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English Language Support and Foundation programmes

Pre-Sessional English Programme

Birkbeck now offers a combined eight-week Pre-Sessional and In-Sessional English Programme, designed to provide international students with a solid foundation for their Birkbeck university studies. This programme will improve your academic English skills and help you meet Birkbeck’s English language entry requirements.

Who is this for?

  • If you don’t meet our standard English entry requirement but have obtained IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum of 5.5 in sub-tests.
  • If you have met the standard English entry requirement but wish to take this opportunity to enhance your academic English skills ahead of your degree studies.

Highlights of the programme

  • This is an in-person English programme, delivered at Birkbeck’s main campus in Bloomsbury.
  • The module runs four weeks before the start of the autumn term and ends four weeks after the start of term.
  • You will not need to take any formal assessment at the end of the language course. Successful completion of the pre-sessional will enable you to study your chosen programme at Birkbeck.
  • Students who require a Student visa will be eligible for an Integrated CAS, covering both the Pre-Sessional course and their main programme of study. This means you only need to apply for one Student visa.

Important Deadlines

Offer conditions met, including enrolment on Pre-Sessional: 30 June 2025
Pre-CAS checks (students who are required to submit financial documents only): 7 July 2025
Final CAS: 21 July 2025

Programme Fees and Duration

Cost: £3225
Duration: Eight weeks (four weeks pre-sessional and four weeks in-sessional)
Course Start Date: 1 September 2025
Course End Date: 24 October 2025
Location: Birkbeck’s main campus, Bloomsbury

To enrol, you must pay a £5,000 deposit towards your main programme, meet all offer conditions, and enrol on a separate Pre-Sessional module from June 2025.

How to Register for the programme

To register your interest in applying for this programme,

For any enquiries,

Terms and conditions

By accepting an offer of a place on the pre-sessional, you are accepting our English pre-sessional terms and conditions.

International Foundation programmes

OnCampus London

If do not meet the academic entry requirements for direct admission to your chosen programme at Birkbeck, you may benefit from joining the Undergraduate Foundation Programme or the Master's Foundation Programme offered at the OnCampus London centre. Based on the Birkbeck campus, you will have complete access to Birkbeck facilities - libraries, online resources and laboratories.

Birkbeck welcomes applications from students who have successfully completed the Undergraduate Foundation programme and the Master’s Foundation programme, and some of our courses guarantee a place to successful students.

Improving your study skills

In addition to our year-round study skills programme, there is a range of English and academic skills courses which are free to use. Check our online study skills materials and interactive tutorials and work through them at your own pace before and during your course to help you succeed.