You can start the Pre-sessional English (PSE) programme at different points throughout the year.
How to reach your target
These tables are a guide to how long it typically takes to reach the English language level required for entry to your chosen degree. The suggested study time is a minimum.
Half band credit
By completing a Pre-sessional English course, you may be entitled to a half band credit. This means for example that if the English language requirement on your degree offer is an overall IELTS 6.5, taking a Pre-sessional English course would allow you to enter your degree course with an overall 6.0 as your final PSE grade.
Please note that the half band credit:
- only applies to certain degree courses
- is only valid for 6 months after completion of your Pre-sessional English programme
- is only valid for the University of Reading
Please contact us for advice on which block would suit your needs at psadmissions@reading.ac.uk
For target TEEP/IELTS level of 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in each element
| Your IELTS level now | Minimum study time required | Example study blocks | 2022/ 2023 Dates | Fees |
| 5.0 - no skill less than 4.0, writing 4.5 | 14 weeks | PSE E | 22 May 2023 - 01 Sep 2023 | £6,160 |
| 5.0 - no skill less than 4.5, writing 5.0 | 10 weeks | PSE F | 26 Jun 2023 - 01 Sep 2023 | £4,400 |
| 5.5 - no skill less than 4.5, writing 5.0 | 10 weeks | PSE F | 26 Jun 2023 - 01 Sep 2023 | £4,400 |
| 6.0 - no skill less than 5.5 | 6 weeks | PSE G | 24 Jul 2023 - 01 Sep 2023 | £2,640 |
| Your IELTS level now | Minimum study time required | Example study blocks | 2023/ 2024 Dates | Fees |
| 4.5 - no skill less than 4.0 | 29 weeks | PSE C | 08 Jan 2024 - 06 Sep 2024 | £13,340 |
| 4.5 - no skill less than 4.5 | 19 weeks | PSE D | 15 Apr 2024 - 06 Sep 2024 | £8,740 |
| 5.0 - no skill less than 4.5, writing 5.0 | 10 weeks |
PSE A or PSE F |
25 Sep 2023 - 08 Dec 2023/ 01 Jul 2024 - 06 Sep 2024 | £4,600 |
| 5.5 - no skill less than 4.5, writing 5.0 | 10 weeks | PSE A or PSE F | 25 Sep 2023 - 08 Dec 2023/ 01 Jul 2024 - 06 Sep 2024 | £4,600 |
| 6.0 - no skill less than 5.5 | 6 weeks | PSE B or PSE G | 30 Oct - 08 Dec/ 29 Jul 2024 - 06 Sep 2024 | £2,760 |
For target TEEP/IELTS level of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each element
Please note the half-band credit does not apply to programmes with this target level.
| Your IELTS level now | Minimum study time required | Example study blocks | 2022/ 2023 Dates | Fees |
| 5.5 - no skill less than 4.5, writing 5.0 | 14 weeks | PSE E | 22 May 2023 - 01 Sep 2023 |
£6,160 |
| 5.5 - no skill less than 5.0, writing 5.5 | 10 weeks | PSE F | 26 Jun - 01 Sep 2023 | £4,400 |
| 6.0 - no skill less than 5.0, writing 5.5 | 10 weeks | PSE F | 26 Jun - 01 Sep 2023 | £4,400 |
| 6.5 - no skill less than 5.5 | 6 weeks | PSE G | 24 Jul - 01 Sep.2023 | £2,640 |
| Your IELTS level now | Minimum study time required | Example study blocks | 2023/ 2024 Dates | Fees |
| 4.5 - no skill less than 4.5 | 29 weeks | PSE C | 08 Jan 2024 - 06 Sep 2024 | £13,340 |
| 5.0 - no skill less than 4.0, writing 4.5 | 29 weeks | PSE C | 08 Jan 2024 - 06 Sep 2024 | £13,340 |
| 5.0 - no skill less than 4.5, writing 5.0 | 19 weeks | PSE D | 15 Apr 2024 - 06 Sep 2024 | £8,740 |
| 5.5 - no skill less than 5.0, writing 5.5 | 10 weeks | PSE A or PSE F | 25 Sep 2023 - 08 Dec 2023/ 01 Jul 2024 - 06 Sep 2024 | £4,600 |
| 6.0 - no skill less than 5.0, writing 5.5 | 10 weeks | PSE A or PSE F | 25 Sep 2023 - 08 Dec 2023/ 01 Jul 2024 - 06 Sep 2024 | £4,600 |
| 6.5 - no skill less than 5.5 | 6 weeks | PSE B or PSE G | 30 Oct - 08 Dec/ 29 Jul 2024 - 06 Sep 2024 | £2,760 |
For target TEEP/IELTS level of 7.0 with no less than 6.0 in each element
| Your IELTS level now | Minimum study time required | Example study blocks | 2022/ 2023 Dates | Fees |
| 5.5 - no skill less than 4.5, writing 5.0 | 14 weeks | PSE E | 22 May 2023 - 01 Sep 2023 | £6,160 |
| 5.5 - no skill less than 5.0, writing 5.5 | 10 weeks | PSE F | 26 Jun 2023 - 01 Sep 2023 | £4,400 |
| 6.0 - no skill less than 5.0, writing 5.5 | 10 weeks | PSE F | 26 Jun 2023 - 01 Sep 2023 |
£4,400 |
| 6.5 - no skill less than 5.5 | 6 weeks | PSE G | 24 Jul 2023 - 01 Sep 2023 | £2,640 |
| Your IELTS level now | Minimum study time required | Example study blocks | 2023/ 2024 Dates | Fees |
| 4.5 - no skill less than 4.5 | 29 weeks | PSE C | 08 Jan 2024 - 06 Sep 2024 | £13,340 |
| 5.0 - no skill less than 4.0, writing 4.5 | 29 weeks | PSE C | 08 Jan 2024 - 06 Sep 2024 | £13,340 |
| 5.0 - no skill less than 4.5, writing 5.0 | 19 weeks | PSE D | 15 Apr 2024 - 06 Sep 2024 | £8,740 |
| 5.5 - no skill less than 5.0, writing 5.5 | 10 weeks | PSE A or PSE F | 25 Sep 2023 - 08 Dec 2023/ 01 Jul 2024 - 06 Sep 2024 | £4,600 |
| 5.5 - no skill less than 5.0, writing 5.5 | 10 weeks | PSE A or PSE F | 25 Sep 2023 - 08 Dec 2023/ 01 Jul 2024 - 06 Sep 2024 | £4,600 |
| 6.6 - no skill less than 5.5 | 6 weeks | PSE B or PSE G | 30 Oct -08 Dec/ 29 Jul 2024 - 06 Sep 2024 | £2,760 |
Applicants should seek advice on how many weeks they need: contact us at psadmissions@reading.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
To join a study block on the PSE programme, you need to have an IELTS score of at least 4.0 in listening, reading, writing and speaking. Some study blocks have higher entry requirements.
If you require a visa, you will need to provide proof of your language level with a Secure English Language Test (SELT) certificate - the most well-known test is IELTS.
