Pre-Sessional Programmes
We offer 13-week, 9-week and 5-week summer and Foundation Pre-Sessional programmes, which are designed to equip you with the English language and academic skills you need to succeed on your chosen undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
All our Pre-Sessional Online programmes require full-time study of 37.5 hours per week to enable students to meet the programmes’ learning objectives.
In 2025 we are offering the summer Pre-Sessional programmes on campus or online for 13-weeks, 9-weeks or 5-weeks.
The Foundations Pre-Sessional is 9-weeks in duration and is offered online only in 2025.
If you choose to study online, please ensure that you have the following in order to learn effectively; the University cannot provide you with hardware:
- A fast and reliable computer
- A good internet connection
- A webcam (HD is preferable if you have the choice)
- A microphone
- Headphones are an advantage as they enhance the experience and allow you to hear yourself clearly and with less interference from background noise
English Language Entry Requirements
Students must demonstrate their level of English in order to be placed on the correct 13-week, 9-week, 5-week, or Foundation programme. Students can demonstrate their English level with any of the tests listed here.
Requirement to Engage
You must fully engage with the Pre-Sessional Online programme.
Your engagement with the programme is key to passing the Pre-Sessional assessments and progressing to your degree.
In 2023 and in 2024, 99% of Pre-Sessional students progressed onto their degrees.
Also in 2024, of those students taught on our Pre-Sessional in 2023, 74% went on to achieve a Distinction or Merit on their main degree programmes.
We monitor your engagement on the Pre-Sessional on campus by monitoring your in person attendance and by submission of all assignments. We also monitor your engagement with the online programme in two ways:
- You must demonstrate full completion of all online interactive lessons;
- You must demonstrate satisfactory completion of all formative and summative assessments.
Failure to engage may lead to deregistration from the Pre-Sessional Online programme and may prevent you from joining your main degree programme. If we are sponsoring your Student Immigration Permission, this may also affect your visa status.
Programmes we offer
Pre-Sessional Summer Programme
Queen Mary's Summer Pre-Sessional programmes run for 13 weeks, 9 weeks or 5 weeks. They are designed to develop your English language and academic study skills, and prepare you for your chosen undergraduate or postgraduate degree at the University. You can choose to study on campus for the full duration or, alternatively, online for the full duration.
Our programmes offer you a stimulating academic experience and the Pre-Sessional teaching team is committed to making sure that you complete the programme successfully. The programme is designed for:
- international students.
- students from the European Union.
- students with an offer from Queen Mary which requires a summer pre-sessional programme.
- students with an unconditional offer who want to follow a summer pre-sessional in order to perfect their English and study skills, prepare for academic life, and acclimatise to life in the UK, London and Queen Mary.
Full details of our Summer Pre-Sessional Programme
For further information about the Pre-Sessional online
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I did Pre-Sessional B and C and I gained an insight into university study before my I started my LLM. It was also helpful to get used to life in Britain by making friends and exploring the city together. Doing research on legal issues and writing essays is helping with my final dissertation now. I highly recommend it because at the end you will feel confident in your academic studies.
Gökce Mutlu. Pre-Sessional English.
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Needless to say, I have learnt English skills, specifically the methods to cite articles and books in your legal writing. I also had a lot of opportunities to meet students who are studying different subjects such as Science and Business. The conversation with these students in English was fascinating and inspiring.
Naoto Yamamoto. Pre-Sessional English.
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The Pre-Sessional course was really helpful to me. I had classes with plenty of exercises, which helped me to improve my English skills in an academic environment. I also had a preview of my main course, having regular lectures, writing essays and practising presentations, with really good individual feedback. Thus, I am much more prepared now in my Master's degree.
Charlotte Altschul. Pre-Sessional English.
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The Pre-Sessional Programme was a great experience for me. There was a wide variety of opportunities to study English. I made several presentations, took academic lectures and improved my essay skills. Especially in essay skills: for example, how to follow cohesion and coherence. The style of academic study is different from my country, so it was a good opportunity for me to get used to it before starting my main course of study.
Maki Yoshie. Pre-Sessional English.
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The Pre-Sessional was the most valuable experience I have had, not only in improving my English, but also in gaining knowledge of the economic and political situations in foreign countries, and having the opportunity to meet students with job experience. The teachers were very kind and cooperative and I now completely understand the structure of academic essays.
Ryohei Iwanari. Pre-Sessional English.
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I had a great time in the Pre-Sessional English course. Particularly, the class was brilliant - it provided lots of additional benefits for me, apart from the study of English, because most of the classes on this course consist of LLM students, who are most likely to get high-status jobs in their country, such as paralegal professionals. Therefore, I feel that this course was really beneficial for my study abroad life at Queen Mary.
Kosuke Hosokawa. Pre-Sessional English, Law Pathway.