Arrival and First Day in London

Your Arrival in London

Airport Transfers

Airport transfers can be arranged by EC if requested. Arrival information must be sent to EC as soon as possible. Please indicate clearly your arrival airport - Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton or London City Airport.

You will be met at the arrival gate by an EC driver with an EC sign. If you do not see the EC logo, please go to the Airport Information Desk and call our Emergency Number which you will receive in your booking information.

If you are making your own travel arrangements to London, we ensure you have full details of your homestay, residence or hotel address on arrival in the UK.

Travel Time from Airports to Central London by Public Transport

• Stansted Airport*: 1 hour by train to London Liverpool Street Station
• Luton Airport*: 40 minutes by train to London St. Pancras Station
• Heathrow Airport*: 1 hour by London Underground to London Victoria
• Gatwick: 30 minutes by train to London King’s Cross Station
• London City Airport : 30 minutes by shuttle bus to Liverpool Street Station

*Please note: airport transfers are by arrangement with EC and are not included in the package price.

2013 Airport Transfers - one way

• Heathrow: £100
• Gatwick: £110
• Luton / Stanstead: £120
• Southend: £130
• London St. Pancras International Rail: £70

Need a plane ticket? Try our friends at cheapflights.com for flights to London

Visit National Rail Enquiries for prices and train times.

How to get to school

If you’re staying in an EC accommodation (Homestay or Residence) you’ll receive an accommodation profile on confirmation of your booking. The profile will include detailed information regarding directions to the school. Our EC London google map shows where EC London is and indicates the nearest London underground (the tube).

Your First Day at EC London

Welcome Talk

You will need to be at the school by 8:45am on your first day for a short welcome tour of the school by one of the EC London team, who will briefly explain where to find academic and social information and show you the computer room, study room and cafe. A more detailed talk and orientation will be held after the placement test.

Placement Tests

Following the welcome talk you will sit a placement test commencing at 09:00. The placement test assesses your key skills in all aspects of English (Reading, Speaking, Listening, and Written Comprehension) and helps us place you at the right level for your ability.

Welcome Event

On the first day of your course we invite you to a welcome event in the centre cafe or at another venue. This is an excellent opportunity for you to meet other students on your English course and from the school.

Lessons

If you are taking 20 lessons per week your English course will start on Tuesday. EC considers the first day’s activities, listed above, to be an essential part of the course and therefore they replace the first day’s General English lessons. EC London follows a double-banking timetable all year round, therefore English lessons alternate between morning and afternoon lessons on a daily basis. This will be explained in full during the academic induction.