Preparing you for studying in English

You need a good understanding of English for most of our degrees. Our pre-study courses help you improve your English ready for your classes and assessments.

There are different courses to suit your current level of English, and the standard you need for your degree.

Fees and dates

All our pre-study courses finish in time for you to start a degree in September or January.

The start date, duration and cost vary depending on your English language level and requirements.

Check tables at the bottom of this page to find the right option for you.

Where to live

If you want university term-time housing for your degree, we can help you find somewhere to live during your pre-study course.

When you apply for your term-time housing, put your pre-study course dates in the 'additional notes' section. Our accommodation office will then get in touch with you.

If you would prefer non-university housing, our accommodation page has advice on finding places to live in Sheffield.

Apply for a language course

To apply, download and complete an application form. You can select your choice of pre-study course on the form.

Choosing the right course for you

Find your degree's English language requirement below to see options for you.

Scores are given as IELTS for UKVI, but we also accept equivalent scores from Pearson PTE Academic UKVI. These are the only qualifications that can be used in applications for a Student Visa to study a Pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes course at Sheffield Hallam University.

Degrees requiring 6.0 overall

With a minimum of 5.5 in each skill.

For undergraduate and postgraduate courses starting in September/October 2025:

For undergraduate and postgraduate courses starting in January/February 2026: