional lessons to be provided to make up for missing days.
Course length: 12 weeks
Start date: 20 January 2025
End date: 11 April 2025
Course fee: £4,380
Course length: 10 weeks
Start date: 3 February 2024
End date: 11 April 2025
Course fee: £3,650
Course length: 6 weeks
Start date: 3 March 2025
End date: 11 April 2025
Course fee: £2,190
Pre-Sessional English courses for entry onto a foundation programme at ARU College starting in September 2025
In summer 2025 all pre-sessional courses from 10 weeks and shorter will be offered as both online and face-to-face options. Courses of 20, 15 and 12 weeks in length will be online only.
Course length: 20 weeks
Start date: 31 March 2025
End date: 29 August 2025
Course fee: £7,300
Course length: 15 weeks
Start date: 19 May 2025
End date: 29 August 2025
Course fee: £5,475
Course length: 12 weeks
Start date: 9 June 2025
End date: 29 August 2025
Course fee: £4,380
Course length: 10 weeks
Start date: 23 June 2025
End date: 29 August 2025
Course fee: £3,650
Course length: 6 weeks
Start date: 21 July 2025
End date: 29 August 2025
Course fee: £2,190
Assessment
Our online Pre-Sessional course will be assessed using several elements, rather than one final exam.
Type of assessment: 1a. Extended academic essay, based on your area of interest
What we're assessing: Writing
% of your score: 20%
Type of assessment: 1b. Annotated bibliography
What we're assessing: Reading to write; academic skills
% of your score: 10%
Type of assessment: 2. Spoken interview
What we're assessing: Speaking and listening
% of your score: 20%
Type of assessment: 3 Formal presentation including questions
What we're assessing: Speaking and listening
% of your score: 20%
Type of assessment: 4 Timed listening, writing and reading test
What we're assessing: Listening, writing and reading skills
% of your score: 30%
For shorter online pre-sessional courses, the annotated bibliography is not assessed.
To give you confidence in our online Pre-Sessional English programme, we will give you give you additional weeks free of charge (up to the value of the online Pre-Sessional course that you originally booked) in the unlikely event of you failing to reach the level required to proceed in your study. Please contact us for full terms and conditions.
On arrival in the UK we will check your writing, speaking, listening and reading skills, to ensure that they are of a suitable level. We will then recommend any extra support that you may need to give you the best chance of success in your studies.
To progress onto your pathway programme at Anglia Ruskin you will need to successfully complete the Pre-sessional Course and meet the required English requirements for your ARU College programme.
You should not usually need to take any other English test.
Where you will study
Your department and faculty
Our Language Centre is here to support your academic success.
We offer a wide range of English courses, including academic and general English, as well as providing English language support for ARU students during their courses. We can also offer summer programmes, English language assessment and bespoke courses for groups.
You'll find a friendly, supportive teaching environment here with highly experienced and qualified teaching staff who are dedicated to helping you pursue your ambitions.
Where can I study?
Distance learning at ARU
Study at a time that suits you, using our online learning management system.
Cambridge
Our campus is close to the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
How to apply
You will need to send us a copy of your English test. Please note that any student requiring a SELT for pre-sessional or study below degree level must take their IELTS at an approved test centre.
If you're applying from the EU we can accept other English tests; email [email protected] for more information.
Entry requirements
You should be aged 18 or over at the start of this course. Required IELTS scores are as follows:
| Course length | Minimum entry |
|---|---|
| 20 weeks | 4.5-5.0 |
| 18 weeks | 4.5-5.0 |
| 15 weeks | 4.5-6.0 |
| 12 weeks | 5.0-6.0 |
| 10 weeks | 5.0-6.5 |
| 6 weeks | 5.5-6.5 |
| 5 weeks | 5.5-6.5 |
Who delivers the course?
- Anglia Ruskin University Language Centre delivers the Online Pre-Sessional English course for ARU College students.
- Once students progress from this course, they can join a foundation course delivered by ARU College. ARU College is a separate institution, and accredited by different body.
- On completion of a foundation course at ARU College, students will then be able to join their main course at Anglia Ruskin University
Additional notes for online pre-sessional courses
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and based on a minimum entry. Your Pre-sessional offer will be based on the academic course you have applied for and individual scores of your English qualification.
- For international students taking our online Pre-Sessional course we now accept a variety of English language tests as well as the Secure English Language Test (SELT)s that would be needed for visa purposes. We now recognise Duolinguo for entry onto a pre-sessional course, and are in the process of recognising other assessments. Please email [email protected] for more details
- If you are from the EU other English tests may also be accepted.
If you need any further advice or information on which pre-sessional course to apply for or which English test we can accept please email [email protected]
Additional notes for face-to-face pre-sessional courses
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and based on a minimum entry. Your Pre-sessional offer will be based on the academic course you have applied for and individual scores of your English qualification.
- For international students we only accept a Secure English Language Test (SELT). Currently this includes an IELTS which must be taken at an approved IELTS test centre for entry onto a pre-sessional course.
- If you are from the EU other English tests may be accepted.
If you need any further advice or information on which pre-sessional course to apply for or which English test we can accept please email [email protected]
For more information about immigration and for visa support please visit our immigration webpages.