English Courses at CCEL Christchurch, New Zealand
Your English courses at CCEL Christchurch take place on the University of Canterbury campus, where the school has taught since 1991. You choose from 5 courses, classes have 18 students at most, and the NZQA rates it Category 1, the highest of its four bands.
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4. Ready to StartTL;DR: Quick summary
CCEL, Christchurch College of English, has one campus inside the University of Canterbury grounds in Christchurch, on the South Island of New Zealand. It opened in 1991. It is the official English language provider for the University of Canterbury and UC International College, so its academic courses can take you all the way to a degree. Its 5 courses run from absolute beginner to IELTS preparation, high school preparation and two levels of academic English. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority rates it Category 1, and it is a member of English New Zealand and Quality English.
CCEL runs 5 courses on one campus. There is General English from beginner to advanced, IELTS preparation, and High School Preparation if you are heading into a New Zealand school. And there are EAP 1 and EAP 2, the academic English that leads into the University of Canterbury. In the afternoons you get a free Conversation Club and free weekly sport.
Classes have 18 students at most, across 19 classrooms. Everyone sits a placement test on day one. Your progress is tested regularly and reported back to you, with one to one tutorials along the way.
- Classes capped at 18 students, across six levels
- Full time is 20 hours a week, part time 15
- One campus, on the University of Canterbury grounds
- NZQA Category 1, English New Zealand and Quality English
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ViveCampus is a leading study abroad agency with more than 17 years of experience and over 5,000 happy students around the world. We handle your CCEL application for you, guide you at every step, and our service costs you nothing.
Why do students choose CCEL in 2026?
More than 30 years in Christchurch, on a real university campus. Here is what makes it special.
CCEL is on the University of Canterbury campus at Ilam, and you feel it every day. You use the university libraries and cafés. A Rec Centre membership covers the gym, wall climbing, squash, yoga and disc golf. And you spend your year among students doing degrees in the language you are learning.
CCEL is the official English language provider for the University of Canterbury and for UC International College, its pathway college. Finish EAP 1 or EAP 2 at the required grade and you move into a UCIC diploma or a UC degree on that result. Your EAP grade counts as your English requirement, with no separate IELTS. So if your goal is a degree, your English course is already the first step towards it.
If you plan to go on to UC International College and then the University of Canterbury, you may be eligible for a Pathway Visa. It is a single application that covers everything from your English course to the end of your degree. You pay the visa fees once and wait once. That makes New Zealand simple for a long study plan.
CCEL has 19 classrooms, 18 students at most in each and 6 levels from beginner to advanced. You sit a placement test on day one, then regular progress tests. You get individual progress reports and one to one tutorials. The self-study centre and the campus wifi are included in your fee.
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority accredits CCEL and rates it Category 1, the highest of its four bands. CCEL is also a member of English New Zealand and Quality English, and both audit the schools they admit. It belongs to Christchurch Educated too. So three separate bodies check the school you are booking.
CCEL gives you first language support in Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Thai, Vietnamese and Russian. An emergency line answers 24 hours a day. Staff help you with insurance, visa questions and anything to do with your host family. On day one, orientation covers your placement test and how Christchurch works. So from your first week, you always have someone to turn to.
CCEL has taught English in Christchurch since 1991. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority rates it Category 1, the highest of the four bands NZQA gives providers. It is a member of English New Zealand, Quality English and Christchurch Educated, and it is part of the Navitas group. The school reports that 99% of its students are highly satisfied with their experience.
Source: CCEL
Christchurch, with the Alps on one side and the Pacific on the other
Christchurch is New Zealand’s second largest city, home to about 400,000 people, and the gateway to the South Island. The Southern Alps and the coast are both close enough for a day trip. So you can surf on Saturday and be on a ski field on Sunday. In the city you have the Botanic Gardens, the Arts Centre, Canterbury Museum and food halls like Riverside Market and Little High Eatery.
It is a true student city. The University of Canterbury is here, and CCEL is on its campus. Education is one of the things the city is built on, and Christchurch Educated exists to support it. CCEL puts rent at about NZ$140 to NZ$200 a week, and the bus to the centre takes 20 minutes.
What English courses does CCEL offer?
5 courses on one campus, from your first word of English to the academic writing a University of Canterbury degree expects. Everyone sits a placement test on the first day. Classes have 18 students at most, and full time means 20 hours a week, Monday to Friday.
It is the course most students choose, and it takes complete beginners. 6 levels run from beginner to advanced. You work on speaking, listening, reading and writing, plus grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. New Zealand culture is built into the lessons. Classes are in the morning, 8:30am to 1pm, and you can book 2 weeks or all 50. Full time is 20 hours a week. Part time is 15 hours, for students of 18 and over.
For the band score a university, an employer or an immigration case officer asks you for. You work through the four papers with the exam’s own task types. You learn strategies that save time under pressure, and the academic vocabulary the reading and writing sections expect. Assessment is continuous, so you can watch your score go up. Mornings, 20 hours a week, from intermediate level up.
If you are 15 or over and heading into a New Zealand secondary school, this course gets your year off to a great start. Along with the four skills, you learn the language of the subjects themselves: mathematics, science, history and literature. You also build the research and presentation habits a New Zealand classroom expects. Level tests every 5 weeks check your progress. 20 hours a week, mornings, with supervised independent study on top.
The first half of the academic route into a degree. It covers essay writing and exam technique, listening to lectures and taking notes, speaking in seminars and referencing. You also learn to research in a university library. To enter you need IELTS 5.0 or a pass in CCEL’s own test, and you can sit it before you fly. Finish with a C+ and you go on to EAP 2, or straight into the UCIC Diploma in University Studies or Certificate in Foundation Studies. 12 weeks of 20 hours a week, plus 5 hours of independent study.
The course that takes you into a University of Canterbury lecture theatre. It works at upper intermediate to advanced level. You learn to evaluate academic texts in depth, give researched presentations, hold an academic argument and write at length with proper referencing. A C+ pass counts as roughly IELTS 6.0 and opens UC undergraduate programmes and the UCIC pre-master’s. A B+ pass is roughly 6.5 and opens postgraduate study. 12 weeks of 20 hours a week, plus 5 hours of independent study.
Most students start with General English, and students aiming for a University of Canterbury degree go on to the academic English courses
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What should you know before applying to CCEL?
The things worth sorting out before you book. We took the answers from the school’s own student guide and from what our advisors get asked every week.
Costs, Dates, Application Process and other Considerations
Application Process - Complete the contact form and an advisor gets back to you with the steps for your country: the documents you need, how long each stage takes and how the New Zealand student visa works. You need a copy of your passport and of any visa you already hold. For the academic English courses you also need an English test result, or you can sit CCEL’s own entry test before you leave home. We prepare the application and send it for you.
Dates of the Program - General English and IELTS preparation start every Monday of the year, so most people can pick their week. The academic courses have set dates: EAP 1 runs in February, June and October, and EAP 2 in March, June and October, 12 weeks each. High School Preparation has set dates that we confirm when you book. CCEL closes from late December to early January. Tell us the month you have in mind, and we will confirm the next start date with places left.
Length of the Program - General English runs from 2 to 50 weeks, IELTS preparation from 2 to 12, and High School Preparation from 2 to 24. Both academic English courses last 12 weeks, because they end in an assessment a university accepts. Full time is 20 hours a week, Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 1.00. The academic courses run in the afternoons. General English also comes part time, at 15 hours a week, for students of 18 and over.
Costs - The total depends on the course, the number of weeks and the time of year, and the weekly rate drops once you book more than 12 weeks. Fill in the form at the bottom of this page and we send you a full quote before you pay anything. It covers tuition, the enrolment fee, materials and this month’s promotion. Plan for living costs too: CCEL puts rent in Christchurch at NZ$140 to NZ$200 a week, food at about NZ$150 and transport at about NZ$32. Our cost of studying abroad calculator puts course, accommodation and daily spending side by side.
Health Insurance - New Zealand requires every international student to hold approved medical and travel insurance for the whole enrolment, and CCEL checks it. The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) covers accidents for everyone in the country, visitors included. Everything else, from a doctor’s visit to a hospital stay, is covered by your insurance. We arrange your cover with your enrolment, so it starts the day you land.
Minimum Age - High School Preparation and the group programmes take students from 15. General English and IELTS preparation take any age full time, and part time is for students of 18 and over. If your son or daughter is under 18, they must live in accommodation arranged by CCEL itself. Keep that in mind before you look at flats.
Minimum English Level - For General English you need no level at all: it starts at absolute beginner, and a test on day one places you. IELTS preparation starts at intermediate, and High School Preparation at elementary. The academic courses have set entry levels. EAP 1 needs IELTS 5.0 or a pass in CCEL’s entry test. EAP 2 needs 5.5 for undergraduate study or 6.0 for postgraduate, or a C+ in EAP 1. You can take the entry test before you travel, so you know your course before you book a flight.
Visa Regulations - Courses of up to three months are usually done as a visitor. If you are from one of the many countries that qualify, you only need an NZeTA to board, not a visa. For longer courses you need a student visa. And if a degree is your real plan, there is a third option worth asking about. If you continue to UC International College and then the University of Canterbury, you may be eligible for a Pathway Visa: one application from your English course to the end of your degree. We prepare and lodge whichever applies, and our team does the translations at no extra cost.
Working While You Study: - Yes, in most cases. If you study full time for 14 weeks or more at a Category 1 school like CCEL, you can work up to 25 hours a week. Before you book your flight, we check with you what your visa allows. Christchurch is a student city of 400,000, with a university on your doorstep. So you will find the kind of casual work that fits around a morning timetable.
Accommodation - You have two options, both arranged and monitored by CCEL. A homestay gives you your own room with a desk, breakfast and dinner on weekdays, and three meals a day at weekends and on public holidays. You also get everyday English at home, over breakfast and dinner. The University of Canterbury student residence gives you a single room, a shared kitchen and up to five flatmates. It is on campus, a short walk from the school. Ask us for a quote and we will price both for your dates.
Extra Curricular Activities - The weekly Conversation Club and weekly sport are free, and the rest of the programme changes every week: cooking classes, job search workshops, cultural visits, dance classes and games. At weekends you go further, to surfing, ski trips, winery tours, whale watching at Kaikōura and trips to Queenstown, Tekapo, Akaroa, Nelson and the West Coast. Teachers join in, and that is what makes the conversation practice work. Groups are arranged separately. CCEL runs study tours for 10 to 150 students of 15 and over, on dates the group chooses, and we can quote those too.
Airport Pickup - CCEL arranges the airport transfer if you book your accommodation through the school, and on your first arrival it is well worth taking. Christchurch Airport is outside the city, and the campus at Ilam is a further drive. After a long flight, you will be glad someone is waiting for you. Book it with your accommodation, so the two are coordinated.
First day of classes - Day one is orientation: your placement test, how the school works, a campus tour and what living in Christchurch involves, from the bus card to the doctor. Bring your passport and your insurance policy number. Classes start straight after the placement test, so your first Monday is a full day.
Keep in mind that the biggest cost is usually not the course itself, but living costs. So before you choose the cheapest school, look at the whole picture
Source: ViveCampus
A campus on the University of Canterbury grounds
CCEL is on Solway Avenue in Ilam, inside the University of Canterbury campus, surrounded by lawns and trees. The school has 19 classrooms, a self-study centre and free wifi. The libraries, the cafés and the Rec Centre gym belong to the university, and you can use them as a CCEL student. The bus into the city centre takes about 20 minutes.
Address: Solway Avenue, Ilam, Christchurch 8444, New Zealand
About Christchurch
Christchurch is New Zealand’s second largest city, with about 400,000 people, and most trips into the South Island start here. It sits on a plain between the Southern Alps and the Pacific. So one weekend can hold a ski field and a surf break, and Kaikōura, Akaroa and Lake Tekapo are all day trips. The city was rebuilt after the 2011 earthquake, and today the centre is full of new architecture, public art and food halls. The Botanic Gardens, the Arts Centre and Canterbury Museum are all within walking distance of each other. For a student it is an easy choice. Rent and daily costs stay comfortable, and the university is on your doorstep because the school is on its campus. And the city feels familiar within a month, with plenty left to discover.
Weather in Christchurch
Christchurch is drier and sunnier than most of New Zealand, with four distinct seasons. Summer, December to February, sits in the mid 20s and sometimes climbs well past 30 when the nor’wester blows across the plains. Autumn, March to May, is clear and calm, and locals will tell you it is the best season. Winter, June to August, brings cold mornings, frost and the odd snowfall in the city, and the ski fields open a couple of hours away. Spring, September to November, is changeable and windy. Our tip: bring layers rather than one heavy coat, because a Christchurch day can warm up by 15 degrees between breakfast and lunch.
Christchurch in images
A rebuilt city centre, the Avon winding through the Botanic Gardens, the Port Hills above the suburbs and the Alps on the horizon. Christchurch is a small city with the whole South Island on its doorstep.
Source: Christchurch NZ
What do students say about studying at CCEL?
Two students who have already done it, in their own words. One came from Mexico and one from Japan, and both talk about the same two things: the teachers, and how easy Christchurch is to live in.
I’ve had such a great experience studying here in CCEL. The school feels like a really nice community, and the teachers are amazing and always willing to help. I also feel very safe in the city. I can walk around by myself, even at night, and people are really friendly and relaxed. And my English has improved so much more than I ever expected. I will recommend CCEL to all my friends.
Studying at CCEL in Christchurch has been such a great experience. The classes are engaging, and I’ve really enjoyed the friendly and international atmosphere at the school. Christchurch is also a beautiful city, with amazing parks, nature, and a relaxed lifestyle. I’m so happy I chose to study English here!
Student testimonials from CCEL share students’ experiences at the language school.
Source: ViveCampus
CCEL in images
How ViveCampus can help you
A ViveCampus advisor helps you find the right programme for you, based on your goals, needs and budget.
Our advice is completely free, and the process is 100% transparent. You make all your payments directly to CCEL.
When you apply through ViveCampus, you get support from both the school and our team. We help you through the application, the visa, the accommodation and your arrival.
You also get an international student card with thousands of discounts, plus other benefits your advisor will explain.
Steps you should follow
1. Tell us your goal A short chat about your needs, level, budget, dates and what you are looking for.
2. We clarify your doubts We answer all your questions about costs and requirements.
3. We handle the paperwork Application, letter of acceptance and the documents your visa or permit needs.
4. Ready to Start Accommodation confirmed, payments processed, and someone to call whenever you need a hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What people ask our advisors before booking a course at CCEL: entry, levels, visas, work rights, the route into a University of Canterbury degree and what your first week looks like.
Do I need a visa to study at CCEL?
It depends on how long you are staying. For up to three months you can normally come as a visitor. If you are from one of the many countries that qualify, you only need an NZeTA to board, not a visa. For anything longer, you need a student visa. If your plan is a degree, ask us about the Pathway Visa. If you go on to UC International College and then the University of Canterbury, one application can cover the whole route. We prepare and lodge whichever one fits you, and our team does any translations your file needs at no extra cost.
How much does CCEL cost?
It depends on the course, the number of weeks and the time of year, and the weekly rate drops once you book more than 12 weeks. Send us the contact form and we send you a full written quote: tuition, the enrolment fee, materials and any discount for your dates. Plan for living costs too. CCEL budgets NZ$140 to NZ$200 a week for rent, NZ$150 for food and NZ$32 for transport, and that is usually the bigger part of your year. For a rough figure first, try our cost of studying abroad calculator. Our advice is free.
What level of English do I need to start?
None for General English, which takes complete beginners and places you by test on the first morning. IELTS preparation starts at intermediate, and High School Preparation at elementary. The academic courses have set entry levels. EAP 1 asks for IELTS 5.0 or a pass in CCEL’s own entry test. EAP 2 asks for 5.5 if you are heading to an undergraduate degree, or 6.0 for postgraduate, and a C+ in EAP 1 is accepted instead. You can sit the CCEL test before you leave home, so you know where you stand while you are still deciding.
How big are the classes?
18 students at most, across 19 classrooms and 6 levels. 18 is a firm cap. You are placed by test on day one, tested again as you go, and moved up as soon as your results say you are ready. You also get individual progress reports and one to one tutorials.
Can CCEL get me into the University of Canterbury?
Yes, that is what the academic courses are for. CCEL is the official English language provider for the University of Canterbury and UC International College, so your EAP grade counts as your English requirement, with no separate IELTS. A C+ in EAP 1 opens the UCIC Diploma in University Studies or the Certificate in Foundation Studies. A C+ in EAP 2 opens UC undergraduate programmes and the UCIC pre-master’s, and a B+ opens postgraduate study. The diploma counts as the first year of the degree, so you join Year 2 at UC afterwards. UCIC reports that 98% of its graduates progress into the university.
When can I start at CCEL?
General English and IELTS preparation start every Monday of the year, or on the Tuesday when Monday is a public holiday. The academic courses run three times a year each: EAP 1 in February, June and October, and EAP 2 in March, June and October, 12 weeks at a time. High School Preparation has set dates that we confirm when you book. The school closes from around 20 December to the first week of January. So if you are travelling at Christmas, plan to start in the new year.
Can I work while I am studying?
Yes, in most cases. If you study English full time for 14 weeks or more at a university or an NZQA Category 1 school, like CCEL, you can work up to 25 hours a week. Before you book your flight, we check with you what your visa allows. Christchurch is a good city for it. It has 400,000 people and a large university, with hospitality and retail work that fits around a class that finishes at 1pm.
Is there a minimum age, and can a teenager come alone?
High School Preparation is built for students of 15 and over. It is the right course if your son or daughter plans to go on to a New Zealand secondary school. General English and IELTS preparation take any age full time, and part time is for 18 and over. Students under 18 must live in accommodation that CCEL arranges and monitors, which in practice means a homestay. The school vets each family and keeps visiting them.
What accommodation is available?
A homestay or the university residence. A homestay gives you your own room with a desk, breakfast and dinner on weekdays, and three meals a day at weekends and on public holidays. You also get the everyday English that happens around a family’s kitchen table. The University of Canterbury residence gives you a single room in a flat shared with up to five other students, with a kitchen, and you can walk to class. CCEL arranges and monitors both. Ask us for a quote and we will price both for your dates.
Where exactly is CCEL?
Solway Avenue, Ilam, Christchurch, on the University of Canterbury campus. It is about 10 kilometres from the city centre, roughly 20 minutes by bus. Campus life shapes your day. The libraries, the cafés and the Rec Centre are a short walk away, and you are surrounded by lawns and trees. Most students live nearby, in Ilam or Riccarton.
What else comes with a CCEL course?
Orientation and the placement test on day one. Then regular progress tests, written progress reports and one to one tutorials all through the course. The activities programme runs alongside: the Conversation Club and weekly sport are free, and cooking classes, job search workshops, cultural visits and weekend trips fill out the rest. You also get first language support in Spanish, Portuguese and 7 other languages. Staff help you with insurance, visas and your host family, and an emergency line answers at any hour.
Is CCEL accredited?
Yes, by all three measures New Zealand has. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority accredits its courses and rates CCEL Category 1. That is the highest of the four bands NZQA gives, and the one with the fewest restrictions on teaching international students. CCEL is a member of English New Zealand, whose members are independently audited, and of Quality English, which admits schools by inspection. And the University of Canterbury endorses CCEL as its English language provider.
What is Christchurch like to live in as a student?
Flat, green and easy on your budget. It has about 400,000 people. That is big enough for a real city centre, a music and arts scene and a food hall culture. And it is small enough to cycle across, which most people do, because there are almost no hills. The South Island is the other half of the answer. The Alps, the lakes and the coast are all day trips, and one weekend can hold a ski field and a whale watch. CCEL budgets NZ$140 to NZ$200 a week for rent, and many students choose Christchurch for that alone.
How do I apply to CCEL from my country?
Start with the form on this page. An advisor replies in your language with everything that depends on where you live: the documents your country needs, how long each stage takes, how the New Zealand student visa application works, the total cost and which start dates still have places. You do not need anything ready for that chat, and our advice is free from start to finish.
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