Reviews of UCT English Language Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
Total number of reviews: 13
NOTE: All reviews are authentic. Only students who booked their course through us can publish evaluations here, and only after the end of their programme. These evaluations then are not manipulated in any way, neither by us nor by the school, and can be trusted as honest opinions about personal experiences with the school.
Average Rating
Based on 13 reviews of former students of UCT English Language Centre
| Overall rating UCT English Language Centre, Cape Town, South Africa | 4.8 |
|---|---|
| City | 4.7 |
| Organisation | 4.8 |
| Facilities | 4.4 |
| Social activities | 3.9 |
| Quality of teaching | 4.7 |
| Value for money | 4.4 |
| Accommodation | |
| Homestay | 4.0 |
| Shared Flat (apartment) | 3.0 |
| Other | --- |
Individual Reviews
UCT English Language Centre
9. Apr. 2024
1. Cristina Brazil
101.Course: Intensive General English - 11 weeks
101.Course: Intensive General English - 11 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
7. Feb. 2024
2. Lelo (57 years) 
102.Course: General English - 4 weeks
102.Course: General English - 4 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Homestay - Shared Bathroom
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
The interaction between students and teaching staff, our teachers are friendly and very patient.
Negative aspects
Nothing.
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
The school could still do a better job of instructing some of our colleagues how to dress in the classroom.
Other comments
Nothing.
City/place
Excellent city to live in
Quality of teaching / language progress
It's evolving well.
Accommodation
My first accommodation wasn't decent with a shared toilet.
26. Dec. 2023
3. Caroline (56 years) 
103.Course: First Two Weeks Intensive General English 30 - Third Week GE 20 - 3 weeks
103.Course: First Two Weeks Intensive General English 30 - Third Week GE 20 - 3 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Other
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
The organization is perfect, and the teaching style at eye level is also very pleasant.
Negative aspects
The equipment of the classrooms (tables and chairs, although it should be noted that this should be seen as a luxury problem).
Other comments
I can recommend it
City/place
A metropolis that is definitely worth getting to know
Accommodation
The area is not entirely recommended for students who like to move around independently after 7:30 p.m.
16. Dec. 2023
4. Pavel (38 years) 
104.Course: Semi Intensive English - 12 weeks
104.Course: Semi Intensive English - 12 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Yellow House - Standard Room
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Good grammar teaching, strict at the time of the exam.
Negative aspects
Little time is devoted to develop oral communication, different tuition fees for students from different countries.
City/place
The city is dirty, lots of homeless people, not safe, phone can be ripped out of your hands, the nature around the city is very beautiful.
Accommodation
The accommodation provided by the school is 1.5 times more expensive than on the market, the accommodation is dirty, the electricity is switched off very often, there is no hot water at all, there is warm water, but it is supplied intermittently. The only big plus is socialising with students from other countries. I recommend to rent this accommodation for a short period of 2-4 weeks, and then make a conclusion to stay or change.
29. Nov. 2023
5. Philippe (62 years)
105.Course: General English - 3 weeks
105.Course: General English - 3 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
The teaching, the availability of teachers and staff in general.
Negative aspects
Regular power cuts.
10. May. 2023
6. Joana Angola
106.Course: IELTS Exam Preparation [Inglês] - 4 weeks
106.Course: IELTS Exam Preparation [Inglês] - 4 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
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Detailed review
City/place
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School organization
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Facilities (library, classrooms)
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Social activities
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Quality of teaching / language progress
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20. Mar. 2023
7. Marion (51 years)
107.Course: Business English Intensive - 6 weeks
107.Course: Business English Intensive - 6 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
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Detailed review
City/place
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School organization
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Facilities (library, classrooms)
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Social activities
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Quality of teaching / language progress
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24. Feb. 2023
8. Heike (54 years)
108.Course: General English + Language Excursions - 2 weeks
108.Course: General English + Language Excursions - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Great organisation, beautiful and varied excursions and great value for money. I was positively surprised at how great everything went and how much the individuals took care of me.
City/place
What stood out to me was the friendliness and helpfulness of the people. Very clean city. The strong police presence gives a feeling of security. During the day it's not a problem, but at night you should know which ways to go. Otherwise, I was very enthusiastic about the city and the people.
Quality of teaching / language progress
My excursions were with Iain. He was very easy to understand and really accompanied the excursions in a great and interesting way. I really can highlight him in a positive way.
3. Jan. 2023
9. Fabrice (44 years)
109.Course: General English - 8 weeks
109.Course: General English - 8 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Yellow House - Large Room
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
I really liked the organization. It's well structured and easy to adapt to even when you're new.
Negative aspects
During my stay there were few outside activities. This would have allowed me to talk with the other students, because unfortunately for many of them we only saw each other during the week of classes.
City/place
Cape Town is a beautiful city
Accommodation
Concerning the residence, it would be desirable that each room could have its own toilet and shower.
23. Nov. 2022
10. Lukas (28 years)
110.Course: Intensive General English - 4 weeks
110.Course: Intensive General English - 4 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
- University feeling on campus with many other students
- Good contact person availability, good organisation
- Good contact person availability, good organisation
Negative aspects
- The excursions offered are good, but overpriced
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
- Language Excursions instead of afternoon classes
14. Feb. 2022
11. Raik (15 years)
111.Course: General English - 6 weeks
111.Course: General English - 6 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Everything, great atmosphere
Negative aspects
Nothing!
Quality of teaching / language progress
super
4. Feb. 2022
12. Sylvia (61 years)
112.Course: General English [English] - 4 weeks
112.Course: General English [English] - 4 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Homestay - Shared Bathroom
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
- the buildings of the Hiddingh campus are impressive and the study of the English language takes place together with the study of theatre and fine arts
- unfortunately it was semester break
- the teachers were very motivated, committed and creative
- this refers to the choice of topics and varied lesson design
- Interesting current topics were chosen: Environment, countries' stereotypes of people, slavery; (we visited a museum during class - Slave Lodge), women's rights - was especially exciting as there were only young Saudi Arabian men in my class
- scientific writing and also creative writing were practised.
- The highlight for me was the tutorial system - I didn't know it yet.
- unfortunately it was semester break
- the teachers were very motivated, committed and creative
- this refers to the choice of topics and varied lesson design
- Interesting current topics were chosen: Environment, countries' stereotypes of people, slavery; (we visited a museum during class - Slave Lodge), women's rights - was especially exciting as there were only young Saudi Arabian men in my class
- scientific writing and also creative writing were practised.
- The highlight for me was the tutorial system - I didn't know it yet.
Negative aspects
Our lessons were based on BBC textbooks, but instead of talking about New York or football in Brazil, I would have preferred more typical African, typical South African texts about history, art, colonialism, apartheid, the landscape and animals.
Unfortunately, there were only 3 days of extracurricular activities in one week. Nothing at the weekend and given the fact that I was almost the only European and due to criminality, solo tours are far too dangerous and not possible, I could not use the potential of the many possibilities... What a pity.
I had asked specifically about this and it was confirmed to me that activities were taking place.
I was not happy about that.
Unfortunately, there were only 3 days of extracurricular activities in one week. Nothing at the weekend and given the fact that I was almost the only European and due to criminality, solo tours are far too dangerous and not possible, I could not use the potential of the many possibilities... What a pity.
I had asked specifically about this and it was confirmed to me that activities were taking place.
I was not happy about that.
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
The Night of the Open Galleries on 1 Thursday
City/place
On one hand, wonderful opportunities:
Ocean, warmth, great architecture, Kirstenbosch Garden, Winelands, safari, animals, interesting history, lots of diversity, friendly people.
On the other hand, poverty, corruption, high crime - many students had to experience crime: robbery, theft.
On the other hand, poverty, corruption, high crime - many students had to experience crime: robbery, theft.
Quality of teaching / language progress
very good.
Accommodation
Another thing is the accommodation, it was in an absolute crime hotspot and 20m away was a slum.
The family was very hospitable and the house was pleasant, yet I expected something different. For the price, you can stay in luxury areas in Cape Town.
It would have been just as well if you had pointed out to me the high crime rate, that you don't wear jewellery ...
The family was very hospitable and the house was pleasant, yet I expected something different. For the price, you can stay in luxury areas in Cape Town.
It would have been just as well if you had pointed out to me the high crime rate, that you don't wear jewellery ...
24. Feb. 2020
13. Ira (37 years) South Africa
113.Course: Semi Intensive English - 4 weeks
113.Course: Semi Intensive English - 4 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
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Detailed review
City/place
School organization
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Facilities (library, classrooms)
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Social activities
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Quality of teaching / language progress
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