Presessional English Programmes

If you’re looking to improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham, our pre-sessional English courses are for you. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications. 

Our pre-sessional programmes

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Online and on-campus courses

We offer courses throughout the year with various entry and exit points depending on your current level of English (approved English Language test score) and the requirements of your main University of Birmingham offer for: foundation pathways, undergraduate study and postgraduate study. 

The length of course you need depends on your current level of English and on the score specified in the offer letter for your University of Birmingham degree.

Please note that you will not need a CAS for the online pre-sessional programmes but will require one for your main programme of study in the UK.

In 2020, all Presessional English programmes moved online. Progression rates of 99% have been maintained across all our online and on campus Presessional courses.  Online Presessional student satisfaction has been similarly high with over 90% of our students feeling welcomed by the BIA and having made good friends during the course.  In our presessionals, we offer a suite of on campus and online presessional courses for students who wish to study at the University of Birmingham.

All programmes (on campus and online) include daily taught lessons, class-based discussion and speaking and listening tasks set by your dedicated class tutors. There are also reading and written tasks with teacher feedback to develop your skills. You will be fully supported throughout your course and will receive regular 1-1 tutorials to discuss your progress and get answers to any questions you might have.


Course Title

Course Date Latest start date Apply now

Latest application date

31 week Presessional English

On campus

9 January - 15 September 2023 16 January 2023 English for Academic Purposes Presessional CLOSED FOR APPLICATIONS

11 week Spring Presessional English

On campus

9 January - 24 March 2023 16 January 2023 English for Academic Purposes Presessional CLOSED FOR APPLICATIONS

20 week Presessional English

On campus

24 April - 15 September 2023 2 May 2023 English for Academic Purposes Presessional CLOSED FOR APPLICATIONS

15 week Presessional English

On campus

30 May - 15 September 2023 5 June 2023 English for Academic Purposes Presessional 14 April 2023

10 week DL Presessional English

Online

19 June - 25 August 2023 26 June 2023 English for Academic Purposes Presessional 19 May 2023

10 week Presessional English

On campus

10 July - 15 September 2023 17 July 2023 English for Academic Purposes Presessional 26 May 2023

6 week Presessional English

On campus

 17 July - 25 August 2023  24 July 2023 English for Academic Purposes Presessional  2 June 2023
 

6 week DL Presessional English

Online

  17 July - 25 August 2023   24 July 2023 English for Academic Purposes Presessional  16 June 2023

4 week Academic English Course (unconditional offer holders)

On campus

14 August - 8 September 2023 21 August 2023 Academic English Course 30 June 2023

For further information on our 2022-23 presessional courses, visit the English for Academic Purposes Presessional  coursefinder page. 

The British Council inspected and renewed our accreditation at the Birmingham International Academy, University of Birmingham in March 2022. The Accreditation Scheme assesses the standards of management, resources and premises, teaching, welfare, and safeguarding under 18s. For more information read our full report. Strengths were noted in the areas of strategic and quality management, staff management, premises and facilities, learning resources, academic staff profile, academic management, course design, learner management, teaching and care of students.

Students with conditional offers to study on the Foundation Pathways

Students with conditional offers to study on the Birmingham Foundation Programme can apply to study on our English for Academic Purposes Presessional. 

Please upload a copy of your offer letter from Kaplan to your Presessional application.

Students with conditional offers to study undergraduate courses

All undergraduate students can apply to study on the English for Academic Purposes Presessional. 

Students with conditional offers to study postgraduate courses

Postgraduates with conditional offers can apply to study on the English for Academic Purposes Presessional. PhD students starting at the University in January or April can also apply to join our Autumn and Spring term English for Academic Purposes Presessional.

Students with unconditional offers

Students with unconditional offers for foundation, undergraduate or postgraduate courses can attend our 4-week academic skills presessional. English for Academic Purposes (UNC)

Frequently Asked Questions