Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance do I need to make a booking?

Ideally we would like as much notice as possible, especially if accommodation is required. However, we will accept your booking at any time depending on availability of course and accommodation.

When do I have to pay?

When you enrol, you need to pay at least a deposit of £200 (£245 if accommodation is required). The balance of your fees must be received before the course start date.

How can I pay?

Payment can be made by credit card, Sterling bank cheque, bank transfer, travellers/Euro cheque, cash (only if paying at the school).

What happens if I cancel my course?

See conditions of enrolment

How many students are in the school?

70 – 100 students per week (200 – 250 in July and August)

How old are our students?

Most students are aged between 18 and 40 years old. A typical student is probably early to mid- twenties, although there are lots of older students too. In July and August, about 8% of students are 16 -19 yrs old.

Do I need to buy a book?

All course materials are included in the cost of your course except for Cambridge examination courses when you will have to buy a book.

How much homework will I get?

Homework is set for all courses and will usually take from 30 to 45 minutes per day.

What qualification do the teachers have?

All teachers have a degree and a recognised certificate in teaching English to foreign students. Furthermore, the majority of our teachers have 2 or more years experience before we employ them. Some teachers also have further qualifications in teaching, for example, English for Business.

We run regular in-house training and development seminars for our teachers to improve their skills.

Can I extend or change my course?

It is easy to extend your course as long as you tell us in good time. If you want to upgrade your course, this is also possible. It is not usually possible to shorten your course or change to a less intensive course except in special circumstances. See conditions of enrolment for further information.

Can I extend or change my accommodation?

If there is availability, you can extend your accommodation (as long as you are also extending your course). If you want to change your accommodation, you must give us one week's notice or pay one week's accommodation fee. In exceptional circumstances (for example when there is a serious complaint about your accommodation), we can change your accommodation without penalty or advance notice.

Can I open a bank account in the UK?

It has become extremely difficult for short-term (less than 1 year) foreign students to open an account with a UK bank. Usually, the bank will require you to be taking a course for at least 1 year. You will also have to prove that you have held a bank account in your own country for at least 3 months (you will have to show them your bank statements). We have an arrangement with our school bank for our students to be able to open bank accounts if studying in the UK for 3 months (12weeks) or more. All you have to do is come into reception and we will take care of the administration and explain the requirements.