English language courses
Improve your English language skills
If you meet the academic entry requirements for our programmes but need help with your English language, you can join our English Language Preparation programme delivered fully online first. The programme is designed to develop your English language skills and introduce you to essential academic and study skills before travelling to the International Study Centre to begin your academic programme.
Depending on your current ability and the level you require for your chosen academic programme at the International Study Centre, you will study a 16, 10 or 6-week English language programme. You will be studying the English programme in a diverse online classroom with international students from all around the world, studying at a range of our International Study Centres.
Our innovative learning platform enables you to study more effectively through interactive tasks and activities in addition to live sessions delivered by highly experienced tutors, allowing you to review and challenge yourself at your own pace from the comfort of your own home.
Benefits of studying Online English Preparation
Our English language course is designed to develop your skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking while boosting your confidence in communicating with classmates and tutors ahead of starting your academic programme.
We offer a range of programme lengths available to suit your needs and requirements, with dedicated support and guidance from our expert tuition staff. Whatever your length of study, our preparation courses will make sure you are ready to make the next step onto one of the International Study Centre programmes.
At the end of the online course your English language level will be assessed to ensure that you meet the English language level requirements for your face-to-face academic programme. You are not required to take an additional UKVI Secure English Language Test (SELT) to obtain a student visa before you come to campus.
| Age | 17+ |
| Duration | 10 weeks |
| Fees | £3,500 |
| Intakes | November/January/May |
| Term dates | 11/11/2024 - 21/02/2025 13/01/2025 - 21/03/2025 12/05/2025 - 18/07/2025 |
English language entry requirements Academic IELTS for UKVI or accepted equivalent | 4.5 overall (4.5 in writing, minimum 4.0 in all other skills) |
English language exit requirements Academic IELTS for UKVI or accepted equivalent | 5.0 overall (min 5.0 in writing) |
Accepted tests
| Accepted Test | Required score |
| IELTS Academic UKVI | 4.5 overall (4.5 in writing, minimum 4.0 in all other skills) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI | ISE I Merit overall (ISE I Merit in writing and ISE I Pass in all other skills) |
| Age | 17+ |
| Duration | 6 weeks 10 weeks 16 weeks |
| Fees | 6 weeks: £2,100 10 weeks: £3,500 16 weeks: £5,600 |
| Intakes | 6 weeks: September/February/June 10 weeks: January/May 16 weeks: March |
| Term dates | 6 weeks: 10 weeks: 16 weeks: |
English language entry requirements Academic IELTS for UKVI or accepted equivalent | 6 weeks: 10 weeks: 16 weeks: |
English language exit requirements Academic IELTS for UKVI or accepted equivalent | 5.5 overall (min 5.5 in writing) |
Accepted tests
English Language Preparation for Undergraduate Studies (Online)
| Course duration | Accepted Test | Required score |
| 16 weeks | IELTS Academic UKVI | 4.5 overall (4.5 in writing, minimum 4.0 in all other skills) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI | ISE I Merit overall, ISE I Merit in writing and ISE I Pass in all other skills | |
| 10 weeks | IELTS Academic UKVI | 4.5 overall (4.5 in all skills) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI | ISE I Merit in all skills | |
| 6 weeks | IELTS Academic UKVI | 5.0 overall (5.0 in writing, minimum 4.5 in all other skills) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI | ISE I Distinction overall, ISE I Distinction in writing and ISE I Merit in all other skills |
| Age | 19+ (Students must be 20 years old at the start of their academic programme) |
| Duration | 6 weeks 10 weeks 16 weeks |
| Fees | 6 weeks: £2,100 10 weeks: £3,500 16 weeks: £5,600 |
| Intakes | 6 weeks: September/February/June 10 weeks: November/January/May 16 weeks: September/March |
| Term dates | 6 weeks: 10 weeks: 16 weeks: |
English language entry requirements Academic IELTS for UKVI or accepted equivalent | 6 weeks: 10 weeks: 16 weeks: |
English language exit requirements Academic IELTS for UKVI or accepted equivalent | (2 semester) 5.5 (minimum 5.5 in all other bands) |
Accepted tests
English Language Preparation for Postgraduate Studies (Online) - Articulation onto 2 Semester PMP only
| Course dates | Accepted Test | Required score |
| 16 weeks | IELTS UKVI / Non-UKVI / Online | 4.5 overall (4.5 in all skills) |
| LanguageCert SELT | B1 SELT 33/50 overall (B1 SELT 33/50 in all skills) | |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI / Non-UKVI / Online | 43 overall (43 in all skills) | |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI / Non-UKVI | ISE I Merit overall (ISE I Merit in all skills) | |
| Cambridge ESOL | 147 overall (147 in all skills) | |
| Cambridge Linguaskill | 147 overall (147 in all skills) | |
| LanguageCert International ESOL | B1 Achiever 33/50 in all skills | |
| Oxford Test of English | 90 overall (90 in all skills) | |
| Password Skills Solo / Password Skills Plus | 4.5 overall (4.5 in all skills) | |
| 10 weeks | IELTS UKVI / Non-UKVI / Online | 5.0 overall (4.5 in all skills) |
| LanguageCert SELT | B1 SELT 38/50 overall (B1 SELT 33/50 in all skills) | |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI / Non-UKVI / Online | 43 overall (43 in all skills) | |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI / Non-UKVI | ISE I Distinction overall (ISE I Merit in all skills) | |
| Cambridge ESOL | 154 overall (147 in all skills) | |
| Cambridge Linguaskill | 154 overall (147 in all skills) | |
| LanguageCert International ESOL | B1 Achiever 33/50 in all skills | |
| Oxford Test of English | 100 overall (90 in all skills) | |
| Password Skills Solo / Password Skills Plus | 5.0 overall (4.5 in all skills) | |
| 6 weeks | IELTS UKVI / Non-UKVI / Online | 5.0 overall (5.0 in all skills) |
| LanguageCert SELT | B1 SELT 38/50 overall (38/50 in all skills) | |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 SELT 25/50 overall (B2 SELT 25/50 in all skills) | |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI / Non-UKVI | ISE I Distinction overall (ISE I Distinction in all skills) | |
| Cambridge ESOL | 154 overall (154 in all skills) | |
| Cambridge Linguaskill | 154 overall (154 in all skills) | |
| LanguageCert International ESOL | B1 Achiever 38/50 in all skills | |
| LanguageCert International ESOL | B2 Communicator 25/50 in all skills | |
| Oxford Test of English | 100 overall (100 in all skills) | |
| Password Skills Solo / Password Skills Plus | 5.0 overall (5.0 in all skills) |
97%
of students who completed their English Language Preparation Online programme between April and August 2023 progressed to their onward academic programme at their chosen International Study Centre.
How to apply
Ready to apply? Discover how to submit an application and learn more about fees, semester dates and entry requirements.
University of Sussex International Study Centre
Develop skills to change the world at the University of Sussex International Study Centre. Improve your English, develop your academic skills, and grow the confidence you need to succeed in your degree.
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Our Student Enrolment Advisors are available to answer any questions you may have and help you with your application. We can't wait to meet you!