Cardiff University offers a suite of English language courses designed to get international students ready for study in the UK from intensive pre-sessional summer courses to a full-time Academic English year programme and free, on-campus support for current students. These options help students meet visa/university requirements, improve academic skills, and become confident in UK academic culture.
Quick overview (the three programme types)
- English for University Study Programme a full-time, modular programme (Sept–June) for students who need to build academic English and study skills before starting their degree.
- Pre-sessional summer courses intensive short courses (6–20 weeks) for offer-holders who need to raise their language level to meet course entry requirements (successful completion can replace the need to retake IELTS).
- Academic English Skills for International Students free, flexible classes, workshops and one-to-one tutorials for current Cardiff students to support academic writing, speaking, pronunciation and more.
Who can apply
- English for University Study Programme: international students (entry points Sept / Jan / Apr) who need to improve to the level required for their Cardiff academic programme.
- Pre-sessional courses: students holding an offer to study at Cardiff University and meeting the minimum IELTS level for that pre-sessional course (e.g., courses available for students with IELTS 5.0+ up to 6.5+ depending on length).
- Academic English Skills: available only to current Cardiff University students (free resources, workshops and one-to-one tutorials).
Entry requirements & test scores (high-level)
- English for University Study Programme: different entry points have different minimum test scores e.g. September entry can accept IELTS for UKVI 4.0 overall (with sub-scores), January entry requires slightly higher (e.g. IELTS 4.5), April entry higher still (e.g. IELTS 5.0) Cardiff lists equivalent PTE and LanguageCert scores too. Exact minimal scores depend on the chosen start month.
- Pre-sessional summer courses: each course length targets a specific incoming IELTS profile. Example (summer 2025): 6-week for students with IELTS 6.0 (with particular sub-score requirements); 10-week for IELTS 6.5; 12-week and 20-week options for lower/higher entry profiles check the specific course page for details. Completing the relevant pre-sessional removes the need to retake IELTS for entry.
- Academic English Skills: no formal test required these are support resources for students already enrolled.
Deadlines & start dates (how they work)
- English for University Study Programme has multiple start points across the academic year (September, January, April) and Cardiff publishes specific start/end dates and fees for each run (for example, Sept 22, 2025 June 5, 2026 is listed as a full-year intake with associated fees). Application slots open ahead of each intake apply early because some places require a full fee deposit (non-sponsored students).
- Pre-sessional summer courses run in the summer and have specific 6/10/12/16/20-week schedules deadlines align with the summer schedule and students should apply as soon as they accept their Cardiff offer. Completing the relevant summer course before your degree start is the key.
Note: exact application deadlines change each year always check the Cardiff course page or the “How to apply” page for the intake you want.
What each programme offers (short)
- English for University Study Programme: academic modules in speaking, writing, listening, reading, English usage and UK study skills; exit tests and assessed modules to measure progress; campus life and study-skill preparation for UK academic culture.
- Pre-sessional: intensive, targeted English tuition to meet degree entry requirements; options to replace IELTS if you pass; flexible modes (on-campus, online, combined) depending on course.
- Academic English Skills: workshops (writing, grammar, pronunciation, presentations), self-study resources, and free one-to-one tutorials for current students.
Fees & example dates (English for University Study Programme — sample from Cardiff)
| Programme option | Start date (example) | End date (example) | Example total fee (tuition) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full academic year (Sept–June) | 22 Sep 2025 | 05 Jun 2026 | £13,720. |
| Sept to March | 22 Sep 2025 | 13 Mar 2026 | £9,800. |
| Sept to Dec | 22 Sep 2025 | 05 Dec 2025 | £4,900. |
| Jan to June | 05 Jan 2026 | 05 Jun 2026 | £8,820. |
| April to June | 13 Apr 2026 | 05 Jun 2026 | £3,920. |
How to apply (practical steps)
- Prepare passport, scanned English test results (names must match passport), and your Cardiff applicant number (if you already hold an academic offer).
- Apply via Cardiff’s online system (SIMS) — if you already applied for a degree course, use your existing Cardiff username/password; otherwise create an account.
- Non-sponsored students usually must pay a full tuition fee deposit to secure a place. Cardiff issues CAS only after payment where required.