Three highly recommended English schools in Cambridge, UK

English Courses in Cambridge, 2025-2026

1. Studio Cambridge

Established in 1954, Studio Cambridge is one of the city’s oldest and most respected English language schools. It’s known for its long-standing reputation and a wide range of course offerings for both adults and young learners. The school is located in a historic university building within walking distance of the city center. They offer various programs, including General English, Intensive English, and exam preparation for IELTS and Cambridge exams.

Booking >>Website

Studio Cambridge Courses – Standard English (20 lessons/week) and Intensive English (28 lessons/week). They also provide private tuition and specific programs for younger learners. The Intensive course includes options like IELTS or Cambridge exam preparation.

Studio Cambridge Prices – Standard English (EFL-20): Approximately £335 per week for a 1-4 week course, with the price decreasing for longer durations (down to around £245 per week for 30+ weeks). Intensive English (EFL-28): Approximately £390 per week for a 1-4 week course, with the price decreasing for longer durations (down to around £245 per week for 30+ weeks). Additional Fees: A registration fee is required for most courses, with a higher fee for students under 18.

2. Bell Cambridge

With over 70 years of educational expertise, Bell Cambridge is a well-known institution. Its flagship campus features impressive study and leisure facilities in a picturesque setting. Bell is highly regarded for its experienced teachers and a strong focus on student-centered learning. They offer courses for all levels, as well as specialized programs like Business University Foundation courses.

Booking >>Website

Bell Cambridge Course Types: adult courses including General English, IELTS Exam Preparation, and Cambridge Exam Preparation (B2 First and C1 Advanced). These can be customized with various hours per week.

Bell Cambridge General English Prices start at approximately £415 per week for a 1-4 week course (15 hours/week), with prices becoming cheaper for longer commitments. Exam Preparation Prices for IELTS and Cambridge exam courses are similar to the General English courses, but with additional options for more intensive preparation. A 10-week Cambridge Exam Prep course is approximately £4,350. Additional Fees: A non-refundable registration fee of £95.

3. St Giles International

St Giles Cambridge is part of a globally recognized language school network. The Cambridge campus is a welcoming, mid-sized school that combines modern and traditional elements. It’s in a convenient location and is known for its social program, which helps students make friends and experience local culture. The school offers General English, Intensive English, and exam preparation courses, welcoming students from age 14 and up.

Course Types: a wide selection of courses, from General English to specialized Exam Preparation for IELTS and Cambridge exams (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency). They also have a popular teacher training course (CELTA).

General English Prices: A Standard course can start from around £317 per week for a 1-52 week duration. An Intensive course starts from £491 per week. Exam Preparation: IELTS courses start from £195 per week. Cambridge exam preparation courses can be found as a total package, for example, a 10-week course for B2 First/C1 Advanced Exam Preparation is approximately £4,350. Additional Fees: A registration fee of £85 is noted for UK schools. Course materials and exam entry fees are not typically included.

Adding price estimates can be helpful for budgeting, but it’s important to remember that these are approximate figures and can vary significantly based on the specific provider, time of year, location, and the amenities included. Prices for language learners’ accommodation are generally quoted per week.

Accommodation options in Cambridge:

1. Homestay Accommodation (per week)

Homestay is generally your most affordable option, as meals are included, which helps to reduce your weekly spending on food.

Standard Single Room (Half-Board): Typically from £220 to £280 per week. This usually includes a private bedroom, shared bathroom, and two meals per day (breakfast and dinner).

Executive or En-suite Room: Prices for a room with a private bathroom start from around £280 to £350 per week or more.

Peak Season Supplement: Be aware that many providers add a supplement during the busy summer months (June to August), which can increase the price by £15 to £50 per week.

Placement Fee: There is often a one-time, non-refundable placement fee of around £60 when booking through a language school or agency.

2. Student Residences and Shared Accommodation (per week)

These options can offer prices depending on the facilities and level of privacy.

• Shared Facilities: A single room with a shared bathroom and kitchen can cost between £180 and £250 per week.
• En-suite Room: A private room with an en-suite bathroom but a shared kitchen can range from £250 to £400 per week.
• Studio Apartment: For maximum privacy, a self-contained studio with a private kitchen and bathroom will be the most expensive, with prices typically starting from around £350 to £500 per week.
• What’s Included: Residence prices often include all utility bills (gas, electricity, water, internet), which makes it easier to budget.

3. Private Rentals and Short-Term Stays (per month)

If you are renting on your own, you will need to budget for the monthly rent plus all utility bills.

• Private Room in a Shared House: Renting a room in a house share can cost from £550 to £850 per month, depending on the location and quality of the house.
• One-Bedroom Flat/Studio: A private one-bedroom apartment in or near the city center can cost from £1,000 to £1,500 per month. This is a more expensive option, but offers complete independence.
• Utilities: Remember to budget for additional costs like council tax (if applicable), internet, and other utilities, which can add £100 to £200 per month to your total expenses.

Estimated Monthly Living Costs

For a student living in Cambridge, a realistic total budget (excluding tuition fees) would be approximately £1,000 to £1,500 per month, including accommodation, food, transport, and leisure. Of course, this will depend heavily on your accommodation choice and lifestyle.

Three schools in Cambridge that offer both tuition and accommodation for English learners

1. EF Education First Cambridge

• Accommodation:
  • Homestay: Living with a local host family. This option typically includes breakfast and dinner on weekdays, and all meals on weekends.
  • Student Residence: An option for those who prefer to live with other students. This is often self-catered, with shared kitchen facilities.
• Prices (per week):
  • General English Course with Homestay: A two-week course with homestay accommodation can start from around £600 – £700 per week. This would include a certain number of lessons per week, accommodation, and a meal plan.
  • Intensive English Course: For a more intensive program, the price per week might be slightly higher, with a 6-week course and homestay costing approximately £730 per week.
  • Prices can be subject to change and are dependent on the length of your course. The longer the course, the lower the weekly price tends to be.

2. Regent Cambridge

Regent is another established language school that offers English courses for adults.

• Accommodation:
  • Homestay: Offers both shared and single rooms with local hosts, including half-board (breakfast and dinner).
  • Student Residence: The school also has a summer residence option for students aged 18+ who prefer a more independent living style.
• Example Prices (per week):
  • English World a.m. with Homestay: A course with 15 lessons per week, including half-board homestay accommodation, can be priced at around £662 per week.
  • English World (25 hours per week) with Homestay: An intensive course with 25 hours of lessons and half-board homestay accommodation might cost around £798 per week.
  • Accommodation-only prices: If you want to book a course and accommodation separately, a single room in a host family with half-board can cost approximately £353 per week, while a standard residence room might be around £310 per week.

3. Cambridge Academy of English (CAE)

CAE offers courses for both adults and young learners, and their prices can be fully inclusive for younger students.

• Accommodation:
  • Homestay: CAE places adult students in single rooms with a host family.
  • Student Residence: The school also offers a self-catering student residence option (Girton College Swirles Court) during the summer months.
• Example Prices:
  • Young Learner Residential Course (fully inclusive): A two-week residential course for teenagers (12-17 years old) is a fully inclusive package that covers tuition, on-site accommodation, all meals, activities, excursions, and airport transfers. This can be priced at around £3,145 for a two-week period.
  • Adult courses: Prices for adult courses are often quoted for tuition only, with accommodation priced separately. For example, a 20-lesson per week General English course might be a certain price, with homestay accommodation added on top. A General English course with homestay for adults could be in the range of £450 – £600 per week, depending on the course intensity.

Choosing to study English in Cambridge is an awesome decision, and it’s not just about what you learn in a classroom. The whole city is a living, breathing part of your education. You’re into a world-famous center of learning, which means you’re surrounded by brilliant minds and a rich history. This amazing academic vibe is everywhere, from the ancient university buildings to the language schools themselves, which are packed with top-notch teachers ready to help you nail those English exams like IELTS or CAE.

But it’s not all about books. Living here means you’re totally immersed in British culture. Imagine walking down cobblestone streets, trying out your English at a local cafe, or just chatting with your host family—every single conversation is a chance to practice and get more confident. Plus, Cambridge is a melting pot of students from all over the globe. You’ll meet people from different countries and not only improve your English but also make some fantastic international friends.

Benefits for your future – studying here can seriously boost your future. Getting an internationally recognized qualification from a Cambridge school looks great on any CV and can open up doors for a new job or getting into a university. The city itself is inspiring, too. It’s a hub for tech and innovation, so you might even bump into some interesting people who could help your career.

And the best part? It’s a great place to live. Unlike a huge city, Cambridge is easy to get around, so you won’t spend all your time commuting. When you need a break from studying, you can go punting on the river, have a picnic in a park, or check out the cool pubs and restaurants. It’s the perfect mix of serious study and fun, giving you a well-rounded experience that’s way more than learning a language.

Certificates: Cambridge English Certificates are a mark of excellence that is trusted by a vast network of organizations worldwide.

• Over 25,000 institutions: According to Cambridge English, their qualifications and tests are accepted by over 25,000 universities, employers, and governments around the globe.
• Prestigious Universities: This recognition includes top-tier educational institutions such as the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Harvard University, Stanford University, and the London School of Economics. These qualifications can be used as proof of English proficiency for admission and study abroad.
• Leading Companies: Multinational employers like Air France, Hermès, and Mercedes-Benz value the certificates as a reliable indicator of workplace communication skills, which can significantly enhance job prospects.

Exams: The Cambridge exams are known for their rigorous standards and comprehensive approach to language testing.

• Testing All Four Skills: Unlike some other tests, Cambridge English Qualifications assess all four key language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. This ensures a balanced development of real-life communication abilities.
• Extensive Research: The exams are backed by extensive research from one of the world’s largest dedicated research teams. This ensures that the tests are fair, reliable, and a proven indicator of language ability.
• Alignment with CEFR: The qualifications are closely aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), an international standard for describing language ability. This makes it easy for educational institutions and employers to understand and compare a candidate’s language skills across different countries.

Exam Preparation: the process of preparing for and taking the exams provides significant advantages.

• Motivation and Confidence: Research by Cambridge English has shown that the exams increase student motivation and confidence. The clear, level-based structure of the exams (from A1 to C2) provides learners with attainable goals, which encourages continuous progression and a sense of achievement.
• Real-Life Skills: The exams are designed to develop practical, real-life English skills that are useful for communication in everyday life, work, study, and travel. The speaking test, for example, is taken face-to-face with an expert examiner, which helps students develop the ability to express their opinions confidently.
• Improved Teaching Standards: A study found that 95% of teachers and school leaders believed that preparing for Cambridge English Qualifications improves their students’ English. Teachers also reported that the qualifications provide a clear curriculum to follow and a well-structured set of milestones.