Frequently Asked Questions about Lyceum English Language Australia

Enrolment
How do I enroll?
The easiest way to enroll in our courses is by filling out our online enrolment form. If you are unsure of which course to book or would like to get help and advice before enrolling, you can call us on +61 (03) 9600 1194. You can also get in touch with an education agent from your country to get assistance with the enrolment.

Do I need a visa to come to your school?
In order to come to Australia, you will need an appropriate visa depending on your length or purpose of stay. All visa regulations are set by the Australian Immigration Department and are subject to change. We, therefore, advise you to verify all information on the Australian Immigration Website or with your local Australian Embassy or Consulate.
If you are coming to Australia for long-term study, you should apply for a Student Visa. We will issue your Confirmation of Enrolment, which you will have to submit to Immigration together with all the necessary documents such as Overseas Student Health Cover proof.
If you are coming to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa, you can study for a maximum of 17 weeks during your stay.
If you are coming to Australia on a Tourist Visa you can study for up to three months.

What happens if I have to cancel my course?
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for details on our cancellation policy.

When do I have to pay?
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for details on our payment policy.

When can I start my course?
You can start your course with us any Monday. We are open all year round excluding public holidays. We are also closed for two weeks over Christmas and New Year.

Can you recommend an agency that you work with in my home country?
Yes, we work with a number of education agents around the world. Please refer to our Approved Agent List for more details.

How long do I need to study for?
This really depends on what your aims and study objectives are.
Our students usually take 10 weeks of full-time study to improve their English by one level.
If you are interested in studying with us on our Pathway programs we require you to study at least 10 weeks to go on to Diploma courses or at least 20 weeks to go on to Bachelor Degree courses.
A short-term course will help you increase your vocabulary and grammar knowledge as well as boost your confidence and fluency after only a few weeks.

What is my level of English?
To find out what your level is, you can do our online placement test. If you just want to get a quick idea of our levels, here is an overview:

What is the minimum enrolment period?
The minimum enrolment period is one week.
If you would like to apply for a Student Visa, we would recommend a minimum enrolment of 4 weeks due to the visa application costs involved.

What is the minimum age for study at Lyceum English?
We are an adult education centre, so our minimum age is 18.

Can I try your classes before enroling?
Yes, you can. If you are already in Melbourne, you are more than welcome to come in for a trial class. Just Contact Us to book the free class.

School and Course Information

What happens on my first day at Lyceum English?
On your first day, we will ask you to arrive at 8.30am. You will meet our Elicos Coordinator and start by doing your placement test. This is a written test that helps us to assess your level of English and find the right class for you. Once you have finished the written test, our Elicos Coordinator will have a short interview with you to test your spoken level of English.  Your level can then be determined and you will be introduced to your teacher and classmates. If you are not satisfied with the level that you have been put in, you can always speak to us after the first day or after a few days.
After class on your first day, there will be an Orientation Meeting for all new students. You will learn important information about studying at Lyceum and life in Melbourne. You will also get a chance to meet the other new students that have just started with you at the school.

Which documents do I need to bring on my first day?
Apart from pen and paper, all you need to bring is your passport. Books will be provided once you have done the placement test.

Where do most of your students come from?
Our students come from all over the world and we are proud to have a really good mix of nationalities. On average, we have about 1/3 of our students coming from South America, 1/3 from Europe and 1/3 from Asia.

How easily can the school be reached by transportation?
Our school is located right in the heart of Melbourne and you can easily get here by public transport. We are based on 131 Queen Street, which is close to the corner of Bourke Street. There are tram lines on both Bourke Street and Collins Street, as well as several bus routes on Queen Street. In addition, Flinders Street Station and Melbourne Central are about 7 minutes walking distance. If you want to find the best public transport connection to reach us you can use the Journey Planner on the Public Transport Victoria Website.

Do I have to buy books to study at Lyceum or do you provide all the material?
At Lyceum we work with the Cutting Edge textbook series and complementary material. You can buy the books from us for $89 per level. If you return the books in good condition and do not write in them, we will exchange the books for you after each level and take them back at the end of the course and give you $40 back.

How many students study at Lyceum English?
We have an average of about 100 English students in the school.

How many students are in the class?
The average number of students per class is currently 12 to 13. Thanks to this small class size you will make progress fast, as it allows for lots of interaction with the teacher and other students

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Will I be able to use the Internet at the school?
Yes, we have student computers that you can use in the student lounge as well as in a second study area. In addition, we have free wi-fi available for our students.

Who will decide which level class I join?
Our Elicos Coordinator will test your level of English on your first day and then decide which class is best for you.

Will I stay in the same class for my whole time at Lyceum?
That depends on your length of stay and the progress you make. In general, it takes about 10 weeks for a student to cover one level of English and to move into the next level up.

What facilities does Lyceum offer?
We are based on the 8th level of an Art Deco building in the centre of Melbourne. Our centre has been architect designed and provides a lovely and welcoming atmosphere. We have 10 comfortable class rooms available in the centre. There is also a common room with a kitchen and computer area with free student computers. There is also free wi-fi if you want to bring your own laptop.
One of the highlights of our facilities is our beautiful roof top garden. It was designed by Melbourne University and has a BBQ and party area as well as gorgeous views of the city. Make sure you won’t miss one of our legendary roof top parties!

Can I extend my course when I am already studying at Lyceum?
This depends on your visa and your country of origin.
If you are studying on a Tourist Visa you can only study for 3 months in total. On a Working Holiday Visa you are not allowed to study more than 17 weeks.
Student Visas can be extended in most cases, but you should speak to us or your education agent well in advance and check the latest information on the Immigration Department Website.

Life in Melbourne

Can I take a break from my classes to go travelling or take some time off?
Yes, usually it is not a problem to take 2 - 4 weeks of holiday during your studies with us. However, we would recommend that you discuss your plans with us when enrolling because holiday entitlement depends on your study duration as well as your visa conditions. 

What is the weather like in Melbourne?
Melbourne enjoys a moderate oceanic climate with 4 distinctive seasons – mild springs and autumns, hot summers and cool winters. Spring is from September to November, summer from December to February, autumn March to May and winter June to August, with June and July being the coldest months. January and February are usually the hottest months with temperatures sometimes peaking at 40°.
Melbourne has a reputation as a rainy city, which is statistically unfounded because Melbourne receives only 50 percent of the average rainfall of Brisbane or Sydney.

Can I work while I am in Australia studying at Lyceum?
This depends on your visa. If you are in Australia on a Tourist Visa, you are not allowed to work.
On a Student Visa you are entitled to work 20 hours per week. A Working Holiday Visa allows you to work a maximum of 6 months for one employer in Australia.

What is the time difference?
Melbourne’s time zone is Australian Eastern Standard Time, which is GMT +10. From October to April there is an additional hour due to the Daylight Saving Time.