Entry requirements
Our pre-sessional courses are suitable for international students with a range of language abilities. They will provide both conditional and unconditional students with the best possible preparation for their Bristol studies.
Applicants with an unconditional offer from the University of Bristol
If you have no language conditions and an offer for direct entry to your degree course, you could consider taking a 6-week pre-sessional course. This would offer you the best possible preparation for study at the University of Bristol.
Applicants with a conditional offer from the University of Bristol
If your undergraduate or postgraduate offer letter specifies an English language profile, you should refer to the table below. This table tells you which pre-sessional course you will need to apply for. You will need to fully engage with the course to reach the required English language profile.
If you are applying for an on-campus course, your test must conform to UKVI Secure English Language Test (SELT) standards. For further information about SELTs, please read the latest UKVI guidance.
Your offer letter says you need: Profile A
| Test taken | Apply for our 10-week programme | Apply for our 6-week programme | Study options you are eligible for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI Academic (SELT) | 6.5 overall, minimum 6 in each | 7.0 overall, minimum 6.5 in each band | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| IELTS Academic (online or test centre) | 6.5 overall, minimum 6 in each | 7.0 overall, minimum 6.5 in each band | Online only |
| TOEFL iBT (online or test centre) | 90 overall with R20, L19, S22, W19 | 95 overall with R22, L21, S23, W24 | Online only |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI (SELT) | 67 overall | 70 overall | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Pearson PTE Academic (test centre only) | 67 overall | 70 overall | Online only |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) | Level C1 | Level C1 | Online only |
| C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Grade C, or Level B2 with 170 in each skill | Grade C, with 176 in each skill | Online only |
| NCUK English Test | 6.5 overall, minimum 6 in each band | 7.0 overall, minimum 6.5 in each band | Online only |
| LanguageCERT SELT | SELT B2 Communicator High Pass | Not accepted | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| LanguageCERT International ESOL (online or test centre) | B2 Communicator High Pass | Not accepted | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic | 70 overall, minimum 65 in each skill | 75 overall, minimum 70 in each skill | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV | PASS | PASS | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III | PASS | PASS | Online only |
Your offer letter says you need: Profile B
| Test taken | Apply for our 10-week programme | Apply for our 6-week programme | Study options you are eligible for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI Academic (SELT) | Undergraduate: 6.0 overall, 6.0 in Writing, 5.5 in other skills. Postgraduate: 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each skill | Undergraduate: 6.5 overall, 6.5 in Writing, 6.0 in remaining skills. Postgraduate: 6.5 overall; minimum 6 in each skill | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| IELTS Academic (online or test centre) | Undergraduate: 6.0 overall, 6.0 in Writing, 5.5 in other skills. Postgraduate: 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each skill | Undergraduate: 6.5 overall, 6.5 in Writing, 6.0 in remaining skills. Postgraduate: 6.5 overall; minimum 6 in each skill | Online only |
| TOEFL iBT (online or test centre) | 84 overall, R20, L19, S22, W19 | 88 overall, R22, L19, S23, W20 | Online only |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI (SELT) | 59 overall | 64 overall | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Pearson PTE Academic (test centre only) | 59 overall | 64 overall | Online only |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) | Level C1 | Level C1 | Online only |
| C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Grade C, or level B2 with 162 in each skill | Grade C, or level B2 with 170 in each skill | Online only |
| NCUK English Test | Undergraduate: 6.0 overall, 6.0 in Writing, 5.5 in other skills. Postgraduate: 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each skill | Undergraduate: 6.5 overall, 6.5 in Writing, 6.0 in remaining skills. Postgraduate: 6.5 overall, minimum 6 in each skill | Online only |
| LanguageCERT SELT | SELT B2 Communicator High Pass | Not accepted | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| LanguageCERT International ESOL (online or test centre) | B2 Communicator High Pass | Not accepted | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic | Undergraduate: 65 overall, 65 in Writing, 60 in all other skills Postgraduate: 65 overall, minimum 60 in each skill | Undergraduate: 70 overall, 70 in Writing, 65 in all other skills Postgraduate: 70 overall, minimum 65 in each skill | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV | PASS | PASS | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III | PASS | PASS | Online only |
Your offer letter says you need: Profile C
| Test taken | Apply for our 10-week programme | Apply for our 6-week programme | Study options you are eligible for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI Academic (SELT) | 5.5 overall, minimum 5.5 in each band | 6 overall, minimum 6 in each band | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| IELTS Academic (online or test centre) | 5.5 overall, minimum 5.5 in each band | 6 overall, minimum 6 in each band | Online only |
| TOEFL iBT (online or test centre) | 72 overall, R18, L16, S18, W18 | 80 overall, R20, L17, S20, W20 | Online only |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI (SELT) | 60 overall | 64 overall | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Pearson PTE Academic (test centre only) | 60 overall | 64 overall | Online only |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) | Level C1 | Level C1 | Online only |
| C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Grade C, or level B2 with 162 in each skill | Grade C, or level B2 with 169 in each skill | Online only |
| NCUK English Test | 5.5 overall, minimum 5.5 in each band | 6 overall, minimum 6 in each band | Online only |
| LanguageCERT SELT | SELT B2 Communicator High Pass | SELT B2 Communicator High Pass | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| LanguageCERT International ESOL (online or test centre) | B2 Communicator High Pass | SELT B2 Communicator High Pass | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic | 60 overall, minimum 60 in each skill | 65 overall, minimum 65 in each skill | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV | PASS | PASS | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where option is available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III | PASS | PASS | Online only |
Your offer letter says you need: Profile D
| Test taken | Apply for our 10-week programme | Apply for our 6-week programme | Study options you are eligible for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI Academic (SELT) | 5.5 overall, minimum 6 in Reading and Writing, minimum 5 in Listening and Speaking | 6.0 overall, minimum 6.5 Reading and Writing, 5.5 Listening and Speaking | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| IELTS Academic (online or test centre) | 5.5 overall, minimum 6 in Reading and Writing, minimum 5 in Listening and Speaking | 6.0 overall, minimum 6.5 Reading and Writing, 5.5 Listening and Speaking | Online only |
| TOEFL iBT (online or test centre) | 72 Overall, R18, L16, S19, W18 | 80 overall, R20, L17, S20, W20 | Online only |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI (SELT) | 60 overall | 64 overall, R64, W64, no skill below 60 | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Pearson PTE Academic (test centre only) | 60 overall | 64 overall, R64, W64, no skill below 60 | Online only |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) | Level C1 | Level C1 | Online only |
| C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Grade C, or level B2 with 170 in reading and listening, no score below 168 | Grade C, or level B2 with 176 in reading and listening, no score below 168 | Online only |
| NCUK English Test | 5.5 overall, minimum 6 in Reading and Writing, minimum 5 in Listening and Speaking | 6.0 overall, minimum 6.5 Reading and Writing, 5.5 Listening and Speaking | Online only |
| LanguageCERT SELT | SELT B2 Communicator High Pass | Not accepted | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| LanguageCERT International ESOL (online or test centre) | B2 Communicator High Pass | Not accepted | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic | 60 overall, minimum 65 in Reading and Writing, minimum 54 in Listening and Speaking | 65 overall, minimum 70 in Reading and Writing, minimum 60 in Listening and Speaking | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV | PASS | PASS | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III | PASS | PASS | Online only |
Your offer letter says you need: Profile E
| Test taken | Apply for our 10-week programme | Apply for our 6-week programme | Study options you are eligible for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI Academic (SELT) | 5.5 overall, minimum 5 in each band | 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each band | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| IELTS Academic (online or test centre) | 5.5 overall, minimum 5 in each band | 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each band | Online only |
| TOEFL iBT (online or test centre) | 72 overall, R16, L15, S15, W16 | 78 overall, R18, L17, S20, W18 | Online only |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI (SELT) | 60 overall | 64 overall | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Pearson PTE Academic (test centre only) | 60 overall | 64 overall | Online only |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) | Level C1 | Level C1 | Online only |
| C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Grade C, or level B2 with 160 in each skill | Grade C, or level B2 with 162 in each skill | Online only |
| NCUK English Test | 5.5 overall, minimum 5 in each band | 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each band | Online only |
| LanguageCERT SELT | SELT B1 Achiever High Pass | Not accepted | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| LanguageCERT International ESOL (online or test centre) | B1 Achiever High Pass | Not accepted | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic | 60 overall, minimum 54 in each skill | 65 overall, minimum 60 in each skill | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV | PASS | PASS | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III | PASS | PASS | Online only |
Your offer letter says you need: Profile F
| Test taken | Apply for our 10-week programme | Apply for our 6-week programme | Study options you are eligible for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI Academic (SELT) | 5.0 overall, minimum 5.5 Listening or Speaking, minimum 5.0 in each other band | 5.5 overall, minimum 6 Listening or Speaking, minimum 5.5 in each other band | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| IELTS Academic (online or test centre) | 5.0 overall, minimum 5.5 Listening or Speaking, minimum 5.0 in each other band | 5.5 overall, minimum 6 Listening or Speaking, minimum 5.5 in each other band | Online only |
| TOEFL iBT (online or test centre) | 72 overall, R16, L18, S19, W17 | 74 overall, R18, L19, S20, W18 | Online only |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI (SELT) | 50 overall, L or S at 55 | 56 overall, R or S at 58 | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Pearson PTE Academic (test centre only) | 50 overall, L or S at 55 | 56 overall, R or S at 58 | Online only |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) | Level C1 | Level C1 | Online only |
| C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Grade C, or level B2 with 160 in listening or speaking, no score below 168 | Grade C, or level B2 with 172 in listening or speaking, no score below 168 | Online only |
| NCUK English Test | 5.0 overall, minimum 5.5 Listening or Speaking, minimum 5.0 in each other band | 5.5 overall, minimum 6 Listening or Speaking, minimum 5.5 in each other band | Online only |
| LanguageCERT SELT | SELT B1 Achiever High Pass | Not accepted | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| LanguageCERT International ESOL (online or test centre) | B1 Achiever High Pass | Not accepted | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic | 54 overall, minimum 60 in Listening or Speaking, minimum 54 in all other skills | 60 overall, minimum 65 in Listening or Speaking, minimum 60 in all other skills | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV | PASS | PASS | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III | PASS | PASS | Online only |
Your offer letter says you need: Profile G
| Test taken | Apply for our 10-week programme | Apply for our 6-week programme | Study options you are eligible for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI Academic (SELT) | 5.5 overall, minimum 6 Reading and Listening, minimum 5 in each other band | 6.0 overall, minimum 6.5 Reading and Listening, minimum 5.5 in each other band | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| IELTS Academic (online or test centre) | 5.5 overall, minimum 6 Reading and Listening, minimum 5 in each other band | 6.0 overall, minimum 6.5 Reading and Listening, minimum 5.5 in each other band | Online only |
| TOEFL iBT (online or test centre) | 75 overall, R18, L18, S18, W17 | 83 overall, R22, L20, S20, W18 | Online only |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI (SELT) | 58 overall, R and L 60, minimum 55 in others | 62 overall, R and L 64, minimum 58 in others | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Pearson PTE Academic (test centre only) | 58 overall, R and L 60, minimum 55 in others | 62 overall, R and L 64, minimum 58 in others | Online only |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) | Level C1 | Level C1 | Online only |
| C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Grade C, or level B2 with 170 in reading and listening, no score below 155 | Grade C, or level B2 with 178 in reading and listening, no score below 162 | Online only |
| NCUK English Test | 5.5 overall, minimum 6 Reading and Listening, minimum 5 in each other band | 6.0 overall, minimum 6.5 Reading and Listening, minimum 5.5 in each other band | Online only |
| LanguageCERT SELT | SELT B1 Achiever High Pass | Not accepted | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| LanguageCERT International ESOL (online or test centre) | B1 Achiever High Pass | Not accepted | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic | 60 overall, minimum 65 in Reading and Listening, minimum 54 in Speaking and Writing | 65 overall, minimum 70 in Reading and Listening, minimum 60 in Speaking and Writing | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV | PASS | PASS | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III | PASS | PASS | Online only |
Your offer letter says you need: Profile H
| Test taken | Apply for our 10-week programme | Apply for our 6-week programme | Study options you are eligible for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI Academic (SELT) | 5.5 overall, minimum 5 in each | 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each band | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| IELTS Academic (online or test centre) | 5.5 overall, minimum 5 in each | 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each band | Online only |
| TOEFL iBT (online or test centre) | 72 overall with R16, L15, S15, W16 | 78 overall with R18, L17, S20, W18 | Online only |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI (SELT) | 60 overall | 64 overall | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Pearson PTE Academic (test centre only) | 60 overall | 64 overall | Online only |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) | Level C1 | Level C1 | Online only |
| C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Grade C, or level B2 with 160 in each skill | Grade C, or level B2 with 162 in each skill | Online only |
| NCUK English Test | 5.5 overall, minimum 5 in each band | 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each band | Online only |
| LanguageCERT SELT | SELT B1 Achiever High Pass | Not accepted | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| LanguageCERT International ESOL (online or test centre) | B1 Achiever High Pass | Not accepted | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic | 60 overall, minimum 54 in each skill | 65 overall, minimum 60 in each skill | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV | PASS | PASS | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III | PASS | PASS | Online only |
Progression
In 2023, 100 per cent of on-campus students and 99 per cent of online students who completed a pre-sessional course progressed on to a degree at Bristol.
To progress to further study, you will need to fully engage with the pre-sessional course. Fully engaging with the course will also provide the best possible preparation for your studies. Engagement throughout the course is mandatory.
How to apply
Visit our application page for information on applying to a pre-sessional course.
Ask a question
Email: choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)117 394 1649
Admissions statement
The pre-sessional admissions statement 23-24 (PDF, 129kB) contains important information about application requirements and process.
Visas
Visit the Visa Services page for pre-sessional visa and CAS information.