66 Banbury Rd
OX2 6PR, Oxford
+441865516162

Opening hours

  • sunday: (closed)
  • monday: 8:30-17h
  • tuesday: 8:30-17h
  • wednesday: 8:30-17h
  • thursday: 8:30-17h
  • friday: 8:30-17h
  • saturday: (closed)

Welcome to the beautiful university City of Oxford and the Oxford English Centre, founded in 1979. We offer quality courses in magnificent premises, close to the centre of Oxford. The Oxford English Centre is accredited by the British Council, and is a member of EnglishUK – your guarantees of quality.

In a typical year we have students from over 70 countries studying with us and most of them tell us they would recommend the school to a friend.

Students have been coming to study in Oxford for the last 800 years – why don’t you become one of them? We’re waiting to welcome you to Oxford and the Oxford English Centre!

Our comment from StudyLanguages about The Oxford English Centre:

The Oxford English Centre (OEC) is renowned for providing an outstanding language learning experience in a warm and welcoming environment. With a beautiful campus that boasts clean facilities, a lounge area, and a café, students can enjoy a comfortable atmosphere while honing their English skills.

Students consistently rave about the kindness and professionalism of the staff, including the dedicated teachers who employ diverse and engaging teaching methods, making classes enjoyable and effective. Many have highlighted specific staff members like Steve, Jamie, Ethan, and Nick for their exceptional support and positive attitudes.

The OEC creates a vibrant community, allowing students from all over the globe to connect, share cultures, and build friendships, thus enhancing their overall learning experience. The range of cultural and social activities provided is a particular highlight, ensuring an immersive experience in the city of Oxford.

While some users have pointed out minor challenges regarding class sizes and occasional disruptions, the overall feedback remains overwhelmingly positive. Many former students regard their time at OEC as a life-changing experience, with notable improvements in their English skills and unforgettable memories created.

In summary, the Oxford English Centre is a highly recommended institution for anyone looking to improve their English in a supportive and enriching environment.

Services

English Courses

The Oxford English Centre: Reviews

4.7/5 (37 Reviews)
Alba Cantarero Álvaro Published on Google 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: La academia estaba genial, limpia y con sala de descanso, cafetería y varias clases Todas las personas súper amables y con una sonrisa

Carlos Fernandez Diaz-Guerra Published on Google 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Mu majo el Steve por la raza. El Jeamie mu majo los kahoots mu buenos los llevaré en el corazón os lo juro

María Martínez Published on Google 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: divinamente todo muy hospitalarios con la gente de habla hispana gracias

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thanks, Maria!

ximena molina padilla Published on Google 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Este es mi tercer año en el OEC. La verdad que la experiencia siempre fue muy buena!! Gente muy amable, siempre dispuestos a darte una mano y a solucionar las cosas. Altamente recomendable el OEC.

Vivian Meson Published on Google 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: I've been coming to the IEC since 2007! And it has never disappointed me! Beautiful premises, extremely helpful staff and well-trained teachers. Students never forget their time here! Cultural and social activities deserve special mention! I would highly recommend the OEC for teenagers

Julieta Exeni Published on Google 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: Hi. My name is Julieta, I'm from Argentina, and I was lucky enough to study at Oxford City Centre this year. I went in July/August, and what I experienced during those two weeks was incredible. Jimmy, my teacher (the best I could have asked for), was a very kind person and an excellent teacher. And the activities with Ethan and Olive were the best and most fun; they were always very helpful. The kitchen staff were also very friendly. Steve was always very positive. Thank you for everything; it was a unique experience.❤️‍

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thank you for your kind words, Julieta. We always enjoy the warmth and sunshine our Argentinian students bring to Oxford English Centre. We’re also delighted to hear you felt so welcomed by our kitchen team—they’ll be thrilled to know their friendliness made a difference. Jamie, along with our Activity Leaders Ethan and Olive, are still here and would be delighted to welcome you back anytime—back to your home in the UK: Oxford. Regards Steve

BONHOMME Justine Published on Google 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: As a french group leader, I highly recommend you the Oxford English Centre : great staff, great host families, great teachers, great organization... We had an amazing week!

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Hi Justine,

We have had the pleasure of working with your agency for over 20 years. Given the exceptionally high standards you set—as one would expect from such a professional organisation—it is particularly rewarding to receive such positive feedback from you.

Please be assured that we will continue to review and refine what we do, so we can keep delivering life-changing experiences for French young people for many years to come.

Thanks
Steve

Dev Thomaskutty Published on Google 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: I did a 3 week language stay at Oxford and went at the OCE to learn English. My English comes more natural and automatically now thanks to the brilliant team. I would like to give a huge thank you to the teachers e.g. Mr. Hill for making the lessons various and interesting. Many different methods were used like videos or discussions so it was hard to get bored here. Also the huge amount of enthusiasm and passion is amazing. I would also like to thank Steve Guy for his brilliant managing skills. He is very approachable and offers a listening ear for any enquiries at any time. Overall I would highly recommend this centre if you want to stay in Oxford to improve your English.

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Dear Dev,
Many thanks for your kind words. I will be sure to pass them on to David Hill and the rest of the team.
It was a genuine pleasure to have you with us for the last 3 weeks. Your charming personality and scholarly attitude were real assets to our learning community.
I am confident that the future is bright for you, and you are certainly welcome back here at any time!
All the best.

Stéphanie Published on Google 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: My son spent two weeks at the oxford english center this summer - one week was on the "teens" program and one week was the normal english intensive course. Everything was perfect, he enjoyed his stay, and he made huge progress. I strongly recommend this school !

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Dear Stéphanie,

Thank you so much for your kind words! It's always great to hear when one of our students really made the most of their time with us. It is the reason why we come to work every day!

We thoroughly enjoyed having Jules as part of our school community. He was well-liked by both his peers and my staff and was readily recalled when I mentioned his name to my teachers.

We would be delighted to welcome your son back to our school and wish him all the best.

Marl Pfeuffer Published on Google 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: I have now studied at the Oxford English Centre for the second time, and I can highly recommend it. Every stay here has been a wonderful experience! You get the chance to meet many friendly people from all over the world, which creates a very open and international atmosphere. At the same time, you learn a lot, not only in terms of language but also culturally. The teachers are truly outstanding: professional, motivated, patient, and always attentive to the individual needs of the students. The lessons are enjoyable and effective, and you can really feel your progress day by day. For me, there is absolutely nothing to improve. The combination of great organization, excellent teachers, and the positive atmosphere makes every stay something special. Definitely 5 out of 5 stars!

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Hi Marl,
We were delighted to welcome you back to the school and to see how you’d grown, both physically and as a person!
Your commitment to your learning was exemplary and you were an important part of the culture of OEC whilst you were here. All our teachers and activity leaders were extremely fond of you.
I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations about life, football and everything in between and look forward to more of the same when you return next year!
Steve

Teresa Cimino Published on Google 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: It was amazing and the English classes fun and interesting for the students.

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thank you Teresa. Your students have been a genuine delight and we hope to welcome another of your groups in the near future. We’re missing you all already!

Nyelviskola Shetland Published on Google 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: We had an excellent experience working with Oxford English Centre and Holmes Education throughout the year. We sent several student groups to study in Oxford, and everything was handled with great professionalism and care. From the start, Victor Maritan was our main point of contact, and he was truly outstanding—always responsive, supportive, and highly organized. Communication was smooth and timely, which made coordinating everything from abroad so much easier. The educational programs were high quality, and our students benefited a lot from the lessons. The social activities were well-organized and engaging, providing a full cultural immersion experience. Everything—from arrival logistics to accommodation and daily support—ran seamlessly. A big thank you to Victor and the entire team for ensuring our students had such a valuable and memorable experience in Oxford. Looking forward to continuing our cooperation!

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thank you for this wonderful review and for trusting the Oxford English Centre and Holmes Education with several of your student groups throughout the year. We are delighted to hear that the experience was smooth from start to finish, and that your students benefited both academically and culturally from their time in Oxford.
A special thank you for recognising our Sales Team. They will be thrilled to hear your comments—responsiveness, organisation, and clear communication are priorities for us, and it is very rewarding to know this made coordination from Hungary easier.
We are also pleased that the quality of the programmes, the range of social activities, and the practical arrangements—arrival logistics, accommodation, and daily support—met your expectations and contributed to a memorable stay for your students.
Thank you again for your partnership. We look forward to continuing our cooperation and welcoming your next groups to Oxford. Thanks Steve

roberta azzolini Published on Google 9 months ago

Fantastic experience: Wonderful city and a great experience at this international centre. Very good the weeckly plan, activities and lessons. A big thank you to the staff: above all to Victor that helped me step by step, to Steve and Nick and to all professionals.

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

It was a real pleasure to welcome you and your group to OEC this summer. You helped make it a truly memorable start to the season.
Your students brought warmth, humour, and intelligence to our school community, and we thoroughly enjoyed having them with us.
Thank you for your kind words—especially about Victor, Steve, Nick, and the rest of our team. We’ll be sure to pass on your appreciation.
We hope to see you again soon… and yes, please do bring more wonderful Italian students—they’ll always have a place here!

Armel Bonsergent Published on Google 10 months ago

Positive experience: Sympathique Bâtiment d'études

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

thank you!!!

Elisa Autora Published on Google 1 year ago

Fantastic experience: I studied there in 1998, and Brian and Colin were already there. It was a fantastic time! The only downside was that I missed you all! I came again (but for a short visit only) in 2014. Highly recommended.

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thanks, Elisa!

Matteo Romano Published on Google 1 year ago

Fantastic experience: The OEC school has now become a point of reference for our agency. They are capable, proactive, and super professional! We’ve sent many students there, and they’ve all come back with an incredible wealth of experiences to share. This is not just an English school—it’s a 360º experience. A SPECIAL thank you goes to Victor!!! He is a wonderful person who supports you from the very first to the very last day. He’s always ready to step up, without ever (and I mean never!!!) getting upset or annoyed. His dedication and professionalism truly deserve to be highlighted. Thanks to the whole team, and also to those I haven’t met but who work behind the scenes to make everything perfect. I also want to thank Nick for looking after my students on-site and pampering them in the way only he can. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Ylenia

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words! At OEC, we truly strive to create a rich and memorable 360° experience for every student who walks through our doors, so hearing that reflected in your feedback means the world to us.
Your students are always an absolute pleasure to welcome. We genuinely look forward to each new group from you —your Italian students bring such vibrancy and warmth to our international community, and their presence always adds something special to the atmosphere here.
We feel incredibly fortunate to have Nick as part of our team. His dedication, attention to detail, and the genuine care he shows our students are second to none. That said, your group stood out even among the many wonderful students we’ve hosted—they left a lasting impression on all of us, from the teaching staff to the wider school community.
We can’t wait to welcome you back to Oxford soon!
Steve

Marco Maraglino Published on Google 1 year ago

Fantastic experience: Ho frequentato un corso full immertion ormai diversi anni fa, ma la preparazione che ho ricevuto è stata ed ancora molto efficace. Oltre a tanti bei ricordi di un ambiente, bello, professionale e dove ho coltivato alcune amicizie indimenticabili anche con i docenti.

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thanks, Marco!

tanguy dabos Published on Google 1 year ago

Fantastic experience: I studied here for one month, five years ago, and it was a fantastic experience. As a student, I found it incredibly valuable, and it greatly helped me improve my English skills.

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thank you!

Adriana Manzorro Published on Google 1 year ago

Fantastic experience: As a leader of an Argentinian group I may say this school is the right one for teens They have amazing teachers who teach dynamic lessons and the Principal and group manager are simply the best We felt really welcome here Join the school, it is an excellent one !

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Hi Adriana,
Thank you so much for your kind words.
It was a genuine pleasure to host you and your group for the last three weeks. You brought Argentinian sunshine to our school, lifting the gloom of a typical British January and for that, we are all truly grateful!
Before your arrival, we greatly appreciated your clear vision and excellent communication regarding your stay with us, enabling us to put together all the elements of your programme in a timely fashion.
Whilst you were here, your good humour and regular feedback, allowed a flawless operation of our plans and a school full of happy, engaged students.
Now you have gone, we miss you already! Looking forward to 2027, when we anticipate an even larger group and another significant contribution to the ever-increasing bonds of friendship which exist between Argentina and the UK.
Steve

Pao Pistone Published on Google 1 year ago

Fantastic experience: Muy. buena escuela para mejorar tu ingles! Todo el staff es muy amable y atento a lo que necesitas.

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thank you!

mohamed tilioua Published on Google 1 year ago

Fantastic experience: Great experience, great teachers and an overall amazing time, thank you

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thanks Mohamed

Maria Clara Nogueira Gomes da Silva Published on Google 1 year ago

Fantastic experience: Amazing experience ❤️❤️❤️

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thanks Maria

Catrigna Lehmann (Catre) Published on Google 1 year ago

Fantastic experience: I stayed at the OEC from January 2023 to July 2023 and I loved it. The teachers I had the pleasure to meet were all lovely, the manager (Steve) is really nice and welcoming and all of the other staff are great too. The building is really pretty and almost felt like a home after some time. Because I stayed for so long, I got to get to know the people a bit more and they were all really lovely. Although the school itself is a bit chaotic sometimes, every difficulty was overcome. Thank you for the best 7 months of my life <3

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thank you so much for your feedback, Cat We still talk about you here at the school as you certainly became one of the OEC family and we all miss you!
Leaving a language school with a Cambridge Proficiency Exam is as good as it gets, and we were extremely proud when we saw your result.
Observing your English level increase was as impressive as seeing your maturity develop. Spending 7 months alone in a foreign country as a 16/17 year old is quite a challenge, and you successfully overcame any obstacles with a determination which will be of great benefit in your future endeavours. Your Oxford English Centre family wish you all the best and hope that you will come and see us again soon!

Hamid Bouzaid Published on Google 2 years ago

Fantastic experience: Fantastique

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thanks Hamid!

MLADENKA OPSENICA Published on Google 3 years ago

Negative experience: Nothing nice to say about this school ,so if you can avoid it please do so .First the person called Nick who answer phone is extremely rude and act personally on this very particular job ,totally incompetent dealing with people and unprofessional to the lowest level ... in the most posh part of Oxford i never believed this sort of institution can exist...AVOID IT ON ANY COST

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Hi Mladenka,
Thank you for applying to our homestay program. As a member of our team has informed you, we won’t be proceeding with you as a host option for this year's homestay program. We appreciate your time and wish you all the best.

Pachini Published on Google 3 years ago

Positive experience: Nice but a bit small in my opinion.

T.J. Published on Google 3 years ago

Positive experience: The school itself is okay, but this school offers two types of programs. One is an English course for adults (16 years and over) privately paying and the other is a student program for children (14 years and over) from other countries. At the beginning you get a placement test, in which English level you are. The class work was between 8 and 16 people in winter. The teachers were really good at how they taught the language. What was not so good was that the classes were mixed with children and adults and the children's group was quite loud and playful and thus disrupted the lessons. In the winter time there were very few adults present (7 people in different classes), supposedly the best time to travel is in the months of July to September. Morning classes were from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and afternoon classes from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. After that, private lessons would be carried out 1:1 if you booked them. It should be noted that in winter it gets dark early, around 5 p.m. The school director is very nice and friendly. Private parking spaces are in front of the school. Overall, the school can be recommended.

Ellery Nagle Published on Google 3 years ago

Fantastic experience: Amazing school!!! I will return in the future.

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thanks Ellery! It was a pleasure having you with us!

Aboubacar Sidiki Doumbouya Published on Google 6 years ago

Fantastic experience: Very good

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thank you!

Mohiuddin Al Helal Published on Google 6 years ago

Fantastic experience: Two centre is situated in same place-Centre for Population Ageing and Oxford English Centre

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thanks!

김경민 Published on Google 6 years ago

Fantastic experience: Lilly is the best!!!!! And every body is the best!!! I love OEC and if i can, i will come back.

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thank you! We hope you see you back at OEC!

Giada R Published on Google 7 years ago

Fantastic experience: Great experience, good teachers, I loved them.

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thanks Giada!

Nora cosman Published on Google 7 years ago

Fantastic experience: Amazing city, met lots of people and literally had the best time of my life here

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thank you!! We are so happy you enjoyed your time in Oxford!

たくや Published on Google 8 years ago

Negative experience: 先生が変わることも伝えてくれない スケジュールを把握できていない 自分の生徒のことを把握していない ひどかった

The Crep Connoisseur Published on Google 9 years ago

Fantastic experience: great

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thanks!

Mariano Tanús Published on Google 9 years ago

Fantastic experience: Had a great experience , amazing people and the teachers were amazing. totally recommend it

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thanks Mariano!

Agustina Caiti Published on Google 10 years ago

Fantastic experience: Had an amazing experience. It's great to perfect your English as well as meeting new people from all around the world.

The Oxford English Centre
The Oxford English Centre

Thanks Agustina!

Leave your review about The Oxford English Centre:

1 = Poor
5 = Excellent

Other language schools you might be interested in

5 (112)
The Oxford School of French
The Oxford School of French

The Oxford School of French

View information and contact details
16 Polstead Rd - OX2 6TN, Oxford
4.5 (200)
Kaplan International Languages - English School in Oxford
Kaplan International Languages - English School in Oxford

Kaplan International Languages - English School in Oxford

View information and contact details
108 Banbury Rd - OX2 6JU, Oxford
+441865515808
4.7 (94)
Oxford School of English

Oxford School of English

View information and contact details
Friars Entry 14 - OX1 2BZ, Oxford
01865 202061
4.3 (103)
Oxford Royale Academy

Oxford Royale Academy

View information and contact details
Manor Rd - OX1 3UJ, Oxford
01865 954800
5 (74)
Kheiron School of English
Kheiron School of English

Kheiron School of English

View information and contact details
9 Park End St - OX1 1HH, Oxford
+447494126911
4.5 (23)
Oxford International Study Centre

Oxford International Study Centre

View information and contact details
St Aldate's 6-7 - OX1 1BS, Oxford
01865 201009
4.5 (113)
Oxford International Oxford - English School
Oxford International Oxford - English School

Oxford International Oxford - English School

View information and contact details
Pembroke House, 36-37 Pembroke St - OX1 1BP, Oxford
+441865791108
4.9 (58)
Oxford International Language School (Oxford ILS)
Oxford International Language School (Oxford ILS)

Oxford International Language School (Oxford ILS)

View information and contact details
The Old Music Hall, 106-108 Cowley Rd - OX4 1JE, Oxford
+441865403351
4.2 (272)
EF International Language Campus - English courses in Oxford

EF International Language Campus - English courses in Oxford

View information and contact details
Pullens Ln - OX3 0DT, Oxford
01865 759660

Add your language school to our directory for free

If you run a language school and want to appear in our directory, add your business information and you can appear completely free of charge.

Add your business for free

The largest directory of language schools in United Kingdom

Find the best language schools near you