English language support
We offer high-quality English language courses for international students wanting to study in the UK. We also support our international students while they are at Essex to make sure they get the most from their studies.
Pre-sessional and advanced programmes
If you want to improve your language skills before starting a degree course we can offer you a range of full-time
English language courses. Our aim is to improve your core language skills and give you the academic skills you will need when studying in the UK. Our pre-sessional programmes offer language proficiency pathways to University of Essex degrees without the need to re-take IELTS or TOEFL tests.
In-sessional programme
If you are studying at Essex on a full-time course we offer free
English language classes to support your academic studies.
Essex English Language Programme
Our Essex English Language Programme is designed for students who need to improve their general
and academic English. The programme runs throughout the year and is divided into
five-week study blocks. You may join in October, November, January, February, April, May or July.
Language assessment
Many international students will already have an internationally accepted
English Language Certificate of Proficiency. However, the University of Essex,
in common with most other British Universities, also requires all
newly-registered students whose first language is not English to sit a short,
internal English
Language Test.
University Skills Centre
We can offer you extra support through our University Skills Centre. The services offered by the Centre include one-to-one tutorials.
English classes for dependants of international students and staff
Partners and other adult relatives of international students and staff are
offered free
English classes in the Autumn and Spring terms. At the moment there are beginner, intermediate and advanced classes.