Overview
Our close-knit community includes students from more than 40 countries. With a constant flow of visiting artists and teachers from all over the world, diversity and cultural exchange is hard-wired into the experience of all students here.
English language pre-sessional courses
If you're an international student with an offer to study at RWCMD – but need to meet our English language requirements – you can take part in our 10-week pre-sessional course.
Course dates
This in-person course will begin on Monday 23 June 2025 with in-person enrolment. Classes run every weekday for 10 weeks with the course officially ending on Tuesday 2 September 2025 with results and feedback sessions. Please note that if you will need a Visa to study in the UK, you will need to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT), as approved by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), before applying for the pre-sessional course. For example, the UKVI version of the IELTS Academic test.
Syllabus
This course combines Academic Preparation, General English and Study Skills. You will also be required to complete assignments, self-directed study and instrumental practice outside of class hours.
The course aims to raise a your English level by the equivalent of one IELTS band (1.0) before the start of the academic year in September.
You will have the opportunity to complete practice tests and will also be required to sit a formal examination at the end of the course.
- Academic Preparation focuses on improving your English for academic purposes, developing the necessary skills, techniques and strategies required to achieve the required level.
- General English focuses on the use of English in everyday situations, enabling you to improve your grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and communication in order to strengthen your knowledge of English and to build confidence in using English.
- Study Skills focuses on appropriate referencing, note-taking, understanding lectures, summarising, critical analysis, reflection, presentations, seminars and tutorials. These skills will be essential when studying your main course.
Cost
Course tuition fees for the 10-week programme: £4,350
Qualifications for entry
Please note, we accept PTE Academic UKVI PTE Academic UKVI. This must be taken at a PTE test centre.
We also accept Language Cert Academic (SELT) exam and Language Cert International ESOL B2 Communicator SELT Exam.
Course
Foundation in Scenic Construction
BMus (Hons) Music
BMus (Hons) Jazz
BA (Hons) Design for Performance
Graduate Diploma in Vocal Performance
MA Design for Performance
Postgraduate Diploma – Music
| Minimum level required | Listening |
|---|---|
| IETLS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 4.5 |
| Minimum level required | Reading |
|---|---|
| IETLS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 4.5 |
| Minimum level required | Writing |
|---|---|
| IETLS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 4.5 |
| Minimum level required | Speaking |
|---|---|
| IETLS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 4.5 |
| Minimum level required | Overall score needed |
|---|---|
| IETLS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 4.5 |
Course
BA (Hons) Stage Management & Technical Theatre
MA Stage & Event Management
MA Jazz
MA Advanced Opera Performance
MA Repetiteur Studies
MMus Music (two years full time)
Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Professional Practice
| Minimum level required | Listening |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 4.5 |
| Minimum level required | Reading |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 4.5 |
| Minimum level required | Writing |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 4.5 |
| Minimum level required | Speaking |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 4.5 |
| Minimum level required | Overall score needed |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 5.0 |
Course
MMus Music (13 months intensive)
| Minimum level required | Listening |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 4.5 |
| Minimum level required | Reading |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 5.0 |
| Minimum level required | Writing |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 5.0 |
| Minimum level required | Speaking |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 4.5 |
| Minimum level required | Overall score needed |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 5.5 |
Course
MA Arts Management
| Minimum level required | Listening |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 4.5 |
| Minimum level required | Reading |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 5.5 |
| Minimum level required | Writing |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 5.5 |
| Minimum level required | Speaking |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 4.5 |
| Minimum level required | Overall score needed |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 6.0 |
Course
BA Musical Theatre
MA Musical Theatre
| Minimum level required | Listening |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 5.5 |
| Minimum level required | Reading |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 4.5 |
| Minimum level required | Writing |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 4.5 |
| Minimum level required | Speaking |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 5.5 |
| Minimum level required | Overall score needed |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 6.0 |
Course
MA Opera Directing
| Minimum level required | Listening |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 5.5 |
| Minimum level required | Reading |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 5.5 |
| Minimum level required | Writing |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 5.5 |
| Minimum level required | Speaking |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 5.5 |
| Minimum level required | Overall score needed |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic for UKVI (SELT) | 6.0 |
Already have a qualification?
If you already have an IELTS or other certificate that is under two years old, then you can use this for entry onto the pre-sessional English course, providing you achieve the minimum grades above.
Can be used as part of your student visa application
You will be tested at the end of this course. If you pass, you will not need any additional English language test and can then apply for your student visa with this qualification.
How to apply
Please note that if you will need a visa to study in the UK, you will need to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) – as approved by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) – before applying for the pre-sessional course. For example, the UKVI version of the IELTS Academic test. Find out more about SELTs on the GOV.UK website.
To apply for our English language pre-sessional course:
- Log back into your Acceptd account.
- In the 'Start an Application' box on the left-hand side, select the following:
- Application Type: Other
- Department: Post-Offer
- Course: International Students
- Select a Program: Pre-sessional English Course
- Complete and submit the application form on Acceptd.
Deadline for applications and payment: Tuesday 15 May 2024
