Language Immersion Courses in Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria. Greater Melbourne had 4,917,750 residents at the 2021 Census, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Its English language schools are concentrated in the central business district (CBD), within walking distance of the main train stations and trams.

Students come to learn English for everyday life, to pass an exam such as IELTS, PTE or Cambridge, or to prepare for a diploma or degree at an Australian college or university. Some schools, such as RMIT University Pathways, are linked directly to a university.

What the language schools in Melbourne offer

English courses for international students in Australia are called ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students). According to Study Australia they last from five to 60 weeks, depending on your level, and ELICOS students have the same protections as other international students. The Melbourne schools offer:

• General English from beginner to advanced, with morning or evening classes at Future English
• English for Academic Purposes and university pathways: RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP) runs English and Foundation Studies programmes that give direct entry to RMIT University
• Exam preparation for IELTS and PTE (EnglishWise Global, RMIT UP, Orange English College) and for Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency (Discover English, Universal English)
• Exam centres on campus: Future English is a Cambridge Authorised Exam Centre for C1 Advanced, and Discover English is a Cambridge English exam centre
• Conversation and special courses, such as Active Conversation in English and junior camps at Universal English, and Aviation English at RMIT UP

Class sizes and extras vary. SEA English Academy, which started in Manly in 2001 and now teaches in Melbourne, keeps classes small (an average of 12 and at most 18 students) and runs job interview and CV workshops. Discover English won the PIEoneer Award for Language Training Provider of the Year and the English Australia Innovation Award for a project combining Indigenous storytelling with Australian Rules Football.

Costs and accommodation

Course fees are set by each school, so ask for a current price list and compare the total for the number of weeks you need. For housing, Study Australia describes homestay (living with a local family) as a common option; if you rent privately you usually pay a bond equivalent to four weeks' rent.

Getting around the centre is easy: Orange English College, for example, is seven minutes from Flinders Street and Southern Cross stations and one minute from a stop in the CBD's free tram area. From the airport, the SkyBus Melbourne City Express runs every 10 minutes and costs $21.70 each way on a return fare (checked October 2026).

Practical tips

• A visitor visa allows short courses of less than three months; for longer study you need a student visa (subclass 500), which covers ELICOS courses
• Apply for the student visa after the school issues your confirmation of enrolment (CoE)
• Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while the course is in session
• If you plan to go on to university, ask whether the school's academic English course is accepted for direct entry, as at RMIT UP

Frequently asked questions

How long are English courses in Melbourne?

ELICOS courses last from five to 60 weeks depending on your level, according to Study Australia. Courses of less than three months can be taken on a visitor visa.

Can I take a Cambridge exam in Melbourne?

Yes. Future English is a Cambridge Authorised Exam Centre for C1 Advanced, and Discover English is a Cambridge English exam centre; several schools also prepare for B2 First and C2 Proficiency.

Can an English course lead to a university place?

Yes. RMIT University Pathways offers English and Foundation Studies programmes that provide direct entry to RMIT University.

Can I work while studying English in Melbourne?

On a student visa you can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session.