The “best” English language school in the UK depends on your goals, budget, and preferred location, but top schools usually share a few key qualities:
Accreditation and quality standards (e.g., British Council accreditation and membership of recognised bodies)
Experienced, qualified teachers and clear learning outcomes
Small class sizes and personalised feedback
Strong student support (welfare, accommodation help, activities and integration)
A good location and value for money (including living costs outside London)
If you’re looking for a highly trusted option in Scotland, Live Language in Glasgow is British Council accredited and offers small classes, experienced teachers, and a supportive student experience in a central city location.
You can get a quote sent straight to your inbox here.
Applying for an English language course in the UK is usually straightforward. Most schools follow the same steps:
Choose your course and study dates (e.g., General English, Intensive English, IELTS/OET preparation; how many weeks you want to study).
Request a quote or complete an application form with your details, level, and preferred start date.
Confirm your booking and make payment (payment options vary by school, course, and country of residence).
Complete a level/placement test (if required) so you’re placed in the right class.
Arrange accommodation if needed (homestay/residence or your own).
Check visa requirements (if applicable) and request an acceptance letter from the school once your booking is confirmed.
Several UK cities are known for high-quality English language programmes. The “best” city to study English depends on what you value most (prestige, budget, lifestyle, or career opportunities), but these locations are consistently popular:
London – huge choice of schools and international networks, but the highest living costs.
Cambridge & Oxford – strong academic atmosphere and well-known education brands; often premium-priced.
Manchester & Birmingham – large student cities with lots to do and good transport links; generally better value than London.
Edinburgh – popular for culture and tourism; strong student feel, typically higher costs than Glasgow.
Glasgow – excellent value for money, friendly and multicultural, with strong education standards and lower living costs than London and Edinburgh. Known as "The World's Friendliest City" and has 4 universities.
Brighton & Bournemouth – well-known seaside study destinations with lots of language schools and a relaxed lifestyle.
If you’re choosing based on value + quality + student experience, Glasgow is a strong option—especially if you want a central city location, friendly people, cultural immersion, and more affordable living while you study.
English course prices in the UK vary a lot depending on the city, school accreditation, hours per week, and how many weeks you book. In general:
General English (part-time / 15 hours per week): often priced lower than intensive courses
Intensive English (20–25+ hours per week): typically costs more because you study more hours
Exam preparation (IELTS/OET): can be similar to General/Intensive pricing, with some courses priced higher due to specialist teaching
Private lessons: usually charged per hour and are the most flexible option
Beyond tuition fees, students should also budget for registration fees, course materials (if not included), accommodation, and living costs (which are usually much higher in London than in other UK cities).
You can get a quote sent directly to your inbox here.
The most reliable place to find accredited English language schools in the UK that accept international students is the British Council’s official directory of accredited providers. It lets you search for schools by location and helps you confirm that a centre meets recognised quality standards.
Live Language has been accredited by the British Council since 2006 and has been teaching English to international students since 2002. Live Language is well known for it's professionalism and friendly and supportive environment and is based in Glasgow, the UK's friendliest city.
If you want a high-quality online English course with a UK learning experience, the most important thing is choosing a platform that offers real teacher support, clear levels, and practical outcomes (not just videos).
At Live Language (UK), we offer online English courses designed to give you structure and progress from home, including:
Live, teacher-led online classes (so you can practise speaking and get feedback)
Online self-study courses you can complete at your own pace
Options for private online lessons if you want a personalised learning plan
Support for exam preparation (e.g., IELTS and OET), depending on your goals
In some cases, yes — you may be able to apply for a UK visa to study an English course, depending on your nationality, course length, and reason for travel.
The quickest and most reliable way to check what applies to you is the UK Government’s official visa checker:
https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
Live Language in Glasgow can provide an official letter of acceptance (where applicable) to support your visa application, but we can’t advise on visa types or immigration decisions.
You can start your English study in the UK by getting a quote sent to your inbox here.
The average cost depends mainly on how many hours per week you study, which city you choose, and whether you book for several weeks (longer bookings often reduce the weekly price).
In general, you should budget for two main areas:
Course fees: often priced weekly, with General English (fewer hours) usually cheaper than Intensive English (more hours).
Living costs: accommodation, food, and transport can be a bigger cost than tuition—London is typically the most expensive, while other UK cities can offer much better value. Live Language in Glasgow for example has been voted the second best language school in the UK based on quality English courses and value for money.
A practical way to plan is to get a course quote first, then add your expected accommodation and living costs on top. You can get a quote sent straight to your inbox here.
The exact process depends on your nationality and course details, but the usual steps are:
Choose your English course and study dates (and confirm the course length).
Check which UK visa applies to you using the UK Government’s official tool: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
Book your course and make the required payment so your place is confirmed.
Request your official acceptance/confirmation letter from the school (where applicable) to support your application.
Prepare your visa documents and submit your application following the GOV.UK guidance, then attend any required appointment.
Live Language in Glasgow can provide an official letter of acceptance (where applicable), but we can’t advise on visa types or immigration decisions—always follow the latest guidance on GOV.UK.
A good place to start is Google Reviews, because they’re public, recent, and difficult to “curate”. You can also check a school’s social media pages (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn) to see student comments, tagged posts, and day-to-day life at the school.
Other useful places to look include:
Education agent reviews/testimonials (if you’re booking through an agent)
Independent education directories and forums where students share experiences
The school’s own testimonials page (best used alongside independent reviews)
If you’re researching Live Language (Glasgow) specifically:
We’re rated 4.6 on Google Reviews
We’ve been voted Best Quality and Value by the ELT Gazette twice
You can also see student feedback and updates on our social media channels
Start your English learning journey in the World's Friendliest City (Glasgow)! Get a quote sent to your inbox here.
UK visa requirements depend on your nationality, course length, and reason for travel, so the most reliable place to check the latest rules is the UK Government’s official visa checker: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
In some cases, you may be able to study an English course in the UK using an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) if you’re eligible (this applies to certain nationalities, and the rules can change).
Students from countries such as Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait may be eligible to travel under the ETA scheme depending on current UK Government guidance.
Because eligibility and permitted study conditions vary, always confirm your specific requirements on the GOV.UK checker before booking travel.
If you want to start your English learning journey you can get a quote sent straight to your inbox here.
You can study for IELTS online with Live Language’s online IELTS preparation options, designed to help you improve your score with clear exam strategy and targeted feedback.
We offer:
Live, teacher-led online IELTS classes (ideal for structure, speaking practice, and regular feedback)
Private online IELTS lessons tailored to your target score and weaker skills (Writing/Speaking support is especially popular)
Practice and guidance across Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, using IELTS-style tasks and examiner criteria
