School immersion at Itchen College – 16-18 years – 1 term to 1 academic year

This programme is aimed at motivated young people aged 16 to 18 who want to study with British students at an excellent English college in the south of England.

Southampton

A maritime and university city with a population of 250,000, Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire. Surrounded by splendid natural areas (such as the New Forest National Park), it is one of England’s greenest cities, only 1 hour’s drive from London.

It offers visitors a rich historical and cultural heritage, as well as museums, theatres and sports centres galore. Numerous shopping streets make up the city centre, which is packed with lively venues and very popular with young people.

Educational projects play an extremely important role in the political life of this city on the south coast. The University of Southampton is part of the Russell Group network and has one of the highest standards of academic and scientific research in the world. The university town welcomes around 40,000 students a year.

Southampton has excellent transport links (including an international airport) which connect it easily to other parts of England and the rest of Europe.

Itchen College, named after the river that flows through Southampton, is situated in a quiet residential area and has around 1,400 students a year. It has been welcoming foreign students for almost 30 years. Building on this experience, it offers personalised support to international students and has created a friendly, family atmosphere where every student feels part of college life.

Take a virtual tour of the campus here!

It boasts state-of-the-art facilities:

  • Modern, spacious classrooms
  • Teaching resources centre
  • Computer rooms
  • Study room and space reserved for students
  • Library
  • Science laboratories
  • Performance hall
  • Various sports facilities: fitness room, sports hall, dance and aerobics studio, climbing wall, football and netball pitches
  • Cafeteria
  • Shops
  • Snack and drinks machines

Extra-curricular activities during your stay

Social life is an important part of student life. In addition to academic courses, you will have the opportunity to take part in activities and events organised by the college. In this way, you’ll become an integral part of college life, developing your knowledge in a wide range of areas and making friends with other British students.

Here are some examples of activities organised by the college:

National Citizen Service (NCS), Charity fundraising events, Choregraphy for the annual Rock Challenge, College band, College radio station, the Duke of Edingburgh’s Award, etc.

In addition, the International Department organises a programme of activities and excursions which are included in the price of the stay. These activities are compulsory and give students the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas.

Examples of activities organised by the international department:

Welcome activity, visit to the colleges and the city, Welcome Party with live music & games. Activities with the NCS (National Citizen Service), sports competitions, excursions to Thorpe Park, New Forest National Park, etc.

From the age of 16 and after passing the GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education), British students can choose either to study for A-Levels during their last 2 years of secondary school if they wish to go on to university, or to choose a vocational pathway, called Vocational Courses, leading to a BTEC diploma, enabling them to enter the world of work. Diplomas are awarded in 2 years (A-Levels) or 2/3 years (Vocational courses). Whichever course you choose, personal study and research are very important, and students must spend at least 4/5 hours per week on each subject.

This combination of formal courses and personal research is an excellent preparation for university studies.

This programme is aimed at young people aged 16 to 18 who wish to immerse themselves in the daily life of a British college and follow the academic (A Level) or vocational (Vocational) subjects of their choice for a set period. Students do not sit an exam at the end of their stay, but receive a certificate of attendance.

You attend up to 25 hours of lessons a week, supplemented by several hours of personal work at home or in the library/multimedia centre. Classes finish around 4pm.

You study 4 or 5 subjects, or 3 or 4 subjects of your choice (A-level* or Vocational**) English as a foreign language

Number of hours of lessons: 20 to 25 hours per week

Minimum level of English required: B1 or IELTS 5.0

Subjects

A wide range of subjects are offered. Here is a non-exhaustive list. You can find the full list here.

* A-levels take 2 years to complete and enable you to enter a British university on graduation.

**It is also possible to choose a more practical and vocational course, “Vocational programmes“, which enable you to acquire the necessary skills in your chosen field and then enter the job market directly or continue at university. Diplomas are prepared over 2 or 3 years. At the end of the 1st year, students sit exams and are awarded a CETC or a BTEC Year 1.

This programme, aimed at young people aged 16 to 18, is an excellent stepping stone to higher education, particularly for students considering a British university after their stay.

Students are fully integrated into local school life and attend classes with British pupils. They develop essential skills such as critical thinking, analysis, research, public speaking and independence.

You have between 20 and 25 hours of lessons a week, plus hours of personal work. Classes run from Monday to Friday, usually until 4pm. A compulsory weekly tutorial session ensures that you receive personal support.

You study 4 or 5 subjects, or a choice of 3 or 4 subjects (A-level* or Vocational**) English as a foreign language

Number of hours of lessons: 20 to 25 hours per week

Minimum level of English required: B1 or IELTS 5.0

Subjects

Subjects are selected according to your level, your interests or your career orientation. A wide range of subjects are offered. Here is a non-exhaustive list. You can find the full list here.

Worth knowing: The full A Level diploma is awarded after two years of study (AS Level A2 Level). Single-year courses do not therefore lead to the final diploma, but they do offer valuable immersive experience in the British school system, as well as an end-of-programme report attesting to your level and commitment.

Host families are an essential part of the programme. The College’s International Department has developed its own network of carefully selected and regularly monitored host families. Most of them have children at the college and live in the local area.

Travel time to the college: /- 30 minutes on foot. Placements are made by the school according to availability at the time of booking. Students often group together to make the journey together.

Practical information :

  • Single room, shared bathroom, half board during the week, full board at weekends and during school holidays
  • Bedding provided
  • Laundry facilities (the family usually provides a washing machine once a week or tells you which day to do your laundry)
  • Internet access
  • Must be aged between 16 and 18
  • Have a good level of English (IELTS 5.0 or 5.5 depending on the programme)
  • Good academic results over the last 2 years
  • Be willing to make new friends and share the daily life of a host family
  • Demonstrate motivation, maturity and adaptability

Do you meet the conditions for taking part?

  1. Fill in the pre-registration form as soon as possible
  2. When we receive it, we’ll send you a provisional confirmation, including the total cost of the stay, a request for payment of €100 (for the language test and the motivation interview), and the full application form for the chosen programme. We will also ask you to send us a copy of your school reports for the last 3 years.
  3. We then invite you to come and take the language test and interview at our office in Brussels or online. This costs €100 and is payable on receipt of the pre-confirmation. This amount is non-refundable, but can be deducted from the balance of your stay if you are definitively enrolled and accepted on the programme. Part 1 of the application form must be completed and brought with you to the interview.
  4. We will confirm the result no later than 8 days after our interview.
  5. If the interview is positive, we ask you to pay a deposit of 25% of the total cost of your stay (with a minimum of €1800) and to complete all the elements of your application, which includes letters of recommendation from your teachers and other information needed for us to study your application on site. As soon as your application is complete and we have received payment of the deposit, we will forward it to our partner.
  6. Final acceptance to the programme is given by the college after studying your application and a telephone interview. You will be accepted on the courses of your choice according to availability, your level of English, your previous academic record (the College requires good marks in the subjects you wish to study) and the date of enrolment.
  7. Your place is guaranteed as soon as you receive the College’s letter of acceptance.

The application deadlines are:

  • 5 July for the start of the school year in September (subject to availability of places)

After these dates, applications will be examined on a case-by-case basis. A late enrolment fee of €100 will be applied.

You will be accepted on the courses of your choice according to availability, your level of English, your previous academic record (the College requires good marks in the subjects you wish to study) and the date of enrolment.

Your place is guaranteed as soon as you receive the College’s letter of acceptance.

“Free Meet and Greet Airport Collection”: transfer on arrival is free and provided by the school for students arriving before 10am (local time) at Heathrow or Gatwick airport .

Note: do not book your ticket until we have confirmed your stay.

Conditions for entry to the United Kingdom from 01/01/2021

A passport valid for the duration of your stay

  • Stay of less than 6 months

European Union citizens can travel to the United Kingdom without a visa if their stay does not exceed 6 months. All they need is their passport.

From 2024 (exact date not yet known), travellers will need to apply for an ETA (electronic travel authorisation).

  • Stays of more than 6 months

European Union citizens must hold a Study Visa.

Medical/accident/repatriation and civil liability insurance is compulsory for this type of stay. You will be asked for a certificate when you submit your application.

Langues Vivantes offers you a complete insurance package adapted to young people’s stays abroad, see Insurance and guarantees.

Dates 2026-2027

The school year is divided into three terms, each of which includes a half term. The organisation of courses for the 2026-2027 school year is as follows:

School calendar

  • Autumn term: 27/08 – 18/12
  • Spring term: 4/01 – 26/03
  • Summer term: 12/04 – 25/06

School holidays

  • October: 26/10 – 30/10
  • Christmas: 19/12 – 3/01
  • February: 15/02 – 19/02
  • Spring: 27/03 – 11/04
  • May: 31/05 – 4/06

Departure and arrival dates:

  • Autumn term: 27/08 – 19/12
  • Semester 1: 27/08 – 30/01
  • Spring term: 10/01 – 3/04
  • Semester 2: 10/01 – 22/05
  • School year: 27/08 – 26/06

Prices 2026-2027

WPCS 42.0.3
High School ProgrammePrices
Term 1 - Autumn term€ 11.890
School semester 1€ 13.835
Term 2 - Spring term€ 10.165
School semester 2€ 12.520
A Level Programme
Academic year€ 24.495
Extras
Supplement for special diet (gluten-free, lactose-free, vegan, etc.) per week€ 30

Our prices include:

  • English test and pre-registration interview
  • The course
  • Accommodation with a host family, single room, half board during the week, full board at weekends and during school holidays
  • Access to the facilities and services offered by the College
  • Follow-up by a College tutor
  • Assistance and support from the International Department
  • Assistance from Langues Vivantes before, during and after your stay
  • Activities organised by the International Department
  • Work Experience Placement for participants in the one-year A-Level programme
  • Transfers to and from Gatwick or Heathrow airports on the dates and at the times indicated

Not included:

  • Return travel to destination
  • Transfers outside the scheduled dates and times or from another airport
  • School supplies, sports or artistic equipment
  • Certain extra-curricular activities or optional courses
  • Optional insurance

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