FAQs

You will find answers to some of our most frequently asked questions below.

Where is Bristol?

Bristol is 100 miles (160 km) west of London, 90 minutes by car or 2 hours by bus from Heathrow airport. To find out where we are visit our contact page. You can also have a look at the Google Street Map. Enter 1 The Avenue, Clifton, BS8 3HG in the search box.

How do I get to ELC?

From Heathrow or Gatwick, an easy - and certainly the cheapest - way to get to Bristol is by bus.

From Bristol airport, you can take a public taxi. It takes 20 minutes and costs approximately £25.00.

We also offer a transfer service. For more information about getting to Bristol have a look at our website here.

What about the courses?

All courses are full-time. They include 28 lessons (21 hours in class) + daily homework + 4 hours' optional supervised self study + 2 hours of optional language activities including Conversation Club, Job Club, Friday Film Club and guest speakers.

Your teacher will interview you on a regular basis to check that everything is going well. If you wish, you can also arrange additional private lessons.

For full information about courses, click here.

How much does it cost?

There is the cost of the course (tuition fees) and the cost of your accommodation. There is also a registration fee and a materials fee. For details, please click here.

Of course, don’t forget your pocket money. We suggest £70.00 a week if you are staying in a homestay or £100.00 if you are in self-catering accommodation. Of course if you like shopping, bring more! Have a look at our useful pre-arrival information for more advice.

Which exams can I take?

The most popular exams are the IELTS and Cambridge exams. There are also some other exams which you can prepare for during the supervised self-study periods.  Please click here for more information.

How do I enrol?

Have a look at the enrolment procedure, then complete the enrolment form online and send it to the school together with your deposit. If you would like one of our local representatives to help you, just let us know and we will put you in touch with them.

What if I cancel?

If you cancel your booking before your course starts, your deposit is non-refundable.

If you stop your course early, the school will not refund your tuition fees. However, the school will refund your accommodation fees in full, provided you give 2 full weeks' notice. Click here for full information on our terms and conditions.

Can I take a holiday during my course?

You can take a holiday if you are enrolled on a course of 20 weeks or more and if you have been in the school for at least 10 weeks. Only one holiday is permitted every 12 weeks. If you want to take a holiday you must give us two full weeks’ notice. It is not possible to refund tuition fees, however, the holiday period can be added to the end of your course, if this is convenient with the school and within your visa requirements. For full information, please click here.

Is there anything I should know before I go?

We give a pre-arrival information sheet to all students who are enrolled in the school. This will give you lots of useful information.

Additional useful advice for moving to and living in the UK is provided on the British Council website - see here.

What's so special about Bristol?

With a population of around 450,000 and two major universities, Bristol is the second largest city in the South of England after London, which is two hours away by train.

Bristol has topped several polls in recent years including:

2018 National Geographic Cool List
2017 Sunday Times Best Place to Live in The UK

2015 European Green Capital

Bristol International Airport has flights to more than 125 destinations. As well as making it easy to get here, it offers a great opportunity for you to visit other European destinations.

Have a look at some photos and the Bristol video.

Where will I stay?

Most of our accommodation is located within walking distance of the school, so usually, you will not have to take public transport.

We offer homestay with half board or self-catering student houses or flats where you cook for yourself.

Of course, if you wish, you can make your own arrangements.  Click here for more information.

Do I have to pay extra for books?

No, you don’t. The cost of a course book and materials is included in the materials fee. You get one free course book every 12 weeks, supplementary teaching materials, a leaving certificate and access to Guided e-Learning from the moment you enrol and for 3 months after you leave the school.

How about the other students?

There is an average of 172 students in the school from 25 different countries. The average age of the students is 23. Last year, 15% of our students were over 30. The school has a ‘university type’ atmosphere. It is not a business centre.

We do not accept large groups, under 16s or part-time students.

For more information about our student numbers and usual nationality mix, please click here

How do I pay?

Our preferred payment method is via Flywire.You can also pay by bank transfer or in cash. Please see our full Terms and Conditions for payment requirements.

What about insurance?

ELC Bristol cannot organise your insurance. We strongly recommend that you take out Student Travel Insurance  before you come to the UK.  Insurance should cover the loss of your fees and flights in case of cancellation or curtailment (shortening your course), medical expenses, personal injury, personal liability, overseas legal expenses and the loss of personal belongings and money.

Do I need a visa?

The UK government website provides this link: Check if you need a UK visa

For more information about visas, click here.