Pre-sessional English

Before you study your degree, you should consider taking a pre-sessional academic English programme. Our pre-sessional programmes are the best way to bring your English up to the level required for university study and develop the study strategies to enable you to perform to the best of your ability on your degree. Successful completion* of one of our pre-sessional programmes at the required level will guarantee you direct entry to your chosen degree.
*Other institutions accept the outcomes for the Heriot-Watt pre-sessional course. Please check with the admissions team for the university and degree you wish to study.

Accreditation
Heriot-Watt's pre-sessional English programme is accredited by BALEAP, the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes.
The BALEAP Accreditation Scheme (BAS) is designed to establish and sustain the standard required of specialist English for Academic Purposes provision to enhance the student experience.
Programme structure and dates
The pre-sessional English programmes comprise four different modules (courses). Each module requires approximately 150 hours of study.
There are different entry points to the pre-sessional programme. The length of your
pre-sessional English programme will depend on your current English level and the
demands of the degree you plan to study.
We are offering two modes of study, hybrid and online. In the hybrid programme,
the early modules will be delivered online and the later modules will be delivered
on campus. In the online programme, all modules will be delivered and assessed
fully online.
Where possible, students are strongly encouraged to take the hybrid programme
All students are required to successfully complete the final on-campus 6-week assessment module (Module 4) before progressing to their chosen degree.
Programme | Duration | March 27 – May 5 | May 8 – June 2 | June 12 – July 7 | July 10 – August 18 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
PSE20 | 20 weeks | Module 1 (online) | Module 2 (online) | Module 3 (on campus) | Module 4 (on campus) |
Module 3 (online) | Module 4 (on campus) | ||||
PSE14 | 14 weeks | - | Module 2 (online) | Module 3 (on campus) | Module 4 (on campus) |
Module 3 (online) | Module 4 (online) | ||||
PSE10 | 10 weeks | - | - | Module 3 (on campus) | Module 4 (on campus) |
Module 3 (online) | Module 4 (online) | ||||
PSE6 | 6 weeks | - | - | - | Module 4 (on campus) |
Module 4 (online) |
Details: fees and entry requirements
Students taking the 20, 14 and 10-week programmes will use the Oxford EAP
Intermediate e-book, which is available through the OUP website. You must buy the book
to study the first 3 modules of the PSE.
Students taking the 6-week module only do not need to purchase a coursebook.
20-week PSE - March 27 - August 18 2023 (hybrid)
Fees: £7808
• Start of teaching: Monday 27 March 2023
• End of teaching / assessment: Friday 18 August 2023
• Consolidation week/travel week: 5 June – 9 June
• Results released by Friday 25 August 2023
• Minimum entry level IELTS 4.5 with no skill lower than 4.5 (UG); IELTS 5.0 with no
skill lower than 4.5 (PG)
• Location: online (modules 1 and 2) and on-campus (modules 3 and 4)
• Deadline for applications: Friday 3 March 2023
20-week PSE - March 27 - August 18 2023 (online)
- Fees: £7808
- Start of teaching: Monday 27 March 2023
- End of teaching / assessment: Friday 18 August 2023
- Consolidation week/travel week: 5 June – 9 June
- Results released by Friday 25 August 2023
- Minimum entry level IELTS 4.5 with no skill lower than 4.5 (UG); IELTS 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5 (PG)
- Location: online (all modules)
- Deadline for applications: Friday 10 March 2023
14-week PSE - May 8 – August 18 2023 (hybrid)
- Fees: £5472
- Start of teaching: Monday 8 May 2023
- End of teaching / assessment: Friday 18 August 2023
- Consolidation week/travel week: 5 June – 9 June
- Results released by Friday 25 August 2023
- Minimum entry level IELTS 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5 (UG); IELTS 5.0 with
- Writing 5.0 and no other skill lower than 4.5 (PG)
- Location: online (module 2) and on-campus (modules 3 and 4)
- Deadline for applications: Friday 21April 2023 (hybrid)
14-week PSE - May 8 – August 18 2023 (online)
- Fees: £5472
- Start of teaching: Monday 8 May 2023
- End of teaching / assessment: Friday 18 August 2023
- Consolidation week/travel week: 5 June – 9 June
- Results released by Friday 25 August 2023
- Minimum entry level IELTS 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5 (UG); IELTS 5.0 with Writing 5.0 and no other skill lower than 4.5 (PG)
- Location: online (all modules)
- Deadline for applications: Friday 28 April 2023
10-week PSE – 12 June – 18 August 2023 (hybrid)
- Fees: £3904
- Start of teaching: Monday 12 June 2023
- End of teaching / assessment: Friday 18 August 2023
- Results released by Friday 25 August 2022
- Minimum entry level IELTS 5.0 with Writing 5.0 and no other skill lower than 4.5 (UG); IELTS 5.5 with Writing 5.0 and no other skill lower than 5.0 (PG)
- Location: on campus
- Deadline for applications: Friday 19 May 2023
10-week PSE – 12 June – 18 August 2023 (online)
- Fees: £3904
- Start of teaching: Monday 12 June 2023
- End of teaching / assessment: Friday 18 August 2023
- Results released by Friday 25 August 2022
- Minimum entry level IELTS 5.0 with Writing 5.0 and no other skill lower than 4.5 (UG); IELTS 5.5 with Writing 5.0 and no other skill lower than 5.0 (PG)
- Location: online
- Deadline for applications: Friday 26 May 2023
6-week PSE - 10 July - 18 August 2023 (hybrid)
• Fees: £2344
• Start of teaching: Monday 10 July 2023
• End of teaching / assessment: Friday 18 August 2023
• Results released by Friday 26 August 2022
• Minimum entry level IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0 (UG); IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5 (PG)
• Location: on campus
• Deadline for applications: Friday 16 June 2023
6-week PSE – 10 July – 18 August 2023 (online)
- Fees: £2344
- Start of teaching: Monday 10 July 2023
- End of teaching / assessment: Friday 18 August 2023
- Results released by Friday 26 August 2022
- Minimum entry level IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0 (UG); IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5 (PG)
- Location: online
- Deadline for applications: Friday 23 June 2023
6-week PSE – 16 October 2023 (for Semester 2 entry)
- Fees: £2,344
- Start of teaching: Monday 16 October 2023
- End of teaching / assessment: Friday 24 November 2023
- Results released by Friday 8 December 2023
- Minimum entry level IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0 (UG); IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5 (PG)
- Location: on campus
- Deadline for applications: Friday 22 September 2023
Aims of the programme
The aim of the PSE is to improve your use of English for Academic Purposes, build your confidence in using English and equip you with the academic study skills you will need to be successful in your chosen degree.
Language learning outcomes – CEFR B2
Reading
R1. Find a variety of academic and professional texts in your field of study and select those appropriate to your purpose and the task
R2. Apply appropriate academic reading strategies to allow you to read efficiently and effectively
R3. Understand and critically evaluate selected texts
Writing
W1. Demonstrate language knowledge through the precise use of grammar, syntax, and vocabulary.
W2. Communicate complex ideas effectively in writing using an appropriate structure and showing awareness of purpose, style, register and audience
W3. Synthesise and effectively integrate source material into your writing
Listening
L1. Understand extended lecture-style speech and cope with different lecturing styles
L2. Understand rapid, colloquial speech
L3. Use a range of listening strategies to allow you to interact confidently with peers and lecturers
Speaking
S1. Communicate complex ideas effectively in academic contexts
S2. Interact confidently with peers and lecturers in one-to-one and multi-purpose exchanges with reference to sources where appropriate
S3. Speak clearly and effectively showing awareness of key features of English pronunciation and syntax
Academic outcomes
A1. Understand the research process and how knowledge is advanced and apply theory to practice
A2. Become familiar with some key genres and their communicative conventions in your discipline
A3. Collaborate to develop shared ideas, engage in peer review and respond to feedback
A4. Exercise autonomy and initiative in completing tasks
A5. Reflect critically on learning
A6. Decode and respond appropriately to different task requirements
A7. Reference appropriately and with the correct format (APA, Harvard, etc.)
A8. Understand the impact of ethical choices during the research process
Assessment and progression
Student readiness for university study will be assessed using a combination of authentic coursework tasks and an end of course language test.
To progress to their degree at university students need to achieve a minimum grade C (50%) in the coursework component and pass the language test at the required level.
*Other institutions accept the outcomes for the Heriot-Watt pre-sessional course. Please check with the admissions team for the university and degree you wish to study.
Formative assessment in modules 1 – 3 includes:
- Class participation
- Participation in discussion board tasks
- Group poster interaction
- Reflective journal
Summative assessment (Module 4)
- Research project (40%)
- Poster interaction (15%)
- Seminar discussion (25%)
- Language exam (20%)
How to prepare
All applicants are encouraged to study the Heriot-Watt pre-arrival course.
This will familiarise you with some of the concepts you will learn during the Pre-sessional English programme.
How to apply
Key information
Academic English Admissions
- +44 (0)131 451 8250
- studywithus@hw.ac.uk