Strathclyde students socialising

English language preparation 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.

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.

Key facts

Age​​ 17+17+19+ (Students must be 20 years old at the start of their academic programme)
Programme​​ English Language Preparation Online​​ for Undergraduate FoundationEnglish Language Preparation Online for International Year One / Two English Language Preparation  Online for Pre-Masters
Duration​​ 10 weeks​​ 6 weeks​​ 
10 weeks​​
16 weeks
6 weeks​​ 
10 weeks​​
16 weeks
Intakes​​ May, Sept​​ 6 weeks: June, February​​
10 weeks: April, July​​
16 weeks: May, September
6 weeks: June, October
10 weeks: May, September​​
16 weeks: April, July
Term dates  29/05/2023 - 11/08/2023
04/09/2023 - 17/11/2023

6 weeks:
26/6/2023 - 11/8/2023
02/10/2023 - 17/11/2023

10 weeks:
29/05/2023 - 11/08/2023
04/09/2023 - 17/11/2024

16 weeks:
17/04/2023 - 11/08/2023
24/07/2023 - 17/11/2023

6 weeks:
26/06/2023 - 11/8/2023
02/10/2023 - 17/11/2023

10 weeks:
29/05/2023 - 11/08/2023
04/09/2023 - 17/11/2023

16 weeks:
17/04/2023 - 11/08/2023
24/7/2023 - 17/11/2023

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)

6 weeks:
5.0 overall (5.0 in writing, minimum 4.5 in all other skills)

10 weeks:
4.5 overall (4.5 in all other skills)

16 weeks:
4.5 overall (4.5 in writing, minimum 4.0 in all other skills)

6 weeks:
5.5 overall (5.5 in all other skills)

10 weeks:
5.0 overall (5.0 in all other skills)

16 weeks:
5.0 overall (4.5 in all other skills)

Fees£3,500​​6 weeks: £2,100​​
10 weeks: £3,500​​
16 weeks: £5,600​​
6 weeks: £2,100​​
10 weeks: £3,500​​
16 weeks: £5,600