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 English language skills and introduce students to essential academic and study skills before travelling to the International Study Centre and beginning the academic programme.
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.
| Duration | Tuition Fees |
| 6 weeks | £2,100 |
| 10 weeks | £3,500 |
| 16 weeks | £5,600 |
Benefits of studying Online English Preparation
- Development of core English language skills through interactive online learning.
- Increased confidence in academic communication with international peers and tutors.
- Flexible course lengths supported by experienced teaching staff
- End-of-course English language assessment to confirm requirements are met.
- No requirement to take an additional UKVI Secure English Language Test (SELT) for a student visa before arriving on campus.
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 | January/May/August |
| Term dates | 10 weeks: 12/01/2026 – 20/03/2026 11/05/2026 – 17/07/2026 17/08/2026 – 23/10/2026 |
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 tests | Required score |
| Academic IELTS for UKVI | |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI | ISE I Merit overall (ISE I Merit in writing and ISE I Pass in all other skills) |
| 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 5.0 (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: January/February/June/July/September/Oct 10 weeks: January/May/August 16 weeks: March/July |
| Term dates | 6 weeks: 12/01/2026 – 20/02/2026 23/02/2026 – 03/04/2026 08/06/2026 – 17/07/2026 06/07/2026 – 14/08/2026 14/09/2026 – 23/10/2026 26/10/2026 – 04/12/2026 10 weeks: 12/01/2026 – 20/03/2026 11/05/2026 – 17/07/2026 17/08/2026 – 23/10/2026 16 weeks: 30/03/2026 – 17/07/2026 06/07/2026 – 23/10/2026 |
English language entry requirements Academic IELTS for UKVI or accepted equivalent | 6 weeks: 10 weeks: 16 weeks: |
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 6.0 (minimum 6.0 in writing and no skill less than 5.5) |
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.
| 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: January/Feb/June/July/September/October 10 weeks: January/May/August 16 weeks: March/July |
| 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: |
Accepted tests
| 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), or accepted equivalent |
| 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), or accepted equivalent |
| 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), or accepted equivalent |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI | ISE I Distinction overall, ISE I Distinction in writing and ISE I Merit in all other skills |
| 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) |
| Age | 19+ |
| Duration | 6 weeks 10 weeks 16 weeks |
| Fees | 6 weeks: £2,100 10 weeks: £3,500 16 weeks: £5,600 |
| Intakes | 6 weeks: January/February/June/July/September/October 10 weeks: January/May/August 16 weeks: March/July |
| 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: |
| Accepted alternative tests | You 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 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 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 all skills) |
If you need a pre-sessional programme before starting your degree at Cardiff University, please visit English language programmes - Study - Cardiff University.
