10 Week Pre-sessional English Programme

The 10-week programme consists of 4-weeks of Essentials of English for Academic Purposes (EEAP) and 6-weeks English for Specific Academic Purposes (ESAP).

For entry to the 10-week Pre-Sessional, students must:

  • Be 18 years of age or over.
  • Hold a Conditional Firm (CF) offer for a Postgraduate degree at the University of Edinburgh for September entry.
  • Hold a valid Academic English IELTS for UKVI or PTE UKVI certificate with the minimum overall score and minimum in each component, appropriate for your Postgraduate degree entry requirements and chosen Pre-Sessional course. We cannot accept scores from more than one certificate. 
IELTS Entry Requirement for degree programme:  IELTS Requirement for Summer EAP programme: 10 weeks:  
6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component  5.5 overall with at least 5.0 in each component   
7.0 overall with at least 6.0 in each component   6.0 overall with at least 5.0 in each component
7.0 overall with at least 7.0 in the writing component and 6.5 in each other component   6.0 overall with at least 6.0 in the writing component and 5.5 in each other component   
7.0 overall with at least 7.0 in each component   6.0 overall with at least 6.0 in each component   
7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in the writing component and 6.0 in each other component   6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in the writing component and 5.0 in each other component   
7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in the reading and listening components and 6.0 in each other component   6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in the reading and listening components and 5.0 in each other component   
7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in each section 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component 

Please note that the certificate must be a valid Academic English IELTS for UKVI certificate of the appropriate level. We cannot accept results from more than one certificate.  

We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.

 

PTE Entry Requirement for degree programme:  PTE Requirement for Summer EAP programme: 10 weeks:  
65 overall with at least 59 in each component   54 overall with at least 50 in each component   
73 overall with at least 59 in each component   59 overall with at least 50 in each component   
73 overall with at least 73 in the writing component and 65 in each other component   59 overall with at least 59 in the writing component and 54 in each other component   
73 overall with at least 65 in the writing component and 59 in each other component   59 overall with at least 54 in the writing component and 50 in each other component   
73 overall with at least 65 in the reading and listening components and 59 in each other component   59 overall with at least 54 in the reading and listening components and 50 in each other component   

Please note that the certificate must be a valid PTE for UKVI certificate of the appropriate level. We cannot accept results from more than one certificate.  


 

Key Information

Start DateMonday 16 June 2025
Duration10 weeks
Course Fee£tbc
Course Location 
  • Phase 1: EGAP (4 weeks) - Central
  • Phase 2: ESAP (6 weeks)
    • EBM - Central
    • ELLM - Central
    • EAH - Central
    • ESALA - Central
    • EESS - Central
    • ELTEM - Holyrood
    • ESTM - King's Buildings
Application DeadlineTBC

Phase 1: Essentials of English for Academic Purposes (EEAP)

 

EEAP will help you develop your essential academic language skills. The course will foster your ability to study autonomously, and encourage you to adopt a critical approach in your studies.

EEAP will, therefore, provide a strong foundation in general academic and language skills.  This will enable you to progress with confidence on to your English for Specific Academic Purposes course, where you will have the opportunity to apply and further develop these skills in a more specialised context. 

Method of delivery

  • This 4-week course will be delivered fully in-person.
  • There will normally be  15 hours of contact teaching per week in weeks 1 – 4 of the course. 
  • In addition, students should expect to undertake at least  10 hours per week of independent study. This may include, for example, completing assigned tasks, using materials accessed on Learn, or activities such as watching recorded lectures. 
  • Toward the end of the course, students also complete activities and tasks in order to review and reflect on their progress so far, and to identify areas of their Academic English to focus on in phase 2.  An individual, student-led tutorial provides an opportunity to discuss this with their teacher and prepare for their ESAP course. 

Syllabus

  • Academic reading skills: practising strategies for efficient reading of academic texts
  • Source-based writing: work on synthesising sources, structuring academic essays, appropriate written style, and making effective use of peer and tutor formative feedback
  • Lecture listening skills: practice in listening and responding to lectures on academic topics; developing note-taking skills.
  • Seminar skills: practice participating effectively in small-group academic discussions based on reading
  • Tutorials: opportunities to discuss progress and feedback with your teacher individually and in small groups

Learning outcomesOn successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Read efficiently to identify, understand, and synthesise key information from academic texts;
  • Write a short essay (750 words) in which the register is formal, and the language, organisation, and arguments are clear and supported by appropriate references to the literature;
  • Participate confidently in seminars in response to set reading and lectures;
  • Take effective notes on, summarise, understand, and respond to the content of lectures;
  • Reflect on and develop their ability to learn both collaboratively and independently.

 

Phase 2: English for Specific Academic Purposes (ESAP)

For more information and to apply for the 10-week Pre-sessional Programme, please choose the appropriate specific academic area of study below: 

ELTEM provides opportunities to carry out in a supported environment academic tasks typically required on the TESOL and Language Education taught masters programmes. 

Pre-requisites

  • You must hold a conditional offer of a place on an MHSES PG degree programme.  
  • You must have either completed Pre-Sessional Phase 1 (EGAP) or have the required language test scores for Phase 2 entry.

Method of Delivery

  • This course has been designed to be delivered in-person. 
  • In addition to a normal teaching week of 15 hours per week of classroom-based tuition, students must expect to to complete a minimum of ten further hours per week of independent study, including tasks, recorded lectures and other materials accessed digitally, in order to make the necessary progress.

Syllabus

This is the content you will cover in ELTEM:

  • Academic writing: Classes practice features of writing in the field such as synthesising reading and citation, structuring texts and constructing arguments; preparing students for submitting the assignment, and ultimately for writing for their programmes.           
  • Reading skills and strategies: Classes are centred around reading relevant topics, focussing on reading skills and strategy development and content familiarisation, as well as familiarisation with sub-genres of academic article.             
  • Presentation skills: Classes highlight and practise common features of presentations and develop confidence in public speaking.           
  • Seminar and discussion skills: Student-centred classes linked to reading texts focus on constructivist cooperative speaking skills to develop collaborative speaking skills and disciplinary knowledge and understanding.   
  • Conference: The course culminates with an academic conference where students present papers and attend and respond to peers’ talks.  Classes throughout the final week introduce students to basic research skills and these are advanced through autonomous groupwork to research and prepare academic papers, thus consolidating, utilising and combining skills developed throughout the course in an authentic event.

Intended Learning OutcomesOn successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Read academic texts in the field of Language Teacher Education making critical use of genre knowledge and strategies appropriate to their purpose
  • Write clearly and appropriately in genres common in the discipline of language teacher education, synthesizing and critically evaluating content from sources to create their argument
  • Understand and respond critically to academic lectures in the discipline of Language Teacher Education
  • Use clear and appropriate English to respond critically and contribute meaningfully to group discussions and deliver academic presentations in the field of Language Teacher Education
  • Reflect on and make autonomous decisions regarding their learning.

AssessmentTo meet the conditions of your Conditional Offer for your degree programme, you need to achieve satisfactory grades on four assessments of your academic English skills which you take during ESAP:

  • A Listening test based on a recorded lecture
  • Assessments of Reading and Writing, based on a source-based 'Reading-into-Writing' assignment in your academic field  
  • A Speaking assessment based on an individual oral presentation and question-and-answer session on a topic in your field​​​​​
  • Further details on assessments will be available following successful enrolment on the programme.

Apply Now


EBM aims to develop and improve your confidence and academic language & literacy skills to a sufficient level to bridge the gap between your entry language level and that required to participate successfully in a range of Business School Masters Programmes. It further aims to raise your awareness of what you should expect on their programme and of what is expected of you by the Business School.

Pre-requisites 

  • You must hold a conditional offer of a place on a University of Edinburgh PGT degree programme in the Business School.
  • You must have either completed Pre-Sessional Phase 1 (EGAP) or have the required language test scores for Phase 2 entry. 

Method of delivery

  • This course has been designed to be delivered in-person.
  • In addition to a normal teaching week of 15 hours per week of classroom-based tuition, students must expect to to complete a minimum of ten further hours per week of independent study, including tasks, recorded lectures and other materials accessed digitally, in order to make the necessary progress.

SyllabusThis is the content you will cover in EBM:

  • Academic Business reading, writing, listening and speaking skills
  • Writing a business argument-based essay           
  • Working collaboratively to research and write a case study report           
  • Learning how to write reflectively through blogging        
  • Reading and referring to journal articles or to other appropriate business genres or sources of information e.g. case studies; graphics and data sets             
  • Participating in an academic seminar /seminar- style discussion 
  • Researching and delivering individual and group presentations  
  • Participating in other forms of business related group interaction e.g. negotiation       
  • Responding to guest lectures       
  • Developing vocabulary on a range of business related topics

Intended Learning OutcomesOn successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Read academic texts in such Business fields such as Management and Finance, making critical use of genre knowledge and strategies appropriate to their purpose
  • Write clearly and appropriately in genres common in their discipline. If required by the genre, synthesizing and critically evaluating content from sources to create their argument
  • Understand and respond critically to academic lectures in their discipline
  • Use clear and appropriate English to respond critically and contribute meaningfully to group discussions and deliver academic presentations in their Business fields
  • Reflect on and make autonomous decisions regarding their learning

AssessmentTo meet the conditions of your Conditional Offer for your degree programme, you need to achieve satisfactory grades on four assessments of your academic English skills which you take during ESAP:

  • A Listening test based on a recorded lecture
  • Assessments of Reading and Writing, based on a source-based 'Reading-into-Writing' assignment in your academic field  
  • A Speaking assessment based on an individual oral presentation and question-and-answer session on a topic in your field​​​​​
  • Further details on assessments will be available following successful enrolment on the programme.

Apply Now


ELLM aims to develop and improve your confidence and academic language & literacy skills to a sufficient level to bridge the gap between your entry language level and that required to participate successfully in a Law Masters programme. It further aims to raise awareness of what you should expect on your Law Masters programme and of what is expected of you by the Law School.

Pre-requisites

  • You must hold a conditional offer of a place on a University of Edinburgh PGT degree programme in the Law School.
  • You must have either completed Pre-Sessional Phase 1 (EGAP) or have the required language test scores for Phase 2 entry.

Method of delivery

  • This course has been designed to be delivered in-person. 
  • In addition to a normal teaching week of 15 hours per week of classroom-based tuition, students must expect to to complete a minimum of ten further hours per week of independent study, including tasks, recorded lectures and other materials accessed digitally, in order to make the necessary progress.

SyllabusThis is the content you will cover in ELLM:

  • Academic legal reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills      
  • Writing a legal argument-based essay      
  • Reading & researching case reports       
  • Reading & referring to academic law journal articles       
  • Reading & interpreting statutes
  • Participating in an academic legal seminar            
  • Researching & delivering a presentation                
  • Participating in guest speaker seminars 
  • Developing academic & legal vocabulary development  

Intended Learning OutcomesOn successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Read and critically evaluate academic texts in the discipline of Law, making critical use of genre knowledge and strategies appropriate to their purpose 
  • Write clearly and appropriately in genres appropriate to the discipline of Law, synthesizing and critically evaluating content from sources to support their argument
  • Use clear and appropriate English to respond critically and contribute meaningfully to seminars and group discussions, and deliver academic presentations in the discipline of Law
  • Reflect on and make autonomous decisions regarding their learning. 

AssessmentTo meet the conditions of your Conditional Offer for your degree programme, you need to achieve satisfactory grades on four assessments of your academic English skills which you take during ESAP:

  • A Listening test based on a recorded lecture
  • Assessments of Reading and Writing, based on a source-based 'Reading-into-Writing' assignment in your academic field  
  • A Speaking assessment based on an individual oral presentation and question-and-answer session on a topic in your field​​​​​
  • Further details on assessments will be available following successful enrolment on the programme.

Apply Now


EAH aims to develop and improve your confidence along with your academic language and literacy skills to a sufficient level required to participate successfully in your future postgraduate programme. It also aims to raise your awareness of what you should expect on your future programmes. EAH provides opportunities to carry out, in a supported environment, academic tasks typically required across a range of master’s programmes in Arts and Humanities.

Pre-requisites

  • You must hold a conditional offer of a place on a University of Edinburgh PGT degree programme in an appropriate School.
  • You must have either completed Pre-Sessional Phase 1 (EGAP) or have the required language test scores for Phase 2 entry. 

Method of delivery

  • This course has been designed to be delivered in-person. 
  • In addition to a normal teaching week of 15 hours per week of classroom-based tuition, students must expect to to complete a minimum of ten further hours per week of independent study, including tasks, recorded lectures and other materials accessed digitally, in order to make the necessary progress.

SyllabusThis is the content you will cover in EAS:

  • Specialist written assignment: lectures covering different aspects of academic writing; practical sessions providing guidance and practice in evaluating and selecting sources, the process of constructing an academic assignment, and making effective use of peer and tutor feedback to produce a successful final draft; Annotated Bibliography and Discipline Specific Writing workshops.
  • Reading specialist academic texts: engagement with and critical evaluation of discipline specific written sources, both prescribed and self-selected; developing effective reading strategies.
  • Spoken interaction: seminar skills with a range of opportunities to contribute to in-class discussions; presentation skills sessions involving research output in various formats.  
  • Listening to Guest Lectures: lectures by University of Edinburgh subject specialists; engagement with and critical response to content.   
  • Course Director Lectures: lectures on cultural factors in writing, studying in Edinburgh and continuing to improve academic English.
  • Introduction to living and studying in Edinburgh: talks and interactive sessions with UoE students and EUSA; visits to and reports on discipline relevant Edinburgh locations.

Intended Learning OutcomesOn successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Read academic texts in Arts and Humanities, making critical use of genre knowledge and strategies appropriate to their purpose
  • Write clearly and appropriately in genres common in Arts and Humanities, synthesizing and critically evaluating content from sources to create their argument
  • Understand and respond critically to academic lectures in their discipline
  • Use clear and appropriate English to respond critically and contribute meaningfully to group discussions and deliver academic presentations in their disciplinary field
  • Reflect on and make autonomous decisions regarding their learning.

AssessmentTo meet the conditions of your Conditional Offer for your degree programme, you need to achieve satisfactory grades on four assessments of your academic English skills which you take during ESAP:

  • A Listening test based on a recorded lecture
  • Assessments of Reading and Writing, based on a source-based 'Reading-into-Writing' assignment in your academic field  
  • A Speaking assessment based on an individual oral presentation and question-and-answer session on a topic in your field​​​​​
  • Further details on assessments will be available following successful enrolment on the programme.

Apply Now


EESS aims to develop and improve your confidence along with your academic language and literacy skills to a sufficient level required to participate successfully in your future postgraduate programme. It also aims to raise awareness of what should be expected on your future programme. EESS provides the opportunities to carry out, in a supported environment, academic tasks typically required across a range of master’s programmes in Education and Social Science fields.

Pre-requisites

  • You must hold a conditional offer of a place on a University of Edinburgh PGT degree programme in an appropriate School.
  • You must have either completed Pre-Sessional Phase 1 (EGAP) or have the required language test scores for Phase 2 entry.

Method of delivery

  • This course has been designed to be delivered in-person. 
  • In addition to a normal teaching week of 15 hours per week of classroom-based tuition, students must expect to to complete a minimum of ten further hours per week of independent study, including tasks, recorded lectures and other materials accessed digitally, in order to make the necessary progress.

SyllabusThis is the content you will cover in EESS:

  • Specialist written assignment: lectures covering different aspects of academic writing; practical sessions providing guidance and practice in evaluating and selecting sources, the process of constructing an academic assignment, and making effective use of peer and tutor feedback to produce a successful final draft; Annotated Bibliography and Discipline Specific Writing workshops.
  • Reading specialist academic texts: engagement with and critical evaluation of discipline specific written sources, both prescribed and self-selected; developing effective reading strategies.
  • Spoken interaction: seminar skills with a range of opportunities to contribute to in-class discussions; presentation skills sessions involving research output in various formats.  
  • Listening to Guest Lectures: lectures by University of Edinburgh subject specialists; engagement with and critical response to content.   
  • Course Director Lectures: lectures on cultural factors in writing, studying in Edinburgh and continuing to improve academic English.
  • Introduction to living and studying in Edinburgh: talks and interactive sessions with UoE students and EUSA; visits to and reports on discipline relevant Edinburgh locations.

Intended Learning OutcomesOn successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Read academic texts in Social Science and Education fields, making critical use of genre knowledge and strategies appropriate to their purpose
  • Write clearly and appropriately in genres common in Social Science and Education fields, synthesizing and critically evaluating content from sources to create their argument
  • Understand and respond critically to academic lectures in their discipline
  • Use clear and appropriate English to respond critically and contribute meaningfully to group discussions and deliver academic presentations in their disciplinary field
  • Reflect on and make autonomous decisions regarding their learning.

AssessmentTo meet the conditions of your Conditional Offer for your degree programme, you need to achieve satisfactory grades on four assessments of your academic English skills which you take during ESAP:

  • A Listening test based on a recorded lecture
  • Assessments of Reading and Writing, based on a source-based 'Reading-into-Writing' assignment in your academic field  
  • A Speaking assessment based on an individual oral presentation and question-and-answer session on a topic in your field​​​​​
  • Further details on assessments will be available following successful enrolment on the programme.

Apply Now


ESTM aims to develop and improve your confidence along with academic language and literacy skills to a sufficient level required to participate successfully in your future postgraduate STEMM programmes. It raises awareness of what to expect on your future programmes and provides opportunities to carry out in a supported environment academic tasks typically required across a range of master’s programmes in STEMM subjects. 

Pre-requisites

  • You must hold a conditional offer of a place on a University of Edinburgh PGT degree programme in the College of Science and Engineering or the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.
  • You must have either completed Pre-Sessional Phase 1 (EGAP) or have the required language test scores for Phase 2 entry.

Method of delivery

  • This course has been designed to be delivered in-person.
  • In addition to a normal teaching week of 15 hours per week of classroom-based tuition, students must expect to to complete a minimum of ten further hours per week of independent study, including tasks, recorded lectures and other materials accessed digitally, in order to make the necessary progress.

SyllabusThis is the content you will cover in ESTM:

  • Research-focussed text writing: lectures covering different aspects of academic writing; practical sessions providing guidance and practice in evaluating and selecting sources, the process of constructing an academic assignment, and making effective use of peer and tutor feedback to produce a successful final draft; Annotated Bibliography and Discipline Specific Writing workshops.
  • Reading specialist academic texts: engagement with and critical evaluation of discipline specific written sources, both prescribed and self-selected; developing effective reading strategies.
  • Spoken interaction: seminar skills with a range of opportunities to contribute to in-class discussions; presentation skills sessions involving research output in various formats. 
  • Listening to Guest Lectures: lectures by University of Edinburgh subject specialists; engagement with and critical response to content.  
  • Course Director Lectures: lectures on key elements of academic writing in STEMM disciplines, studying in Edinburgh and continuing to improve academic English.
  • Introduction to living and studying in Edinburgh: talks and interactive sessions with UoE students and EUSA; visits to and reports on discipline relevant Edinburgh locations.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Read academic texts in their discipline, making critical use of genre knowledge and strategies appropriate to their purpose
  • Write clearly and appropriately in genres common in STEMM disciplines, synthesizing and critically evaluating content from sources to create their argument
  • Understand and respond critically to academic lectures in STEMM disciplines
  • Use clear and appropriate English to respond critically and contribute meaningfully to group discussions and deliver academic presentations in their disciplinary field
  • Reflect on and make autonomous decisions regarding their learning. 

AssessmentTo meet the conditions of your Conditional Offer for your degree programme, you need to achieve satisfactory grades on four assessments of your academic English skills which you take during ESAP:

  • A Listening test based on a recorded lecture
  • Assessments of Reading and Writing, based on a source-based 'Reading-into-Writing' assignment in your academic field  
  • A Speaking assessment based on an individual oral presentation and question-and-answer session on a topic in your field​​​​​
  • Further details on assessments will be available following successful enrolment on the programme.

Apply Now


ESALA aims to develop and improve your confidence along with your academic language and literacy skills to a sufficient level required to participate successfully in your future postgraduate programme. It also aims to raise your awareness of what you should expect on your future programmes. ESALA provides opportunities to carry out, in a supported environment, academic tasks typically required across a range of master’s programmes in the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture.

Pre-requisites

  • You must hold a conditional offer of a place on a University of Edinburgh PGT (or PGR) degree programme in an appropriate School.
  • You must have either completed Pre-Sessional Phase 1 (EGAP) or have the required language test scores for Phase 2 entry. 

Method of delivery

  • This course has been designed to be delivered in-person. 
  • In addition to a normal teaching week of 15 hours per week of classroom-based tuition, students must expect to to complete a minimum of ten further hours per week of independent study, including tasks, recorded lectures and other materials accessed digitally, in order to make the necessary progress.

SyllabusThis is the content you will cover in EAS:

  • Specialist written assignment: lectures covering different aspects of academic writing; practical sessions providing guidance and practice in evaluating and selecting sources, the process of constructing an academic assignment, and making effective use of peer and tutor feedback to produce a successful final draft; Annotated Bibliography and Discipline Specific Writing workshops.
  • Reading specialist academic texts: engagement with and critical evaluation of discipline specific written sources, both prescribed and self-selected; developing effective reading strategies.
  • Spoken interaction: seminar skills with a range of opportunities to contribute to in-class discussions; presentation skills sessions involving research output in various formats.  
  • Listening to Guest Lectures: lectures by University of Edinburgh subject specialists; engagement with and critical response to content.   
  • Course Director Lectures: lectures on cultural factors in writing, studying in Edinburgh and continuing to improve academic English.
  • Introduction to living and studying in Edinburgh: talks and interactive sessions with UoE students and EUSA; visits to and reports on discipline relevant Edinburgh locations.

Intended Learning OutcomesOn successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Read academic texts in Arts and Humanities, making critical use of genre knowledge and strategies appropriate to their purpose
  • Write clearly and appropriately in genres common in Arts and Humanities, synthesizing and critically evaluating content from sources to create their argument
  • Understand and respond critically to academic lectures in their discipline
  • Use clear and appropriate English to respond critically and contribute meaningfully to group discussions and deliver academic presentations in their disciplinary field
  • Reflect on and make autonomous decisions regarding their learning.

AssessmentTo meet the conditions of your Conditional Offer for your degree programme, you need to achieve satisfactory grades on four assessments of your academic English skills which you take during ESAP:

  • A Listening test based on a recorded lecture
  • Assessments of Reading and Writing, based on a source-based 'Reading-into-Writing' assignment in your academic field  
  • A Speaking assessment based on an individual oral presentation and question-and-answer session on a topic in your field​​​​​
  • Further details on assessments will be available following successful enrolment on the programme.

Apply Now


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