United Kingdom, island country located off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe. The United Kingdom comprises the whole of the island of Great Britain—which contains England, Wales, and Scotland—as well as the northern portion of the island of Ireland. The name Britain is sometimes used to refer to the United Kingdom as a whole. The capital is London, which is among the world’s leading commercial, financial, and cultural centers. Other major cities include Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester in England, Belfast and Londonderry in Northern Ireland, Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland, and Swansea and Cardiff in Wales.
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English language courses and qualifications
Choose the right course for you
Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, there are thousands of English language courses on offer. Perhaps you want to do a course just for fun? Maybe you want to gain an internationally-recognized qualification to help you enter university? Or perhaps you want to improve your business English skills?
In the UK, you can choose a course that is suited to your:
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Age group: There are courses specifically for children, teenagers or adults of different ages
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Ability: You can choose a course for beginners, intermediate or advanced learners
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Interests and ambitions: You can choose a general English course or one with a particular focus – for example, you may want to train to be an English teacher or do a business English course. You don’t have to study English on its own either – you could combine it with another subject, such as art, tourism, fashion, football or science.
Preparing for UK further education or higher education
To study at further education or higher education level in the UK, you need good English language skills, so that you can understand your tutors and follow the course successfully.
If English isn’t your first language, most UK schools, colleges and universities will ask you to demonstrate your English language skills before you can enroll on a further or higher education course. For example, they may ask you to:
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Take their English language test, or
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Gain an English language qualification, or
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Do a short course or foundation course to improve your skills.
Each school, college and university sets its own entry requirements. If you are interested in a particular course, email the school, college or university to find out about their English language requirements, or have a look at their website.
Study modes
English language courses can be part-time or full-time. Full-time courses are usually around 15 to 24 hours of classes per week. You can choose a course lasting anything from a day to a year.
Holiday and vacation courses are very popular in the summer (June, July and August), and are a great way to fit your studies around your job or your school life.
The most sociable way to learn English is to join a course where you will learn alongside other students in a class, but for a more personal experience, you could choose one-to-one tuition.
The academic year
In the UK, the typical academic year for school, college and university starts in September and runs until June or July. English language courses are far more flexible. Courses that start in September, January and July are particularly popular, but there are lots of other choices too.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Constitutional monarchy with two legislative houses (House of Lords [815 1 ]
Sovereign: Queen Elizabeth II
Prime Minister: David Cameron
London
English; both English and Scots Gaelic in Scotland; both English and Welsh in Wales
Pound sterling (£)
(2015 est.) 65,092,000
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Constitutional monarchy with two legislative houses (House of Lords [815 1 ]
Sovereign: Queen Elizabeth II
Prime Minister: David Cameron
London
English; both English and Scots Gaelic in Scotland; both English and Welsh in Wales
Pound sterling (£)
(2015 est.) 65,092,000