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 is taken wholly online 
  • The 12-week pre-sessional is taken wholly online (or may be taken on campus if there is sufficient demand)
  • The 6-week pre-sessional can be taken wholly on campus (face-to-face) OR wholly online

2024 Pre-sessional Programme Dates

No classes on Public/Bank Holiday Mondays 06 May, 03 June, 05 August 2024

Intensive Programme Start date End date Price
16-week (online only) 22 April 2024 09 August 2024 €4850
12-week (online or on campus) 20 May 2024 09 August 2024 €3570
6-week (online or on campus)  01 July 2024 09 August 2024 €2055

"The online pre-sessional course was very effective, I really feel I am live face to face, it feels like a real class, with my teachers and classmates"

Amal Al Bahoshi, from Oman

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"The scheduled time is reasonable, and I can learn useful knowledge, though It was challenging"

Zhuyao Gao from China

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Which Pre-sessional Programme do I need to take?

Pre-sessional entry requirements for 2024

 

Target: IELTS 6.5 (6.0 individual bands) or equivalent

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) or equivalent

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) or equivalent

 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) or equivalent

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. 

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. 

Language Centre

Lárionad Teanga

Main Office, G36, O'Rahilly Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

External Accreditation

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