CATS College Canterbury
Established boarding college in Canterbury preparing international students aged 14-18 for university through GCSEs, A Levels, IB and Foundation programmes.
Who Canterbury suits
Canterbury works for students who want history without academic pressure and student atmosphere without party culture. It is small enough to feel safe and familiar, lively enough to stay interesting, and historic enough to make learning feel meaningful.
The vibe sits between Oxford’s intensity and Bath’s refinement — you will study seriously but also enjoy student cafés, riverside walks, and a younger social scene. If you want medieval charm with contemporary student life, Canterbury delivers.
Why the English learning works
Canterbury is a genuine student city with three universities, which shapes how English is used. You will hear contemporary vocabulary, natural youth expressions, and casual conversation styles alongside formal academic English. This mix prepares you for real British English — how people actually talk, not just textbook language.
The city’s small size means you see familiar faces constantly. These recurring connections build conversational confidence faster than in anonymous big-city life.
Constant international visitors mean locals are used to speaking clearly with non-native speakers. They adjust pace naturally, rephrase when needed, and keep conversations comfortable.
The Cathedral, medieval streets, and museums introduce specialised cultural vocabulary you will use in class discussions. Course choice is strong, with mixed ages and nationalities making English your only common language.
Daily rhythm
Weekdays mean morning classes, lunch on King’s Mile or by the river, and afternoons studying in cafés or Westgate Gardens. Evenings offer student pubs, cinema trips, riverside walks, or an early night — nightlife exists, but it is manageable, not overwhelming.
Major sights such as the Cathedral, The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, the Roman Museum, and Westgate Towers are within minutes of the language schools. Learning can continue beyond the classroom, exploring history and culture on foot.
Weekends make it easy to explore: London in an hour by train, Dover’s white cliffs, Whitstable’s beach atmosphere, Margate’s coastal art scene, or countryside castles nearby.
Living areas
- City Centre: Most convenient; medieval streets, close to everything, but can be noisy on weekends.
- St Dunstan’s: Around 10 minutes’ walk; residential area just outside the city walls, quieter, good value.
- Northgate / St Stephen’s: Around 15 minutes’ walk; student-friendly, affordable, local shops and buses.
- Sturry / Broad Oak: Around 20 minutes by bus; suburban, cheaper, family-friendly areas.
Practical realities
Terrain
Canterbury is flat and very walkable — easy for cycling too, compared with hillier cities like Bath or Edinburgh.
Budget
Costs are lower than in Bath or Oxford but higher than in northern cities. A strong student presence keeps accommodation and food prices competitive. Always ask for an itemised quote covering lesson hours, enrolment, materials, accommodation, and extras.
Demand
Summer is busy, and university term times can tighten student accommodation. Autumn’s Canterbury Festival and the Christmas market increase weekend visitors — enquire early for these periods.
Safety
The city is generally considered safe. Standard precautions apply, but the compact centre keeps journeys short and well lit. Canterbury has student-friendly infrastructure thanks to decades as a university city.
Getting around
Walking and cycling are ideal here. Buses connect suburbs and coastal towns, and trains link to London, Dover, and the south coast.
London and coast access
Trains to London take around an hour. Dover’s cliffs are 30 minutes away by train, and Whitstable beach 20 minutes by bus — a rare blend of city convenience and coastal escape.
Is Canterbury right for you?
Canterbury offers a safe, compact, history-rich base with a relaxed student culture — not academic pressure, not party intensity.
Canterbury suits you if you:
- Want medieval history and student atmosphere combined
- Prefer small, walkable cities to overwhelming metropolises
- Value both serious study and manageable social life
- Appreciate flat terrain and easy cycling
- Want access to both London and the coast
- Seek a balance between academic focus and everyday fun
Consider alternatives if you:
- Need maximum academic intensity → Oxford, Cambridge
- Want big-city diversity and nightlife → London, Manchester
- Prefer Georgian elegance to medieval streets → Bath
- Seek coastal living year-round → Brighton, Bournemouth
- Need extensive career networking → London
- Want mountains or dramatic landscapes → Edinburgh
Prefer the full form? Go to enquiry page
