With a history going back to 1964 Wimbledon School of English (WSE) is not only one of the oldest English language schools in the UK but also one of the best, having a well-established reputation for quality and excellence. In fact, the British Council’s annual quality assessment of English language school across the UK firmly places Wimbledon School of English on the number 1 position. Students can chose from a wide range of courses whether you need to improve your English for study, work or just pleasure and students can enrol from just one week to a whole year. The school attracts students from over 60 different countries who are not only attracted by the school’s reputation and quality of its courses but also by its convenient location, right in the heart of Wimbledon, from where students can easily get to London city centre by public transport in only 20 minutes.
"This is one of the best schools I have been to in England. The quality of the teaching is remarkable as well as the environment of the school." Maria Castro Fernandez, Spain
When you study at WSE you join a group of students that are serious about studying English and the school aims to ensure you make good progress as quickly as possible. Students are expected to attend all their classes, study hard and do regular homework. The school offers a higher than normal number of intensive classes each day and a multimedia self-access centre is available to students that want to do extra study with a teacher there to help you with your individual study programme. Teachers keep a careful check on student’s progress through tests, individual tutorials, and the end of level exams. Depending on the course and time of year students will be taught in classes of 10 to 16 students maximum.
Teaching staff at WSE are highly qualified and very experienced and a large number of the teaching staff are also IELTS examiners so they really know what you need to learn in order to get the best possible result. WSE is also a test centre for the IELTS and Cambridge examinations so if you plan to take one of those exams you will not have to travel to another centre.
Of course the school also wants to ensure that you have a great time whilst studying in London. Students will first of all be offered good quality accommodation, all situated near the school. In addition students can enjoy their free time with an extensive social and sports activities programme which is included in the tuition fees. Activities include salsa & bollywood evenings, parties, weekly film showings, afternoon school trips and visits to one of the many famous London museums or a popular musical.
The school also organises full-day excursions to places such as Stonehenge, Cambridge and Oxford. Tuition fees also include the option to play a variety of sports including tennis, cricket, squash, basketball, football and badminton.
Accredited by the British Council, member of EnglishUK, member of Business EnglishUK and a member of Quality English.
A centre for the Cambridge and IELTS examinations."I'm more confident about my English now and I learnt a lot of useful things in the lessons. The teachers are very well prepared and there are a lot of facilities. This is a serious school that gives you a real chance to improve your English skills." Alessandra Wolter, Italy
| Course Name | Number of Lessons per week* | Entry Level & Minimum Course Duration | 2011 Start Dates |
| STANDARD COURSES | |||
| General English classes |
24 lessons per week | All levels, 1-50 weeks | Any Monday, year round apart from beginners classes which start on 03 Jan, 07 Mar, 09 May and 05 Sep. |
| Summer Vacation Courses | 24 lessons per week | All levels, 1-8 weeks | Any Monday in July and August only |
| Academic Year Programme | 24 lessons per week | All levels, 24 or 26 weeks | Any Monday between Jan–May & Sep–Dec |
| Cambridge Certificate Courses | 24 lessons per week | Cambridge FCE (1): Higher Intermediate. 7-13 weeks Cambridge CAE (2): Advanced 10-13 weeks Cambridge CPE (3): Advanced Plus. 10-13 weeks |
Starts throughout the year. Please contact Intercambio for next available start dates |
| Young Business Professionals | 24 lessons per week | Higher Intermediate, 10 weeks | 10 Jan, 21 Mar, 18 Apr & 03 Oct |
| Pre-sessional English & IELTS Preparation |
24 lessons per week | Higher Intermediate, 6 weeks | 20 Jun & 31 Oct |
| IELTS Express | 24 lessons per week | Higher Intermediate Plus, 4 weeks | 01 Aug |
| Specialist Courses | 24 lessons per week plus 4 specialisation lessons: - Communication Skills - Grammar and Writing - IELTS Preparation - One to One - Business English |
As above, 2-12 weeks | Any Monday, year round |
| English & Culture for students aged 40+ | 20 lessons per week plus 3 half-day excursions and 1 full-day excursion | Pre Intermediate, 11 days or 6 day course | 13 Jun, 15 Aug & 12 Dec |
| One to One Teaching | 20,24,28 or 30 lessons per week | All levels, 1-50 weeks | Any Monday, year round |
| INTENSIVE COURSES | |||
| Cambridge First Certificate Express | 28 lessons per week | Higher Intermediate, 4 weeks | 01 Aug |
| Cambridge Advanced Express | 28 lessons per week | Advanced, 4 weeks | 01 Aug |
| Academic Year Programme Beginners and above Leading to IELTS or Cambridge examinations |
24 or 28 lessons per week | Beginners, 24 or 26 weeks | Any Monday, year round with the exception of students that start at beginners level (03 Jan, 07 Mar, 09 May and 05 Sep only) |
| Intensive Academic Year Programme for Pre-Intermediate and above Leading to IELTS or Cambridge examinations |
24 lessons per week plus an option of 4 specialisation lessons: - Business - Communication Skills - Grammar and Writing - IELTS Preparation - BEC Higher |
Pre-Intermediate, 24 or 36 weeks | Any Monday, year round |
| Intensive Academic Year Programme for Pre-Intermediate and above Leading to IELTS or Cambridge examinations |
28 lessons per week International Legal English with Cambridge ILEC preparation or International Financial English with Cambridge ICFE preparation |
Pre-intermediate, 24 or 36 weeks | Any Monday, year round |
| BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL COURSES | |||
| English for Young Business Professionals | 24 lessons per week | Higher Intermediate, 2-12 weeks | Any Monday, year round |
| International Legal English with Cambridge ILEC preparation |
28 lessons per week |
Higher Intermediate Plus, 4 weeks | 18 Apr, 22 Aug or 24 Oct |
| International Financial English with Cambridge ICFE preparation |
28 lessons per week |
Higher Intermediate Plus, 4 weeks | 18 Apr, 22 Aug or 24 Oct |
| TEACHERS’ COURSES | |||
| Teachers’ Refresher Course for Overseas Teachers | 24 lessons per week | Qualified English Language Teaching qualification of CAE Equivalent or above, 1 week | 10 Jan, 20 Jun or 15 Aug |
| Cambridge Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) | 24 lessons per week | Intermediate, 2 weeks | 15 Aug |
* Each lesson is 50 minutes (i.e. Standard Courses - 24 lessons = 20 hours)
(1) FCE = Cambridge First Certificate in English
(2) CAE = Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English
(3) CPE = Cambridge Certificate in Proficiency in English
All international students are guaranteed accommodation for the duration of their studies and a full-time accommodation manager is available to help with any problems or questions. Students can choose from the following options:
A standard bedroom in a family’s house. Students will get their own set of keys so you can come and go as you please. Twin rooms are also available. * Standard Plus rooms come with their own bathroom.
** Superior rooms come with their own bathroom and the homestay is located within walking distance from the school.
"My host family are very friendly. They pay attention to my English learning and my feelings, they are concerned with everything about me. The treat me like one of their family, I will never forget them."
Jui-Fang Lee, Taiwan
A standard bedroom in a shared student house. Students will get their own set of keys so you can come and go as you please. Twin and double rooms are also available.* Each room has its own bathroom and there is a communal laundry room and TV room. Luxury house-share accommodation is located within 10 minutes walking distance from the school.
A standard single or twin bedroom in a student hostel, some en-suite. Students will get their own set of keys so you can come and go as you please. * For unmarried women only and all girls must be home by 11pm Sunday to Thursday and 12pm Friday to Saturday.
If you would like to receive more information about the Wimbledon School of English, its courses, prices, or if you are interested in applying please contact us.