Would you like to study English in the UK? Great! This guide should answer all the questions that you have and show you which language schools could be a good choice for you. You can also sign up to our newsletter to keep updated about great schools on the UK.
Why should you study English in the UK ?
England is the home of English! Although many more people speak English in the USA, Canada, Australia and even China, the UK is the home of English and language schools in the UK teach English to more international students each year than any other country.
Many students choose to study English in the UK because it is a safe country, with a multicultural population that are very welcoming to people from other countries. There are so many different nationalities living in London that you will almost certainly hear your own language spoken, and will probably be able to find food from your home country.
The UK is also very easy to get to and from. Heathrow airport is one of the busiest and best connected airports in the world, so if you decide to study English in the UK you will probably be able to get direct flights from and to your home country.
If you study English in the UK you can go on to study at one of the many great universities, or universities in other English speaking countries. Many international companies have offices in the UK so if you study English in the UK you have a better chance of getting a great job.
Furthermore, learning English where it is originally spoken is better than learning English at home. While studying you can explore the country, make new friends from all over the world, and learn about the culture as well as the language.
Which visa do you need to study English in the UK?
Although the UK government welcomes students from all over the world, it is possible that you might need a visa to study there. You can check the website of the UK Border Agency to get the most up to date information.
In general, there are two types of visa which could be right for you:
1) Short-term study visa: This visa is for students (16 years old or over) who want to do a short course (max. six months) or an English language course of up to 11 months.
2) Tier 4 (child / general) student visa: This visa allows you to study for longer in the United Kingdom, with courses from 12 months – 48 months.
Here you can get more information about the Visa requirements to study in the UK.
What does it cost to study English in the UK?
If you think about your budget for studying English in the United Kingdom you have to factor in the different types of costs. The main types of costs are:
- Getting to United Kingdom
- Language school fees
- Accommodation
- Food
- Getting around the city (I.e. public transport)
- General spending
First of all, the most expensive cities to study English in the United Kingdom are London, Manchester, Oxford and Edinburgh. But there are always possibilities to learn in your favourite English city!
Getting to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom is an island, so the easiest way to get there is by plane. Here are some example costs:
from Paris to …
… London: 75 €
… Manchester: 110 €
… Edinburgh: 150 €
… Brimingham: 140 €
from Berlin to …
… London: 50 €
… Manchester: 80 €
… Edinburgh: 90 €
… Brimingham: 160 €
from New York to …
… London: 400 €
… Manchester: 800 €
… Edinburgh: 500 €
… Brimingham: 850 €
from Los Angeles to …
… London: 800 €
… Manchester: 1000 €
… Edinburgh: 600 €
… Brimingham: 1100 €
from Hongkong to …
… London: 700 €
… Manchester: 800 €
… Edinburgh: 750 €
… Brimingham: 1000 €
from Sydney to …
… London: 800 €
… Manchester: 900 €
… Edinburgh: 1200 €
… Brimingham: 950 €
But also the Channel Tunnel is a possibility to get there by train, or you can take Ferry boats from France, Spain, The Netherlands or Ireland.
How much does it cost to study English in the UK
In general, language school fees start at 110 € / 125 USD / 100 GBP per week. The final price depends on the number of hours per week, the language school and the course.
You can check prices on CourseFinders.com by pressing the “Get Price” button on a school’s profile, or if it is not given, complete form and contact the school. They will respond with the right price for you.
Accommodation when you study English in the UK
You can find a lot of different accommodation options if you study English in the UK. It doesn’t matter what you choose, the important thing is to search and book in advance. You can always book accommodation for the first 2 weeks of your course and then search for something more permanent once you have arrived. You may make new friends at your school that you will be able to share accommodation with.
If you want to study English in the UK whilst spending as little money as possible on accommodation then it is best to study in a smaller city in the North of England, or in Wales or Northern Ireland.
Most of the language schools on CourseFinders.com offer accommodation. You can also check Facebook groups, Google or online advertisements in newspapers. There are also special websites where you can search. One of these websites is Gumtree, where you can look for shared flats.
For all accommodation options, the price always depends on the size, the district and the length of your stay.
If you aren’t sure, you can also ask your language school for help.
Food for students that study English in the UK
Going out to eat in a restaurant might not be an option every day, but there are different possibilities. If you are staying in a homestay then you will probably have breakfast and an evening meal included. You may also get a “packed lunch” to take to school with you.
When you study English in the UK you make lots of friends, and you may want to go out for lunch together after classes.
For about £11 you can get a basic lunchtime menu which also includes a drink. A meal in a fast food restaurant costs about £6. And a ham and cheese sandwich which you can pick up in a bakery costs about £3.
Getting around the city (i.e. public transport)
In London, to use either the bus or the “tube” (underground railway), a day ticket starts from £4.50 and a single ticket costs about £1.50. The city is divided into zones, and the ticket costs more depending on how far you travel.
In Manchester, a 1 day “Any Bus & Tram” ticket costs £7.30.
General spending
General spending includes all costs in your free time. So, it depends what you would like to do.
Here is a list with a few examples:
- 2 tickets to the movies: £15
- a cocktail drink in a club: £ 10
- a pint of beer in a neighbourhood pub: £4
What should you do while you study in the United Kingdom?
Visit different cities
United Kingdom has many different cities with many sights which you can explore!
In London, you could visit the London Eye, the Tower Bridge, the Buckingham Palace, but also the National Gallery or the Big Ben.
In Manchester, you could visit the Castlefield, the Museum of Science and Industry or the Cathedral.
Near Salisbury, you can visit Stonehenge, Europe’s best-known prehistoric monument.
But also universities like Cambridge could be interesting for you as a language learner!
Try the traditional things
United Kingdom has a lot of traditions which include sport and food. So, while studying there you should try as many as you can!
You can try rugby or cricket and get fitter while studying abroad.
If you want to learn more about cultures and traditions, try these traditional foods:
- Fish and Chips
- Bangers and Mash
- English Breakfast
- Roast Dinner
- Toad in the hole
- Bread and butter pudding
- Scones and clotted cream
- Spotted dick and custard
- Sticky toffee pudding
What are the best language schools in the United Kingdom?
On CourseFinders.com you can check out more than 1000 different language schools in the United Kingdom. Here are four of them:
International House – Bristol
International House (IH) Bristol is based in a vibrant, affluent area of Bristol famed for its fine buildings, green open spaces and wide choice of sight seeing activities and nightlife to help you get the best experience of living in England. They offer a personalised service to help you learn English quickly and effectively. Working in small groups, their unique and successful methods will help you speak fluently and sound more natural in English.
Here you can get more information: International House Bristol
Wise Owl – Kinlet
Wise Owl English is an international English language summer school in the United Kingdom for children aged 7 to 14. With 25 hours of English tuition per week, the course programme has a strong academic focus, but also provides a rich package of excursions and activities. Other features that set the school apart include its spectacular countryside location and a truly all-inclusive approach to pricing.
Here you can get more information: Wise Owl
Berlitz – Manchester
Berlitz Manchester is a leading language and business school in the north of England; offering a wide range of language, business management and value-added programmes such as internships. They offer the following language courses: a wide range of programmes including IELTS (testing centre), Academic English, Business English, Internship, Demi pair.
Here you can get more information: Berlitz Manchester
Torquay International School – Torquay
Founded in 1972, TIS is a solid, established, independent school with a keen focus on quality and personal service. Students work hard to achieve their aims in a welcoming, international atmosphere. TIS host family accommodation is among the best in the UK. Students have a true experience of British life and culture.
Here you can get more information: Torquay International
St Giles International – London
Every year over 10,000 students from over 120 different countries choose St Giles for their language and learning needs. Established in 1955 we have 60 years experience in providing excellence in training for people of all ages, with all needs, from all over the world. It offers academic preparation course, one-to-one training for business, young learner programmes and more.
Here you can get more information: St. Giles International
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