Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The price includes:

• Accommodation (residential)
• Meals*
• Tuition
• Academic materials
• General sports, social activities and events
• All standard excursions including admission costs
• Wi-Fi & weekly laundry services
• Graduation certificate & an academic progress report
• Travel insurance

*We will endeavour to meet all dietary requirements, e.g. vegetarian, vegan, Halal etc.

There is no formal deadline for applications, however, we give places on a first-come, first-served basis. We also employ a 10% limit on the number of students who speak the same language. This means that there is only a limited number of places for each course per native language. Particularly with our smaller Campuses, e.g. SBC at Eton College, this means that places can fill quickly. We, therefore, advise booking as soon as possible in order to guarantee your place.

1. Application is submitted on the booking form.
2. Your dedicated Admissions Manager will then contact you via your preferred method of contact to confirm any outstanding details. This will be the perfect opportunity to ask any questions before a deposit is paid. Once your details are confirmed, you will be sent a booking confirmation email, which serves as formal confirmation of the student’s place.
3. Once you have received the booking confirmation email, you will then need to pay a deposit of £700.00 per student (for residential courses) OR full payment for Day Camps within 48 hours via your unique Flywire link or a bank transfer to secure your place. We are happy to accept payments via other, non-card payment methods (including domestic and international bank transfer), thanks to our partnership with education payment specialists, Flywire.
4. The remaining balance for residential courses is due on/before Monday 15th May 2023.
5. Congratulations, your child is on their way to study in the UK!

We understand that there is lots to consider when making the decision to book one of our courses. Our dedicated Admissions Team are here to make the decision-making process easier for you. We are very happy to provide a free personal consultation to you.

At SBC Canford and Headington Oxford Summer School, students from beginner level (A1+) through to fluent speakers enjoy learning in our supportive and immersive English environment.

At Eton, Oxford College, Cambridge College, Earlscliffe and Rochester, the minimum level of English language required is intermediate (B1+) or above.

Before the summer, we send an online test for students to complete. We will use the results to confirm their suitability for the course. In the case that a student does not meet the required level on the test, we will conduct an academic consultation to assess the next best step.

If you would like to arrange a free English test for your child, then our Admissions Team can help. Contact us here.

International Student Travel Insurance
This international student travel insurance policy is designed to cater for the insurance needs of persons studying in the UK on a trip arranged by Summer Boarding Courses. The product provides cover including emergency medical assistance and medical costs, protection in the event of cancellation or curtailment, cover for loss, theft of or damage to baggage and personal money.

Key features and benefits:

• A 24 hour helpline for medical emergencies
• Emergency medical expenses in the event of illness or injury
• Protection against cancellation or curtailment charges
• Cover for loss or damage to baggage and personal money
• A wide range of sports and activities covered
• Cover for irrecoverable pre-paid college, university or language school fees
• Leisure trips within Europe and any trip outside the UK if part of your course

Key eligibility criteria and exclusions:

• Not available to anyone aged 66 or over
• No cover under cancellation or curtailment charges, emergency medical expenses or personal accident relating to any reason set out under ‘Important conditions relating to health’ – see group policy wording
• No cover where the FCO or World Health Organisation has advised against travel
• No cover where travel is not departing from and returning to your home country
• Each claim will be subject to a £50 excess wherever an excess applies

The table below displays a summary of the maximum amounts which are payable under each section. Please note the group policy is subject to terms, conditions, limits and exclusions – please refer to the group policy wording and the statement of insurance for full details of the cover available.

Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This can be checked on the Financial Services Register by visiting its website at https://register.fca.org.uk/.Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited. Company No. 856706 registered in England at Shurdington Road, Cheltenham Spa, Gloucestershire GL51 4UE.

Should a student receive a COVID-19 diagnosis before the start of your programme, the student will be entitled to receive a credit note or postponement to a later 2023 date, or rollover to 2024 course, for all fees paid (no charges), on producing proof of a positive diagnosis. In the unlikely event of a positive diagnosis for COVID-19 during the course, cover is included for additional travel and accommodation costs. Otherwise, the following terms apply:

• A non-refundable deposit payment of £700.00 per student is due within 48 hours of submitting a booking form. This secures the place. All cancellations must be made in writing and take effect from the date we receive such notice. Where a cancellation is made more than 30 days prior to the Arrival Date, there will be a refund of all Course Fees paid, minus the Deposit.

• Due to the requirement to arrange staffing, transport, airport transfers, accommodation and other aspects of the Course in advance of the Arrival Date, where a cancellation is made less than 30 days prior to the Arrival Date, there will be no refund, except in the case of valid visa refusal or at our sole discretion. Where a booking is amended less than 30 days prior to or after the Arrival Date, there will be no refund for any missed elements of the Course (including the Course itself, English Plus, Academic Options, Transfers, etc.), and there may be a further charge for the additional items. Read our full Terms and Conditions.

Our courses can be broadly divided into three distinct categories: 1) General English* and 2) English Through Academic Subjects (i.e. non-General English), 3.) Subject-specific tuition at Oxford and Cambridge Colleges.

We offer General English courses for all levels of students between 8 and 17 years of age who wish to improve their English for use in everyday situations, as well as for academic purposes. Our tutors use a wide range of modern communicative methodologies that focus on developing confidence and ability in English, giving students the tools that they need to both communicate and study effectively. All skills are taught in our General English courses: speaking, reading, writing and listening. Through our innovative course designs, students always practice and recycle what they have learned during their lessons.

The English Through Academic Subjects programme is specifically designed for intermediate level or above students. These courses are written and delivered to primarily teach the English language through the study of a subject itself. In these courses, teaching English and teaching the subject is integrated together, so that you will learn both at the same time. This language learning methodology is called Content & Language Integrated Learning (CLIL). All of our CLIL subject courses have the following four objectives:

• Communication: Studying through a communicative and collaborative approach to learning, with the aim of improving English language proficiency.
• Content: Improving the knowledge of the subject (e.g. Medicine, International Relations, etc.)
• Cognition: All courses at SBC focus on developing 21st Century Skills, such as critical thinking skills, collaborative skills and presentation skills.
• Culture: All courses include the cross-cultural benefits of studying in a multi-national environment.

Subject-specific tuition is available at Oxford and Cambridge Colleges. In subject-specific courses, the focus is on learning the subject itself, rather than learning English through studying the subject. Students are required to have an intermediate level of English or higher, and the courses accommodate both native and non-native speakers of English. The courses are intended to improve our students’ knowledge of specific subjects, with particular emphasis on preparing students for university-level study. Students will follow in the footsteps of some of the world’s greatest minds, as they explore their chosen subject through a series of engaging lectures, tutorials, 2:1 tutorials and industry workshops, delivered by leading academics and professionals.

All students receive 15-22 hours of tuition per week in their chosen subject, culminating in a Time to Shine presentation. This gives students the opportunity to use their English and demonstrate their learning whilst developing their presentation skills. Every student will also take part in a series of dynamic tasks and projects to enhance their learning.

*includes Think Global! and Routemap English

We are an organisation that contracts with Wycliffe Hall (part of the University of Oxford year-round) for the use of the facilities, but we have no formal connection with the University of Oxford. That being said, students at our Oxford College course live and study in the inspiring setting of Oxford University, the world’s #1 ranked university. This is a perfect course to prepare students for future studies.

General English and English Through Academic Subjects lessons are delivered by specialist Tutors, who are specifically qualified in teaching English as a foreign language. Subject-specific tuition is delivered by qualified and experienced tutors in their subjects. All Tutors are experienced in working with our age groups and levels of language skills. We were assessed as having 15/15 areas of strength in a recent inspection from the British Council, including ‘teaching’ and ‘course design’. The inspectors noted that:

‘Carefully chosen teams of appropriately qualified staff, led and supported by fully competent academic managers from HO and in the schools, deliver well-structured courses designed to provide maximum possible benefit to students.’ Read more about our British Council accreditation.

Our Tutors are recruited not only because they are qualified experts in their subject area, (with the majority holding both an English teaching qualification and a BA or MA in their specific subject area and having experience of age groups), but also because they are passionate about what they teach and know how to make learning fun and engaging.

Please click below to view our sample timetables.

SBC Canford example

Headington Oxford example

Eton College example

Earlscliffe example

Oxford College example

Cambridge College example

SBC at Twyford School example

Rochester Independent College example

These are provided for example purposes only and are subject to change.

Further information on the specifics of each course will be provided after the point of booking.

Please go through to the Framework of Levels for Placement Test page to find out more information.

You should only book your flights to/from the UK once the deposit payment has been received by SBC International (you will receive confirmation from your Admissions Manager). Thereafter, you may book your flights to/from the UK on published Start and End Dates. Our Admissions Team is happy to assist and review your flight times.

We understand that it is a big commitment to book an overseas course in such times. As such, we would like to provide a sense of security to you when booking. We are pleased to offer the following flexible terms to anyone who books with SBC.

If a student contracts COVID-19 before or during their stay with us, then they would be covered under insurance. Students prevented from travelling to the course on the course start date due to international travel restrictions (i.e. country is on UK government’s Amber or Red travel list) will be entitled to receive a full refund, postponement to a later 2023 date, or rollover to 2024 course, for all fees paid (no charges). In the event of us cancelling our courses, we would offer the option of a full refund or credit for 2024. You can download a copy of our student insurance policy here.

Please see here for guidance on travelling to the UK.

Read our full Terms and Conditions here.

If the Standard Visitor visa application is refused then provided you inform us of this and we receive a valid visa refusal letter no later than ten days prior to the Course Start Date, a full refund of any Fees paid will be issued, less a £200 administration fee.

The quickest and easiest way to find out whether you need a Visa is to check via this link here.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without needing a visa. This applies now, after Brexit.

For those that do require a Visa, the application that you will need to apply for is the Standard Visitor Visa.

Upon receipt of your deposit payment (due within 48 hours of receiving the Booking Confirmation Email), we will ask you to send your child’s passport details to your Admissions Manager. They will be able to issue a Visa Support Letter for the purposes of applying for the Visa.

It is important to note that, depending on the country, applications can take around 20 working days (or 3-4 weeks) to process. You are advised to begin the application process as early as possible. Once the Visa is obtained, we will need to receive a scanned copy of the student’s passport and the Visa by e-mail. SBC International reserve the right to cancel a booking, if a copy of the Visa has not been received 4 weeks before the course arrival date.

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact your local embassy which should be able to offer you the correct support and guidance.

Please look at our Dates & Prices here and check the relevant location. The Start Date shows the date on which the student will need to arrive at the School/land in the UK. The End Date shows the date on which the student will need to leave the School/depart from the UK.

If you are accompanying your child to the School, please arrive on the Start Date between 11:00 and 15:00. The exact address will be confirmed in your Welcome Pack or by your Admissions Manager. If you are collecting your child at the end of their stay, please collect on End Date between 09:00 and 11:00.

For those using our Shared Transfer Service, please see details below under ‘’What are your Transfer Fees & Process?’.

*Earlscliffe fee includes return transfers to/from London Heathrow and London Gatwick for flights/trains scheduled to arrive/depart between 9am-3pm on published arrival and departure day.

For other locations, we provide all our students with the option of using our Shared Transfer Service from/to London Heathrow Airport and St. Pancras International. The fees are:

When a student arrives, an SBC staff member wearing a bright yellow t-shirt will be waiting to greet her/him and accompany them to our Welcome Club. At Welcome Club, she/he will have the chance to meet other students arriving, have some light refreshments and relax. After a little rest, students will be accompanied by students and SBC staff to board the coach and be taken directly to the School in a private coach. The Shared Transfer Service can be used by students using the following flight times:

Flight lands on arrival day: 06:00-17:00

Flight take-off time on departure day: 8:00-18:00

If you book a flight outside of these times or to/from another UK airport, we can look at sending a staff member in a taxi to collect or drop off your child, but it will cost more than the Shared Transfer Service. Quotes are available upon request.

We have a range of residential accommodation facilities across all Campuses. Please see below for the options available:

• SBC Canford – Mostly single & twin rooms, some 4-bed dorms.
• Headington – Mostly twin rooms. Some male single rooms and female dorms
• Eton – Single rooms
• Oxford College – Single, twin and triple rooms
• Cambridge College – Single en-suite rooms
• Earlscliffe – Mostly twin and triple en-suite rooms. A few single en-suite
• Rochester (RIC) – Single rooms

We always room students with someone of a similar age, but different native language. However, we will do our best to meet any specific accommodation requests (e.g. sharing a room with a friend). Contact your Admissions Manager upon booking to arrange this.

Our friendly and supportive staff team are available 24 hours per day to support students. We pride ourselves on offering the best possible care to students, and achieved British Council area of strength in ‘care of students’ and ‘safeguarding under 18s’.

Where possible, we will accommodate male and female students in different boarding houses. On some Campuses, male and female students are housed in the same buildings. However, their rooms are always on separate corridors and/or staircases and are supervised 24/7 by SBC staff.

We have an extremely high ratio of staff to students throughout the summer. At each Campus, we have a Welfare Co-Ordinator, who oversees the welfare and safety of the students and would deal with any pastoral issues. We also have several House Parents/College Mentors, who are responsible for the day-to-day care of the students and are the first point of contact if any student felt as though they were upset in any way. Alongside these members of staff, all employees are trained before the summer in Child Safeguarding and many of the staff are trained in giving First Aid. There will also be a dedicated Admissions Manager for each Campus, who will be the main point of contact for families with any issues or concerns.

Our friendly and supportive staff team are available 24 hours per day to support students. We pride ourselves on offering the best possible care to students, and achieved British Council area of strength in ‘care of students’ and ‘safeguarding under 18s’.

The safety and care of our students is our top priority. We will implement whatever guidance is prescribed by the UK Government at the time of the course. This may include but is not limited to: social distancing, PPE inc. face masks, testing, hand sanitising, ventilation and a limit of the no. of students in one group/class.