Assessment and progression

Assessment

Assessments include exams and an interview. Students are also required to complete written assignments throughout the programmes.

Assessments cover each of the four skills; reading, writing, speaking and listening, and are based on the academic skills and language development you learn during the programme.

These assessments have been carefully planned into your timetables to enable you to develop your learning before you undertake them.

Experienced tutors will mark your work and provide personalised feedback to help guide you on the areas upon which you could improve. Your assessments will be based online and utilise proctoring technology to help ensure fairness and parity.

In 2025, 100% of both our campus-based and online students were able to progress onto their academic programmes.

Progression

All students are expected to attend and engage appropriately with the pre-sessional programmes. Please note that, if you do not attend and/or engage sufficiently with the programme, you may not be permitted to progress to your degree programme.

By the end of the programme, you will be assessed on your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in addition to your understanding of UK academic conventions.

In order to progress to your degree programme, you will need to demonstrate: 

  1. That you have attended and fully engaged with the pre-sessional programme.
  2. That you have met the UKVI minimum English language requirements for degree level study, equivalent to Level B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in each of the four skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening).
  3. That you have met the University’s minimum threshold for successful completion of the pre-sessional programme.

UKVI English language requirements for degree level study

In order to sponsor students Student Visa, the University is required to assess whether their English language ability is equivalent to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) B2 in each of the four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

If you have already demonstrated that you are at CEFR Level B2 via a UKVI SELT IELTS test before starting the pre-sessional programme (by achieving a minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four sub-tests), the University will accept this as evidence that you have fully met the UKVI’s minimum requirements. You will be expected to continue to improve your English language to achieve a higher level of skill in all areas, fully engage with your programme and complete all coursework and assessments.

If you have not demonstrated that you are at CEFR Level B2 in one or more subtests before starting the pre-sessional programme, we will carry out our own assessment of your English language level as part of our standard end of course assessment.  If you do not achieve CEFR Level B2 in one or more subtests, you will not be permitted to progress to your degree programme under any circumstances and will be asked to leave the University.