Our Study Year Programme at ELC Brighton is designed to provide a comprehensive language programme which will help you prepare for your future and achieve internationally recognised exam qualifications.

What’s more, when you stay with us for a longer period of time, you really start to feel like you’re part of the family. You’ll have the time to get to know the staff and other students, many of whom will become friends from life.

You’ll also have plenty of time to appreciate English culture from the inside, and we recommend staying in a homestay for a real window onto British life.

  • Maximum students: 12
  • Minimum age: 16 (15)
  • Minimum duration: 24 weeks
  • CEFR entry level:
    1. A1
    2. A2
    3. B1
    4. B2
    5. C1
    6. C1+

* Minimum age: please see more information regarding levels of care and supervision for 16 and 17 year olds in international classes. We occasionally accept 15 year olds in international classes provided they are part of a group with a group leader.

Our programme is a minimum of 24 weeks (6 months) in length, and allows you to study on a wide variety of ELC English courses, including:

  • General English
  • IELTS
  • Cambridge English exams
  • Introduction to Business English.

Your teacher will meet you regularly to plan your personal programme and give ongoing study advice and support.

Course intensity options

You can decide how intensively you’d like to study, by selecting how many lessons (hours) per week of classes you’d like to follow.

  • Choose 25-lessons (18.75 hours) per week as your main option to give you a little more time to yourself each day.
  • Choose 30-lessons (22.5 hours) per week, if you’re looking to progress more quickly, and you’d like a greater intensity of lessons.
A photo of part of the sign to be found on Brighton Pier. We can just see the word "Brighton" which, if it were night time, would be illumnated with white light bulbs. As it is you can only just make out the bulbs, as it's during the day and there is bright blue sky in the background. There is a seagull sitting on top of the letter B. That seagull may be looking at your chips. Be careful, because they won't hesitate to swoop down and steal one.

About Brighton

Brighton is a great place in England to study the English language for 6 months or more. Next to the sea, near enough to London and close to international airports, Brighton is a lively, welcoming and inclusive city that is easy to get around.

A view of five brightly painted Brighton beach huts which run along the promenade. Behind are three identical looking houses which look very grand, and which, today, will house a number of individual apartments. The sky in the background is very blue.

Course options

  • Tuition and registration: £6,455.00 for 24 weeks
    • 600 lessons over the course of 450 hours
    • Includes £95 registration fee
    • Choose your duration below
  • Course intensity

Next steps

Course features

  • Before arriving, you do an online test so your class is at the right level for you.
  • We conduct regular progress checks and set homework every day.
  • You’ll be in a multi-national group for your English classes.
  • Regular individual tutorials with your teacher for private help and study advice.
  • All course books and materials are included.
  • We’ll pay your exam fees for one exam as part of the course.
  • You can use the self-access study centre after lessons to practise and improve.
  • End of course certificate with hours of study and final level.
  • One free airport transfer on arrival (from Gatwick or Heathrow) is included.
  • One free exam is included (IELTS, FCE, CAE, CPE) in your fees.

Who is this English Study Year programme for?

The Study Year Programme in Brighton is ideal for you if you are highly motivated, and you need to:

  • develop your confidence and fluency in the English language, possibly by several levels
  • communicate effectively in English
  • prepare for further academic studies
  • use English in your career
  • gain an internationally recognised qualifications
  • develop English for social, academic and work environments.
A row of students stand shoulder to shoulder in the reception area of the English Language Centre in Brighton. Some of them are holding up their end of course certificates.

Some common questions and answers

What is the maximum length of visa that I can get to study English?

To study English language, you can study for a maximum of 11 months. You need to apply for a Short-Term Study Visa

What’s the closest airport to ELC in Brighton?

London Gatwick airport is the nearest airport to Brighton, then London Heathrow airport. From Gatwick there are direct trains to Brighton (about 35 minutes) and direct coaches (about 55 minutes). From Heathrow there are direct coaches (about 2 hours 15 minutes). Alternatively we can arrange taxi transfers. These take about 35 minutes from Gatwick to your accommodation and 75-90 minutes from Heathrow.

How far are homestays from the school in Brighton?

Brighton homestays are typically about 15-20 minutes by bus to school, maximum 30 minutes journey.

How long will it take me to move up a level?

All students learn in different ways and at different paces, so we are not able to give you a specific answer. Sometimes students expect that they will improve much faster than it is possible. On average it takes around 12 weeks for you to move up to the next level.

Do you accept complete beginners at ELC Brighton?

We do not normally take complete beginners. In order to get the most from your stay, we would normally recommend that you know some basic English like the alphabet and simple phrases (My name is X, Where are you from?, How much is?)

Are there any restrictions or conditions when you live with a homestay?

As an adult there are no curfews and most students have independent lives but clearly you should also be respectful of the host family. There is a curfew of 11 pm every night for students aged 16 and 17.

Find your English level

Our language learning levels relate closely to how the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) define them, but with a difference which we have found to help our students at Elementary level.

ELC level Equivalent CEFR levels
A0
A1
Upper A1 Lower A2
A2
B1
B2
C1
C2

We offer an English level test which anyone can take. It involves 50 questions and, depending on your level, will probably take you from 10 to 20 minutes. At the end of it, we will tell you your probable level.

But when you book, we will ask you to take a more detailed and accurate test, to make sure that you start in the class which is best for you.

Test your English level now

What do you think about this academic year programme? Need help choosing?

A study year programme with ELC can take you to new places, for sure, but it’s a big commitment to come to the UK for a longer period, and we want to make sure the programme is just what you need.

Here are some of the reasons why you might want to have a conversation with us:

  • You’re not sure if you’re ready for the English Study Year Programme at Brighton, and you’d like to be sure of your English level before you book
  • You want to check the course dates that are available before you book your flights
  • You want to find out about accommodation and things to do in Brighton
  • You want to know more about what subjects you can study on the ELC Brighton English Study Year Programme, and you’d like to speak with one of our academic advisors.

Whatever your concerns, or questions, or dreams for the future, please start a conversation with us, and we’ll be happy to give you personal support.

Ask us a question