Pre-sessional programme
This 3-week full-time intensive English course is designed for students who hold an offer to study at Cardiff University Kazakhstan, and have an overall IELTS (Academic) score of 5.5 but need to meet the 6.0 IELTS requirement for the Foundation Year.
If you successfully complete your pre-sessional course, there is no need to retake an IELTS test.
Course information
| Duration | 10-28 August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Students must hold an offer for a Foundation Year programme at Cardiff University Kazakhstan in order to apply. |
| Cost | 150,000 KZT - fully refundable on successful course completion and registration for the Foundation Year programme. |
| Application deadline | 13:00 (Kazakhstan time) on Thursday 6 August 2026 |
This course is taught in-person on our campus in Astana. Students will have lessons between 09:00 - 15:00 Monday to Thursday, and 09:00 - 12:15 on Fridays. In addition to class attendance, students will be expected to complete coursework independently.
Register for the Pre-sessional Programme
Entry requirements
The 3-week Pre-sessional Programme is for students holding an offer for the Foundation Year (any pathway) with an IELTS (Academic) score of 5.5 overall and a minimum score of 5.0 in all components.
| Section | IELTS (Academic) | PTE Academic | LanguageCert Academic SELT (In Person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 5.5 | 59 | 60 |
| Listening | 5.0 | 51 | 54 |
| Reading | 5.0 | 51 | 54 |
| Writing | 5.0 | 51 | 54 |
| Speaking | 5.0 | 51 | 54 |
| Test validity period | Two calendar years | Two calendar years | Two calendar years |
Course outcomes
This course will focus on the ways we use the English language in an academic context. We will concentrate on the grammatical structures and vocabulary commonly used in presenting academic work while improving confidence in communicating with, and responding to the academic community.
Over the 3 weeks, you will:
- develop your language and skills to prepare you for your academic course at Cardiff University Kazakhstan
- benefit from a full teaching programme and course materials that will cover the skills of academic reading, writing, listening, and speaking
- have access to ‘guided practice’ materials which provide extra opportunities to develop key areas of academic language and skills, supplemented by self-study materials that you may wish to practise in your own time to check your understanding of different aspects of the course
- experience a rich classroom experience: you will be placed in a group of students for your lessons with our experienced and qualified tutors – we hope that you will enjoy working both individually and with the other students in your group as you develop your skills together
- have access to pastoral care from our approachable and caring team
- get an introduction to academic life and professional guidance on academic issues and expectations.