Online English courses for university admission and academic writing

English is the language of instruction in the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Universities in many other countries also offer a growing number of English-taught degrees, especially master's programmes. English-taught degrees in Germany, the Netherlands or Scandinavia rely on IELTS and TOEFL, often with similar scores to UK universities.

Each university sets its own language requirement, usually as a level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), the European scale from A1 to C2, or as a test score. Undergraduate and master's programmes in English typically ask for B2 or C1. Text-heavy subjects such as law or medicine often set higher requirements.

Some countries add a legal minimum. For a UK student visa, the government requires CEFR level B2 for courses at degree level and higher, and B1 for courses under degree level. Universities may assess English themselves for degree-level courses, but they too must ensure at least B2.

Universities accept several English tests. The table shows common alignments between the main tests and levels B2 and C1 of the CEFR, the European six-level scale. The university's own requirement is binding.

The TOEFL iBT is the internet-based English test from ETS. Until January 2028, its score reports also show a comparable score on the old 0 to 120 scale, so a former 80 corresponds to about 4 and a former 100 to 5. IELTS Academic is the academic version of the IELTS test. Cambridge exams test one level each and never expire.

Many universities also accept PTE Academic, the Duolingo English Test or telc's dual-level university exam at B2 and C1. IELTS Academic and the TOEFL iBT can be taken from home, but not every university accepts the home version.

Academic writing in English follows conventions that differ from many other languages. A general course rarely teaches them, so an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course, meaning English for study, makes them explicit.

• The main claim, called the thesis statement, appears at the end of the introduction.
• Each paragraph opens with a topic sentence that states its one main point.
• Signposting phrases such as 'This section argues' or 'In contrast' guide the reader.
• Hedging softens claims that the evidence does not fully support, with words such as may, suggest or appear.
• Every idea from another author carries a citation in the style your department prescribes, for example APA, Harvard, MLA or Chicago.

Universities in English-speaking countries treat copying without citation as plagiarism and can fail an assignment for it. Paraphrasing, meaning restating a source in your own words and structure, is therefore a core skill in EAP courses.

Several course types bridge the gap between a test score and study in English.

A pre-sessional course is an English course a UK university runs before term. Many universities admit applicants whose score is slightly too low on condition that they pass it, and some run it online. In-sessional classes and writing centres, where tutors give feedback on drafts, are often free for enrolled students.

Exchange students in the Erasmus+ programme get access to Online Language Support (OLS), the EU's online language platform. Higher education students take its language assessment before a stay of 14 days or more, unless English is their native language, and can follow online courses before and during the exchange.

A test measures listening for a few minutes. A degree asks you to follow lectures of 60 to 90 minutes, often with fast speech, technical terms and accents from many countries. An academic course therefore trains note-taking with long recordings and lectures from different English-speaking regions.

Seminars ask for active speaking. You summarise a reading, defend a position, respond to objections and disagree politely. Phrases such as 'I see your point, but' or 'Could you clarify what you mean by' help you take part without sounding rude.

Contact with staff follows its own conventions. Emails to lecturers open with a title and name, state the request in the first lines and close politely. Office hours are fixed times when lecturers meet students to discuss their work.

Plan backwards from your application deadline. Cambridge English estimates about 200 guided learning hours per CEFR level, meaning lessons plus supervised practice, and the CEFR is the European six-level scale from A1 to C2.

1. 12 to 18 months before: take a placement test. If you are at B1, start a course towards B2.
2. 9 to 12 months before: read academic texts, listen to lectures and write short essays.
3. 4 to 6 months before: prepare for your test with timed practice tests.
4. 2 to 4 months before: sit the test, which leaves time for a second attempt.
5. After admission: take an EAP or writing course before term starts.

ETS reports TOEFL scores for two years, and IELTS recommends a two-year limit. Cambridge certificates never expire, but some universities still want a result from the last two years.