Pre-sessional English course: How to apply

Before applying, please seek our advice about family, study, work or travel commitments that may affect you during your time on the Pre-sessional English course. It is important that you start your course on Day 1: later arrivals disadvantage both you and your fellow students. We maintain a strict minimum attendance requirement of 80% of all sessions on each course. Attendance is monitored from Day 1 of each course, so absence will be accrued if you arrive late.

Special measures for students affected by the Coronavirus outbreak

We send our sympathy to everyone affected by the outbreak. If the COVID-19 outbreak has affected your ability to take an IELTS test or travel, please tell our course administrators: They can let you know if you are eligible for our later application deadlines, latest start dates (see table below).

3 March Update: New Online Pre-sessional Option

We can now confirm that we will offer the Kingston Pre-sessional course online for students who cannot arrive on the first day of their course, and in certain circumstances for students who are unable to attend face to face.  We are currently planning that final assessments will take place at the University (though this may change). Contact our course administrators directly if you wish to join the online course.

We are still exploring other ways to help, such as offering final assessments online or running a Long Pre-sessional in the Autumn. Please let the course administrators know if either of these options could be relevant to you.

Apply online

1. To avoid disappointment please read the PSE guidance notes (PDF) carefully, before you make your application.
2. Submit the online application (via the links in the course table on this page). You should apply for your pre-sessional English course as early as possible (at least eight weeks before the start date) – particularly if you require a visa to study in the UK. Please consider visa processing times in your country before you apply. Late applications are made at your own risk and we reserve the right not to process late applications if you are unlikely to be able to start the course on day one.
3. After you submit your application, we will send you an email confirmation and request the £1,000 non-refundable deposit*. Once your non-refundable deposit payment has cleared, we will process your application.
4. We will ask you for further information if necessary, and then send you your offer letter.

* If your studies are being sponsored by your government or a company, and you provide evidence of this, you do not need to pay the deposit.

Payment details

The simplest way to pay is via online payments, though bank drafts/transfers are also acceptable:

• Secure online payment
  When making your payment please select 'pre-sessional fees' – remember to tell us which course you are applying for. There are no additional charges when making your payment online.
  Important: Please remember to quote your student ID, name and/or invoice reference.

• International Transfer
  International bank transfers can be made using Kingston University's payments platform powered by our partner Western Union Business Solutions. This allows you, your parents and sponsors to pay GBP student fees in the currency of your choice and provides you with a simple and secure way to make your payment.

You must pay the balance of course fees directly to Kingston University on or before the first day of the course.

Withdrawal policy

You will be withdrawn from the Pre-sessional English course in cases where:

• You have not arrived and enrolled by the latest start date.
• Your attendance falls below 80% from day one of your course.

Please note: Students with a Tier 4 Student Visa sponsored by Kingston University will also be reported to UK Visas and Immigration.

Cancellation and refund policy

If you wish to cancel your place on a Pre-sessional English course, send an email detailing your reasons for withdrawing to presessionals@kingston.ac.uk. If you wish to request a refund, please do so by email within three months of your course start date.

• If you cancel your place before day one of your course we will refund all monies paid (less the non-refundable deposit).
• The deposit is not normally refundable but can be held if you need to defer your place.
• Deposit refunds may be considered at the University's sole discretion if you don't receive your visa for reasons the University considers were beyond your control and you can provide sufficient documentary evidence. Please remember that late applications are made at your own risk.

Refunds due for cancellations after your course has started

Kingston university students refund (non-Kingston university students refund)

Please note: Refunds will be made after the end of the pre-sessional course.