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Centre of English Studies (CES)Oxford, England UK

4.0

Rating: 4.0/5.0

7 students - overall rating
67 High Street, Wheatley - OX33 1XT Oxford - see on map
Pay less than booking at the school
What we like about the school
  • Located in a traditional village close to the student city of Oxford
  • Host families within walking distance
  • Private garden and courtyard, perfect for relaxing, garden games and summer BBQs.
  • Homestay accommodation very close to school
  • Free assistance in applying to college/university programmes by a qualified consultant.
  • E-learning platform.
What we dislike about the school
  • Lessons are 45 minutes long, which is shorter than in other schools.
Age of students
  Percentage of students
1-18 years 14%
18-24 years 55%
25-34 years 17%
35-50 years 11%
>50 years 3%
The average age outside summer is 2 years higher than in summer.

Location: Centre of English Studies (CES) Oxford is located in the town of Wheatley, on the outskirts of Oxford, in central southern England. The school is housed in a beautiful Townhouse, offering students a tranquil home of study with excellent facilities, away from the city centre. Wheatley Town is only a 30-minute bus journey from the city centre of Oxford, ensuring students have the city and all of its attractions within easy reach. Students of CES Oxford get a unique view into the traditional village-life of southern England whilst being a short distance from the night-life, happenings and attractions of Oxford.

Course selection: Course selection offers something for junior and adult students of all levels. In addition to General English tuition over various schedules and intensities, CES Oxford also offers Exam preparation (IELTS, FCE), University Pathway, Business English and English & Culture programmes suitable to students aged 50+ at various times throughout the year. During the summer months, immersive junior programmes are also available.

School facilities: The school's facilities include everything a student may need to reach their language and learning goals in a vibrant and motivating environment. Facilities include a library, computer lab, free after-class access to language learning software, kitchen use for students, a games room, lounge area and a garden. All classrooms are equipped with heating and ample natural light to create an optimal learning environment.

Accommodation: Accommodation is readily available throughout the year via the school, in numerous Homestay facilities.

School chain: Centre of English Studies (CES) has over 40 years of experience delivering top-quality tuition and student care to students from all over the world. They have many schools and locations within their group, offering courses to adults and junior students in England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and Taiwan.

CES is recognised and accredited by the British Council in the UK and ACELS (the Irish Department of Education) in Ireland. CES Ireland is also a founding member of Marketing English in Ireland (MEI).

Many of the CES schools are members of several international teaching associations such as EAQUALS and EnglishUK, with several also official IELTS or PEARSON Test Centres.

English Courses

General Language
Work & Study
Business
Exam PreparationWhy exam preparation courses are excellent for optimum progress

Our prices for Centre of English Studies (CES) include

  • INCLUDED Organized activities
  • INCLUDED Internet access and use of school computers
  • INCLUDED Wireless LAN zone at school
  • INCLUDED Free certificate of course attendance
  • INCLUDED Language level placement test at first day of classes
  • INCLUDED For adult courses: a minimum of one free organized leisure activity per week
  • INCLUDED Free assistance in applying to college/university programs by a qualified consultant
  • INCLUDED Elearning platform

Videos & Photos

  • Socialising
    Socialising 1/43
  • Stone building in Oxford
    Stone building in Oxford 2/43
  • Studying
    Studying 3/43
  • Teaching
    Teaching4/43
  • Activities
    Activities 5/43
  • Learning
    Learning6/43
  • Scenery
    Scenery7/43
  • Windmill in Oxford
    Windmill in Oxford 8/43
  • Students in Oxford
    Students in Oxford9/43
  • Cafe
    Cafe10/43
  • lesson
    lesson11/43
  • Learning language
    Learning language12/43
  • Bedroom
    Bedroom13/43
  • CES class
    CES class14/43
  • cafeteria
    cafeteria15/43
  • classroom
    classroom16/43
  • Accommodation
    Accommodation17/43
  • CES accommodation
    CES accommodation18/43
  • Break time
    Break time19/43
  • Happy students
    Happy students 20/43
  • CES Oxford school building
    CES Oxford school building 21/43
  • Back garden
    Back garden22/43
  • table tennis
    table tennis23/43
  • Welcome to CES
    Welcome to CES24/43
  • garden
    garden25/43
  • School building from above
    School building from above26/43
  • Desks
    Desks 27/43
  • Archery
    Archery28/43
  • Single room
    Single room29/43
  • Landscape
    Landscape 30/43
  • CES Oxford garden
    CES Oxford garden31/43
  • Sightseeing
    Sightseeing32/43
  • Lesson in progress
    Lesson in progress33/43
  • Punting
    Punting34/43
  • CES Entrance
    CES Entrance 35/43
  • Welcoming new students
    Welcoming new students36/43
  • Student
    Student37/43
  • Making new friends
    Making new friends38/43
  • Accommdation building
    Accommdation building39/43
  • Sites
    Sites40/43
  • Beautiful views
    Beautiful views41/43
  • Computer facilities
    Computer facilities 42/43
  • Enjoying the city
    Enjoying the city43/43

Student opinions about Centre of English Studies (CES), Oxford

4.0

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Overall school rating of
Centre of English Studies (CES), Oxford
School
Location of the school
4.0 

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Facilities
4.1 

Rating: 4.1/5.0

Social activities
3.9 

Rating: 3.9/5.0

Organisation
4.1 

Rating: 4.1/5.0

Course
Quality of teaching
4.1 

Rating: 4.1/5.0

Value for money
3.4 

Rating: 3.4/5.0

Accommodation
Homestay
4.3 

Rating: 4.3/5.0

Overall school rating by student age group
Students < 18 years (1 rating)
5.0 

Rating: 5.0/5.0

Students 18-30 years (1 rating)
4.0 

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Students 31-49 years (1 rating)
3.0 

Rating: 3.0/5.0

Students 50+ years (4 ratings)
4.0 

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Verified reviews only, uncensored. All student opinions from students who booked a course at the school with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
4.0

Rating: 4/5.0

Liked
The distance between a teacher and students is very close and we speak very friendly. As it's a small group, we can make friends with every students in a class. There's a kitchen and I was very happy to prepare the Japanese food not only for myself but also other students.
Insider tip: I think it's important to speak without being very timid not only to improve English but also make friends there.
Review details
Course: Intensive General English - 6 weeks
Review date: 30. Sep. 2013 by Yumeri Uji
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
4.0

Rating: 4/5.0

Liked
Good organisation, helpful staff, good teachers, well located compared to my homestay.
Insider tip: A microwave would be appreciated! Nowhere to find a healthy meal...except at the SUN !!
Review details
Course: English & Culture programme [English] - 2 weeks
Review date: 31. Oct. 2018 by Maïté (Marie-Thérèse) Cantoni
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
4.0

Rating: 4/5.0

Liked
Very nice to learn English in England. Super nice teachers.
Disliked
I did not quite connect with fellow students in my class.
Review details
Course: Standard General English [Engels] - 2 weeks
Review date: 29. Mar. 2022 by Geessienus Kruger
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
3.0

Rating: 3/5.0

Liked
The teachers are ready for their classes
Insider tip: They need to be well informed about what kind/type courses they are going to have.
Review details
Other comments The course, honestly, was not like what I expected. I though, we were in a group starting and finishing at the same time. But, the school runs the whole year and we can just join at anytime we want. The state of the students is different. And we weren't informed what we were going to study and what we expected.
Course: Combined Intensive English (20 Group + 5 Individual / week) - 2 weeks
Review date: 26. Aug. 2015 by Ria Millati
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
Good teachers and friendly classmates
Insider tip: Public transport is very efficient.
Review details
Course: Intensive General English - 3 weeks
Review date: 17. Aug. 2015 by Vincenzo Fiorio
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
4.0

Rating: 4/5.0

Liked
Afternoon activities
Insider tip: The location of the school and courses is not located in the city of Oxford but in Weathley. A small hamlet, about 6-7 kilometers before Oxford, coming from Heathrow airport.
Review details
Other comments The teachers are good and prepared but at an organizational level the relationship between the accommodation service and the families leaves something to be desired. My family had not been advised that I would be leaving on October 17th and not October 20th and the taxi to the airport had not been booked.
Course: 50+ Program + Standard + Oxford English - 4 weeks
Review date: 22. Oct. 2019 by Francesco Franco
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.

Ratings of Centre of English Studies (CES) compared to ratings of all schools in England UK

 Centre of English Studies (CES) OxfordAverage of all other schools in England UK
Overall school rating4.0

Rating: 4.0/5.0

4.2

Rating: 4.2/5.0

Location of the school4.0

Rating: 4.0/5.0

4.6

Rating: 4.6/5.0

Facilities4.1

Rating: 4.1/5.0

3.9

Rating: 3.9/5.0

Social activities3.9

Rating: 3.9/5.0

3.8

Rating: 3.8/5.0

Organisation4.1

Rating: 4.1/5.0

4.2

Rating: 4.2/5.0

Quality of teaching4.1

Rating: 4.1/5.0

4.3

Rating: 4.3/5.0

Value for money3.4

Rating: 3.4/5.0

3.9

Rating: 3.9/5.0

Homestay4.3

Rating: 4.3/5.0

4.1

Rating: 4.1/5.0

Shared flat4.3

Rating: 4.3/5.0

4.0

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Centre of English Studies (CES) (CES)

Accreditations and Quality seals
ALTOBritish councilEnglish UKIALCYoung Learners English UKPreferential Terms in Case of Visa Refusal
English teacher qualifications
100% hold a university degree
100% hold a recognised language teaching qualification
Languages spoken by school staff (cannot be guaranteed by school)
First day of course
Written and oral level test is performed. Students should arrive at 9:30
Student gender mix
50% male / 50% female
Payment methods accepted for payments made directly to the school
Bank Transfer - logo
Year of school foundation
1989
Legal name/parent company
Centre of English Studies Ltd | Tax registration ID: 3669269

General school facilities

  • Microwave for student use

  • Fridge for student use

  • Kitchen for student use

  • Computer lab

  • Library

  • Movie rental

  • Free after-class access to language learning software

  • Games room

  • Lounge

  • Garden

  • Video game console

  • Table tennis

  • Billiards

  • Printer for student use

  • Copy machine

  • Free coffee

  • Free water dispenser

  • Free WIFI

  • Free parking

  • Non-smoking (all indoor and all outdoor areas of school)

  • Facilities for islamic students

    • Available area to pray at the school

    • Homestay option that can prepare halal food

    • Homestay option for female islamic students where no men are living in household and that prepare halal food

    • Arabic homestays available

  • Classroom equipment

    • TV in most classrooms

    • Air conditioning in some classrooms

    • Heating in all classrooms

    • Ample natural light in all classrooms

    • Number of classrooms: 10
    • Number of public PC workstations: 10

    Facilities for disabled students

    • Wheelchair access to classroom

Student Age / Nationality

Average number of students
Throughout the year: 30
Minimum age of students
16 years
12 years for specific Junior courses
Average number of levels
Adult courses In summer: 5
Adult courses Throughout the year: 3
Junior courses In summer: 3
Junior courses Throughout the year: 3
Average age of students
In summer: 21 years
Throughout the year: 23 years

Top student nationalities

Student Nationality Percentage of students
Italy 20%
Spain 15%
Turkey 8%
Japan 8%
Germany 5%
Korea 5%
Switzerland 4%
Thailand 3%
China 2%
Brazil 2%
Saudi Arabia 1%
Sweden 1%
France 1%
Other nationalities 25%

Information for all courses offered by Centre of English Studies (CES)

Lesson duration
45 minutes
School's administrative fee
75.00 £
Course material
Generally course material has to be purchased by the student. The costs of course material will be approximately 32 £ per course level.
Comments about courses

CES Oxford has a maximum class size of 9 students. However, in the summer months, the maximum size can be as high as 12 students.

Individual classes
Single individual lessons of tuition can be reserved at 70 £. The combination of group and individual lessons is highly recommended. Individual lessons will encourage you to actively speak the foreign language and will offer you the opportunity to discuss individual problems and weaknesses.
Days without class
In 2024 (including national and regional bank holidays):
01 Jan 2024, 29 Mar 2024, 01 Apr 2024, 06 May 2024, 27 May 2024, 26 Aug 2024, 23 Dec 2024 - 31 Dec 2024.
In 2025 (including national and regional bank holidays):
01 Jan 2025, 18 Apr 2025, 21 Apr 2025, 05 May 2025, 26 May 2025, 25 Aug 2025, 22 Dec 2025 - 31 Dec 2025.
If a bank holiday falls on a weekday there is no refund nor are missed lessons recuperated. This is the case for the majority of language schools.
Level test
A test to assess your exact language level takes place at the school on the first day of the course.
Lessons needed per English language level
Level (CEFR) LESSONS needed per level WEEKS needed
(20 lessons per week)
A1 Beginner A1 to A2 80 4
A2 Elementary A2 to B1 160 8
B1 Intermediate B1 to B2 180 9
B2 Higher Intermediate B2 to C1 200 10
C1 Advanced C1 to C2 220 11
C2 Proficiency
Data above gives some guidance. For more details consult our page How long does it take to learn a language or reach a specific level.

Airport transfer

London Heathrow Airport:
165 £ one way
330 £ return (both ways)
London Gatwick Airport:
205 £ one way
410 £ return (both ways)
London Stansted Airport:
215 £ one way
430 £ return (both ways)
Best arrival airport is London Heathrow (LHR).
More details about airports near Oxford and how to travel independently from the airport to the city on our Oxford page. For flight comparisons to Oxford, we recommend using skyscanner.com.

Visa Documents

Nationals from USA do not require a visa to study short term courses up to 180 days. Documentation regarding purpose of visit must be shown at the border in order to enter the country. For Study purposes: letter of enrolment from school, accommodation arrangements and proof of payments to the relevant institutions.
Check visa requirements for nationals from other countries.
Nationals from countries that require a visa will receive documents from the school, related to booking confirmation, which is required for the visa application.
Full payment of all fees required before school dispatches documents required for visa application
Yes
Express shipment fee (via courier)
65 £
Free shipment via regular mail
Yes
Preferential cancellation terms in case of visa refusal
School agreed that students booking online on this site will benefit from preferential cancellation fees in case of visa refusal, and in this case will never exceed EUR 180.

Leisure activities

activity possibledistance from school
Ballet-
Baseball1 km
Basketball1 km
Cooking-
Cricket1 km
Dancing-
Field Hockey1 km
Football (soccer)0.5 km
Golf5 km
Horse riding3 km
Ice Hockey7 km
Music7 km
Rugby1 km
Squash1 km
Swimming3 km
Table Tennis-
Tennis1 km
Volleyball1 km
Yoga1 km

Examples of leisure activities organized by the school

Adults - Free activities

There is an activity evening organised by the school each week, examples include:
- A FREE orientation tour on your first day
- Parties and social evenings
- Regular visits to Oxford.
- Theatre, cinema, concerts, clubs, pubs, ice-skating and bowling
- Organised sports afternoons / evenings (there is a sports centre near the school)
- Tennis, swimming and golf (all available locally)

The CES Oxford International Food Evenings are famous - students love cooking their national dishes for one another to share. Table tennis, pool (billiards), watching a DVD or just enjoying a coffee with friends in the school's beautiful garden are also popular activities.

Some activities, such as parties, movie nights, international quiz nights and indoor games at the school, are free of charge. Others, such as outings to the cinema, theatre and concerts, sports evenings and weekend excursions, involve extra cost.

Wheatley pubs also offer evening entertainment, such as jazz and karaoke nights, discos and quizzes. Students who wish to integrate with the local community usually find plenty of opportunities there to meet and socialise with local people.

Adults - Paid activities

The school arranges optional weekend excursions by coach (with a guide) to places of historical and cultural interest.

Approximate costs for excursions:
- Full day: GBP 75 - GBP 120
- Half day: GBP 8 - GBP 90

Junior - Free activities

Not offered.

Junior - Paid activities

Not offered.

Accommodation

Map  

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Other language schools in Oxford offering English courses: 

Questions and answers about Centre of English Studies (CES)

  • Yes, the minimum age to join the 50+ course is 50 years old.

    However, if there are not enough 50+ applicants, the group may be merged with the general English course. Should you disagree, we can also see if the school can possibly offer a reduced number of private lessons.
    Robin Rebecca Pietersma, LanguageCourse.Net - Nov 29, 2022

FAQ about Centre of English Studies (CES), Oxford

  • English courses at Centre of English Studies (CES) start at 224 £ for Multi Destination - Long Term 20 course with 20 lessons per week. When booking here you benefit from an exclusive discount.
  • The accommodation Homestay is the most popular among all our clients of Centre of English Studies
  • Yes. The school offers pickup from London Heathrow Airport (165 £), London Gatwick Airport (205 £), London Stansted Airport (215 £)
  • Depending on the chosen course, the maximum number of students at Centre of English Studies varies from 1 students (English for Professionals Course (One-to-One) ) to 12 students (Multi Destination - Long Term 20)
  • 100% of teachers at Centre of English Studies (CES) hold a university degree. 100% hold a recognized language teaching certificate.
  • The highest Nationality percentage at Centre of English Studies (CES) comes from Italy with a 20% representation, followed by students from Spain (15%) and Japan (8%).
  • Yes, there is an exclusive discount that only applies when booking online here.
  • Centre of English Studies (CES) offers courses from 16 years to 99. Average age is 21 during the summer and 23 for the rest of the year.

PDF brochure / price list of Centre of English Studies (CES)

Adult Brochure 2024
Adult Brochure 2024
Adult Prices 2024
Adult Prices 2024
CES Prices 2025
CES Prices 2025
Adult PriceList 2025
Adult PriceList 2025
Sample Social Programme
Sample Social Programme
  (PDF)
(PDF)
CES Junior Price List 2025
CES Junior Price List 2025
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