English language preparation

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.

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.

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

Age17+
Duration10 weeks​​ 
Fees£3,500​​
IntakesNovember/January/May
Term dates10 weeks:
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)
Accepted alternative testsRequired score 
Academic IELTS for UKVI
Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVIISE I Merit overall (ISE I Merit in writing and ISE I Pass in all other skills)
English language exit requirementsYou will be assessed internally at the end of your English programme and will be required to meet the equivalent grade of IELTS 5.0 (minimum 5.0 in writing with no other skill below 4.0)

Online English Preparation is not available for students aiming to progress to Medicine, Dental Surgery, Optometry, Pharmacy and Medical Pharmacology.

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:
23/09/2024 - 15/11/2024
10/02/2025 - 21/03/2025
9/06/2025 - 18/07/2025

10 weeks:
13/01/2025 - 21/03/2025
12/05/2025 - 18/07/2025

16 weeks:
31/03/2025 - 18/07/2025

English language entry requirements 

Academic IELTS for UKVI or accepted equivalent 

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 (5.0 in writing, minimum 4.5 in all other skills) 

Accepted tests 

Course duration Accepted Test  Required score  
16 weeks Academic IELTS UKVI  5.0 overall (5.0 in writing, minimum 4.5 in all other skills) 
 Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI To be confirmed 
10 weeks Academic IELTS UKVI  5.0 overall (5.0 in all other skills) 
 Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI To be confirmed 
6 weeks Academic IELTS UKVI  5.5 overall (5.5 in all other skills) 
 Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI To be confirmed 
English language exit requirements You will be assessed internally at the end of your English programme and will be required to meet the equivalent grade of IELTS 5.5 (minimum 5.5 in writing and no skill less than 5) 

This Online English Preparation course applies to students aiming to study Journalism and Communications; Journalism, Communications and Politics; Media and Communications, or Media, Journalism and Culture.

Age17+
Duration

6 weeks​​ 

10 weeks​​

16 weeks

Fees

6 weeks: £2,100​​

10 weeks: £3,500​​

16 weeks: £5,600​​

Intakes6 weeks: September/February/June

10 weeks: January/May

16 weeks: September/March
Term dates6 weeks:
23/09/2024 - 15/11/2024
10/02/2025 - 21/03/2025
09/06/2025 - 18/07/2025

10 weeks:

13/01/2025 - 21/03/2025
12/05/2025 - 18/07/2025

16 weeks:
30/09/2024 - 21/02/2025
31/03/2025 - 18/07/2025

English language entry requirements

Academic IELTS for UKVI or accepted equivalent​​

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)

Accepted tests

Course durationAccepted Test Required score 
16 weeksIELTS Academic UKVI 4.5 overall (4.5 in writing, minimum 4.0 in all other skills), or accepted equivalent

Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVIISE I Merit overall, ISE I Merit in writing and ISE I Pass in all other skills
10 weeksIELTS Academic UKVI 4.5 overall (4.5 in all skills), or accepted equivalent

Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVIISE I Merit in all skills
6 weeksIELTS Academic UKVI 5.0 overall (5.0 in writing, minimum 4.5 in all other skills), or accepted equivalent

Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVIISE I Distinction overall, ISE I Distinction in writing and ISE I Merit in all other skills
English language exit requirementsYou will be assessed internally at the end of your English programme and will be required to meet the equivalent grade of IELTs 5.5 (minimum 5.5 in writing and no skill less than 5)
Age19+
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: March/September

Term dates

6 weeks:
23/09/2024 - 15/11/2024
10/02/2025 - 21/03/2025
09/06/2025 - 18/07/2025

10 weeks:
11/11/2024 - 21/02/2025
13/01/2025 - 21/03/2025
12/05/2025 - 18/07/2025

16 weeks:
30/09/2024 - 21/02/2025
31/03/2025 - 18/07/2025

English language entry requirements

Academic IELTS for UKVI or accepted equivalent​​

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

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

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

Accepted alternative testsYou don't need a Secure English Language Test to start this programme. Alternative tests include:

Pearson PTE Academic (non-UKVI) / Pearson PTE Academic Online
IELTS Indicator*
IELTS Academic (non-UKVI) / IELTS Academic Online
LanguageCert International ESOL
TOEFL iBT/iBT Home Edition
Cambridge ESOL
Cambridge Linguaskill
Oxford Test of English
Academic English Skills
Password Skills Solo / Password Skills Plus

We also accept UKVI-approved Secure English Language Tests:
Including:

Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI
Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
PSI Skills for English UKVI (4 components)
English language exit requirementsYou will be assessed internally at the end of your English programme and will be required to meet the equivalent grade of IELTS  5.5 (minimum 5.5 in all skills)

If you need a pre-sessional programme before starting your degree at Cardiff University, please visit English language programmes - Study - Cardiff University.

Join us today

We're here to support you throughout the application process. Use our online application form and our student enrolment advisors will be available to answer your questions.