English courses abroad for adults in 2027: minimum age, small classes and real prices

Updated 27 October 2026 · Prices from each school's official 2027 price list

We looked at the minimum age, class size and 2027 price of 65 English schools in 9 countries. 47 accept students aged 16 (or younger) on their standard course; 10 are adults-only (18+), and the cheapest of them is AClass Academy of English in Pembroke, at €740 for 4 weeks. The cheapest standard course overall is at Gateway School of English (GSE) in St Julian's: €620 for 4 weeks. Also below: 11 programmes designed for people over 30, 40 or 50, 10 schools with classes of 8 students or fewer, and studios for those who want their own place.

Country by country: minimum age and lowest price

For each school we count the minimum age of its standard general English course (the cheapest with 14 to 30 lessons a week). The price is for 4 weeks of tuition; homestay is the cheapest single room, per week. Euros at the exchange rate of 19 October 2026 for schools that don't charge in euros.

The minimum age is the one the school gives for the course. Course price without registration fee or materials.

Adults-only courses (18+)

At 13 schools there is at least one general English course with a minimum age of 18 or more. Below, the cheapest at each school, for 4 weeks, with the maximum number of students per class.

Programmes for 30+, 40+ and 50+

Some schools run courses designed for people over 30, 40 or 50 (it says so in the course name), often on set dates. The price is for the shortest length the school sells.

All the over-50 programmes (Spanish, French, Italian and German too) with their 2027 dates are in our guide to language courses for over-50s.

Small classes: 8 students or fewer

On the standard courses of the schools in this guide, the class maximum ranges from 6 to 25 students. At 10 schools there is a general English course with 8 students or fewer: here is the cheapest at each.

Living on your own: school studios

Many adults prefer not to stay with a host family. These are the studio options the schools sell together with the course, the cheapest in each city, priced per week.

Some studios have a minimum stay or a shared bathroom: it says so in the name. There is often also an accommodation booking fee, shown on the school page.

Price guides by destination

• Malta: what an English course costs in 2027
• Dublin (and Cork, Galway, Tralee)
• London
• The UK city by city
• Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle
• United States
• Canada
• Cape Town
• Where it is cheapest to study English in Europe

How to pay less

• Check the start date: 11 of the 65 standard courses in this guide have a higher summer rate. The tables use the price for a start in March 2027.
• If you work, look at the afternoon or part-time courses: 25 schools in this guide have them, and at 21 they cost less than the standard course.
• Compare the weekly price at 4 and at 12 weeks: at 53 of the 65 schools, each week costs less if you stay 12 weeks.
• Book through LanguageBookings: you get our discount on the course, you pay nothing upfront (your card is only authorised for the deposit, which is charged when the school confirms; the rest you pay to the school), and if you find the same course cheaper under the same conditions, we match the price.

Frequently asked questions

Are English schools abroad full of teenagers?

It depends on the school and the season. Of the 65 schools in this guide, 47 accept students aged 16 (or younger) on their standard course and 10 only from 18. Courses for younger teenagers (juniors) are usually separate and are not part of this comparison.

Are there courses for people over 30, 40 or 50?

Yes: this guide lists 11, from 30+ to 50+ programmes, plus a few adults-only courses. Many run on set dates, so it pays to book early.

How many students are there in a class?

On the standard courses of these schools the maximum is 6 to 25 students per class. If you prefer a smaller group, look at the mini-group courses in the table above.

Do I have to pay everything when I book?

No. With LanguageBookings your card is only authorised for the deposit, which is charged when the school confirms; the rest you pay to the school.

All 2027 English course prices, school by school, are in our 2027 price index. If you have questions about age, classes or accommodation, write to us: we reply within 24–48 hours.