Frequently Asked Questions

General English, IELTS, General English + Individual Tuition and One-to-One courses start every Monday, all year round. Cambridge exam courses, specialist courses and the Teen Summer Programme have fixed dates. See our Dates & Fees page for details.

General English courses run from 1 to 52 weeks, and the longer you study the lower your weekly fee. Specialist courses last two weeks, Cambridge courses run for 8 to 12 weeks timed to the exam, and the Teen Summer Programme is 1 to 8 weeks.

Most of our adult courses are for students aged 16 and over. Legal English, English for Medicine and Teacher Development are for students aged 20 and over. Our Teen Summer Programme is for students aged 12 to 17.

We keep classes small: up to 14 students in General English, up to 12 in exam preparation classes and up to 6 in professional courses.

Before you arrive, we'll send you a short online placement test. We use your result to place you in the right class, so you can start learning from your first lesson.

Our courses follow the Common European Framework (CEFR), from A1 to C2, and General English welcomes all levels, including beginners. Some courses need a minimum level, for example B2 for English for Business and English for Medicine, and B1 for Legal English.

Group courses offer 20 or 30 lessons a week. You can also add one-to-one lessons, or choose a fully tailored One-to-One programme. Contact us to plan the right mix for you.

Lessons usually run from 09:30 to 13:00 for Standard courses (with a 30-minute break), and until 15:30 for Intensive courses. Timetables can change in July and August, so please check with us.

Yes. Students who attend at least 80% of their course receive a certificate from The Oxford English Centre.

Course holidays are explained in our Terms & Conditions. Please speak to us before you book any time away.

Please call or email the school office to let us know you will be absent.

Fill in our online booking form or email Hello-OEC@HolmesEducation.Group. We'll confirm whether a place is available, and your booking is secured once we receive your deposit or full fees.

You can pay by debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard or JCB) or by bank transfer. We'll send you full payment details when we confirm your place.

Yes. The deposit is £300 for a course only, or £500 for a course with accommodation. It is deducted from your total fees.

The balance is due 4 weeks before your course begins.

If you cancel before your course starts, your fees are refunded minus the registration fee and deposit. Refunds are not usually given once a course has started, but we may be able to offer a course credit. Special conditions apply to accommodation, and we strongly recommend travel insurance. Full details are in our Terms & Conditions.

Send us the refusal document from the visa office and the acceptance letter we sent you. Fees paid in advance will be refunded, minus any cancellation charges.

It depends on your nationality and how long you want to study. Many students on short courses can study as visitors. Please check the latest rules on the UK government website before you book.

Yes. We recommend insurance that covers your health, course cancellation and luggage, arranged before you travel.

An umbrella, a jacket and a jumper are useful all year, plus warm clothes in winter. Passport photos, a notebook and pens are also handy.

We are at 66 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 6PR, about 15 minutes' walk from the city centre. Homestay hosts will show you the way on your first day, and you'll find a map on our homepage.

Your first day is Monday. You'll be welcomed at reception at 08:45, have a short induction with our team and a tour of the school, and then join your first class. After lessons you can join a walking tour of Oxford.

Yes. Wi-Fi is free throughout the school, and there are computers in the library.

Come to the school office and we'll help you book an appointment or sort out the problem. Outside school hours, use our emergency number for serious problems. In an emergency, call 999.

Yes, we can arrange a private transfer for a fee. See our Accommodation page for prices. There are also coach services to Oxford from London Heathrow and Gatwick.

Yes. Caramba, our garden restaurant, serves freshly cooked lunches, sandwiches, snacks and drinks at student-friendly prices.

Yes. Our weekly social programme includes museum visits, sports, walking tours, punting and summer BBQs, and most activities are included in your course. Some excursions have a small extra cost.

Yes. North Parade, just opposite the school, has a shop, cafés, restaurants and two pubs.

Our students come from many countries and range widely in age. Many adult students are 25 or older, and the Teen Summer Programme is for ages 12 to 17.

Students staying more than 9 months can usually open an account. Banks need proof of your address and course, and we can give you a letter confirming your registration.

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. The school is closed at weekends, on bank holidays and over Christmas and New Year.

London is about 1 hour by train or 90 minutes by coach.

The UK uses 240V with three-pin, 13-amp plugs. Adaptors are sold at airports and in local shops.

Yes. We also have a water cooler at the school with free filtered water.

Yes, you can send luggage to the school, but please let us know in advance.