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Learning English in the country where it was born means hearing the language not only in class but also at the supermarket, on the bus and on campus. That is why the UK is a frequently chosen destination both for those who want to improve their general English and for those who want to gain academic and professional language skills for university or career goals. On this page you will find programme types, cities, the cost ranges shared in the sources, and planning tips.

Why study English in the UK?

• The chance to learn pronunciation and accent by listening to them in their natural environment
• Strong preparation options for international exams such as IELTS and Cambridge
• Schools with British Council accreditation and English UK membership
• The opportunity to develop academic and business English in the same programme
• A multicultural classroom environment with students from different countries

Course types and weekly lesson structure

Schools offer a wide range of courses: alongside general and intensive programmes open to everyone, there are IELTS and Cambridge exam preparation, academic and business-focused English, foundation programmes for progression to university, and summer schools for young learners. The source states that course lengths range from 2 weeks to 1 year.

The weekly lesson load varies by school and programme. For example, CES's standard programme consists of 20 lessons, i.e. 15 hours, and its intensive option of 30 lessons, i.e. 22.5 hours; each lesson lasts 45 minutes. EC English similarly provides 20 lessons for the standard course and 30 for the intensive course. For Kaplan International, a range of 15 – 30 hours per week is mentioned. You are placed in the appropriate class through a level test on the day you start school; the sources state that class sizes at many schools are kept to an average of around 10 – 14 students.

Leading cities and schools

The source highlights Oxford, Brighton, Birmingham, Manchester and London as recommended cities. While London offers a lively and cosmopolitan experience, Brighton and Oxford have a calmer and more academic atmosphere. The campuses of language school chains extend this list:

• Kaplan International: In addition to the capital, it has schools in cities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester, Liverpool, Bath, Bournemouth and Torquay; it also has special programmes for those over 30.
• Centre of English Studies (CES): Known for its London (Wimbledon), Oxford, Leeds and Worthing campuses.
• EC English: Teaches in London, Manchester, Bristol, Cambridge and Brighton.
• Kings Education: With locations in London, Oxford, Bournemouth and Brighton, it also highlights academic pathway programmes.
• Oxford House College and LAL Language Centres: Among the London-based options.
• Oxford International English: Offers courses at various locations, Oxford in particular.

Fee ranges stated in the sources

The amounts below are weekly averages from our partner sources; current amounts may vary from term to term and from school to school:

• General English, 1-4 weeks: £200 – £500 / week
• General English, 12 weeks or more: £130 – £350 / week
• Intensive English, 1-4 weeks: £250 – £600 / week
• Intensive English, 12 weeks or more: £170 – £450 / week

As you can see, the weekly cost falls as the length of enrolment increases. School pages also state that additional items such as the registration fee and course materials are generally priced separately; for example, the registration fee for CES is given as approximately £70 – £100.

Accommodation and other expenses

The monthly averages in the source are £600 – £1,200 for a homestay, £500 – £1,000 for a student residence, £400 – £900 for a shared flat and £1,000 – £2,500 for a hotel or serviced apartment. Homestay is preferred especially in the first weeks because it increases daily speaking practice. For other items, the source shares ranges of £600 – £1,500 for monthly living expenses, £110 – £500 for the visa, £300 – £700 for flights and £50 – £150 for books and materials.

Permission to work

According to the source, visas issued for courses of a few weeks or months do not grant the right to work; different conditions may apply to longer student visas. When making your plan, we recommend that you do not assume you will earn income by working during your language studies and that you build your budget accordingly.

Planning tips

• Clarify your goal: general fluency, an exam score or progression to university require different programmes.
• When choosing a city, look not only at the course fee but also at accommodation and transport costs.
• Bear in mind that longer enrolments reduce the weekly fee.
• Arrange accommodation at the same time as your course enrolment to reduce uncertainty after arrival.

For those who want to keep their budget limited, coastal and university cities outside London can offer a good balance. The sources state that cities such as Bournemouth and Brighton can often be more affordable than central London. If you start with a short summer programme and are happy with it, extending the duration is also possible at most schools; in that case, however, you need to check your visa conditions in advance.

If you would like to determine the right combination of school, city and duration together, you can create a plan with the Weroglobal Student team by discussing your goals and budget.