Questions students ask

UK Study English is a free website for finding and comparing English courses at accredited language schools across the UK. We’re not a school or an agency. We pass your enquiry to the school, and you deal with them directly at their own prices.

We currently list 41+ schools in 19 UK cities. Start with the Course Finder.

No, it’s free for students. Schools pay a subscription to be listed and that cost is never passed on to you.

Agencies often add 15 to 25% commission to course prices. We don’t, so you pay the school’s own published price with no booking fee.

Use the Course Finder to filter by course type, city and budget. You can compare schools side by side and enquire from any listing.

Not sure of your level? Take our free English level test first. It takes about 20 minutes and suggests courses that match your result.

You get a confirmation email straight away and we pass your enquiry to the school. The school replies to you directly, usually within a few working days, with options, dates and prices.

You then book and pay the school directly. UK Study English isn’t part of the payment and never charges you anything.

Yes. Save the courses you like with the heart, then send one enquiry and each school gets it. If you haven’t picked a school yet, tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll send it to the schools that fit. Each school replies to you by email.

We list schools in 19 UK cities, including London, Cambridge, Oxford, Manchester, Brighton, Edinburgh and York, and more join as new schools sign up.

London has the widest choice of schools, but each city differs in cost and lifestyle. Use the Course Finder to filter by city.

Yes. Every school on UK Study English is accredited by the British Council under the Accreditation UK scheme or by an equivalent recognised body. That means it meets national standards for teaching, student welfare and facilities.

See the full list on our schools directory. You can also check any school on the British Council’s A to Z list.

Schools offer General English, Intensive English, IELTS preparation, Cambridge exam preparation, Business English, Academic English, one-to-one tuition, Young Learner programmes, Adult 30 Plus, English Plus and other specialist courses.

You can also study in a teacher’s home with our Home English Tuition service, a one-to-one option available throughout the UK.

Yes. Most schools offer courses for complete beginners. You take a placement test on your first day and join a class at your level, so you won’t be left behind.

If you want to check your level before you arrive, take our free level test.

The minimum age for adult English courses is 16. Several schools run courses for younger learners, and some accept children from age 5.

Filter for Young Learner courses in the Course Finder, or contact us for advice on courses for under-16s.

Take our free English level test. It has 40 questions, takes about 20 minutes and gives you a CEFR level you can use to search for courses. Schools also test you on your first day, so you’ll be placed in the right class either way.

They follow the same kind of syllabus. The difference is hours. General English is usually 15 to 20 hours a week, while Intensive English is 25 to 30 hours. Intensive suits you if you have limited time in the UK and want to progress faster.

Academic English covers essay writing, referencing and seminar skills. If your offer needs an IELTS score, add an IELTS preparation course. If you’re slightly below your university’s IELTS requirement, a pre-sessional course may let you start your degree without resitting the test.

Read our pre-sessional guide.

Yes. Some of our schools teach live online lessons by video, in small groups or one-to-one, using the same teachers and materials as their courses in the UK. It’s a good way to start before you travel or keep going after you leave.

See online English courses.

Young learner courses are usually for ages 8 to 17. Lessons in the morning are followed by activities, sport and trips in the afternoon, with supervision through the day. Most run in the summer holidays, and many include accommodation, meals and airport transfers in one weekly price.

Most students pay £150 to £300 a week for a group General English course, based on courses listed on our site. London is usually dearer than other UK cities, and intensive or one-to-one courses cost more.

Our course cost guide breaks it down by course type and city.

Usually not for adult courses. The weekly price is normally tuition only, and you book accommodation separately. Young learner and some summer packages are different, as they often include accommodation, meals and activities. Check what’s included before you compare prices.

Usually, yes. Longer bookings almost always work out cheaper per week than short ones. Some schools also sell block packages, such as a set number of weeks for a fixed total price.

Yes, summer is peak season. Prices are typically 10 to 20% higher than the same course at other times of year, and accommodation costs rise too. If you can study in autumn or spring, you’ll usually pay less. For summer, book by March or April for the best choice.

At most schools, yes. Some charge a materials fee of around £30 to £50 on top of tuition. Ask the school when it replies to your enquiry.

It depends on your nationality and how long your course lasts. Many nationalities can study for up to 6 months as a Standard Visitor without a visa, though most now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Courses longer than 6 months, up to 11 months, need a Short-term Study Visa.

We can’t give immigration advice. Check your case on GOV.UK.

If you’re from an eligible country, yes. Citizens of most EU/EEA countries, the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea, among others, can study as a Standard Visitor for up to 6 months. Most of them need an ETA before they travel. The list changes, so check GOV.UK for your nationality.

English courses of more than 6 months and up to 11 months use the Short-term Study Visa. You have to apply from outside the UK, and you can’t extend it or switch to another visa while you’re here.

Our visa guide covers costs and documents.

Usually not. An English course only qualifies if it’s at B2 level or above and the school holds a Student visa sponsor licence, and most standalone language schools don’t. A university pre-sessional course can sometimes be covered by the same Student visa as your degree.

Not as a Standard Visitor or on a Short-term Study Visa. Both rule out paid and unpaid work, including volunteering and internships. A few students on a Student visa or the Youth Mobility Scheme can work, depending on their nationality and visa.

See Can you work while studying English?

Yes. Every school on UK Study English can provide the confirmation letter you need, showing your course, dates and fees paid. You’ll get it once you’ve enrolled and paid. Schools deal with visa paperwork all the time, so ask yours if you’re unsure what you need.

Start at least 6 to 8 weeks before your course. A visa application can take 3 to 4 weeks, and popular accommodation fills up fast, especially in summer. If you need a visa, apply as soon as you have your school’s acceptance letter.

Our pre-arrival checklist takes you through it.

Yes. Many schools can arrange a homestay alongside your course. Our sister companies can also help: London Homestays places students with host families in London, and UK Student Residences offers rooms in student residences.

With our sister company London Homestays, homestays in London start from £210 a week. Contact them for current rates and availability.

If your main goal is to improve your English quickly, a homestay gives you more daily practice because you share meals and conversation with your host family. A student residence gives you more independence and makes it easy to meet other international students.

Yes. Homestays take bookings from one week, so they work well for short courses. Student residences usually ask for a minimum stay of a month or longer.

Choose your course first, then book accommodation in the same city so you can check the journey to school. Book both early, especially for summer. You may also be asked for proof of where you’re staying when you arrive in the UK.