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Pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP)

PEAP is designed to develop the language and study skills needed to study an academic degree.

If you need help achieving our English language requirements, it's a great preparation course for studying at NTU as an international student.

Apply online
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Key facts

  • You can do a 15, 10 or 6 week course.
  • You need to reach a specific grade at the end of PEAP to progress onto your degree.
  • All 2025 courses include 6 weeks study on the NTU City Campus.

Pre-sessional English at NTU Webinar

A great opportunity to catch up with our recent webinar.  Find out more about the course and meet the team whether you're an applicant or already have an offer to study here!

Watch Pre-sessional English webinar

Course dates and fees for 2025

View courses available for 2025 and the fees and entry requirements for each PEAP course.

Please also read the important visa information below.

The  first 9 weeks of this course are studied online. The final 6 weeks of the course takes place on the City Campus in Nottingham.

25% fee discount 

We are delighted to offer a 25% discount through our PEAP Progression Award to applicants of the 15-week (9-weeks online 6-weeks on campus) PEAP course. You can register for the award when you apply for the course.

Travel to the UK

There is a 2-week break in the course between 30 June - 11 July.  It is essential that you travel to Nottingham during this time ready to start on the first day of the 6-week course on campus in Nottingham.

Visa information

You will need a Secure English Language Test, such as IELTS for UKVI, to study PEAP. Please check the important visa information on this page.

Fees

The course fee includes all learning materials. It does not include any accommodation fees.

Please note:

  • The final 6 weeks on NTU City Campus is mandatory, you are not permitted to complete the course online.
  • If required, you must be available to take resits on campus in Nottingham week beginning Monday 25th August, 2025.

The first 4 weeks of this course are studied online. The final 6 weeks of the course takes place on the City Campus in Nottingham.

Travel to the UK

There is a 2-week break in the course between 30 June - 11 July.  It is essential that you travel to Nottingham during this time ready to start on the first day of the 6-week course on campus in Nottingham.

Visa information

You will need apply with a Secure English Language Test, such as IELTS for UKVI, to study PEAP. Please check the important visa information on this page.

Fees

The course fee includes all learning materials. It does not include any accommodation fees.

Please note:

  • The final 6 weeks on NTU City Campus is mandatory, you are not permitted to complete the course online.
  • If required, you must be available to take resits on campus in Nottingham week beginning Monday 25th August, 2025.

This course will take place on the City Campus in the centre of Nottingham.

Visa information

You will need apply with a Secure English Language Test, such as IELTS for UKVI, to study PEAP. Please check the important visa information on this page.

Fees

The course fee includes all learning materials. It does not include any accommodation fees.

Please note:

  • The 6 weeks on NTU City Campus is mandatory, you are not permitted to study this course online.
  • If required, you must be available to take resits on campus in Nottingham week beginning Monday 25th August, 2025.

  • Please note that you will require a Secure English Language Test (SELT) for admission to the PEAP course. The SELTs that we currently accept are:
    • IELTS for UKVI
    • PTE Academic UKVI
    • LanguageCert SELT
  • If you plan to begin your course in September 2025 after successfully completing PEAP, you are strongly advised to use a Student visa for the PEAP course. You will then be eligible to apply for the visa for your Masters or undergraduate degree from the UK. Our international student support team can assist you with this process and have produced helpful guidance on visa and immigration matters on our Student Hub.
  • Students studying the 15-week and 10-week courses will begin their studies online, but will receive a CAS for the on-campus study period (lasting 6 weeks, commencing 14 July 2025) soon after they have confirmed their place on the course. You should apply for your Student visa for the on-campus element of the PEAP course as soon as possible after your CAS has been issued.
  • There is a 2-week break in the 15 and 10-week courses between 30 June - 11 July 2025.  It is essential that you travel to Nottingham during this time ready to start on the first day of the 6-week course on campus in Nottingham.
  • Please note we strongly advise against studying PEAP on an Electronic Visa (ETA) or as a visitor. This is because:
    • The ETA / visitor permission does not allow you to apply for your student visa for your main course from within the UK, so you will need to leave the UK to apply for your Student visa. The course end date of the PEAP course and the start date of the follow-up course does not allow sufficient time to leave the UK, apply for your visa and re-enter the UK in time to start your course. If you arrive after your course start date, you may not be allowed to enrol.

You'll have the opportunity to participate in a free trip in the final week to a famous and beautiful UK city, such as Lincoln, Cambridge, or York.

 

Benefits of PEAP and what to expect

Studying PEAP will give you a fantastic opportunity to familiarise yourself with NTU life and access all our facilities before you start your degree.

You'll be trained in academic language and study skills so that you are very well prepared for the challenges of your follow-on academic course.

You'll develop your academic English skills in a short time. Experienced tutors will support you so that you're well-prepared for the assessments in your follow-on degree.

Learning takes place through collaborative tasks in small groups.

You'll grow in confidence, settle into student life here and understand better the 'NTU way of doing things’.

Beginning your course online will give you the flexibility to study from home while still engaging with other students and your teachers.  We will maximise opportunities for you to practise your English and interact with your classmates and teachers before you meet them on the NTU city campus for the final 6 weeks.

We will provide you with the software you need to participate in the online sessions and show you how to use it.

What to expect from the online element of your 15-week/10-week course: 
  • You will have 20.5 hours of synchronous online sessions per week, including time for individual tutorials.
  • You will have classes from 09:00 to 11:30 UK time (includes a 15-minute break) from Monday to Friday, and 12:30 to 14:30 UK time from Monday to Thursday.
  • You will complete study tasks to prepare for each session.  During class, there will be tasks that you complete in pairs and groups.
  • You will need a stable internet connection, a computer, a microphone and a webcam to take part in the online sessions.  The sessions will be delivered via MS Teams.
  • The maximum class size is 14.
  • The minimum age of students is 18.
  • You will be assessed on campus in the final weeks of the course through your coursework, tests and an individual presentation.

Studying on the NTU city campus for 6 weeks will ensure you acclimatise to life in Nottingham and immerse yourself in the language and culture of the UK so you are ready to focus on your degree course.

  • You will have 20.5 hours of sessions per week in our Newton Building, including time for individual tutorials.
  • You'll complete study tasks, individually or in groups, to prepare for each classroom session.
  • You will have classes from 09:00 to 11:30 UK time (includes a 15-minute break) from Monday to Friday, and 12:30 to 14:30 UK time from Monday to Thursday.
  • In class you will work in pairs and groups as well as individually to complete tasks, you will receive feedback from your teacher and your peers.
  • You'll need a laptop to access the PEAP course materials and the NTU online systems during classes and outside of classes.
  • You'll experience a lecture in one of the NTU lecture theatres.
  • You will be assessed through your coursework, tests and an individual presentation.
  • The maximum class size is 16.
  • The minimum age of students is 18.
  • You'll have access to social activities in the Global Lounge and you can make use of our excellent libraries.
  • You'll find your way around the NTU city campus and become familiar with the NTU online systems.
  • You'll have the opportunity to participate in a free trip in the final week to a popular tourist destination, such as Cambridge, York or Oxford.
  • You'll have a wonderful opportunity to explore everything Nottingham and Nottinghamshire has to offer.

What our students say

By the end of my PEAP course, I could write an academic paper, make an academic speech, search and use academic sources and use the library. Also, the course prepares you for daily life here, helps you to make friends and settle into the city. At first, I felt worried and nervous – by at the end I felt confident, comfortable, and happy. It was a good investment.

Nesrin Baş, Turkey

Entry requirements, applying and accommodation

Please read the information on entry requirements for PEAP courses carefully before you apply. Use the NTU Applicant Portal to apply for a PEAP course selecting the appropriate number of weeks for your entry level of English.

To book accommodation for your PEAP course, please read the guidance on our accommodation webpage to make reservation through our accommodation booking system.  If you have any questions, please contact our friendly accommodation team who will be happy to advise.

Entry requirements for Pre-sessional English (PEAP)

Entry requirements for Pre-sessional English (PEAP) courses.

What you'll learn on PEAP

What you'll learn on Pre-sessional English (PEAP) course.

Apply online Keep in contact Accommodation for PEAP

How to pay your PEAP course fees

You must pay your PEAP course fees in full.

Please either:

  • Visit the Convera website and enter the full amount into option 4 'Pre-sessional English fees'.

Or:

  • Visit the NTU Online Store and select 'Arts and Humanities' then 'Pre-sessisonal English'.

If necessary, you can cancel your PEAP course at any time up to the start date of the course.

You can do this by:

If you start the PEAP course and need to leave, you can get a refund. This will be a proportion of the course cost depending on how long you've studied. For example, if you leave after studying 60% of your PEAP course, you can get a refund of 40% of your PEAP course fee.

Still have questions?

If you would like any further information about PEAP, just contact nilicpeap@ntu.ac.uk and we'll be happy to help. And if you need any advice on studying at NTU as an international student, please email international@ntu.ac.uk.

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