Welcome to England

ELC Brighton, ELC Eastbourne and ELC Chester offer a wide choice of high-quality English language courses in a warm, friendly and professional environment. Each school has its own unique character but all of the staff at each of the three schools are passionate about providing comprehensive, practical courses and very personal service.

The group of three schools is ranked the No 1 group of English language schools in the UK by EL Gazette in its review of language school groups and chains.

About our English study year programmes in England, UK

Studying with ELC for 6 months or more will enable you to make significant progress in your English and get a good understanding of UK life and culture.

It can be an exciting and life-changing experience - you will make international friends, explore a new country and learn more about yourself. You will also be able to gain an international qualification in English as well as the English language skills that will help you in the future.

The main feature of our study year programme (sometimes called an academic year programme), is that you can pick and mix the course elements you like during your stay with us. That means you could start with several weeks - or a few months - of general English in the school of your choice, and then switch into an exam class in preparation for a Cambridge exam, for example. The only condition to benefit from these programmes is that you study for at least 24 weeks.

Course features

  • Before arriving, you do an online test so your class is at the right level for you.
  • We'll organise and pay for your airport transfer when you first arrive in the UK
  • 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.
  • You can use the self-access study centre after lessons to practise and improve.
  • All course books and materials are included.
  • We’ll pay your exam fees for one exam as part of the course.
  • End of course certificate with hours of study and final level.

Where to study Study year programme in England

Here you can see which courses are available at each of our locations.

If you know where you would like to study, you can choose your course and location here. If not, see our explore the courses below or learn about our locations.

Courses Brighton Chester Eastbourne
Study year programme

Our selection of study year programmes in the UK

We offer the same option in each of our three schools, so it comes down to where you’d like to spend your time. Each location is different. If you’re not sure, you can always ask us for help.

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 levelEquivalent 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

Is an English study year programme right for me?

If you are looking for a flexible, economic option, where you can study on a variety of full-time and intensive courses, our English Study Year Programme is possibly the perfect choice for you.

The Study Year Programme is designed to provide a comprehensive language programme which will help you prepare for your future and achieve internationally recognised exam qualifications. You can study a wide variety of courses, including General English, IELTS, Cambridge English exams and Introduction to Business English.

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

Elisa and Yoshika laughing with Social Activities Organiser Fergus during a break in their English lessons. The photo is taken at the reception desk of ELC, the English Language Centre in Brighton.
A group of ELC English language students enjoy a joke during a break from their English lessons in Brighton.
One of the most famous sights in England - Stone Henge. In the photos we see some of the ancient standing stones just as the sun is shining out from round the side of one of them. The grass is green but dowsed in yellow light from the rising sun.
A shot of the Elizabeth Tower which houses the Big Ben bell, part of the Houses of Parliament in London, by the Thames. The yellow-sandy tone of the tower is accentuated by golden yellow leaves in the top of the photo, hanging down from a lime tree on the opposite bank to the tower.
A group of students sit huddled together in ELC English language school in Chester. They're smiling for the camera. In the background you can see other people interacting and they look equally happy to be there.
English language students chatting together in the garden of ELC Eastbourne. The sun is shining and is catching the side of the face of one student and the sun is illuminating his yellow football top.

Cool places that are small enough to be friendly, big enough to be fun

We offer year-round English language courses in three English locations. All our schools are classic, historical buildings with up-to-date, modern language learning facilities, and a warm and friendly welcome.

Map of ELC’s locations in England at Brighton, Chester and Eastbourne, with indications of their distance from major cities, airports and national parks. Brighton and Eastbourne are on the south east coast next door to the South Downs National Park and not far from London Gatwick and London Heathrow airports. Chester just to the east of north Wales is close to Liverpool and Manchester airports and roughly half way between Snowdon National Park and the Peak District National Park. An overlaid scale of 50km helps to show that Brighton and Eastbourne are about 120km from central London, and that Chester is about 35km from central Liverpool and 65km from central Manchester.
A photo of the seafront at Brighton which shows an array of white buildings and the sand-coloured pebble beach. There is a large white ferris wheel in the foreground, and a scattering of people sitting looking out to sea.

Brighton

Brighton and Hove is a lively, cosmopolitan seaside city of about 300,000 people with a vivid cultural life. It is about 85 km – 1 hour – south of central London and surrounded by the beautiful Sussex countryside. Learn more about Brighton

A photograph of the famous Eastgate clock in Chester which stands high above the road on a section of the Roman walls. The clock has a round white face with black roman numerals and hands, and lots of ornate black metalwork filled in with orange and gold panels. The letters VR are above it, visible against the turquoise dome roof, and the date 1897. This was erected in memory of Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee.

Chester

Chester is an English city with 2,000 years of heritage, excellent shopping and a lively nightlife. It is 30km from Liverpool and 60km from Manchester – major cities of around half a million people each. Learn more about Chester

A seafront photo of Eastbourne taken from the west side. The pier can be seen jutting out into the sea towards the top of the photo, as the beach extends round to the left and the emerald sea takes up most of the rest of the shot. The sun is shining and the white hotels on the seafront are very noticeable.

Eastbourne

Eastbourne is a traditional seaside town that’s regularly the UK’s sunniest place. It is about 120 km from central London. The beautiful South Downs national park rises up directly from the western end of its seafront. Learn more about Eastbourne