General English

Flexible group courses for everyday communication and fluency.

Academic English

Prepare for university study with advanced academic language skills.

Business English

English for professional communication in corporate and workplace settings.

Private Lessons

One-to-one lessons tailored to your goals, schedule and interests.

Language Excursions

Learn English while exploring Cape Town with your teacher as your guide.

IELTS Preparation

Get the score you need with targeted strategies and expert support.

Cambridge Exams

Prepare for the FCE or CAE with structured, high-quality training.

TOEFL Preparation

Build confidence and test skills to succeed in the TOEFL exam.

Private Lessons

Personalised one-to-one English lessons delivered online, on your schedule.

Corporate Groups

Live online training for teams, customised to your organisation’s needs.

English for Tech Professionals

Self-paced English course designed for developers, engineers, and IT teams.

Hiddingh Campus

Learn in a historic university campus right in the city centre.

Tours and Activities

Explore Cape Town and make friends through weekly excursions.

Social Programme

Join our schedule of fun events, outings and conversations.

Getting Around

Tips and tools for navigating the city like a local.

Social and Digital

Stay connected online and through our vibrant student community.

The Yellow House

A friendly, sociable student house just a short walk from school.

Adderley Studios

Modern, secure apartments in the heart of Cape Town.

Homestay

Live with a local family and experience South African culture.

Hotels & Aparthotels

Independent options for comfort, privacy and flexibility.

Price List

All tuition and accommodation fees in one clear table.

Booking Information

What to expect before, during and after you book.

Instalment Plans

Flexible payment options for long-term bookings.

User Login

View your bookings, make payments, and manage your details.

Visa Information

Visa options and support for international students coming to South Africa.

Insurance & Travel

What you need to know about travel, insurance and staying safe.

MyELC App

Access your timetable, progress and more on the student app.

Arrival and Orientation

How we help you settle in on your first day in Cape Town.

Certificates and Transcripts

How to request certificates, transcripts, or proof of enrolment.

Terms & Conditions

The small print — bookings, cancellations, and more.

Contact Us

Get in touch with the ELC team by email, phone or WhatsApp.

Privacy Policy

How we protect your data and respect your privacy.

Why Choose Us?

What makes ELC and UCT a great place to learn English.

About the University of Cape Town

South Africa’s leading university and home to the ELC.

About the English Language Centre

Who we are, what we offer, and how we teach.

Our Team

Meet the teachers, support staff and leadership team behind ELC.

Accreditations

Our international quality standards and endorsements.

Media & Press

News coverage, interviews and media mentions of ELC.

Testimonials

What our students, partners and teachers say about us.

Blog

Updates, stories and insights from the ELC community.


Get a Course Quote

View prices and options for your course and accommodation

Get a Quote

Book Your Course

Ready to study with us? Start your booking in just a few steps

Book Now

General English

Flexible group courses for everyday communication and fluency.

Academic English

Prepare for university study with advanced academic language skills.

Business English

English for professional communication in corporate and workplace settings.

Private Lessons

One-to-one lessons tailored to your goals, schedule and interests.

Language Excursions

Learn English while exploring Cape Town with your teacher as your guide.

IELTS Preparation

Get the score you need with targeted strategies and expert support.

Cambridge Exams

Prepare for the FCE or CAE with structured, high-quality training.

TOEFL Preparation

Build confidence and test skills to succeed in the TOEFL exam.

Private Lessons

Personalised one-to-one English lessons delivered online, on your schedule.

Corporate Groups

Live online training for teams, customised to your organisation’s needs.

English for Tech Professionals

Self-paced English course designed for developers, engineers, and IT teams.

Hiddingh Campus

Learn in a historic university campus right in the city centre.

Tours and Activities

Explore Cape Town and make friends through weekly excursions.

Social Programme

Join our schedule of fun events, outings and conversations.

Getting Around

Tips and tools for navigating the city like a local.

Social and Digital

Stay connected online and through our vibrant student community.

The Yellow House

A friendly, sociable student house just a short walk from school.

Adderley Studios

Modern, secure apartments in the heart of Cape Town.

Homestay

Live with a local family and experience South African culture.

Hotels and Aparthotels

Independent options for comfort, privacy and flexibility.

Find the Right Course

Use our Course Wizard to match your goals and level to the best option

Course Wizard

Take the Level Test

Not sure what level you are? Take the test and find out

Level Test

Price List

All tuition and accommodation fees in one clear table.

Booking Information

What to expect before, during and after you book.

Instalment Plans

Flexible payment options for long-term bookings.

User Login

View your bookings, make payments, and manage your details.

Visa Information

Visa options and support for international students coming to South Africa.

Insurance & Travel

What you need to know about travel, insurance and staying safe.

MyELC App

Access your timetable, progress and more on the student app.

Arrival and Orientation

How we help you settle in on your first day in Cape Town.

Certificates and Transcripts

How to request certificates, transcripts, or proof of enrolment.

Terms & Conditions

The small print — bookings, cancellations, and more.

Contact Us

Get in touch with the ELC team by email, phone or WhatsApp.

Privacy Policy

How we protect your data and respect your privacy.

Why Choose Us?

What makes ELC and UCT a great place to learn English.

About the University of Cape Town

South Africa’s leading university and home to the ELC.

About the English Language Centre

Who we are, what we offer, and how we teach.

Our Team

Meet the teachers, support staff and leadership team behind ELC.

Accreditations

Our international quality standards and endorsements.

Media & Press

News coverage, interviews and media mentions of ELC.

Testimonials

What our students, partners and teachers say about us.

Blog

Updates, stories and insights from the ELC community.

Learn to
be confident, speak fluently, lead teams, have impact, study abroad, express ideas, work globally, think critically
in English

Learn to
be confident, speak fluently, lead teams, have impact, study abroad, express ideas, work globally, think critically
in English

Learn English with the University of Cape Town



The UCT English Language Centre offers a wide range of English courses for learners at all levels, whether you’re just starting out, building fluency, or preparing for university or the workplace. Our programmes are designed to help you communicate with confidence and accuracy in real-world situations, using practical and engaging methods that reflect how English is actually used. All courses are taught by qualified, experienced teachers and form part of the University of Cape Town, consistently ranked as Africa’s top university.

We understand that every learner is different, so our courses are built with flexibility in mind. You can start on most Mondays, choose the number of weeks that fits your schedule, and even combine group lessons with one-to-one support. We offer both in-person and online options, so you can learn in the way that suits you best, wherever you are in the world.

I need to learn English for
international work, global travel, living abroad, a better future, everyday life, personal growth, university success, new opportunities, my next adventure, building confidence, global communication, connecting with people

Whatever your reason for learning English, our Course Wizard will help you build the right package. Get a personalised course and accommodation recommendation with an itemised quote in just a few steps.

Why Learn English with Us?

Study at Africa’s top university with a global reputation for quality.

Learn from qualified, experienced teachers who care about your progress.

Choose from General, Academic, Business, Exam Prep, and more.

Start your course any Monday and choose your own course duration.

Be immersed in English every day — inside and outside the classroom.

Become part of a friendly, international student community.

Study in person or online — or combine both for added flexibility.

Private lessons available for a fully personalised learning experience.

Achieve your goals with a certificate from UCT’s English Language Centre.

What's Learning at ELC like?

Every student at ELC has a different story — and a different reason for learning English. In this video, students share their personal journeys: what brought them here, which course they chose, and how their learning experience has helped them grow.

Some are preparing for university, others are here for work or travel, and many are simply pursuing a goal they’ve set for themselves. What they have in common is a desire to improve their English — and a learning environment that supports them at every step.

Our English Courses

Explore our full range of courses — from general English and exam preparation to online learning and teacher training.

English Courses

In-person courses for study, work, and travel

View

Exam Preparation

Get ready for IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge

View

Online Courses

Learn from anywhere with live or self-paced options

View

TEFL Courses

Train to teach English in South Africa or abroad

View

All Our English Courses

Explore each of our courses to find the one that suits you best