English Language, British Culture and Intercultural Skills

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Improve your English, develop your intercultural skills and explore Yorkshire through our unique programme.

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10th in the UK

for our research, The Times Higher Education's REF ranking, 2021.

15th in the UK

in The Times Good University Guide 2024, with 14 subjects ranked in the top 10.

Joint 17th

in The Complete University Guide 2024, with 13 subjects ranked in the UK top 10.

19th in the UK

in The Guardian University Guide 2024, with 6 subjects ranked in the top 10.

For adults aged 18+, our programme is designed for participants to improve their English language, intercultural competency and soft skills through interactive lessons, workshops and project work. Participants are immersed in British Culture through a rich schedule of visits and trips in the historic city of York and beyond.

Programme dates

Option 1: 15 to 29 July 2026
Option 2: 12 to 26 August 2026

Course details

English Language, British Culture and Intercultural Skills

English is a global language, and as such, it serves a variety of purposes for people around the world. For some, it’s purely functional, for others, it’s a gateway to other cultures.

In this course you will develop your functional English language skills and deepen your knowledge of British culture through a variety of lessons and workshops with our experienced tutors alongside a series of visits and trips in York and Yorkshire to put your learning into context. Specific sessions on intercultural skills will help you to explore cultural differences and strengthen your competency and communication in this area. A taster of the University’s flagship York Strengths programme will assist you in enhancing your employability skills. You will have the opportunity to put the skills and knowledge you have learnt into practice through a group research project.

Aims

The aim of this module is to develop your English language and intercultural communication skills.

In particular it helps you:

Strengthen your English language skills through a communicative and functional language based approach
Broaden your cultural horizons and enhance your intercultural competence
Develop and demonstrate in-demand and transferable professional skills for your future career or studies

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What are the academic requirements to apply?

Our summer school has no formal academic requirements, but we expect you to have a clear motivation for applying and enthusiasm for the subject. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your interest through your application form.

What level of English do I need to join?

The programme is suitable for students who have been learning English as a second/foreign language.

We do not ask for proof of your English language proficiency, however, to ensure all students receive the full value of the programme, applicants should have an intermediate level of English (minimum CEFR B1 or IELTS 4.5).

How do I apply?

Complete the online application form.

After you have submitted the application form, please allow five working days for your application to be assessed.

What happens after I apply?

We aim to inform applicants of the outcome of their application within five working days.

If your application is successful, you will receive an Offer Letter by email. This letter confirms the programme and academic option you have selected, the start and end date, and the payment deadline. In order to accept your place on the programme you will be asked to pay the programme fee in full via the University’s online store by the indicated deadline. Please refer to the terms and conditions regarding payment.

Please allow at least three working days for our team to confirm receipt of your payment and documents. On confirmation of your place, you will receive an Acceptance Letter by email.

Please note, your place on the programme is not confirmed until payment has been received.

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Places are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.

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Programme details

Study and Skills

21 hours of interactive English language and culture teaching and project work designed and delivered by experienced tutors from our Global Opportunities team.
A taster of the University’s flagship York Strengths employability skills programme.
Dedicated sessions on intercultural understanding and communication

Culture and Free Time

Put your learning into context, expand your network and make new friends through our schedule of cultural visits and optional free-time activities:

Two full-day excursions to places of historical, cultural and geographical interest around Yorkshire.
Sightseeing visits and tours in York
Regular optional free-time activities led by University of York students

Download the 2024 Timetable

Assessment and Certificate

As part of the course you will be required to complete one piece of work:

A group research and presentation assignment

You will receive a grade and feedback from your tutors. If you complete the assignment and hold a satisfactory attendance record you will be issued with a Certificate of Completion at the end of the programme.

Programme fees

Our fees
Tuition fee per session	£1,920
Early Bird Tuition Fee	£1,800 (before 31 March 2026)
The tuition fee includes all tuition and course materials, transport and entry fees for timetabled trips and visits, a welcome dinner, optional free time activities, Wi-Fi on campus and in York city centre and a certificate of completion. some activities may have an additional cost. This will be communicated on arrival.
Accommodation fee per session (optional)	£550
The accommodation fee includes accommodation for 14 nights in a single room on campus.

Accommodation and Catering

If you book accommodation with us, you will be staying in a single room with shared bathroom (usually one bathroom per 5 to 6 students) in one of our 11 colleges situated on our wonderful parkland campus. Your fellow students will be staying in the same accommodation block, but you will have the privacy of your own room.

Each accommodation block has a shared kitchen and you will be provided with basic kitchen equipment on arrival. There is a small supermarket on campus as well as a variety of food outlets and cafes.

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Getting to the University of York

Students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from the University, including any necessary visas or immigration permissions.

If you need to apply for a passport or renew/replace your passport, you should begin this process as soon as possible after you have been accepted onto the programme.

We advise that you do not start to make travel arrangements until you have received your Acceptance Letter and the programme is confirmed. We also strongly advise that you invest in a comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers cancellations, personal possessions and healthcare. Please see our terms and conditions for more details.

Do I need a visa?

If you are not a UK or Irish citizen, you may need immigration permission to enter the UK and take part in the programme.

Overseas students who will be studying in the UK for 6 months or less can do so on a Standard Visitor Visa and this will likely be the most appropriate route for most of our students.

You can check if you need a visa and how to apply at the UK Visas and Immigration website. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct immigration permissions to participate in the programme.

If you need a visa, you should apply after your place on the programme has been confirmed and you have received a Letter of Acceptance. Your Letter of Acceptance will include your passport number so please make sure this is valid and correct.

Terms and conditions

When applying to study on this programme you are required to accept our terms and conditions.

Read our terms and conditions