English Language and UK Culture Summer School

Our two-week English Language and UK Culture Summer School enables you to experience a UK university and explore the UK.

During your time in Bristol you'll improve your English language and presentation skills. You'll also learn about British culture and what it’s like to study at a UK university.

Course dates for 2024

Block one

Course dates	22 July to 2 August
Arrival date	Saturday 20 July or Sunday 21 July
Induction programme	Monday 22 July
First day of classes	Tuesday 23 July
Departure date	Saturday 3 August

Block two

Course dates	5 to 16 August
Arrival date	Saturday 3 August or Sunday 4 August
Induction programme	Monday 5 August
First day of classes	Tuesday 6 August
Departure date	Saturday 17 or Sunday 18 August

As well as studying, you'll explore the UK with day trips to Oxford, Bath and London.

Sessions may include:

• a tour of UWE Bristol’s academic facilities and services such as the Centre for Sport
• cultural sessions such as adjusting to the UK and an introduction to UK culture
• skills workshops such as improving your presentation skills.

You'll receive a UWE Bristol certificate of attendance at the end of the course.

View an example International Summer School itinerary (PDF).

Academic sessions

You'll receive 30 hours of tuition. The focus is on improving your language skills while enjoying an exciting experience in the UK.

All our tutors are native speakers and are highly qualified and experienced lecturers in English as a foreign language. They understand your needs, whether you want to prepare for university study, or simply improve your English and have fun. Classes are relaxed and friendly. You'll do many of the activities in pairs or groups, helping you to practise your English and get to know the other group members better.

The Summer School is for students with an intermediate level of English (IELTS 5.0 and above, or equivalent). If you are not sure whether your English is good enough, please contact us and we will be happy to advise you.

You must be over the age of 18 when the course begins.

UWE Bristol does not arrange your visa or contribute to the cost of a visa. You must arrange your student visa before you pay for the course.

As a Summer School student, you’ll stay in high-quality accommodation in our Student Village on Frenchay Campus. You’ll have your own en-suite bedroom in a flat for six, with a shared kitchen and lounge area. The Student Village is within easy walking distance of the library, computer rooms, the Centre for Sport and all the social spaces.

Your accommodation is included in the Summer School fees and this covers:

• bed linen, towels and a kitchen pack
• internet access in all rooms
• weekly cleaning and linen change service
• extensive 24-hour CCTV monitoring
• on-site staff.

You will have access to all of UWE Bristol's student facilities during the Summer School. For some facilities like the gym you may need to complete an induction. You may also need to be accompanied for specialist facilities.

If you are staying in self-catering accommodation there will be a hob, grill and fridge/freezer. On Frenchay Campus there are also several catering options including cafes and The Students' Union at UWE.

Additional information about your stay in the UK

• The UK uses the Pound Sterling (£).
• July and August are the summer months, but this does not always mean that it is warm or dry. We recommend bringing a range of clothing including an umbrella. For up-to-date weather reports visit The Weather Channel.
• You will need a three-pin point plug adaptor for a standard UK plug socket. The UK uses different plugs to the rest of Europe.

• £1,500 for the self-catering package. This is ideal for those who prefer to cook for themselves.

Fees include:

• all teaching resources
• 30 hours of classroom teaching
• Wi-Fi access inside the school/University
• two weeks’ accommodation in the Student Village on Frenchay Campus, living in flats of up to six people. Each flat has a shared kitchen and living area but you’ll have your own en-suite bedroom
• airport transfers (at designated times – see below for details)
• trips (see below for details) 

Please note that the following are not included in the course fees:

• travel to and from the UK
• UK entry visas (if required)
• travel insurance.

We recommend that you bring £80–£100 per week for meals and drinks.

If you are planning additional excursions while in the UK you will need extra money.

If you wish to cancel your Summer School trip after it's already been paid for, unfortunately we do not refund the £300 deposit. Please see our cancellation rates:

Date of cancellation	Charge
More than six weeks before the start of the course	£300 deposit only
Between six and two weeks before the start of the course	50% of the course, plus £300 deposit
Less than two weeks before the start of the course	100% of the course, plus £300 deposit

As part of the Summer School you will have the opportunity to visit some of Britain's most well-known towns and cities.

The options available will include:

• London, England’s capital city, famous for its art galleries and museums, historic buildings and great shopping. The trip includes a twilight flight on the London Eye.
• Oxford, ‘city of dreaming spires’ and home to England’s oldest university. There will also be an option to visit Bicester Village, where you can buy designer goods at discount prices.
• Bath, with its famous Roman Baths and beautiful 18th century architecture.
• Bristol, see the sights of this buzzing university city, and end your tour with a welcome dinner at a well-known Bristol restaurant.

All trips are with an experienced, professional tour guide.

We’re offering free airport transfers from London Heathrow on the Saturday or Sunday before the course starts. These are limited to groups only.

If you are not attending as part of a group, or are arriving at a different airport, you can book your airport transfer independently (see tables below).

For an extra charge, we can arrange airport transfers from London or Bristol airports for individuals or small groups of students.

However, if you chose to make your own way to UWE Bristol then Bristol has lots of transport links, including motorways, train stations and an airport. Find out more information about how to find us.

Taxi service

Number of passengers	Heathrow	Bristol
Six seater taxi (up to three people plus luggage)	£250	£60
Eight seater taxi (up to six people plus luggage)	£300	£65
16 seater taxi (up to eight people plus luggage)	£340	£155

Coach service

Coach service	Cost
All London Heathrow airport terminals to Bristol coach station	£12 single fare
Bristol International Airport	£7 single fare

Please email globalstudents@uwe.ac.uk if you would like any help booking this.

To apply for the Summer School please complete this short application form. We accept applications up to six weeks before the start date of the Summer School.

Make sure you have read our terms and conditions before completing your application.

When we receive your application form we will ask you to pay a deposit of £300 to confirm your place. This will be deducted from the total fee. We will send you details of how to pay when we receive your application. We will then confirm your place, and send you more information nearer to the start of the Summer School. The balance must be paid four weeks before the start of the course.

UWE Bristol does not arrange your visa or contribute to the cost of a visa. You must arrange your student visa before you pay for the course.

If you wish to cancel your place on the Summer School you must email shortcourses@uwe.ac.uk. The cancellation fee will depend on when we receive your email.

Applying as a group

To attend a Summer School as part of a group booking (minimum ten students), you must be over the age of 18 at the time of the Summer School. Groups of over 18s are not expected to bring a group leader, but can do so if they wish.

Applying as an individual

You must be at least 18 when the course begins.