FAQs about the Pre-sessional English courses for international students
Frequently Asked Questions
There are lots of things to consider when you are looking at Pre-sessional English courses, so we have gathered together the answers to questions that we are asked most often by students. If you have a questions that is not on this list, please contact us directly and we will be happy to help you.
On-Campus course: If you choose an On-Campus course (10-week Postgraduate course, or 6-week Postgraduate On-Campus option), you will need to be in the UK to attend the Pre-sessional English course.
Online course: If you opt for the 6-week Postgraduate Online course, or are taking the 6-week Undergraduate course, you will not need to be in the UK, and should study the course from within your home country. If you require a visa to study in the UK you will not be sponsored by University of Warwick during your online pre-sessional course. You will receive a CAS number to use to apply for a visa for your main degree course after you have successfully completed the Pre-sessional programme.
This Pre-sessional is only open to students who have a conditional offer to study at University of Warwick in the next academic year.
You can apply for the Pre-Sessional English course before you have received a decision on your main degree course application, but your application for the Pre-Sessional will only be assessed once you have received an offer for your main degree application.
Yes, providing you meet the entry requirements, and successfully complete the Pre-Sessional English course, this will meet the English language condition of your offer.
No, if you already meet the English language conditions of your postgraduate degree, then the Pre-sessional English course will not be appropriate for you.
Alternatively, we are offering a 4-week Postgraduate Orientation Programme for students who have already met their English language conditions. Please check the webpages for more information.
Your IELTS/TOEFL test must have been taken within the 2 years prior to the start date of the Pre-sessional English course.
We are only able to accept the most recent test certificate you provide to us. If you submit a more recent test certificate with different results, this will mean we may need to review your Pre-sessional offer and make any necessary changes.
No, you can only meet the entry requirements if you meet the overall score, and all component scores, in a single test. We are only able to accept your most recent test.
Undergraduate/Postgraduate Online Pre-sessional Courses
No, you will not need to submit an IELTS for UKVI for this course, an IELTS Academic will be acceptable. Please see the Entry Requirements page for details of all accepted English tests.
Postgraduate On-Campus Courses
This will depend on whether you require a visa to study in the UK for the Pre-Sessional English course, whether you need a Single or Joint CAS, and whether any of your component scores are 5.0 (or equivalent). If you are from outside of Europe (EEA and Switzerland), or, from Europe but not eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme, you will require a visa to study in the UK. You will need to make a Student visa application, if you do not already hold a visa for the UK that confers the right to study.
You can check which type of CAS you are likely to need by using our CAS calculatorLink opens in a new window.
If you will require a Single CAS, then you will need to provide an IELTS for UKVI as part of the admissions process. If you will require a Joint CAS, then you will not need an IELTS for UKVI and can use any of the approved English Language Tests listed on our entry requirements - unless any of your component scores are 5.0, in which case an IELTS for UKVI will be required.
Undergraduate/Postgraduate Online Pre-sessional Courses
No, if your course is being delivered online, then a CAS is not required. You may still require a CAS for your undergraduate or postgraduate studies, and the relevant Admissions team will contact you about this in due course. Your CAS for your main degree course will only be issued upon successful completion of the Pre-sessional English course.
Postgraduate On-Campus Pre-sessional Courses
If you are from outside of Europe (EEA and Switzerland), or, from Europe but not eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme, you will require a visa to study in the UK. You will need to make a Student visa application, if you do not already hold a visa for the UK that confers the right to study. Students who require a visa will be issued with a CAS number (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) after they have received an unconditional offer for the Pre-sessional English course.
If the English language requirement is the final condition for you to meet on your main Postgraduate course, you will receive a Joint CAS covering both the Pre-sessional English course and main Postgraduate course. If you have other conditions outstanding for your Postgraduate course, for example submitting your academic transcripts, then you may need a Single CAS for the Pre-sessional course.
Students who require a Single CAS will need to submit an IELTS for UKVI as part of the Pre-sessional English admissions process.
Our CAS calculator will help you to determine which CAS you are likely to be eligible forLink opens in a new window.
Yes, you will need to pay a £1000 deposit. Details of how to pay the deposit will be confirmed in your offer email - the deadlines for deposit payment, document submission and offer acceptance are also detailed on our Dates and Fees page.
No, the Warwick Pre-Sessional English course can only be used to progress to degree courses at Warwick.
At the start of the Pre-sessional course, you will be advised about the grades that you will need to achieve on the Pre-sessional to progress to your main degree programme. Throughout the course you will receive regular feedback on your progress towards these grades.
If you fail to achieve the required grades for progression onto your main course of study, a recommendation will be made to withdraw you from the University, in line with the University's Regulations (Regulation Governing Student Registration, Attendance and Progress). If you are in this position, then you will be unable to progress to your main course of study and any Student visa sponsorship will be withdrawn.
However, you will be provided with the opportunity to remedy your failure after the end of the Pre-Sessional English Programme and before any possible recommendation of withdrawal is made. The way in which you remedy failure on the Pre-Sessional English programme will be determined by the Pre-Sessional Course Director and full details of re-sit and/or remedy procedures will be shared with you prior to enrolment onto the programme.
If you fail the Pre-Sessional English Programme, then you may also choose to complete an external re-sit at the end of the course, using a University approved English Language Test to meet your main course English language requirements. If you choose to do this, you will need to provide evidence of passing this English Language Test, that meets the published language requirements for your main course of study, ahead of the latest start date of your main degree course.
If you’re studying one of our on-campus Pre-Sessional English courses (10, 6 or 4 weeks) you can find information about booking a room on campus by visiting our accommodation webpages. You’ll be able to book a room on campus once accommodation bookings are open, and after you have secured your place on the Pre-Sessional English programme by accepting your offer, submitting your documents and paying your course deposit.
If you decide not to join the Pre-sessional course you need to let us know as soon as possible, so that we can make sure that all of the relevant steps are taken, including possible refunds, impact on your main course, and any changes to visa requirements.