Q. What is the minimum age required to study at OHC? Do you offer any courses for people below that age?
A. The minimum age limit is 16 for international classes, and there is no upper age limit.

Q. Can I stay in OHC accommodation if I do not take one of your courses? What about if I come with somebody who will study at OHC - could I share a room with that person?
A. Our accommodation is for OHC students only. Due to high demand and limited availability you can only stay in our accommodation if you study with us. Therefore, even if you are coming to Vancouver with someone else who will be studying with us, we cannot provide you with accommodation.

Q. Do I have to stay in accommodation provided by OHC?
A. No. You can arrange accommodation by yourself if you wish.

Q. How far will my accommodation be from the school? Will I be able to walk to school?
A. Homestay accommodations range from within walking distance to the school to 50 minutes by public transportation. The sooner you book your accommodation with us, the closer to the school we can place you.

Q. Can I choose my homestay host? Or visit before I stay to make sure I like it?
A. We do not allow students to ‘choose’ the homestay location or host they want, just as we do not allow homestay hosts to ‘choose’ the student they want to host. All homestay locations are regularly inspected to make sure it is suitable and we do our best to place students in homestay where they will feel happy and comfortable. Of course if you are unhappy, we will do our best to deal with your problem and, in more serious cases, to move you, though this may take a little time and at certain times of the year, it may not be possible.

Q. If I come with somebody else and we will both be students at OHC, can we share a room together? If so, how can we arrange this?
A. You can certainly request to share a room with a friend or loved one if you will both study at OHC, and we will arrange this for you. You should make this request at the same time you register by noting it on your registration form, or alternatively by sending an e-mail to: enrol@ohcEnglish.com

Q. If I have booked a shared room with somebody else but then they cannot come (for example because their visa application is refused), what should I do?
A. In this case you should inform us of the situation as soon as possible so that we can make alternative arrangements for you.

Q. If I would like to apply for a shared room but I do not know another OHC student who I can share the room with, can OHC find a roommate for me?
A. No. You must know the person you wish to share a room with.

Q. If I have a specific request relating to the accommodation, who should I contact and will OHC be able to help me with it?
A. In this case you should note your request on your application form. You can also contact us directly. Depending on your request, we may be able to help you and, in any case, we will certainly answer your questions.

Q. When can I move into the accommodation and when do I have to move out? Can I stay in the accommodation after my course has finished?
A. You can arrive at any of our accommodations any day you prefer. You will need to move out on or before your official move out date that you requested when registering. Depending on availability and demand, you may be able to stay in our accommodation after your studies have finished.

Q. Is there internet access in the accommodation?
A. Accommodation fees for homestays do not include Internet access so your homestay may charge a small fee for this service. All students have internet access at the school. If it is important to you to have internet access in your accommodation, we recommend you arrange mobile/3G internet for your stay.

Q. How can I find out the exact address of the accommodation?
A. You will be notified of the exact address of your accommodation at least two weeks before your course start date.

Q. Can I book accommodation for one week only?
A. Yes.

Q. Can I pay for my accommodation in instalments or do I have to pay all accommodation fees in advances?
A. All accommodation fees must be paid in advance. For longer stays, you can book a shorter period of accommodation (e.g. one month)and renew/extend at the end of this period, however, you may need to move homestay at the end of your accommodation period and if you have special requirements we may not be able to meet them if notice is short.

Q. If I want to extend my period of accommodation or change my accommodation, can I do this? If so, what would I have to pay?
A. It is certainly possible to extend your period of accommodation or to move to another accommodation. To do so you should make this request as far in advance as possible and we will do our best to accommodate you. We would then settle the balance.

Q. Can I stay in OHC accommodation if I am under 18?

A. If you are under 18 you can only stay in homestay accommodation.

Q. Do I have to pay for gas, electricity, property tax, etc. or are all bills included in the price of the accommodation?
A. All bills are included.

Q. What is the registration fee/accommodation finding fee for?
A. Both the registration fee and the accommodation fee are necessary charges to cover administrative costs.

Q. If I cancel my course will you refund the registration fee?
A. No. The registration fee is not refundable.

Q. If I cancel my accommodation will you refund the accommodation placement fee?
A. No. The accommodation placement fee is not refundable.

Q. Do I have to pay the registration fee for each and every course I take?
A. No. It is only necessary to pay this fee once to cover the initial cost of registering you as an OHC student. After you are registered there is no need to pay the registration fee again.

Q. Do I have to pay the accommodation placement fee if I apply for the student residence?
A. Yes.

Q. Can I do the test before I arrive?

A. Yes - Please click on this link below and we will automatically recieve your reseults which will be added to your booking: http://enrolment.oxfordhousecollege.co.uk/ohcgrammartest/

Q. Do you also have classes for complete beginners?

A. If you are a complete beginner we may not have a suitable class for you. Please contact us to find out if we do.

Q. Do I need to have a certain level of English to take any of your courses? If so, which ones?

A. If you would like to take one of our specialised English courses, you must have a level of English at the appropriate level. These are: Cambridge Examination courses - Upper-Intermediate or higher; IELTS - Intermediate or higher, TOEIC – Intermediate or higher; TOEFL – Upper intermediate or higher; Business English – Intermediate or higher; Academic English – Pre-advanced or higher.

Q. Can I take an English course for one week only?

A. Yes.

Q. Will I get a certificate at the end of my course? Is there an exam?

A. After you have completed your course you will receive a certificate confirming your attendance as well as the progress you have made / the level you have reached. There is no exam unless you are taking an exam course.

Q. Do you offer free English lessons?

A. No.

Q. What is included in the course fee? For example, are course books or exam fees included?

A. Exam fees are not included in the course fees but photocopies of all materials used in class are provided. Textbooks are provided free of charge, but can only be used during class time. You may opt to purchase a text book for a fee.

Q. Can I pay for my course in instalments or do I have to pay all course fees in advance? What about if I just want to reserve a place?

A. All course fees are payable in advance. You could pay for two or three week courses at a time if you wish, but please note that this would be more expensive than paying for a longer course in advance.

Q. After I start my course can I extend my period of study or change to another course? If so, what would I have to pay?

A. It is possible to extend your period of study or to change to another course. To do so you should make this request as far in advance as possible and we will do our best to accommodate you. We would then settle the balance.

FAQs – FEE PAYMENTS

Q. How can I pay for my course?
A. You can pay by cash, credit card or you could arrange a bank transfer. If you pay by bank transfer you must send us a copy of the bank transfer so that we can process your registration. Please ask the bank to give your name as a reference. Bank charges (if any) must be paid by you on arrival.

Q. Can I do a bank transfer or online EFT for my Fees direct to your bank account?
A. Yes, Here are the bank account details;

    Bank Name: TD Canada Trust
    Bank Address: 65 Wellesley St. East
    Bank City: Toronto
    Bank Province: Ontario
    Bank Postal Code: M4Y 1G7
    Bank Country: Canada
    Account (Beneficiary) Name: Sol Schools Vancouver Inc.
    Account (Beneficiary) Number: 1220-5010766
    SWIFT CODE #: TDOMCATTTOR
    Bank/Institutional #: 004

Please use your Student Number or Student Name as the “reference”. Once transferred please email Vancouver@ohcEnglish.com the screenshot or scan copy of the receipt to us immediately, so we can track it and provide you with a receipt.

Q. Do I have to pay in Canadian dollars or can I pay in a foreign currency?
A. You can pay your fees in a foreign currency. To do so you must calculate the amount according to the relevant exchange rate on the day you make your payment. After you make your payment we will convert it into Canadian dollars according to the exchange rate on the day we receive your payment. We will then settle the balance when you arrive (i.e. if you have paid too much we will refund you the difference and if you have paid too little we will ask you to pay the rest).

Q. Is it possible for somebody else to pay on my behalf?
A. Yes.

Q. If I need an invoice can OHC provide one? If so, what information do I have to give and do I have to pay anything?
A. Yes. We can provide invoices if required. To be able to do so we need to know your chosen course, the start date and the duration, as well as the address or email address to which we should send the invoice. You do not have to pay anything for this service.

Q. Can I get any financial aid/assistance, such as a student loan or scholarship, for my course?
A. OHC does not offer any scholarships or other financial assistance. However your course at OHC may be eligible for a grant from a funding body in your home country (for example the European Union’s Erasmus + programme). If you are applying for financial aid, contact your chosen centre to discuss how we can help your application.