English - a global language

Studying English can boost your personal and educational development. You can improve your English at many schools, colleges, study centres and universities across the UK which offer courses that are designed for all age and skill levels. You can also specialise in specific kinds of language such as business English, or you may want to combine your language course with another subject.
 

 

The best place to learn a language is in a country where it’s spoken all around you. Wherever you study in the UK, - in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales - you’ll practise using it in real-life situations and you will learn new words without even trying. A simple trip to the shops or meeting up with new friends from the UK will mean using and practising skills. You could even live with a local family to immerse yourself fully in the culture.

When looking for an English language course, it's a good idea to choose a centre that’s accredited by the British Council. You can be sure that the service you receive will be of a good standard and quality. The British Council inspects and accredits more than 500 English language providers through the Accreditation UK scheme. It’s a guarantee of the academic excellence for which the UK is known. 
 

 

With such a huge range of courses on offer, you can choose the one that is right for you. You can also combine English language courses with academic or vocational qualifications if you prefer. This will help prepare you for university or college, or plan for a career in the international marketplace.

 

Many language training providers offer language tuition alongside A-levels, BTECs, NVQs or professional qualifications. A year-long programme at a language college may enable you to gain an AS-level, IELTS  or similar qualification in English language at the same time. Many colleges run two-year A-level programmes alongside language study to prepare students for university entry.

 

 

A British education will boost your global employability and give you an invaluable skill for life. You may be looking to improve both your professional and language skills and a UK education is a great place to start. Many students on international travel and tourism programmes are able to gain vocational qualifications from professional bodies such as the International Air Transport Association alongside their English language studies.

 

You can also combine some language qualifications, including IELTS and a Business English Certificate, with professional qualifications. This can help you move on to more advanced courses. Courses offering office and computer skills alongside English language are also very popular, and at many colleges you could gain NVQs in vocational subjects, such as beauty and hairdressing, while improving your English.

 

As you become immersed in the English language you will find that your language skills develop quickly. This means you can begin courses in practical subjects such as catering, engineering, art and design, or business with a lower level of English.

 

 

You can make sure you are fully prepared to begin your UK education by taking an intensive course at an English language summer school. These courses can help you boost your grades for conditional university offers or simply give you a chance to practise your English. These schools are also a great way to get used to working in a UK academic environment.

A more specific programme of study is the International Foundation Year (IFY) study programme. Here students can prepare for undergraduate study in a particular subject (including art, business and tourism) while getting their level of English up to the necessary standard for university entry. You may have equivalent academic qualifications from your country already, but the year spent studying familiar subjects in the UK helps you understand UK culture, teaching and study methods while you improve your English language skills.

 

 

Education UK's ‘Search’ (you'll find it at the top right-hand side of this page) is an easy way to find English language courses and teaching centres in the UK. You can narrow your search by location, vacation courses, course length and much more, so that you can find the right course quickly.