'There are lots of ways you can study English in the UK - what you choose will depend on what you want to achieve. Whether you want to learn English to boost your career or purely for pleasure, there's a course for you in the UK'
The UK is a great place to learn English - after all, it's the birthplace of the English language!
You'll find a huge range of courses - all accredited by the British Council's Accreditation UK scheme - through the Search tool on this site (you'll see the Search box on the right hand side of this page). Of course you don't want to read through the details of thousands of courses, so use the filters to focus your search on the type of course that you need to find.
You'll find a huge range of courses - all accredited by the British Council's Accreditation UK scheme - through the Search tool on this site (you'll see the Search box on the right hand side of this page). Of course you don't want to read through the details of thousands of courses, so use the filters to focus your search on the type of course that you need to find.
There are also many other reputable English language centres that operate outside the Accreditation UK scheme and are inspected by other bodies. You can find out more by contacting organisations such as BAC, ISI or QAA - or ask the school you are interested in about their inspection and accreditation procedures.
Practical teaching
Whatever the type and level of course you choose, you’ll find the teaching style is mainly practical. You’ll be encouraged to communicate in English through group discussions, role-playing exercises and games. You’ll be able to use technology and language laboratories for independent study outside classes. You can even mix language lessons with academic or vocational courses to boost your learning even further.
How long the course lasts can vary – anything from a few days or weeks to a full year, depending on the content and the level you want to achieve. Your progress may be assessed through coursework appraisal, or by tests and exams.
Many universities and colleges offer foundation courses (sometimes called pathway courses) that provide additional language and study skills support so you can raise your English to the level needed for study at your chosen institution.
Types of course
Here are some brief notes on the main types of English language course you can study in the UK. You’ll find many of these terms in the Education UK course search filters.
General and intensive English
Courses at various levels, from complete beginner upwards. Available for both adults and children. Activities may include discussions, problem-solving, simulations, and practising specific language topics. For an intensive course, you can study general English on a one-to-one basis with your own teacher. Another option is the home tuition course where you live as a paying guest in your teacher’s home
IELTS/TOEFL
Courses that lead to English language tests that are internationally accepted as an indicator of your level of fluency.
Cambridge
English language courses covering all aspects of language learning from young learners and beginners to teaching qualifications, business, academic and professional English.
Foundation/access courses
Pre-university entrance English courses: Designed to prepare you for study at a specific UK institution, these cover English for academic purposes (EAP, see below) plus particular study skills for your chosen course. You may need to take one if your English is below or only just at the level required for your course.
Business/executive English
Courses that develop skills needed in business settings, including business negotiation and using complex technical language.
English for teachers
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Training courses for people who want to teach English. Courses range from those for people with no experience or for existing teachers who wish to extend their knowledge and skills. Courses combining practice and theory are available at certificate and diploma level. TEFL/TESOL can be studied up to postgraduate research level.
English for academic purposes (EAP)
Designed to develop the language and skills needed for academic study. Focuses on developing skills such as essay-writing, note-taking, seminar participation, academic reading, library work, using a computer and subject-specific vocabulary.
English for specific purposes
Courses are tailored to suit the needs of particular professions, including art, banking, computing, electronics, engineering, fashion, international trade, management, marketing and public relations, medicine, office work, airlines, science and technology, teaching, and tourism. Emphasises developing skills needed in specific professional settings, from basic telephoning, report-writing and presentation skills to business negotiation and using complex technical language
English Plus another subject
English Plus courses include extra study or activities away from the language centre, such as work experience or a sport, and may lead to formal vocational qualifications, for example NVQs in floristry or sports coaching. Teaching method depends on the course. For example, English with work experience could be some weeks of study followed by some weeks working in a local business. English with sport might mean English lessons in the mornings and golf, football or horsemanship in the afternoons.
Exam preparation courses
These courses prepare you for a particular exam, such as IELTS, which can then be used for employment and education purposes around the world. Aims to provide students with the techniques needed for improved performance in the exam. Students may have the opportunity to practise the test and to look at reading, writing, listening and speaking exam papers.
English for young learners
English courses for students typically aged five to 17. Learning through fun, activity-based lessons rather than formal grammar or vocabulary lessons.
Vacation courses
Courses for adults or children that run from June to August (UK summer vacation) or March/April (UK Easter vacation) and often include holiday activities. Activities may include discussions, games, problem-solving, visits, project work, simulations and practising specific language topics.
Practical teaching
Whatever the type and level of course you choose, you’ll find the teaching style is mainly practical. You’ll be encouraged to communicate in English through group discussions, role-playing exercises and games. You’ll be able to use technology and language laboratories for independent study outside classes. You can even mix language lessons with academic or vocational courses to boost your learning even further.
How long the course lasts can vary – anything from a few days or weeks to a full year, depending on the content and the level you want to achieve. Your progress may be assessed through coursework appraisal, or by tests and exams.
Many universities and colleges offer foundation courses (sometimes called pathway courses) that provide additional language and study skills support so you can raise your English to the level needed for study at your chosen institution.
Types of course
Here are some brief notes on the main types of English language course you can study in the UK. You’ll find many of these terms in the Education UK course search filters.
General and intensive English
Courses at various levels, from complete beginner upwards. Available for both adults and children. Activities may include discussions, problem-solving, simulations, and practising specific language topics. For an intensive course, you can study general English on a one-to-one basis with your own teacher. Another option is the home tuition course where you live as a paying guest in your teacher’s home
IELTS/TOEFL
Courses that lead to English language tests that are internationally accepted as an indicator of your level of fluency.
Cambridge
English language courses covering all aspects of language learning from young learners and beginners to teaching qualifications, business, academic and professional English.
Foundation/access courses
Pre-university entrance English courses: Designed to prepare you for study at a specific UK institution, these cover English for academic purposes (EAP, see below) plus particular study skills for your chosen course. You may need to take one if your English is below or only just at the level required for your course.
Business/executive English
Courses that develop skills needed in business settings, including business negotiation and using complex technical language.
English for teachers
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Training courses for people who want to teach English. Courses range from those for people with no experience or for existing teachers who wish to extend their knowledge and skills. Courses combining practice and theory are available at certificate and diploma level. TEFL/TESOL can be studied up to postgraduate research level.
English for academic purposes (EAP)
Designed to develop the language and skills needed for academic study. Focuses on developing skills such as essay-writing, note-taking, seminar participation, academic reading, library work, using a computer and subject-specific vocabulary.
English for specific purposes
Courses are tailored to suit the needs of particular professions, including art, banking, computing, electronics, engineering, fashion, international trade, management, marketing and public relations, medicine, office work, airlines, science and technology, teaching, and tourism. Emphasises developing skills needed in specific professional settings, from basic telephoning, report-writing and presentation skills to business negotiation and using complex technical language
English Plus another subject
English Plus courses include extra study or activities away from the language centre, such as work experience or a sport, and may lead to formal vocational qualifications, for example NVQs in floristry or sports coaching. Teaching method depends on the course. For example, English with work experience could be some weeks of study followed by some weeks working in a local business. English with sport might mean English lessons in the mornings and golf, football or horsemanship in the afternoons.
Exam preparation courses
These courses prepare you for a particular exam, such as IELTS, which can then be used for employment and education purposes around the world. Aims to provide students with the techniques needed for improved performance in the exam. Students may have the opportunity to practise the test and to look at reading, writing, listening and speaking exam papers.
English for young learners
English courses for students typically aged five to 17. Learning through fun, activity-based lessons rather than formal grammar or vocabulary lessons.
Vacation courses
Courses for adults or children that run from June to August (UK summer vacation) or March/April (UK Easter vacation) and often include holiday activities. Activities may include discussions, games, problem-solving, visits, project work, simulations and practising specific language topics.
