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Pre-sessional Programmes
Who is this programme for?
Students who:
- Have not achieved their required level of English for acceptance onto their undergraduate or postgraduate programme
- Feel they do not have the academic or general English language skills necessary to succeed at the University
Learning outcomes
- To raise the overall level of English
- To improve the ability to write academic essays and papers
- To develop listening skills, when listening to lectures
- To develop confidence in spoken English, while giving presentations and attending both seminars and tutorials
- To improve reading skills and to encourage critical thinking
- To provide methods for independent study and research
- To introduce students to life in Ireland and UCC
Important notice
- Successful completion of a Pre-sessional will satisfy the English language entry requirements for your chosen degree programme.
- The 16-week pre-sessional can be taken either with the first 4 weeks taken online + 12 weeks in person on campus, or it can be taken as 16 weeks wholly online
- The 12-week pre-sessional can be taken wholly on campus (face-to-face) or wholly online
- The 6-week pre-sessional can be taken wholly on campus (face-to-face) or wholly online
- Please note: The pre-sessional courses are likely to be Hybrid, allowing both onsite and remote students to connect with the class. This means that there may be students in the class taking the course on campus, joined by students in the class who are taking the course online.
- Read more about hybrid classes: Hybrid Learning
Explore this page
2023 Pre-sessional Programme Dates
No classes on Public/Bank Holiday Mondays 01 May, 05 June, 07 August 2023
| Intensive Programme | Start date | End date | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16-week | 24 April 2023 | 11 August 2023 | €4,410 |
| 12-week | 22 May 2023 | 11 August 2023 | €3,245 |
| 6-week | 03 July 2023 | 11 August 2023 | €1,870 |
Which Pre-sessional Programme do I need to take?
Pre-Sessional Programme Entry Requirements
Target: IELTS 6.5 (6.0 individual bands)
| Your current IELTS score |
Programme length
|
| 6.0 - no skill less than 6.0 |
6 weeks
|
| 6.0/5.5 - no skill less than 5.5 |
12 weeks
|
| 5.5 - maximum 2 skills at 5.0 and none lower |
16 weeks
|
Target: 6.5 (6.5 individual bands)
| Your current IELTS score |
Programme length |
| 6.0 - no skill less than 6.0 |
6 weeks
|
| 6.0/5.5 - minimum 1 skill at 6.0 and none below 5.5 |
12 weeks
|
| 5.5 - all skills at 5.5 |
16 weeks |
Target: IELTS 7 (6.5 individual bands)
|
Your current IELTS score |
Programme length |
| 6.5 - no skill less than 6.5 |
6 weeks
|
| 6.5/6.0 - no skill less than 6.0 |
12 weeks
|
| 6.0 - maximum 2 skills at 5.5 and none lower |
16 weeks
|
Target: IELTS 7 (7.0 individual bands)
| Your current IELTS score |
Programme length |
| 6.5 - no skill less than 6.5 |
6 weeks
|
| 6.5/6.0 - no skill less than 6.0 |
12 weeks
|
| 6.0 - Speaking & Writing must be 6.0 with min 5.5 in Listening & Reading |
16 weeks
|
Modular approach
Did you know you may be eligible to take our modular programme?
Reading & Writing or Listening & Speaking can be taken as separate modules. Modules are 6 contact hours per week and 6 hours per week of non-contact, guided self-study. Bi-weekly/Weekly tutorials will also be part of the programme.
.5 IELTS or equivalent increase in one skill = 6-week modular programme
1.0 IELTS increase or equivalent increase in one skill = 12-week modular programme
There are a number of other exams that are recognized by UCC. Please see UCC's webpage on English Proficiency for further information. Please inquire to: academicenquiries@ucc.ie for entry to Pre-sessional programmes with one of these exams.
Pre-sessional Programmes
How to Apply
Online group classes will be conducted on Canvas. Students will be able to access material for self-study on this platform and will be able to upload assignments onto Canvas.
The self-study element will be prescribed work from teachers which will focus on specific elements of the programme. Students will be provided with the necessary material and resources through Canvas to fulfil the learning outcomes of the programme. Tasks will include watching PowerPoint presentations, reading a range of texts and submitting answers, completing online grammar and vocabulary tasks and submitting guided written tasks as well as links to websites with prescribed tasks.
If you have any further queries on this programme please email academicenquiries@ucc.ie.
IT requirements to join our courses:
All students are required to have a fully-charged laptop or a Desktop computer (with audio and video). A reliable internet connection is required and also a quiet space where you can attend class undisturbed. You should download Microsoft Teams to your laptop before starting your course. UCC recommends the use of Chrome browser for best interaction with all its applications. Please note that a laptop is a device that is suitable for study purposes and students who use another device such as a tablet will not be able to access some functions. A smartphone is not considered to be a suitable device for study purposes.