Pre-sessional programme entry requirements
Applicants who do not meet the English language requirements for their chosen course may be admitted onto an intensive pre-sessional programme as an alternative way to satisfy the English language conditions of their offer.
Details of the IELTS requirements for pre-sessional programmes can be found below. Students who are planning to study one of the online pre-sessional programmes may also use the following English language tests:
- IELTS One Skill Retake (UKVI SELT and non-SELT versions)
- TOEFL iBT (centre-based and Home edition)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic)
- LanguageCert Academic (centre-based)
- LanguageCert ESOL (centre-based and online)
- Duolingo English Test (DET)
Students who are planning on studying the campus-based pre-sessional programme may only use the following English language tests:
- IELTS UKVI SELT and IELTS One Skill Retake UKVI SELT
- Pearson Test of English (Academic)
- LanguageCert ESOL (centre-based test only)
- LanguageCert Academic (centre-based test only)
For guidance on specific requirements for the 11 and 6 week pre-sessional programme for these tests, please email us.
| Overall average | Minimum score in all elements | Standard programmes |
|---|---|---|
| 6.5 or above | 6.0 | Direct entry |
| 5.5 | Pre-sessional Programme D (6 weeks) | |
| 5.0 | Pre-sessional Programme C (11 weeks) | |
| 6.0 | 6.0 | Pre-sessional Programme D (6 weeks) |
| 5.5 | Pre-sessional Programme D (6 weeks) | |
| 5.0 | Pre-sessional Programme C (11 weeks) | |
| 5.5 | 5.5 | Pre-sessional Programme C (11 weeks) |
| 5.0 | Pre-sessional Programme C (11 weeks) |
Alternative English language tests acceptable for either the online or campus-based pre-sessional programmes
| Test | Type of test | Minimum level for Pre-sessional Programme C (11 weeks) | Minimum level for Pre-sessional Programme D (6 weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearsons Test of English (PTE) Academic | Centre-based | 59 overall, no sub-test lower than 57 | 61 overall, no sub-test lower than 59 |
| LanguageCert ESOL SELT | Centre-based |
LanguageCert SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) Pass overall (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking combined) For tests taken in 2025 and onwards: Overall score of 60 with no sub-test lower than 58 |
LanguageCert SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) High Pass overall (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking combined) with no sub-test lower than 33 out of 50 For tests taken in 2025 and onwards: Overall score of 65 with no sub-test lower than 60 |
| LanguageCert Academic SELT | Centre-based | Overall score of 62 with no sub-test lower than 58 | Overall score of 65 with no sub-test lower than 62 |
Alternative English language tests accepted only for online pre-sessional programmes
| Test | Type of test | Minimum level for Pre-sessional Programme C (11 weeks) | Minimum level for Pre-sessional Programme D (6 weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition Tests taken prior to 21 January 2026 |
Centre-based and online |
74 overall
|
80 overall
|
| TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition Tests taken from 21 January 2026 |
Centre-based and online |
4.0 overall
|
4.0 overall
|
| LanguageCert | Online |
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) Pass overall (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking combined) For tests taken in 2025 and onwards: Overall score of 60 with no sub-test lower than 58 |
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) High Pass overall (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking combined) with no sub-test lower than 33 out of 50 For tests taken in 2025 and onwards: Overall score of 65 with no sub-test lower than 60 |
| Duolingo English Test | Online |
Overall score 105 with no sub-test lower than the following:
|
Overall score 110 with no sub-test lower than the following:
|
Undergraduate applicants: Due to the popularity of these pre-sessional English language programmes, only applicants who select Loughborough University as their firm choice will be permitted to attend.
Postgraduate Research applicants: Schools may sometimes require English Language qualifications at a level above the University’s minimum requirements. If accepted, this will be explained in your offer letter.