KU English: Elevate your language skills
Subject and course type
- Short course
Develop your English speaking, listening, reading and writing skills with the KU English course. This course is open to the public as well as Kingston University students.
Convenient, engaging online English classes
If you would like to improve your general and academic English skills, this course is for you. The KU English course will:
- develop your English speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
- build your English vocabulary and knowledge of how to use English grammar accurately.
- provide you with regular practice, frequent feedback and assessments.
During the course you will meet other international students, enhance your intercultural and communication skills and have opportunities to practice and develop your confidence in English working on tasks on a range of interesting topics.
This course is designed for students who do not have English as a first language. It focuses on general and academic English language skills, with additional materials to study academic and general writing.
Why choose this course
The KU English course suits people who want to learn English for a short period per week, meet international students and staff in an academic setting and have opportunities to practise and develop their confidence in English.
In addition to the weekly interactive sessions, we also offer a weekly in-person conversation session on Thursdays. This is an opportunity to develop your English speaking skills even further and get the support of a teacher.
There are useful preparation tasks and formative further study activities to develop your general and academic English skills.
As an added benefit, being at Kingston University allows you access to the facilities and learning resources during your studies.
If you are a Kingston University students, you will gain points towards your Kingston Award and can also add the course to your Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR).
The teacher has been exceptional, demonstrating a high level of interactivity, responsiveness, and a genuinely encouraging and supportive approach.
Course level
The KU English course runs at three levels:
- KU English: Elevate your Language Skills 2: This module is suitable for Intermediate level students i.e. English Language level of approximately IELTS 5.5-6.0 / CEFR B1-B2.
- KU English: Elevate your Language Skills 3: This module is suitable for Upper Intermediate level students i.e. English Language level of approximately IELTS 6-6.5 / CEFR B2.
- KU English: Elevate your Language Skills 4: This module is suitable for Advanced level students i.e. English Language level of approximately IELTS 7.0+ / CEFR C1-C2.
You will be asked to complete an online Placement Test before joining your class. This enables us to allocate you the right class for your overall level. When you book your place, details of how to carry out this test will be emailed to you.
Course costs
Tuition fee
- £240: Non-Kingston students (members of the public)
- Free: KU students and staff (including Study Abroad and Erasmus students)
Note: As an educational institution our fees do not attract VAT. If a course has any discounted fees available (e.g. for early-bird booking, alumni or students) these will be clearly outlined on the booking website.
Additional course costs
All students will be required to purchase the course e-textbook independently at the beginning of the course. We will email you with details of the e-book you need to get after we have allocated you to a class.
The course provides a great deal of benefit, helping students improve their skills and acquire professional vocabulary.
Important information
- You must be able to make a regular commitment to the course, including some work outside class each week.
- You can choose to study with us for one 10-week term or continue for two terms.
- Completion of the KU English course does not provide UKVI-approved evidence of language level, and we cannot provide student visas or accommodation for entry onto this course.
Accessing your classes
For Teaching Block 2 (January to April) all KU English: Elevate your Language Skills classes will be delivered via interactive online sessions.
We will email you with further information about how to access the classes in the days before the course starts.
Book your place
The next KU English course will take place:
Date: 21 January – 1 April 2026
Time: 17:00 – 19:00
Duration: 10 weeks (there is no session on 18 February 2026)
To book your place, please complete the registration form.
Note: If you are an external applicant, we will send you information on how to pay your course fee when you have completed the registration form.
