International Office

Pre-Sessional English courses (PSE)

The University runs Pre-Sessional English Language courses for students who have applied to the University of Portsmouth for:

• Foundation course
• Undergraduate Degree course
• Masters Degree course
• Research Degree

You can apply for one of these pre-sessional courses if:

• You hold a conditional offer for one of the above courses, but have not yet met the English language standard for entry
• You have met all academic conditions for entry, but have not yet met the English language standard for entry
• You have met all academic conditions for entry and have also met the English language standard, but want to do a refresher course in English (Programme 3)
• You have a current IELTS Certificate or approved equivalent
• No individual IELTS element score is more than one band below your offer (Programme 1) or half a band below your offer (Programme 2)

These courses enjoy exemption from further IELTS testing and offer guaranteed direct progression onto our degree courses. They are particularly suited to the East Asian learner and to applicants from University partner institutions.

Please note:

• We are unable to provide pre-sessional places to students who do not hold a University of Portsmouth course offer
• Pre-sessional English courses do not qualify for the GOAL Award bursary scheme

*Programmes 1 and 2 will be followed by compulsory in-sessional English classes during the degree course.

For the brochure and application form, please click here.

Please contact the School of Languages and Area Studies for further details:

The University of Portsmouth also recognises the Pre-Sessional English Language courses (including Extended Pre-Sessional courses) of our preferred English language partners LSI.

Students completing the PSE courses at LSI are not required to attend in-sessional English classes during the degree course (however, in-sessional English classes are freely available). These courses also enjoy exemption from further IELTS testing and offer guaranteed direct progression onto our degree courses. You can apply for one of the PSE courses at LSI if you hold a conditional offer for a degree course at the University Portsmouth and have not yet met the English language standard for entry.

You must also have a current IELTS Certificate or other Approved English Language proof of level at the minimum level required for entry onto one of the Pre-Sessional programmes. 

LSI courses offer flexibility to accept students with 'jagged profiles' in the elements of the IELTS test (reading, writing, listening, speaking) - these students may be accepted onto the PSE courses at LSI at the discretion of the school.  LSI also offer course options for applicants wishing to accommodate observance of Ramadan and the Eid holiday (see table below).

A deposit of £1000 is required for all courses at the time of booking.  The full balance of the fees is due before the start of the course.

Please contact LSI for further details:

Email: info@lsi-portsmouth.co.uk
Web: www.lsi-portsmouth.co.uk

In addition to the official SLAS and LSI Pre-Sessional English courses above, we are happy to refer applicants to our local partner institutions who offer summer PSE courses.  These institutions are accredited by The British Council.  Their PSE courses may be suitable for students who do not yet have an offer from the University or who, for whatever reason, are unable to enrol in either the SLAS or the LSI programmes.

Please note - students taking these PSE courses will have to retake the IELTS test and achieve the required score before being accepted onto any degree course at the University of Portsmouth. The University of Portsmouth is not responsible for the delivery, structure or quality assurance of any PSE course delivered at these institutions.

Chichester College

Meridian School of English

Spinnaker College

Portsmouth English Language School

Portsmouth English Language School is centrally located in Portsmouth and very close to the University's main buildings.  You may select one of four Pre-sessional English for Academic Purpose with IELTS courses