Entry requirements
Learn about our entry requirements for Pre-sessional courses.
Entry requirements (10-week and 6-week courses)
If you need to improve your English language skills to meet the entry requirements for an academic course at The University of Manchester, our summer pre-sessional courses can help.
Who can join: Check below if your academic course offers the option of taking a pre-sessional course.
Minimum age: 18 years.
Course length: This will depend on your current English language scores and the direct English language requirements for your chosen academic course. You will usually be required to meet the requirements listed below. If you meet these requirements, but do not see an offer condition on your student portal, please contact the Admissions Team for your chosen degree course. You can find their details on the University study pages.
You can find the details of our entry profiles, along with level of English required to apply for a pre-sessional course in the table below:
| Profile | Direct entry requirements | PS10 entry requirements | PS6 entry requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | IELTS 7.0 overall with no element below 7.0 | IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 6.0 in each element | IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 6.5 in each element |
| B | IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing, and 6.5 in each other element | IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 6.0 in each element | IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and no more than one element of 6.0 |
| C | IELTS 7.0 overall with no element below 6.5. If you have an offer to study an MSc course at AMBS, Physics or, SEED GDI MSc course (excluding SEED’s MSc Real Estate course), there are higher requirements, please refer to Profile H |
IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 6.0 in 3 elements and 5.5 in no more than 1 element | IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each element |
| D | IELTS 6.5 overall with no element below 6.5 | IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each element | IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 6.0 in each element |
| E | IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing, and 6.0 in each other element | IELTS 5.5 overall with minimum 5.5 in each element | IELTS 6.0 overall with 6.0 in writing and 2 other elements and no more than one element of 5.5 |
| F | IELTS 6.5 overall with no element below 6.0 | IELTS 5.5 overall with minimum 5.5 in each element | IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each element |
| G | IELTS 6.0 overall with no element below 6.0 | IELTS 5.5 overall with minimum 5.5 in each element | IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each element |
| H | Physics, AMBS, and SEED GDI MSc courses - IELTS 7.0 overall with no element below 6.5 | IELTS 6.5 with no element below 6.0 | IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and speaking, and 6.0 in listening and reading OR IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in writing or speaking, and 6.0 in the other elements |
Entry requirements 4-week course
Our 4-week pre-sessional course aims to enhance your academic skills, boost confidence in an academic environment, and prepare you for studying at the University.
Who can join: University of Manchester offer-holders who have already met the direct English Language requirement for their academic course.
Minimum age: 18 years.
Course length: 4 weeks.
If you have already met your English language requirements, but would like to study for longer than 4 weeks, please contact presessional@manchester.ac.uk for advice.
Entry requirements by academic School
You can find the pre-sessional entry requirements for each academic school below. Entry is usually based on IELTS test scores, but we also accept other tests like Pearson PTE Academic, LanguageCert International ESOL SELT, and TOEFL iBT. Note: The 4-week pre-sessional course cannot be used to meet the English language condition of your offer. UK immigration and the University's rules decide which tests are accepted. This depends on your CAS type.
For more information, or, to check your visa eligibility, please contact the Admissions Team for your chosen degree course, you can find their details on the University study pages.
Faculty of Humanities
Undergraduate courses
English language requirement for direct entry; IELTS 6.5 overall with no sub-skill below 6.0.
- 10-week pre-sessional: Not accepted.
- 6-week pre-sessional: Not accepted.
Applicants will need to meet the English language offer conditions by submitting a recognised English language test.
Postgraduate taught courses (MSc)
English language requirement for direct entry; IELTS 7.0 overall with no sub-skill below 6.5.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile H for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile H for entry requirements.
Postgraduate research courses (PGR)
English language requirement for direct entry; IELTS 7.0 overall with no sub-skill below 6.5.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile H for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile H for entry requirements.
MBA courses
English language requirement for direct entry; IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and speaking and 6.0 in reading and listening.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. IELTS 5.5 overall with 5.5 in each sub-skill OR 6.0 overall with 5.5 in writing and speaking and no more than one other sub-skill of 5.0.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. IELTS 6.0 overall with 6.0 in writing and speaking and 5.5 in each other sub-skill.
Undergraduate courses
English language requirement for direct entry; IELTS 7.0 overall with no sub-skill below 6.5.
- 10-week pre-sessional: Not accepted.
- 6-week pre-sessional: Not accepted.
Applicants will need to meet the English language offer conditions by submitting a recognised English language test.
Postgraduate taught courses (PGT)
English language requirement for direct entry; IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in other sub-skills.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile B for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile B for entry requirements.
Applicants to the following courses will need to meet their English language offer conditions by submitting a recognised English language test. Pre-sessional results are not accepted:
- MA English Literature and American Studies
- MA Modern and Contemporary Literature
- MA Gender, Sexuality and Culture
- MA Creative Writing
- MA Screenwriting
Postgraduate research courses (PGR)
English language requirement for direct entry; IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile B for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile B for entry requirements.
Undergraduate courses
English language requirement for direct entry; IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in each other sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Not accepted.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Not accepted.
Applicants will need to meet the English language offer conditions by submitting a recognised English language test.
Postgraduate taught courses (PGT)
Note; Please check the direct English language entry requirement for your course on the University study page.
If the English language requirement for direct entry is: IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in each other sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile E for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile E for entry requirements.
If the English language requirement for direct entry is: IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile H for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile H for entry requirements.
For applicants to the following courses:
- MSc Real Estate Asset Management
- MSc Real Estate Development
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Not accepted.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile C for entry requirements.
Applicants to the following courses must meet their English language offer condition by submitting an official test score. pre-sessional results are not accepted:
- MSc Global Development: Development Management
- MSc Global Development: Environment Climate Change and Development
- MSc Global Development: Globalisation, Trade and Industry
- MSc Global Development
- MSc Global Development: Politics, Governance and Development Policy
- MSc Global Development: Poverty Conflict and Reconstruction
- MSc Global Development: Poverty, Inequality and Development
- Med Psychology of Education
Postgraduate research courses (PGR)
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.0 in each other sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. IELTS 6.0 overall with 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in each other sub-skill.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in each other sub-skill.
Undergraduate courses
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 6.5 overall with no sub-skill below 6.0.
- 10-week pre-sessional: Not accepted.
- 6-week pre-sessional: Not accepted.
Applicants will need to meet their English language offer conditions by submitting a recognised English language test.
Postgraduate taught courses (PGT)
English language requirement for direct entry (excluding MSc Data Science programmes): IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in each other sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile B for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile B for entry requirements.
MSc Data Science programmes: English language requirements: IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile C for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile C for entry requirements.
Postgraduate research courses (PGR)
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in each other sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile B for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile B for entry requirements.
Faculty of Science and Engineering
Department of Chemical Engineering
Undergraduate courses
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile F for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile F for entry requirements.
Postgraduate taught courses (PGT)
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in each other sub-skill.
10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile E for entry requirements.
6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile E for entry requirements.
Postgraduate research courses (PGR)
Note: Please contact the relevant Admissions Team for advice on whether you are eligible for a pre-sessional course. You can find their details on the University study page.
Department of Computer Science
Undergraduate courses
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile C for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile C for entry requirements.
Postgraduate taught courses (PGT)
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile C for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile C for entry requirements.
Postgraduate research courses (PGR)
Note: Please contact the relevant Admissions Team for advice on whether you are eligible for a pre-sessional course. You can find their details on the University study page.
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Undergraduate courses
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in each other sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile B for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile B for entry requirements.
Postgraduate taught courses (PGT)
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile F for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile F for entry requirements.
Postgraduate research courses (PGR)
Note: Please contact the relevant Admissions Team for advice on whether you are eligible for a pre-sessional course. You can find their details on the University study page.
Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering
Undergraduate courses
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each sub-skill OR 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each sub-skill for integrated foundation courses.
- 10-week pre-sessional: Not accepted.
- 6-week pre-sessional: Not accepted.
Applicants will need to meet their English language offer conditions by submitting a recognised English language test.
Postgraduate taught courses (PGT)
For applicants to the following courses:
- MSc Commercial Project Management
- MSc Construction Project Management
- MSc Engineering Project Management
- MSc Management of Projects
- MSc Advanced Manufacturing Technology and Systems Management
- MSc Mechanical Engineering Design
- MSc Structural Engineering
- MSc Aerospace Engineering
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile C for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile C for entry requirements.
For applicants to the following courses:
- MSc Thermal Power and Fluid Engineering
- MSc Reliability Engineering and Asset Management
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile F for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile F for entry requirements.
Postgraduate research courses (PGR)
Note: Please contact the relevant Admissions Team for advice on whether you are eligible for a pre-sessional course. You can find their details on the University study page.
Department of Chemistry
Undergraduate courses
Note: Please contact the relevant Admissions Team for advice on whether you are eligible for a pre-sessional course. You can find their details on the University study page.
Postgraduate taught courses (PGT)
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- 10 Week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile F for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile F for entry requirements.
Postgraduate research courses (PGR)
Note: Please contact the relevant Admissions Team for advice on whether you are eligible for a pre-sessional course. You can find their details on the University study page.
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Undergraduate courses
Note: Please contact the relevant Admissions Team for advice on whether you are eligible for a pre-sessional course. You can find their details on the University study page.
Postgraduate taught courses (PGT)
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- 10 Week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile F for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile F for entry requirements.
Postgraduate research courses (PGR)
Note: Please contact the relevant Admissions Team for advice on whether you are eligible for a pre-sessional course. You can find their details on the University study page.
Department of Materials
Undergraduate courses
Note: Please contact the relevant Admissions Team for advice on whether you are eligible for a pre-sessional course. You can find their details on the University study page.
Postgraduate taught courses (PGT)
English language requirement for direct entry (not including Distance Learning): IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- 10 Week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile F for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile F for entry requirements.
Postgraduate research courses (PGR)
Note: Please contact the relevant Admissions Team for advice on whether you are eligible for a pre-sessional course. You can find their details on the University study page.
Department of Mathematics
Undergraduate courses
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in each other sub-skill OR 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each sub-skill for integrated foundation courses.
- 10-week pre-sessional: Not accepted.
- 6-week pre-sessional: Not accepted.
Applicants will need to meet their English language offer conditions by submitting a recognised English language test.
Postgraduate taught courses (PGT)
For applicants to the following courses:
- MSc Applied Mathematics
- MSc Pure Mathematics
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Not accepted.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile F for entry requirements.
For applicants to the following courses:
- MSc Mathematical Finance
- MSc Statistics
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in each other sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Not accepted.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile E for entry requirements.
Postgraduate research courses (PGR)
Note: Please contact the relevant Admissions Team for advice on whether you are eligible for a pre-sessional course. You can find their details on the University study page.
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Undergraduate courses
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional: Not accepted.
- 6-week pre-sessional: Not accepted.
Applicants will need to meet their English language offer conditions by submitting a recognised English language test.
Postgraduate taught courses (PGT)
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile H for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile H for entry requirements.
Postgraduate research courses (PGR)
Note: Please contact the relevant Admissions Team for advice on whether you are eligible for a pre-sessional course. You can find their details on the University study page.
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Undergraduate courses
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile D for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile D for entry requirements.
Postgraduate taught courses (PGT)
Please check the direct English language entry requirement for your course on the University study page.
If the English language requirement for direct entry is: IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile D for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile D for entry requirements.
If the English language requirement for direct entry is: IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile A for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile A for entry requirements.
Postgraduate research courses (PGR)
Note: Please contact the relevant Admissions Team for advice on whether you are eligible for a pre-sessional course. You can find their details on the University study page.
Undergraduate courses
For applicants to the following course:
- BSc Healthcare Science (Audiology)
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile A for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile A for entry requirements.
For applicants to the following courses:
- BNurs (all pathways)
- Midwifery
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in 3 sub-skills and 6.5 in writing.
- 10-week pre-sessional: Not accepted.
- 6-week pre-sessional: Not accepted.
Applicants will need to meet the English language offer conditions by submitting a recognised English language test.
For applicants to the following courses:
- BSc Psychology
- MPharm Pharmacy
- MSci Optometry
- BSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile C for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile C for entry requirements.
For applicants to the following courses:
- Public Health (on-campus only)
English language requirement for direct entry: IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile F for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile F for entry requirements.
For applicants to the following course:
- BSc Speech and Language Therapy
English language requirement for direct entry; IELTS 8.0 overall with no sub-skill below 7.5.
- 10-week pre-sessional: Not accepted.
- 6-week pre-sessional: Not accepted.
Applicants will need to meet the English language offer conditions by submitting a recognised English language test.
For applicants to the following course:
- Pharmacy Foundation Year
English language requirement for direct entry; IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional: Not accepted.
- 6-week pre-sessional: Not accepted.
Applicants will need to meet the English language offer conditions by submitting a recognised English language test.
Please contact the relevant Admissions Team for advice on whether you are eligible for a pre-sessional course. You can find their details on the University study page.
Postgraduate taught courses (PGT)
Note: Please contact the relevant Admissions Team for advice on whether you are eligible for a pre-sessional course. You can find their details on the University study page.
Postgraduate research courses (PGR)
Note: Please contact the relevant Admissions Team for advice on whether you are eligible for a pre-sessional course. You can find their details on the University study page.
Undergraduate courses
For applicants to the following courses:
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Dentistry Foundation
English language requirements for direct entry: IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile C for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile C for entry requirements.
For applicants to the following courses:
- Medicine Foundation
- Dental Hygiene and Therapy
English language requirements for direct entry: IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in each sub-skill.
- 10-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile D for entry requirements.
- 6-week pre-sessional entry requirements: Accepted. See profile D for entry requirements.
Postgraduate taught courses (PGT)
Note: Please contact the relevant Admissions Team for advice on whether you are eligible for a pre-sessional course. You can find their details on the University study page.
Postgraduate research courses (PGR)
Note: Please contact the relevant Admissions Team for advice on whether you are eligible for a pre-sessional course. You can find their details on the University study page.