Victoria has a small number of established English language programs, from the University of Victoria’s English Language Centre on campus to private language schools downtown. This page explains how to choose between them, what the main programs in Victoria offer, what 12 weeks of study typically costs, and what you need to know about study permits and settling in.
Choosing a program
University-based or private school, intensity, intakes and levels.
UVic English Language Centre
ELPI, UAP, University Pathway, Language and Culture, Teen Campus.
Private language schools
Global Village Victoria and SSLC Victoria.
12-week cost example
Tuition, registration and homestay, with sources.
Choosing an English language program
Before comparing schools, decide what you want the program to do for you. A student preparing for university entry needs something different from someone taking a few months of general English or a short summer program.
University-based or private language school
- University-based (UVic English Language Centre): classes on the University of Victoria campus, fixed terms with set start dates, and a structured route to UVic’s English language requirement through the University Admission Preparation (UAP) level. Students use university facilities such as the library and gym. Adult programs require students to be at least 18 by the start date.
- Private language schools (such as Global Village Victoria and SSLC Victoria): downtown locations, frequent start dates (often weekly), a choice of weekly hours, and programs such as general English, exam preparation (IELTS and others) and academic English pathways linked to partner colleges. Many accept students from 16, and some run junior and teen programs.
What to compare
- Intensity: hours or lessons per week. Check how long a lesson is, because “20 lessons” and “20 hours” are not always the same thing, and ask whether electives and activities are included in the count.
- Intakes: UVic runs fixed terms (for example, January, April, summer and September for the Intensive English Program). Private schools usually allow a start on most Mondays.
- Levels and placement: all schools place you with a test. Ask how many levels there are, how you move up, and how long it usually takes to reach the level you need.
- Pathways: if you plan to go on to university or college, check exactly which institution accepts the program in place of an English test, what grade you need, and for how long the result is valid. Completing a language program does not by itself guarantee admission.
- Total cost: tuition plus registration, materials, student services, housing placement, housing, insurance, transport and flights.
- Refund and transfer policies: read them before paying. Some private language schools in Canada have closed in recent years, so it is worth knowing how and to whom you pay. You can usually pay tuition directly to the school.
University of Victoria English Language Centre (ELC)
The UVic English Language Centre is part of the university’s Division of Continuing Studies. Hello Victoria Canada is an authorized agent of the UVic Division of Continuing Studies. Being an agent does not guarantee admission, placement or a visa decision.
Intensive English (ELPI)
ELPI is UVic’s main full-time English program. A 12-week term (January, April, September) has 342 program hours: core classes in integrated skills, specialized skills classes, and language and cultural engagement activities. Core classes run either in the morning (Tuesday to Friday) or afternoon (Monday to Thursday). There are six levels, 100 to 600; level 600 is University Admission Preparation (UAP). The 10-week summer term has five levels and 260 hours. Students take a placement test on arrival and must be 18 by the start date.
University Admission Preparation (UAP) and the University Pathway Program
UAP is the highest ELC level and is used to meet the English language requirement for many UVic programs. A 4-week August option combines UAP with Canadian Studies. Students who meet UVic’s academic requirements but not its English requirement may receive Preliminary Admission, which gives up to 24 months to complete the required ELC level before starting a degree. UVic also lists a one-year University Pathway Program starting in September 2027. Entry conditions and score requirements change; check them on the official UVic pages and with UVic Undergraduate Admissions before relying on them.
Language and Culture
Short programs of three to six weeks (formerly called Monthly English) that combine English classes with cultural activities, offered most months of the year. Students must be 18 by the start date. UVic’s summer program page lists 20 core instructional hours plus 10 hours of language and cultural engagement per week.
Teen Campus Experience (ages 15 to 17)
A new summer program for 2027, designed for groups of five or more students travelling with a chaperone. Students must be at least 15 by the start date (generally a maximum of 17). The fee is all-inclusive: tuition, materials, activities, a supervised dormitory with three meals a day, airport or ferry terminal transfers, and a student services package including medical insurance. Guardianship is the chaperone’s responsibility.
2027 UVic ELC dates and fees (selected programs)
| Program (2027) | Length | Class dates | Tuition and activities | Student services | Housing and meals (UVic) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January ELPI / January UAP | 12 weeks | Jan 4 – Mar 31 | $4,680 | $532 | Homestay $4,050 |
| April ELPI / April UAP | 12 weeks | Apr 5 – Jun 30 | $4,680 | $532 | Homestay $4,005 |
| Summer ELPI | 10 weeks | Jun 28 – Sep 1 | $3,900 | $406 | Homestay $3,060 |
| September ELPI / September UAP | 12 weeks | Sep 7 – Dec 1 | $4,680 | $532 | Homestay $3,960 |
| September ELPI + Project-based Presentations | 14 weeks | Sep 7 – Dec 10 | $5,500 | $627 | Homestay $4,275 |
| August UAP + Canadian Studies | 4 weeks | Aug 3 – Aug 27 | $3,540 | $232 | Dormitory $2,495 |
| University Pathway Program | 1 year | Sep 7, 2027 – Aug 25, 2028 | $46,426 | $273 (medical insurance only) | Homestay or dormitory (separate) |
| Language and Culture (Jan, Feb, Mar, Sep) | 4 weeks | Monthly | $1,925 | $232 | Homestay $1,350 |
| Language and Culture (July, August) | 4 weeks | Jul 5 – Jul 30 / Aug 3 – Aug 27 | $2,030 | $232 | Dormitory $2,495 |
| Language and Culture (July) | 6 weeks | Jul 12 – Aug 20 | $3,075 | $264 | Dormitory $3,680 |
| Teen Campus Experience | 1 week / 2 weeks | Jul 19 – 30 or Aug 9 – 20 | All-inclusive: $2,600 (1 week) / $5,100 (2 weeks) | ||
All amounts are in Canadian dollars. Also payable: a $150 program application fee (non-refundable) and, if you book UVic homestay, a $300 homestay application fee. ELPI requires a $350 program deposit that counts toward tuition. The student services fee covers health insurance, a bus pass and a gym pass. Not included: flights, travel to Victoria (except Teen Campus transfers), personal spending and optional extra activities. Fees and dates are set by UVic and may change.
Korean-language guides: UVic ELC 2027 dates and fees Korean-language resource · UVic ELC levels guide Korean-language resource
Private language schools in Victoria
Global Village Victoria
Global Village (GV) runs an adult campus in downtown Victoria for students 16 and over. Programs include the General English Program, English for Academic Pathways (EAP), a Camosun College pathway program, exam preparation (including IELTS), and a 50+ program, as well as junior and teen programs in summer. General English is offered at 20, 25 or 30 lessons per week, and the weekly tuition falls for longer bookings.
| GV General English (2026) | 20 lessons/week | 25 lessons/week | 30 lessons/week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–11 weeks (per week) | $395 | $415 | $440 |
| 12–23 weeks (per week) | $375 | $390 | $415 |
| 24+ weeks (per week) | $355 | $375 | $395 |
Other 2026 fees: registration $175 (non-refundable); materials and technology $15 per week; homestay placement $320; Victoria homestay, adult single room with meals, $320 per week; summer supplement $50 per week from June 1 to August 31; Victoria airport transfer $150 one way. Medical insurance is required but not included. GV publishes its fees in a booklet that may be updated during the year; 2027 fees may differ.
Global Village Victoria study guide Korean-language resource
SSLC Victoria
SSLC Language College (part of the Sprott Shaw group) has a Victoria campus in the downtown core. It is a designated learning institution and lists general English, exam preparation (IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, Cambridge), academic and university preparatory English with post-secondary pathways, and summer programs for youth. It offers flexible lengths of study, homestay, and a choice of weekly hours.
We could not verify SSLC’s 2026 Victoria tuition, registration or homestay fees on an official SSLC page on October 7, 2026 (the price list is published as a separate download), so we do not show figures here. Please check the current price list with SSLC. Sprott Shaw announced a change of location for its Victoria college campuses in autumn 2026; confirm the current campus location for language classes before you book.
SSLC Victoria study guide Korean-language resource
12-week cost example
The table below compares 12 weeks of full-time study with homestay, using each school’s published fees. It is an estimate, not a quote.
| Item | UVic ELC: January 2027 ELPI (12 weeks) | Global Village Victoria: 2026 General English, 20 lessons/week (12 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $4,680 | $4,500 ($375 × 12) |
| Application / registration fee | $150 | $175 |
| Student services / materials | $532 (health insurance, bus pass, gym pass) | $180 (materials and technology, $15 × 12) |
| Homestay placement fee | $300 | $320 |
| Homestay with meals | $4,050 (UVic homestay for the term) | $3,840 ($320 × 12, single room, outside summer) |
| Estimated total | $9,712 | $9,015 |
Not included: flights; airport transfer (GV lists $150 one way from Victoria airport); medical insurance for GV students (required; included in the UVic student services fee); bus fares for GV students; GV’s summer homestay supplement ($50 per week, June 1 to August 31); textbooks or exam fees not listed above; phone plan and personal spending. The two columns are for different years (UVic 2027, GV 2026), and SSLC is not shown because we could not verify its 2026 fees. All amounts are in Canadian dollars.
English Program Cost Calculator All Study Costs
Short-term study without a study permit
Under Canadian immigration rules, you do not need a study permit for a program that lasts six months or less. You must finish the program within the period you are authorized to stay in Canada, and without a study permit you cannot work while studying. A 12-week ELPI term or a few months at a private language school usually falls within this rule; a longer combination of programs may not.
You still need the correct travel document to enter Canada. Depending on your nationality, that is an electronic travel authorization (eTA, CAN$7 at the time of checking) or a visitor visa; some travellers, such as US citizens, need neither. Check your own situation on the official IRCC page before booking flights. If you plan to study for longer than six months, apply for a study permit before you travel; programs and schools can help with the letter of acceptance, but the decision is made by IRCC.
Working Holiday (IEC): for Korean citizens
For Korean citizens only. Under the Canada–Korea youth mobility arrangement, Korean citizens aged 18 to 35 may take part in the International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday category for up to 24 months at a time, and most can participate twice. Invitations are issued from a pool in rounds, and places, fees and season dates change each year. Some students combine a short English program with a Working Holiday; an open work permit is a separate application from any study plan. Check current conditions with IRCC before applying. Other nationalities have different IEC rules, or no IEC access.
Canada Working Holiday for Koreans, 2026 Korean-language resource
Applying with Hello Victoria Canada and settling in
We are an authorized agent of the University of Victoria Division of Continuing Studies and also help students apply to Global Village Victoria and SSLC Victoria. Tuition is paid directly to the school.
For adult and university-age English language students who apply through us, our arrival and settling-in support is free. What is included depends on your program and its length. Settlement help for families arriving with a parent (for example, finding housing or a car) is a separate, paid service; see Living in Victoria.
We help with applications and preparation, but admission, placement and visa or permit decisions are made by the schools and by IRCC.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better for university entry, UVic ELC or a private language school?
If your goal is UVic specifically, the ELC’s UAP level is designed to meet UVic’s English requirement, and Preliminary Admission links the two. Private schools such as Global Village offer academic pathways linked to partner institutions, including Camosun College. Check the receiving institution’s current requirements in either case.
Can I study English in Victoria for three months without a study permit?
Yes, a program of six months or less does not require a study permit. You still need an eTA or visitor visa depending on your nationality, and you cannot work without a permit that allows it.
How much does 12 weeks of English study in Victoria cost?
Using published fees, about $9,000 to $9,700 CAD for tuition, registration, student services or materials, and homestay with meals (see the table above). Flights, insurance where not included, transfers and personal spending are extra.
Related pages: University and college · Study costs · Living in Victoria · FAQ · Language study in Victoria Korean-language resource