Join our community
The warm and welcoming atmosphere you’ll find on campus is one of the things that truly sets us apart.
The General English course broadened my mind. It was a precious experience in my life.
Yaqin
Overview
Learning English is not just about the classes, it's about the whole experience including the place and the setting. It's in providing an experience, alongside the taught aspects, that our General English course excels.
You will be taught at our campus next to the centre of historic Canterbury, and located within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the academic year you’ll be able to attend university activities, join student societies and use the sports facilities and university gym. Canterbury and the surrounding area have so much to see – and you'll be only an hour from London, or a little longer from mainland Europe.
Our General English course is available all year round and is accredited by the British Council. The General English course is perfect if you simply want to improve your all-round abilities in using English in both an academic and wider setting.
All about the course
You will be taught in groups depending on your current English language level. The classes mix work on your grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, with activities to practise using your language across all your skills. You will be speaking English with your fellow students from Day 1. Sometimes we move outside of the normal classroom; sometimes you will collaborate with other classes to complete a special project: there is lots of variety. Your will also have individual tutorials with a personal tutor to discuss your learning, and our director is available every day for you to talk to if you have any questions or concerns.
Entry requirements
Minimum English language level, or equivalent Council of European Framework (CEFR) Level A2 IELTS 3.5
Minimum age: 18
How you’ll learn
On this course you have 21 hours a week of teaching, 15 hours a week taught in the morning and 6 hours a week taught in the afternoon.
Morning classes
The classes will develop both your accuracy and your fluency. They combine work on your grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary, as well as practising your skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. All these are integrated around studying a wide range of contemporary topics.
Afternoon classes
The six hours in the afternoon on General English provide an intense skills-focused study programme to ensure you can use the language effectively. There are four classes a week plus one self-study session. The classes focus on an individual language skills using a range of material and activities.
This option can also be undertaken as a 12-week summer school.
We can also organise bespoke online classes for groups of students (minimum 10 students).
If you are a smaller group or an individual then please do get in touch as we may still be able to organise something for you.
Please email us at language.school@canterbury.ac.uk if you would like more information.
Canterbury Christ Church University has a range of accommodation for you while you study on our English language courses. Our accommodation is priced to suit a range of budgets according to its size, location and facilities. The price includes internet and all utility bills
What are your choices?
Homestay
Living with people in their own homes is very popular for international students who want to improve their English and learn about British life. It is ideal for students on short courses. Homestay houses are regularly visited by our Accommodation staff to ensure they meet our standards. Prices vary according to the meal plan you choose:
- Breakfast only
- Half-board (breakfast and dinner)
- Half-board with use of kitchen
- Half-board with weekend lunch
University Accommodation
During the Academic year from September to July, you may be able to stay in University residences. Again there are a number of price options to suit your budget. Unfortunately, during this period, University accommodation cannot be guaranteed but we will always do our best to help you. If you are joining us for a summer course, University Accommodation is usually available from the 2nd week of July to the 3rd week of September.
Our accommodation includes our state-of-the-art St Georges Centre, which has over 200 en-suite rooms, and is within short walking distance of the university campus and the city centre. Students who join a short course will be given details of all accommodation types and prices and can liaise direct with our Accommodation Office or the International Office for assistance with booking.
If you have any special needs, we have specially adapted accommodation with disabled facilities, subject to availability at the time of your course. We think you will agree that the prices and choices are so varied that there is the right accommodation for everyone!
To join one of our English courses you must be 18 years old – most of our students studying English are young adults.
The average length of student stay varies, with some coming for a short two-week Summer course, and others studying for a full year.
The Centre is open all year for English courses except for short winter, spring and summer breaks.
You normally join on a Monday unless it is a public holiday.
Although we have fixed enrolment dates we take into account everyone's specific requirements and (especially with groups) we try to be as flexible as possible.
Term dates
Our Centre has four terms in each academic year. The dates for each term are as follows:
|
Term |
Study From: |
Study To: |
Number of Weeks |
|
Term 4 |
5th July 2021 |
10th September 2021 |
10 |
|
Term 1 |
27th September 2021 |
17th December 2021 |
12 |
|
Term 2 |
10th January 2022 |
1st April 2022 |
12 |
|
Term 3 |
19th April 2022 |
17th June 2022 |
9 |
|
Term 4 |
4th July 2022 |
10th September 2022 |
10 |
Start dates 2021/22
You can start at any point during one of our terms as long as it is on one of the following dates (usually a Monday).
Please note: You are required to apply for a course at least 6 weeks before you want to enrol.
Term 1
- Monday 27 September
- Monday 25 October
- Monday 22 November
Term 2
- Monday 10 January
- Monday 7 February
- Monday 21 February
- Monday 7 March
Term 3
- Tuesday 19 April
- Monday 9 May
- Tuesday 31 May
Summer School 2022
- Monday 4 July 2022
- Monday 18 July
- Monday 1 August
- Monday 15 August
- Tuesday 30 August
Your future career
The General English Programme gives you the opportunity to move onto further study at Canterbury Christ Church University. Depending on your level, you can progress to either the Summer Pre-Sessional Course in Academic English or the International Foundation Year. Through these routes you can progress to either an undergraduate degree or, where appropriate, a postgraduate degree.
Fees
The 2021/22 fees for this course are:
-
full-time £350 per week for the first 12 weeks; then £315 after that
For more details, please contact the International Office language.school@canterbury.ac.uk