Which Presessional Course is Right for You?
The length of Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course you will need depends on the entry requirements of your degree course and your current English language skills.
Please follow these instructions to determine which course you should take:
- Look at the boxes below for standard courses or specialist courses and choose the information that is relevant to your degree requirements.
- Identify your current IELTS (or equivalent) score, this will give you the length of PEAP course you need to take.
Please note that if you study on campus in Nottingham, you must have a SELT recognised qualification to be eligible to apply for a visa to enter the UK. If you are studying your PEAP course online, we will accept non-SELT recognised qualifications.
- Follow the links or use the menu to go to the relevant course page for detailed information regarding what you will learn and how you will be assessed
- Then visit the course details page for important information regarding course dates, application deadlines and fees. You will need the details of the length of your CELE course when you apply.
Standard PEAP Programmes – open to students in all schools and departments
Our presessional courses are split into 10-week blocks (apart from the shorter courses in the summer) and each block is referred to as a PEAP. If you need to study with us for 40 weeks, you will therefore study PEAP 1, 2 3 and 4. If your current level of English and the required level for your degree programme allow you to take a shorter presessional course, you will study a reduced number of PEAP blocks.
Your degree course requires IELTS 6.0 (with no score lower than 5.5)
Your degree course requires IELTS 6.5 (with no score lower than 6.0)
Your degree course requires IELTS 6.5 (6.5 in writing and reading, 6.0 in speaking and listening)
IELTS scores
Your current IELTS score | Course length needed | Level of PEAP course you need |
Overall |
No score lower than |
4.0 |
4.0 and below |
Not eligible to study |
4.5 |
4.5 reading and writing, 4.0 listening and speaking |
40 weeks |
PEAP 1, PEAP 2, PEAP 3 and PEAP 4 |
5.0 |
5.0 reading and writing, 4.5 listening and speaking |
30 weeks |
PEAP 2, PEAP 3 and PEAP 4 |
5.5 |
5.5 reading and writing, 5.0 listening and speaking |
20 weeks |
PEAP 3 and PEAP 4 |
6.0 |
6.0 reading and writing, 5.5 listening and speaking |
10 weeks |
PEAP 4 |
Your degree course requires IELTS 7.0 (with no score lower than 6.0 or 6.5)
IELTS scores
Your current IELTS score | Course length needed | Level of PEAP course you need |
Overall |
No score lower than |
4.5 and below |
4.0 and below |
Not eligible to study |
5.5 |
5.0 |
40 weeks |
PEAP 1, PEAP 2, PEAP 3 and PEAP 4 |
5.5 |
5.5 |
30 weeks |
PEAP 2, PEAP 3 and PEAP 4 |
6.0 |
5.0 (with 5.5 in writing) |
20 weeks |
PEAP 3 and PEAP 4 |
6.0 |
5.5 |
20 weeks |
PEAP 3 and PEAP 4 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
20 weeks |
PEAP 3 and PEAP 4 |
6.5 |
6.0 |
10 weeks |
PEAP 4 |
6.5 |
6.0 (with 6.5 in reading and writing) |
6 weeks |
PEAP 4 or specialist course |
6.5 |
6.5 |
6 weeks |
PEAP 4 or specialist course |
Specialist courses
You have an offer to study an undergraduate or postgraduate business degree
We offer a six-week course for students holding an offer for an undergraduate or postgraduate business programme, which has been designed in collaboration with the Nottingham University Business School.
Please refer to the tables above to check requirements based on target scores (6.5 or 7.0) required for your business degree.
Please note that in the event that the number of students recruited to this course is low, we may not be able to run it. We will inform you and provide more information at the earliest opportunity.
You have an offer to study an undergraduate or postgraduate education degree
We offer a six-week course for students holding an offer for an undergraduate or postgraduate education programme, which has been designed in collaboration with the School of Education.
Please refer to the tables above to check requirements based on target scores (6.5 or 7.0) required for your education degree.
When applying for the six-week education course, please select the Certificate - CELE 6 Wk Preparatory English course. If your application is successful, you will be placed on the education course. Please note that in the event that the number of students recruited to this course is low, we may not be able to run it. We will inform you and provide more information at the earliest opportunity.
You have an offer to study an undergraduate or postgraduate engineering degree
We offer a six-week course for students holding an offer for an undergraduate or postgraduate education programme, which has been designed in collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering.
Please refer to the tables above to check requirements based on target scores (6.0 or 6.5) required for your engineering degree.
When applying for the six-week education course, please select the Certificate - CELE 6 Wk Preparatory English course. If your application is successful, you will be placed on this course. Please note that in the event that the number of students recruited to the engineering course is low, we may not be able to run it. We will inform you and provide more information at the earliest opportunity.
You have an offer to study an undergraduate or postgraduate architecture and built environment degree
We offer a six-week course for students holding an offer for an undergraduate or postgraduate education programme, which has been designed in collaboration with the Department of Architecture and Built Environment.
Please refer to the tables above to check requirements based on target scores (6.5 or 7.0) required for your education degree.
When applying for the six-week education course, please select the Certificate - CELE 6 Wk Preparatory English course. If your application is successful, you will be placed on the architecture and built environment course. Please note that in the event that the number of students recruited to this course is low, we may not be able to run it. We will inform you and provide more information at the earliest opportunity.
Apply for a course