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Budget decision guide

What a language course abroad really costs

Tuition is usually the most visible number and rarely the largest one. This guide walks through every cost line and shows the weekly tuition that providers in our directory actually publish.

Updated 4 October 2026 · Independent guidance
01Start from the tuition unit

Convert every quote to the same unit, such as price per week at the same number of lessons, before comparing schools or countries.

02List the one-off fees

Registration, placement, materials, exam entry and accommodation-finding fees are often charged once and can be significant on short stays.

03Price the housing separately

Homestay, residence and shared-flat prices are usually quoted apart from tuition, sometimes with a booking fee and deposit.

04Add the costs of being abroad

Flights, insurance, visa fees, local transport, food, phone and leisure often exceed tuition on courses of a month or more.

05Keep a margin

Exchange rates, seasonal surcharges and extra weeks can move the total. A contingency of a few weeks' living costs avoids difficult decisions mid-course.

Published course data by destination
DestinationProviders listedCourses with current intakesPublished weekly tuition range
United Kingdom3234GBP 254–459 (8 courses)
Ireland109EUR 205–335 (4 courses)
Malta97EUR 180–260 (4 courses)
France015EUR 250–480 (8 courses)
Spain1212EUR 195–239 (2 courses)
Germany1313Too few weekly prices to compare
United States166192USD 315–575 (12 courses)
Canada2526CAD 395–480 (3 courses)
Australia1614AUD 400–694 (4 courses)
Japan022JPY 27,500–47,800 (4 courses)
China1713USD 302–650 (4 courses)
Philippines64Too few weekly prices to compare

Figures are counted from the records on this site at build time. Weekly ranges use only courses whose official page states a price per week; they are not market averages, and they exclude registration, materials and accommodation.

In depth

What a language course abroad really costs

Why weekly tuition is the fairest comparison

Schools quote prices per lesson, per week, per four-week block, per term or per level. A term price can look high next to a weekly price until you divide it by the number of weeks and compare the hours per week. Lesson length matters as well: 20 lessons of 45 minutes is 15 hours of teaching, while 20 lessons of 60 minutes is 20 hours.

When a provider offers long-stay discounts, the weekly price for 12 or 24 weeks can be noticeably lower than the price for 2 to 4 weeks. Compare the length you will actually book, not the cheapest band on the price list.

Fees that sit outside the tuition price

Most private schools charge a registration or enrolment fee once per booking. Materials may be included, charged per week, or charged per level. University language centres often add an application fee and may charge a separate student services fee. Exam preparation courses rarely include the exam entry fee itself.

  • Registration or application fee and whether it is refundable.
  • Course materials, books and online platform access.
  • Placement test and certificate fees.
  • Exam entry fees if the course prepares you for an external exam.
  • Airport transfer and accommodation booking fees.

Accommodation is often the biggest line

In major cities, a homestay or student residence can cost as much as tuition or more. Prices usually depend on room type, meals, distance from the school and season, with summer surcharges common in Europe. Ask whether the price is per night or per week, whether there is a minimum stay, and what deposit is required.

Arranging your own flat can be cheaper for long stays but involves contracts, deposits and furniture. For a first stay of a few weeks, school-arranged housing reduces risk even when it is slightly more expensive.

Visa, insurance and travel

Some destinations allow short courses on a visitor or visa-free entry, while longer or full-time study needs a student visa with its own fee, financial evidence and sometimes health insurance requirements. Budget for document translation, biometrics appointments and travel to a visa centre if needed. Official government sites are the only reliable source for current visa rules and fees.

A simple budgeting method

Write one line per cost, multiply weekly items by the number of weeks, add one-off fees, and convert everything to your home currency at a cautious exchange rate. Then compare the total per week of study across two or three shortlisted options. That figure, rather than headline tuition, tells you which course is affordable.

Course-level evidence

Examples with course-level evidence

These records illustrate comparable fields and formats; they are not rankings or paid recommendations.

Browse matching courses →

Evidence limitation

Confirm the current offer.

Course information can change by intake. Use the linked provider source to confirm dates, fees, availability, entry requirements and policies before applying or paying.

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