Pre-sessional English language courses
Our pre-sessional English courses are designed to improve your English language skills to the level required by your chosen degree at Stirling. The courses are delivered in partnership with INTO at the University of Stirling International Study Centre.
Our courses
For students starting in September 2025 we currently have both on-campus and online courses available.
Course dates and fees for students starting a degree course in January 2026 will be announced soon.
Online courses
The online courses have been designed to provide the same high-quality level of teaching and student support as the on-campus courses.
Courses for students starting a degree course in September 2025
12-week pre-sessional English course (online)
Designed to improve your IELTS score by 1.0 in one or more skills.
- Teaching dates: 2 June 2025 to 22 August 2025.
- Entry requirements: The course is suitable for students with current overall IELTS levels between 5.0 and 6.5. See the English language tests the University accepts.
- Fees: £4,675.
- Application deadline: 5 May 2025.
8-week pre-sessional English course (online)
Designed to improve your IELTS score by 0.5 in one or more skills.
- Dates: 30 June 2025 - 22 August 2025
- Entry requirements: The course is suitable for students with current overall IELTS levels between 5.0 and 6.5. See the English language tests the University accepts.
- Fees: £3,325.
- Application deadline: 2 June 2025.
Online course features
- 20 learning hours delivered per week for the 12-week and 8-week online courses.
- Half of the teaching will be delivered live through a state-of-the-art virtual classroom, enabling students to engage with other students and with the lecturer.
- Live virtual classroom sessions will be delivered Monday to Friday between 08:30-13:00 (typically between the hours of 9:30 and 12:00 GMT).
- Classes are delivered by experienced and qualified English language teaching staff.
- Classes will include discussions, interactive quizzes, video, group projects, presentations and writing practice.
- Students will develop and enhance their skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, research and presentation.
- Students will be able to balance their study time between live virtual classroom sessions, self-study and group work with fellow students.
Online course assessment
Students will have a number of formative tests over the course and a final assessment at the end of the programme. An IELTS equivalent score will be achieved at the end of the course.
Accessing online course content
The course will be accessed through University of Stirling International Study Centre’s online learning platform and live virtual classroom technology.
As we approach the start date for your course, you will be sent an email with a unique link and instructions on how to join.
Equipment needed for the online course
To ensure that you can fully participate, it is essential that you have:
- a desktop or laptop computer;
- good quality headphones and microphone;
- a web camera;
- a reliable internet connection.
On-campus courses
We have 10-week and 6-week courses that are taught face-to-face on campus.
Courses for students starting a degree course in September 2025
10-week pre-sessional English course (on-campus)
Designed to improve your IELTS score by 1.0 in one or more skills.
- Teaching dates: 16 June 2025 - 22 August 2025.
- Entry requirements: The course is suitable for students with current overall IELTS levels between 5.0 and 6.5. See the English language tests the University accepts.
- Fees: £4,850.
- Application deadline: 19 May 2025.
6-week pre-sessional English course (on-campus)
Designed to improve your IELTS score by 0.5 in one or more skills.
- Teaching dates: 14 July to 22 August 2025.
- Entry requirements: The course is suitable for students with current overall IELTS levels between 5.0 and 6.5. See the English language tests the University accepts.
- Fees: £3,100.
- Application deadline: 16 June 2025.
On campus course features
- 25 learning hours delivered per week.
- On campus teaching will be delivered in the INTO Building and Cottrell Building, allowing you to study in the heart of the University campus.
- Classes will typically run Monday to Friday from 09:30-12:00 then 13:00-15:30.
- Classes are delivered by experienced and qualified English language teaching staff.
- Classes will include lectures, interactive quizzes, video, group projects, presentations and writing practice.
- Students will develop and enhance their skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, research and presentation.
- Students will be able to balance their study time between live virtual classroom sessions, self-study and group work with fellow students.
On campus course assessment
Students will have a number of formative tests over the course and a final assessment at the end of the programme. An IELTS equivalent score will be achieved at the end of the course.
Accommodation
Students need to apply for accommodation separately to applying for the course. Once you have accepted your offer to study at the University of Stirling, you will gain access to the University’s online Applicant Portal – where you can apply for your accommodation. Your accommodation fees are to be paid to the University of Stirling through the online Applicant Portal when you accept your offer of accommodation.
Pre-sessional English entry requirements
Our online and on-campus courses are suitable for students with current overall IELTS levels between 5.0 and 6.5 and who need to improve their IELTS score by either 0.5 (8- and 6-week courses) or 1.0 (10- and 12-week courses).
The University accepts a wide variety of English language tests including IELTS (Academic and UKVI Academic), PTE (Academic and UKVI Academic), TOEFL iBT, Password English Language
All English language tests must be taken within 2 years of the start date of the Pre-sessional English course.
| IELTS and Password Solo | TOEFL iBT | Pearsons Test of English Academic | CET4 (Total) | CET6 (Total) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0 overall with 5.0 in each part | 63 overall with 15 in Listening, 14 in Reading, 19 in Speaking, 16 in Writing | 56 overall with 56 in each part | 425 | N/A |
| 5.5 overall with 5.5 in each part | 72 overall with 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17 in Writing | 59 overall with 59 in each part | 550-600 | 425 |
| 6.0 overall with 6.0 in each part | 80 overall with 19 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking, 19 in Writing | 60 overall with 60 in each part | 650-700 | 550-600 |
| 6.5 overall with 6.5 in each part | 88 overall with 21 in Listening, 22 in Reading, 23 in Speaking, 22 in Writing | 62 overall with 62 in each part | 650-700 | 550-600 |
| 7.0 overall with 7.0 in each part | 95 overall with 22 in Listening, 24 in Reading, 25 in Speaking, 24 in Writing | 67 overall with 67 in each part | N/A | 650-700 |
How to apply
If you have already applied for a course and have received an offer from the University of Stirling, you can apply for our pre-sessional English courses via the University of Stirling International Study Centre.
Application deadlines
| Course type and length | Teaching dates | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 6-week on-campus | 14 July 2025 - 22 August 2025 | 16 June 2025 |
| 10-week on-campus | 16 June 2025 - 22 August 2025 | 19 May 2025 |
| 8-week online | 30 June 2025 - 22 August 2025 | 2 June 2025 |
| 12-week online | 2 June 2025 - 22 August 2025 | 5 May 2025 |
Want to find out more?
Find out more about studying at Stirling or our pre-sessional English courses.