Studying at The Isle of Wight College: your gateway to success!
The beauty of the unspoilt countryside, the glorious beaches and the safety of the Island makes the Isle of Wight a very attractive place to study as a foreign student. It is a popular holiday destination and is visited by 2.5 million tourists each year.
The International Section of The Isle of Wight College was set up 13 years ago and since then has developed an all-year round English as a Foreign Language programme, many short tailor-made group courses and a full Summer School.
The great things about the EFL programme are:
- Highly qualified and experienced teachers
- Students able to join the programme at various times throughout the Summer and throughout the year
- Students are given a full Placement Test on arrival and are placed on the appropriate level course
- Quality of the teaching and learning commended by OFSTED
- Excellent pastoral care
- Welcoming host families
There are many opportunities for work during the Summer and throughout the year on the Island in the leisure and tourism industry, the caring professions and catering and retail industries.
Students on learning programmes benefit from a modern, interactive teaching approach which focuses on the key skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. They study with learners of many nationalities. As a result, by the end of their stay, they leave the Island with a far greater understanding of the English language and British culture as well as the skills necessary to progress to either a higher level course or into paid work.
The College offers a full range of levels of courses from pre-intermediate to intermediate and upper-intermediate - leading to Cambridge qualifications, if desired, at KET, PET, FCE, CAE and IELTS level.
Many International students progress from the EFL examination classes to a range of other courses at the College or to other colleges and universities in the UK. The Isle of Wight College offers an exciting range of courses and diplomas in the following subjects: Business Studies, Health and Social Care, Childcare Studies, Humanities and English, Art, Design and Media, Engineering, Construction, Leisure and Tourism, Hairdressing, Beauty and Holistic Therapy. These courses qualify students to enter either higher education or the workplace and many students go into careers in teaching, nursing, social work and the tourism industry.
The College offers comprehensive support for its International students: host family accommodation is organised, educational and social activities are offered and arranged, there is excellent computer and email access so students can keep in close contact with family and friends and there is a full-time Student Welfare Officer to help with any pastoral issues that may arise whilst studying at the College.
The Island offers many activities and events throughout the year which include swimming, cycling, sailing, horse riding, ice-skating, wind-surfing and 10 pin bowling. There is also an 11-screen cinema. In addition, there are many cultural sites to visit on the Island, such as Carisbrooke Castle, Osborne House (Queen Victoria
’s Home) and Quarr Abbey. London, Brighton and Bath are easily accessible in under 2 hours and the Historic towns of Portsmouth and Southampton are just a 20 minute boat journey away. During the Summer there is the world-famous yachting festival at Cowes, and a three-day music festival with top names performing such as David Bowie, The Who and The Manic Street Preachers. |
