About the programme

PGPEP dates, fees and entry requirements.

Are you aiming to improve your English language skills in preparation for a postgraduate degree programme at university? 

 

Postgraduate Pre-Sessional English Programme (PGPEP) offers you a unique opportunity to improve your academic English skills, while immersing yourself in the vibrant cultural Scottish capital city of Edinburgh.

With benefits including world-class academic teaching staff and access to all facilities and services at the University of Edinburgh (including an exciting social programme!) Edinburgh really is the first choice for Postgraduate Pre-sessional English! 

 

Course dates and fees  2024/25

When should you join the programme? 

You can join PGPEP in our September or January intake, depending on your current and required level of English for your intended postgraduate degree programme. You can find out more about this in 'Eligibility and entry requirements' below. 

CourseDatesDurationFee
PGPEP 1 and 216 Sep 2024 – 02 May 202525 taught weeks£9400
PGPEP 213 Jan 2025 - 02 May 202513 taught weeks£4900

Please see some other important dates below:

  • Semester 1 break: 14 Oct 2024 – 18 Oct 2024 
  • Winter break: 16 Dec 2024 – 10 Jan 2025
  • Semester 2 break: 17 Feb 2025 – 21 Feb 2025
  • Spring break: 7 Apr 2025 – 18 Apr 2025 

 

If you come from the USA, Indonesia, Canada, Malaysia, India, Nigeria, Ghana, Thailand, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Mexico or France, you may be eligible to apply for the Pre-Sessional English Programme Graduate Scholarship, which consists of a 10% fee discount. 

Please follow the link to see terms and conditions >

Eligibility and entry requirements

Is this the programme for you? 

Unfortunately, this programme of study is not suitable for beginners. All applicants will be required to provide us with a valid, internationally recognised certificate of English as confirmation of their level of English when submitting an application.

It's important you check the English language level requirements for your chosen degree programme, so you can decide when to join PGPEP (September or January). You can find more information on the University of Edinburgh's English Language Entry Requirements web pages here. 

Please check the tables below to decide which entry point is correct for you. 

 

PGPEP 1 and 2 (Sept - May)

For the full programme you will be required to have a minimum IELTS level or equivalent of 4.5 with 4.5 in every component providing this is a maximum of 1.5 below any IELTS scores required by your chosen degree programme.

Entry requirements for your chosen postgraduate degree programmeRequirements for PGPEP 1 and 2 entry in September
IELTS 6.5 with no module below 6.0IELTS 5.0 with no module below 4.5
IELTS 7.0 with no module below 6.0IELTS 5.5 with no module below 4.5
IELTS 7.0 with no module below 6.5IELTS 5.5 with no module below 5.0
IELTS 7.0 with Reading and Listening 6.5 and Writing and Speaking 6.0IELTS 5.5 with Reading and Listening at 5.0 and Writing and Speaking 5.0
IELTS 7.0 with no module below 6.5 and Writing 7.0   IELTS 5.5 with no module below 5.0 and Writing 5.5             

PGPEP 2 (Jan - May)

To join the programme in January, you will be required to have a minimum IELTS level of 5.0 overall and in all components providing this is a maximum of 1.5 below the overall and individual component scores of the level required by your chosen degree programme.

Entry requirements for your chosen postgraduate degree programmeRequirements for PGPEP 2 entry in January
IELTS 6.5 with no module below 6.0IELTS 5.0 with no module below 5.0
IELTS 7.0 with no module below 6.0IELTS 5.5 with no module below 5.0
IELTS 7.0 with no module below 6.5IELTS 5.5 with no module below 5.0
IELTS 7.0 with Reading and Listening 6.5 and Writing and Speaking 6.0IELTS 5.5 with Reading and Listening at 5.0 and Writing and Speaking 5.0
IELTS 7.0 with no module below 6.5 and Writing 7.0IELTS 5.5 with no module below 5.0 and Writing 5.5

Do you currently have a higher level of English?

For those with a higher level of English qualification than those noted above, our Summer Pre-sessional Programme may be a better alternative. 

Take a look at our Summer Pre-sessional Programme information here > 

 

Course content and assessment

Curious about how you will be taught and assessed?  

You will attend interactive classes involving active discussion and collaborative tasks. On some days, you will have small-group or individual tutorials to reflect on and discuss your learning with your teacher.  

You will also be given regular homework tasks, including listening to recordings and making notes, researching and preparing for presentations and discussions and receive regular formative feedback on your performance from both your peers and your teachers.  

In order to make progress, you will need to engage fully and actively in all the learning activities, including completing homework tasks, reflecting on and responding to feedback, and doing additional independent study, seeking advice from your teacher when necessary.  

Take a look at the PGPEP course content and assessment information here >