Prices and fees on this page were verified in March 2026. Course prices come from our live listings; visa fees may change — check GOV.UK for the latest.
Most students pay £270 to £430 a week for a group English course. Some pay less (part-time evening classes from about £30 a week), and full-time one-to-one tuition costs much more, often over £1,000 a week. This guide shows exactly what you’ll pay based on course type and location.
How much you pay depends on the type of course, where you study, how many hours of tuition you get per week, and whether accommodation is bundled in. Schools across the UK quote prices differently, which makes comparison harder than it should be.
This guide uses real pricing data from courses listed on UK Study English. No estimates, no averages pulled from thin air.
Quick answer: how much for a typical course?
General English course (20 hours/week, group class):
London: £285–£365/week
Other UK cities: £210–£340/week
IELTS Preparation (20 hours/week, London):
£295–£410/week
Why the ranges? Class size, accreditation, and specific school extras.
Weekly prices by course type
Real per-week pricing across UK-accredited schools. Note: these are tuition costs only (accommodation is separate, see Accommodation section below).
Adult courses (most students)
| Course Type | Hours/Week | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| General English | 15–20 hrs | £210–£365 | All levels, conversation focus |
| General English (Intensive) | 22–30 hrs | £325–£490 | Fast progress, intensive |
| IELTS Preparation | 20 hrs | £250–£380 | University + visa applicants |
| Business English | 20 hrs | £365–£510 | Working professionals |
| Cambridge Exam Prep | 20 hrs | £340–£430 | FCE, CAE, CPE certification |
| Academic English | 20 hrs | £350–£400 | Pre-university pathway |
| Private Tuition | 1:1 sessions | £50–£120/hr | Custom learning |
Young Learner programs (under 18s, residential)
| Course Type | Duration | Price/Week | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Young Learner Summer | 2–4 weeks | £535–£1,040 | Accommodation, meals, activities, airport transfer |
Note: Young Learner programs are full residential packages. For comparison, adult tuition-only courses are £270–£430/week, with accommodation booked separately (homestays from £210/week).
What affects the price?
The same “type” of course can vary a lot in cost. Here’s why:
Location
London pricing:
Group courses (15–20 hrs): £285–£365/week
Intensive (22+ hrs): £400–£490/week
Private tuition: £60–£140/hour
Outside London (Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Brighton):
Group courses (15–20 hrs): £210–£340/week
Intensive (22+ hrs): £325–£420/week
Private tuition: £40–£100/hour
Why the difference? London schools have higher overheads. But competition keeps prices reasonable. Regional cities like Bristol and Edinburgh have the same accreditation standards as London schools. You’ll pay 15–30% less.
Hours per week
A 15-hour General English course costs less than a 30-hour intensive version at the same school. Most standard courses run 15 to 20 hours per week. Intensive options go up to 25 or 30.
Class size
Group classes with 12 to 15 students are the cheapest. Mini-groups (6 to 8 students) cost more but give you more speaking time. One-to-one tuition costs the most per hour but is the most focused.
Time of year
Summer (June–August) costs more due to demand. If you can study in autumn or spring, expect to save 10–20%.
Course duration
Longer bookings almost always work out cheaper per week. A 24-week course might cost £150 per week, while booking the same course for 4 weeks could be £200 per week. Some schools also sell block packages at a fixed total price.
Other costs beyond tuition
The weekly course fee is only part of the total. The main additional expenses:
Accommodation
Homestay (includes your choice of meal plan): £210–£350/week
You get to choose your meal plan, bills are included, and you get daily English practice. It’s the cheapest option and the best for improving English outside the classroom. The price varies depending on the city you are studying in and the area within that city.
Student residences: £350–£700/week
No meals or utilities included. Budget an extra £150–£200/month for food. Choose this if you want independence.
Visa fees
A Standard Visitor Visa for courses up to 6 months costs £135 (many nationalities can study without a visa, but need an ETA, which costs £20). The Short-term Study Visa for English language courses costs £228 plus a £776 healthcare surcharge. A Student Visa is £558. Many nationalities can study for up to 6 months without a visa, using an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA, £20).
Immigration Health Surcharge
Student Visa holders pay £776 per year. Short-term Study Visa holders pay the healthcare surcharge too (usually £776). If you study as a Standard Visitor, you can’t use the NHS for free, so arrange travel insurance.
Living costs
Outside London, budget £900–£1,400 per month for accommodation, food, transport and everyday costs. In London, expect £1,300–£1,800.
Course materials
Some schools include textbooks in the fee. Others charge £30 to £50 on top. Check before you book.
Getting better value
Price alone is a poor way to pick a course. Whether the school is accredited and whether the course matches what you actually need matters more. But when you’re choosing between similar options:
Compare like for like. Check you’re looking at the same number of weekly hours, similar class sizes, and the same inclusions. The Course Finder lets you filter by price, course type, and city to make this easier.
Look outside London. The teaching quality at accredited schools in Brighton, Cambridge, or Edinburgh is the same as London. The cost of living is lower.
Book longer if you can. The per-week price drops on longer bookings. If you’re planning several months of study, ask about long-term rates.
Stick with accredited schools. Every school on UK Study English is accredited by the British Council or an equivalent body. This means it meets national standards for teaching and student welfare.
Compare courses
The Course Finder lists hundreds of accredited English courses across the UK. Filter by price, city, course type, and start date to find something that fits your budget.
