Frequently Asked Questions |
How do I register for a course?
Please complete the online registration form. You will normally receive a confirmation
by email within a few hours. Can I start my course on dd.mm.yyyy?
We currently have availability for all courses and accommodation availability
is currently excellent. You can start your class on
any Monday. If Monday is a public holiday then courses start on a Tuesday. Can I start my course on a day other the Monday?
Wherever possible you should try to start your English course on a Monday. However, it is also possible to start in the middle of the week
when you are not able to arrive on Monday
for some reason. How far in advance do I have to make my booking?
For the biggest choice of accommodation
options please book as early as possible but in general it also possible
to enrol for a course at fairly short notice. How much does an English course cost?
Please click here for English course fees.
How much does accommodation cost?
Please click here for accommodation options and prices. Where is the school located?
The school is located in Chelsea which is in the centre of London and
in Travel Zone 1. You can reach the school easily by tube (District & Circle
Line) and bus (any bus to Sloane Square) The closest bus stop is at
Sloane Square (4 minutes walking distance), the nearest tube stations
are Sloane Square and Victoria (10 minutes walking distance) which
is also the closest railway station. Click here for more infomation and maps of the London Underground. Is the school accredited?
We are accredited by The British Council and so all of our teachers
are fully qualified. What is British Council recognition?
The British Council is an official organisation that, amongst other activities, offers a voluntary scheme for monitoring and assessing English language school in the UK. 'Accreditation' by the British Council means that a school has passed the tests of quality set by the British Council's English in Britain Accreditation Scheme. This accreditation is seen by many as an indication of the quality of the lessons offered by the school. See the British Council web site for more information. Do you arrange weekend excursions?
You can book weekend excursions to several UK sites such as Stonehenge, Bath, Oxford & Cambridge etc. and to European cities such as Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Edinburgh, etc. at Victoria School. The excursions are organised by Hallam Anderson Tours who specialise in student trips. The prices are very good. Is it possible to use Internet?
We provide free Internet access for our students. We are also Wireless enabled so you access the Internet from your laptop. You can also use our student's computer to check your emails, to use the Internet and to stay in touch with your friends and family home. What nationality and ages are the students at the school?
We have students of almost every nationality. Most of the students are French, Italian, Korean, German, Japanese and Spanish but we also have students from China, Russia, Poland, Brazil, Mexico, Switzerland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Austria, Peru, Turkey and other nations. The average age is 23 - the youngest was 16 and the oldest was 73 years old! Do you supply a student discount card?
If you bring a passport photo with you we can give you a Victoria School student card which can allow you discounts in tourist sites, cinemas, museums, theatres etc. How many students do you have at the school?
There is a maximum of 76 places at the school. In the summer we are busy with 60 plus students; at other times there are between 30 to 40 students at the school. What qualifications do the teachers have?
All of the teachers are experienced and have a degree and a recognised
certificate in teaching English to foreign students. What teaching methods does your school use?
Our school uses a variety of teaching methods depending on what is being
taught: grammar, comprehension, conversation etc. Most students of
English make the same type of errors and our lessons focus on these as
well as providing valuable practice. All teachers are fully qualified
and selected for their teaching skills. Will I get a certificate at the end of my course?
Every student receives a statement of attendance at the end of his course
which contains the duration of the course as well as the student's level
of English. How many levels do you have?
We have 5 levels: Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper-Intermediate,
Advanced. For complete beginners we recommend 1to1 tuition for the first 2 weeks. Do I need to buy a course book?
We recommend buying a course book, if your course is longer than 4 weeks.
For long-term students it is essential to buy a course book. For short term courses we can provide photocopies. What if the level of the class is too low/too high?
Our teachers are always aware that the students are in the correct class
according to their level. Should a student recognise that the level in
his/her class is too high/low, he/she can change the class without any
problem. How many students are in the classes?
The classes have a maximum student number of
12. The average student number per class is 8 - 9 people. Can I take holidays?
You can take holidays during your course, please let us know 2 weeks in advance. Please note that Victoria School is closed
for 3 weeks during the Christmas/New Year period. How much money will I need per week for day-to-day expenses?
This is difficult to answer, as so much depends on you! However, generally you will need at least £60 per week to
cover your expenses for travelling, food and entertainment. Can you arrange accommodation for me, and how much does it cost?
Yes, we can arrange your accommodation if you want us to. Please click here for accommodation options. Can I book my own accommodation?
You are welcome to book your own accommodation. Can I book just accommodation, without a course?
No. We can only organise accommodation for our course participants. How do I get from the host family to the school?
All of our host families live in a walking distance from a tube-, train-
or bus station. How close are the host families to the school?
Most of our host families
do not live in a walking distance from the school but in one of the lovely
suburbs in South London. You can choose if you want to stay with a family
in zone 1, 2, or 3. All of the family's houses are close to public
transport. You will travel up to about 30 minutes to school according
to the travel zone you choose. What happens if I don't like my accommodation?
Should there be any problems with the host family, we will help you
to solve them and if necessary, you can change your accommodation.Is Victoria School of English DfES registered?
Yes, the school is DfES registered - this is a requirement for people needing a visa. You can check our entry at: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/providersregister . How do I apply for a visa?
If you need a Visa to come to the UK, we will
send you a confirmation for your course booking with Victoria School
after receiving a £200
non-refundable deposit from you. You can apply for a Visa then with this
paper. Please remember that to obtain a student visa you must study a
minimum of 15 hours per week and you must study at a school listed on
the Department for Education and Skills Register of Colleges and Learning
Providers - Victoria School of English is listed. If you need an interview to obtain your visa please remember that it can take
a long time to get an appointment at the embassy or consulate so it is a good
idea to book your course early. Please remember that your course and accommodation
deposits are non-refundable. If you do not receive a visa please contact the
school and we will refund any fees you have paid minus your deposit. How and when should I pay?
Please read our terms and conditions. What happens if I cancel my course?
Please read our terms and conditions. | 
