IELTS Preparation

UCT English Language Centre

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Course description

These courses are designed to prepare you for the IELTS academic English exams, with focused training in exam strategies and techniques to allow you to maximise your potential and achieve the grade you need. As a university language centre, we are committed to supporting our students in reaching the level they need to successfully apply to university.

These courses run all year round and the exam can be taken at regular intervals at a local test centre. Courses can be combined with afternoon electives in an Intensive or Semi-intensive course, and many of out more academically focused students take IELTS preparation in combination with our English for academic purposes course. The course can be quite challenging, so be prepared!

Class schedule

Course duration
1-52 weeks
Start dates
Every Monday
Classes per week
20 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 50 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday
School holidays
01 May 2024, 17 Jun 2024, 09 Aug 2024, 24 Sep 2024, 25 Dec 2024, 26 Dec 2024

ELC does not hold classes on the holiday dates above. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.

Class times

Morning session
09:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Other session
12:00 PM - 12:50 PM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

High intermediate
Advanced
You will take a placement test on your first day to determine your class level. You may also take this test before your arrival in Cape Town.

Class size

Average 8 students
Maximum 14 students

Student age

Age range 16 years old and older
Average 23 years old

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
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school
photos

Photos

  • Building of UCT English Language Centre 1/7
  • Homestay housing offered by UCT English Language Centre 2/7
  • Student residence offered by UCT English Language Centre 3/7
  • Student residence offered by UCT English Language Centre 4/7
  • Language Excursions 5/7
  • Activities offered at UCT English Language Centre 6/7
  • Activities offered at UCT English Language Centre 7/7
reviews

Reviews

100% recommend

based on 4 reviews
5 stars
2
4 stars
2
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing

"I'm pleased to have such a qualified teacher!"

Kamilia Elkady

Teachers: absolutely NO negative comment about Nicollata. However, I got one afternoon class with Ms. Caval on my first, and regardless of the content, I felt there is a gap in communication between us as students and her. I mean no offense here, I think she has hearing issues and that should be checked.

Location: perfect!

Facilities: I was upset that I paid all that money and there weren't hot drinks for free in the kitchen! I do think that is a basic thing to be offered by the school for the students.

Activities: Lovely and John is a funny guy! However, I wished if the indulging class, where we go to learn English in a certain place outside of school, where more cheaper so I can join them.

Housing: I liked the location, as well as the working lady there, Kudzai, she was helpful on so many levels regarding safety, transportation, etc. On the contrary, the house was quite expensive comparing with the other university housing. I think if it is cheaper I would have stayed there till the end of my course. As a final note, Charine was helpful and responsive when it comes to the logistics and was relieving for me to have someone to complain or ask for suggestions.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
11 weeks
Date of study
1 Mar 2021 - 21 May 2021
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Johannes Kraus, Business Development Consultant at UCT English Language Centre responded to this review.
10 May 2021

Thank you very much, Kamilia, for your feedback. We will continue to improve our service to our students. Thanks for helping us pointing out the areas that we should focus on.

"Nice to do !"

ELoise

It was a good time at UCT.
Teachers was nice and interesting.

It was a good experience to study in Cape Town.
The university is in the center so it's easy to have lunch and to go there.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
2 weeks
Date of study
13 Jan 2020 - 31 Jan 2020
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Johannes Kraus, Business Development Consultant at UCT English Language Centre responded to this review.
10 May 2021

Lovely, ELoise! I am glad you had a good time at ELC and in Cape Town. All the best!

"The best place to study English in Cape Town."

Mohammed Khalil Khasawneh

The first time I met all stuff I felt in my country because were all stuff helpful and friendly. Also I learned many things from teachers not just English. If I have had another opportunity I would like to study again at UCT English Language Center.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
66 weeks
Date of study
21 Oct 2019 - 31 Jan 2021
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Johannes Kraus, Business Development Consultant at UCT English Language Centre responded to this review.
10 May 2021

Thanks so much for your review, Mohammed. I am glad you had a great time in Cape Town and at ELC. Take care!

"Experience of a lifetime"

Cezar Sebastiao Mahumane

I really enjoyed my studies at UCT English Language Centre. The methodology the school uses is really great and helps students to develop their writing, reading, speaking and listening skills, as they are all covered during the training every week. As a Portuguese speaker student, in the beginning, it was a bit difficult for me to listen to the ´´Capetownian´´ accent, however, soon I was used to it as I was deeply merged in the Cape Town environment and the social activities developed at ELC helped a lot to improve my vocabulary for different situation.

The student residence and the ELC facilities are set in the heart of the city within a walking distance, which makes life easier as we could talk with other classmates while walking to school or the way round to the residence. The teachers are really highly rated, as they develop a level of confidence in the student and are always available for conversation, which is great.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
11 weeks
Date of study
29 Oct 2018 - 18 Jan 2019
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Johannes Kraus, Business Development Consultant at UCT English Language Centre responded to this review.
19 February 2021

Thank you very much, Cezar, for your review. We are glad you had a great time with us. Take care. Your ELC Team

housing

Housing

ELC offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - Single-person room - Shared bathroom- Breakfast and dinner

163 €
weekly
Age range: 16 - 65 years old
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Wireless internet, free internet, and tV room
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
163 €
Homestay accommodation means staying in a home (apartment or house) with a local South African host mother or host family. This give students a great opportunity to immerse themselves in South African life and culture, and practice English with native speakers in a real-life setting. Chatting daily to your hosts is a wonderful way to develop your English outside of the classroom.

If you choose to book Homestay accommodation, we will contact you to find out what Homestay options you would prefer, and what your specific requirements are. Most students stay in a private room with a shared bathroom, but shared rooms and rooms with private bathrooms are also available. Our priority is to place you with a host where you are comfortable and have everything you need.

Most of our Homestay accommodation is located in two areas in Cape Town: historic Bokaap in the City Centre, and the Atlantic Seaboard, which includes Green Point and Seapoint. Our Homestays in Bokaap are a short walk from our campus, while students on the Atlantic Seaboard usually take the MyCiti bus or an Uber to get to school.

Homestay - Single-person room - Own bathroom- Breakfast and dinner

181 €
weekly
Age range: 16 - 65 years old
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Private bathroom, wireless internet, free internet, and tV room
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
181 €
Homestay accommodation means staying in a home (apartment or house) with a local South African host mother or host family. This give students a great opportunity to immerse themselves in South African life and culture, and practice English with native speakers in a real-life setting. Chatting daily to your hosts is a wonderful way to develop your English outside of the classroom.

If you choose to book Homestay accommodation, we will contact you to find out what Homestay options you would prefer, and what your specific requirements are. Most students stay in a private room with a shared bathroom, but shared rooms and rooms with private bathrooms are also available. Our priority is to place you with a host where you are comfortable and have everything you need.

Most of our Homestay accommodation is located in two areas in Cape Town: historic Bokaap in the City Centre, and the Atlantic Seaboard, which includes Green Point and Seapoint. Our Homestays in Bokaap are a short walk from our campus, while students on the Atlantic Seaboard usually take the MyCiti bus or an Uber to get to school.
student-residence

Student residence (off-campus) - Single-person room - No meals

187 €
weekly
Age range: 18 - 40 years old
Location: In the city center of Cape Town
Housing type: Student residence (off-campus)
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, heating, and garden
Distance to school: 10 minutes by shuttle
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
187 €
The Yellow House is our main student residence, and is used exclusively for ELC students. It is located in Bokaap, of one of the most popular tourist attractions in Cape Town, with picturesque, brightly painted terraced houses and a captivating and exotic vibe.

Newly refurbished in 2018, the Residence has eighteen rooms available in standard or large sizes. It has a garden and decked courtyard with a Braai area for relaxing on a summer’s evening, and amazing views over Cape Town, Lion’s Head and Table Mountain.

The residence is self-catering with a fully equipped communal kitchen and living/dining area. Each room is equipped with a smart TV with Netflix and DSTV, and all linen, cutlery and crockery are provided. The residence also has modern security features for your peace of mind. Each bathroom in the residence is shared between four students.
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.

Your letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you.

Flights and airport transfer

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Cape Town based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

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questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from UCT English Language Centre staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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