Travel Advice

Visas and ETAs

On this page we provide concise visa and travel guidance for students wishing to learn English in the United Kingdom.

You may need a visa to come to the UK to visit, study or work.

There are different visas depending on:

  • where you come from
  • why you want to come to the UK
  • how long you want to stay for
  • your personal circumstances and skills
If you want to study in the UK:

Your course length, type and place of study affect which visa to apply for.

  • A Standard Visitor visa lets you do a short course of study that lasts no longer than 6 months.
  • A Short-term study visa lets you come to the UK to study an English language course that is over 6 months and up to 11 months.
  • A Student visa is usually for a longer course. You must be sponsored by a licensed college or university and have a confirmed place. On this visa, you may be able to do some work.
  • A Child Student visa is for 4 to 17 year olds who want to study at an independent school. If you’re 16 or over, this visa lets you do some work.

Before you apply, you must check if you need a visa and what type you need. Depending on your nationality, you might not need a visa to visit or transit through the UK.
Your application must be approved before you travel.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital permission to travel to the UK for those who do not currently need a visa to travel or have UK immigration status.

An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) lets you travel to the UK for tourism, visiting family or certain other reasons for up to 6 months.

From Wednesday 2 April 2025, all nationals from European countries (EU/ EEA and European micro-states) have needed an ETA when entering the UK.  

Cost 
The ETA costs £16 per applicant and is valid for two years. The ETA is linked to the visitor's passport. A new ETA will be needed if the passport expires in less than two years. 

How to apply?
Applications can be made online or using the UK ETA app. Apply for an ETA. A decision is given within three days.

What happens if an ETA is refused? 
An application for an ETA can be refused. If this is the case, the applicant must apply for a visitor visa. 

How to get to Bournemouth?

Bournemouth is located in the south of England 107 miles (172 kilometres) from London. The nearest airports are Bournemouth and Southampton, but travelling to London from your home country is also a good option. Bournemouth can easily be reached by train (National Rail) and by coach (National Express) from the English capital and many other major cities.

The below gives you a brief overview of how to travel to Bournemouth on public transport and also information about the private transfers we can arrange for you at an additional cost.

Public Transport

Gatwick Airport

Frequent and direct services with National Express coaches (www.nationalexpress.com)
From: Gatwick Airport (North Terminal)
To: Bournemouth Coach Station
Direct journey: approx. 3 hours 15 minutes
Journey via London Heathrow Airport: approx. 4 hours 30 minutes
Departure: North Terminal (on the lower level outside international arrivals)
Tickets: National Express ticket desks in the North and South Terminals or online in advance.

Heathrow Airport

Frequent and direct services with National Express coaches (www.nationalexpress.com)
From: Heathrow Airport (Terminals 2, 3 and Terminal 5)
To: Bournemouth Coach Station
Direct journey: approx. 2 hours 20 minutes
Departure: The central bus station is a short walk from the terminals and has lifts, escalators and moving walkways to help with the journey at terminals 2, 3 and terminal 5. The bus station is open 24 hours a day and the travel centre is open from 06:00 to 22:30.
Tickets: Ticket office at Heathrow central bus station (06:00 - 22:10), ticket machines or online in advance.

Stansted Airport

Frequent services with National Express coaches via London (www.nationalexpress.com)
From: Stansted Airport
To: Bournemouth Coach Station
Journey via London Victoria Coach Station: approx. 4 hours 50 minutes
Journey via London Heathrow Airport: approx. 4 hours 25 minutes
Departure: The coach station is opposite the main terminal entrance
Tickets: Ticket desk in arrivals (open 06:00 to 01:00), in the coach station (24 hours a day, seven days a week) or online in advance.

Bournemouth Airport

Weekday service only with More Bus (Route 737 https://www.morebus.co.uk/)
From: Bournemouth Airport
To: Bournemouth Train Station
Direct journey: approx. 20 minutes
Departure: Every hour outside the airport
Tickets: On board

Southampton Airport

Frequent and direct train services operated by National Rail (www.nationalrail.co.uk)
From: Southampton Airport Parkway Station
To: Bournemouth Train Station
Direct journey: approx. 38 minutes
Departure: Southampton Airport Parkway Station is right next to the airport
Tickets: Ticket machine located in international arrivals or online in advance.

Eurostar

Journey: From Paris Gare du Nord (France) or Brussels-Midi/Zuid (Belgium) to London St Pancras (https://www.eurostar.com/)
Transport to the coach station: Tube from King’s Cross St. Pancras to Victoria Station, Northern Line by Transport for London (https://tfl.gov.uk/), ticket machine in the underground station
Train station to Bournemouth: Frequent and direct services with National Express coaches (www.nationalexpress.com)
From: Victoria Coach Station
To: Bournemouth Train Station
Direct journey: approx. 2 hours 30 minutes
Tickets: Ticket hall open daily from 08:30 to 19:30, ticket machine in the coach station or online in advance.

Ferry

Journey: From Cherbourg (France) to Poole (https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/), overnight and day time sailings (respectively 10hrs and app. 4hrs 30mns)
From: Poole ferry terminal
To: Bournemouth Train Station
By taxi: approx. 20 minutes
By train: 20 minute walk to the train station, direct train services operated by National Rail (www.nationalrail.co.uk), approx. 20minutes, ticket machine located in the train station or online in advance.
By bus: 10 minute walk to the Bus Station (Stand B), direct buses operated by More Bus ( bus M2, www.morebus.co.uk).

How to get to your Accommodation

Home stay

We will provide you with the address of your host family prior to arrival. From the Coach and Train Station in Bournemouth you will be able to get there on foot, by bus (www.bybus.co.uk) or by taxi.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you need information about local bus connections or taxi companies. We will be happy to assist you with travel preparations.

Residence

We will provide you with the address of your residence prior to arrival. From the Coach and Train Station in Bournemouth you will be able to get there on foot, by bus (www.morebus.co.uk) or by taxi.
The residence is within 15 minutes walking distance from the coach and train station.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you need information about local bus connections or taxi companies. We will be happy to assist you with travel preparations.

Private Airport Transfer

Airport transfers can be arranged with our local partner straight to your accommodation any time of the day from airport arrivals.

  • Price for One Way
  • Bournemouth: £50
  • Southampton: £140
  • Heathrow: £215
  • Stansted: £310
  • Gatwick: £235

You will be met at the arrival gate by the chauffeur with a Europa School of English sign showing your name. If you do not see the chauffeur, please call our emergency number, which you will find in your booking information.