Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions

Can I study Pre-sessional online?
We are not currently offering online pre-sessional courses.

Can I apply to the Pre-sessional with documents such as Duolingo, TOEFL and PTE test reports?  
Any student requiring a visa to study in the UK will need to provide a UKVI approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as UKVI IELTS or UKVI PTE.
For students who don’t need a visa, or who are eligible to receive a joint CAS, we can accept non UKVI IELTS or PTE, or TOEFL test reports.
We do not accept Duolingo reports.
SELTs must be valid for the full duration of the pre-sessional course, i.e. dated no more than 2 years before the end date of the course.
For guidance on how to choose a suitable course with a PTE or TOEFL report, see our English language test conversion tables.

Will I receive a joint CAS?
Joint CAS are available to students joining the June and July Entry Pre-Sessional Courses if they meet the criteria detailed below:
June entry – conditional University of Glasgow academic offer where the only condition is IELTS overall 6.5 (some academic programmes may be excluded)
AND
SELT equivalent to minimum IELTS 6.0 with writing 6.0 and no more than one skill at 5.5.
July entry – unconditional University of Glasgow offer.

Do I need to pay a deposit?
No

Do I need to sit an another IELTS after my pre-sessional course has finished?
There is no need to sit another IELTS after the course.

Can I join the course earlier or later than the entry point recommended in the study guidelines?
Please apply for the course that best suits your level and circumstances.  We will consider your application and aim to offer you the course that is most suited to your level and closest to the entry point you applied for.

Can I upload more than one English test report to my application?
Yes, you can upload up to two SELTs as evidence of your level of English.  Our course convenors will use this to inform their decision on your application.

Is the University of Glasgow Pre-sessional English Course report accepted at other Universities?
Yes, often it is. However it is your responsibility to check with the Admissions team of your chosen University.

Does the University of Glasgow accept Pre-sessional English Course reports from other Universities?
Yes, some other pre-sessional reports are accepted. However please check with the Post Graduate Admissions team for confirmation: enquire online.

After I complete the Pre-sessional English course, how long will my results be valid for?
Your report will be valid for 2 years.

 

 

Course content

How will the balance of classes and independent study work?

It is important to find the optimum balance between class time and independent study.  You will have around 3 hours of class time on a typical day.  Your classes give you the opportunity to ask questions, engage in discussion, and to develop language and skills for interaction.  The independent study material gives you the opportunity to prepare effectively for classes, review and consolidate input, and to develop as an independent learner.  Please note that some independent study tasks also involve students interacting but independently of the teacher.  We estimate that the total amount of time students should spend studying on the pre-sessional at 35-40 hours/week.  This is standard for a full-time course.

What about assessment?

You will be continually assessed throughout the course.  The assessments allow our teachers to give students progress scores aligned with IELTS to ensure both teachers and students are aware of progress towards target grades needed in the final pre-sessional course ending in August.  We will also monitor students’ listening, reading, writing and speaking informally to give advice on how to improve.

Technology

What equipment do I need? Can I do this on my phone?

Students will need a desktop or laptop computer

Minimum computer specifications

  • Processor: 2GHz
  • Memory: 4GB of RAM
  • Hard disk: 250 GB
  • Sound card and microphone plus speakers or headphones
  • Monitor and video card with 1024x768 display or higher
  • Broadband internet connection: 1.5 MBs or higher