To enrol in an English course in Sydney, (1) choose your course and check your level, (2) apply online, (3) receive your Letter of Offer, (4) accept the offer and, if you need a student visa, get your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), then (5) start class. At Boston Institute, applying is free, offers are usually sent within 1–2 business days, and new classes start every Monday.
That’s the whole process. Most of the questions we get from new students aren’t about the form itself. They’re about what happens around it: which course to pick, what your visa allows, and how long everything takes. So this guide covers those too.
Before you start: what you’ll need
Have these ready and the application takes about ten minutes:
- your passport
- your current Australian visa details, if you’re already in Australia
- any previous English test results (IELTS, PTE, Cambridge), if you have them
- an idea of when you want to start and how many weeks you want to study
You don’t need a test score to apply for most courses. We’ll check your level with a placement test when you enrol.
Step 1: Choose your course and check your level
Start with your goal, not the course name.
| Your goal | Course to look at |
|---|---|
| Speak more confidently for work, travel or daily life | General English (A1 Beginner to C1 Advanced) |
| Get into an Australian university or TAFE | English for Academic Purposes (EAP) |
| Reach a PTE score for a visa or PR | PTE preparation |
| Reach an IELTS band for a visa, registration or study | IELTS preparation |
| Communicate professionally in an Australian workplace | Business English |
Not sure where you’d fit? Take our free English level test. It takes a few minutes and gives you a rough CEFR level, which tells you whether you’re ready for exam preparation or should start with General English.
A common mistake: jumping straight into IELTS or PTE preparation with a General English level of A2 or B1. Exam courses teach test strategy. They assume your everyday English is already solid. If it isn’t, you’ll spend a lot of money learning tricks for a test you’re not ready to sit. Our post on why General English is often the best starting point explains how to decide.
Step 2: Apply online (free)
Go to our online application. The form has four parts:
- 1Enrolment type. Do you need a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for a student visa, or not?
- 2Personal details. Name, date of birth, contact details and passport information.
- 3Course and enrolment. The course you want, your preferred start date and how many weeks.
- 4Documents. Upload your passport and any other documents requested.
There’s no application fee.
Do I need a CoE?
This is the first question on the form, and it trips people up. A CoE is the document a CRICOS-registered school issues so you can apply for a Student visa (subclass 500).
- You need a CoE if you’re applying for a student visa to study with us.
- You don’t need a CoE if your current visa already lets you study: for example, a working holiday visa (for up to four months of study), a partner visa or permanent residency.
If you’re not sure, choose the option you think fits and add a note. We’ll check before your offer goes out. Our guide to studying English on different Australian visas goes through each visa type.
Step 3: Receive your Letter of Offer
We send your Letter of Offer within 1–2 business days. It sets out:
- your course and level
- your start and finish dates
- your tuition fees and any other costs
- the terms of your enrolment
Read it carefully. Check that your name matches your passport exactly and that the dates are right. If anything’s wrong, reply before you accept. It’s much easier to fix now than after a CoE has been issued.
Step 4: Accept your offer (and get your CoE if you need one)
To accept, you sign the offer and pay the amount it lists.
If you’re applying for a student visa, this step matters most:
- 1Accept the offer and make the payment.
- 2Arrange Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which student visa holders must keep for their whole stay (Study Australia explains the rules).
- 3We issue your CoE.
- 4You lodge your student visa application through ImmiAccount using your CoE.
Don’t book flights until your visa is granted. And if you’re currently in Australia on a visitor visa, check your options first. Home Affairs says holders of certain visas, including visitor visas, can’t apply for a student visa while in Australia.
If you don’t need a CoE, you accept the offer, pay, and you’re done. You’re enrolled.
Boston Institute is CRICOS-registered (provider code 04068C). You can confirm any Australian school’s registration on the government’s CRICOS register. It’s worth checking for any school you’re considering, not just us.
Step 5: Start class on a Monday
New classes start every Monday of the year, so you don’t wait for a term to begin.
On your first day:
- arrive at our campus at Level 1 & 2, 208 Clarence Street, Sydney CBD (two minutes’ walk from Town Hall Station)
- bring your passport
- sit a short placement test so we can put you in the right level
- meet your teacher and get access to our online learning portal
Most students are in their first real class by mid-morning. If the placement test shows a different level from the one on your offer, we move you. Being in the right class matters more than the level printed on a letter.
How long does enrolment take?
| Situation | Typical time from application to first class |
|---|---|
| Already in Australia, no CoE needed | Often under a week |
| Needs a CoE for a new student visa | Depends mostly on visa processing time |
The school side (offer, acceptance, CoE) usually takes days, not weeks. Visa processing is the part you can’t control, so apply early if you need one. Home Affairs publishes current visa processing times.
Mistakes that slow enrolment down
A name that doesn’t match your passport. Even one missing middle name can mean reissuing documents.
Choosing an exam course too early. If your placement test shows you’re not ready, you may be moved to General English anyway.
Booking flights before your visa is granted. Home Affairs specifically advises against it.
Waiting for “the next intake”. There isn’t one to wait for. Every Monday is an intake.
Frequently asked questions
How do I enrol in an English course in Sydney?
Choose your course, apply online, receive your Letter of Offer, accept it (and get a CoE if you need a student visa), then start class. At Boston Institute, applying is free and new classes start every Monday.
Is there an application fee?
No. Applying to Boston Institute is free. Your tuition fees and any other costs are listed in your Letter of Offer.
How long does it take to get an offer?
We send your Letter of Offer within 1–2 business days of receiving your application.
Do I need an IELTS or PTE score to enrol?
Not for most courses. We check your level with a placement test when you start. Some courses, such as EAP and Business English, have minimum entry levels.
When can I start?
New classes start every Monday of the year, so you can choose any Monday that suits you.
Can I enrol if I’m already in Australia?
Yes. If your current visa allows study, you can enrol without a CoE. If you need a student visa, check first whether your current visa allows you to apply from inside Australia.
Ready to start?
Boston Institute is a CRICOS-registered English school (provider code 04068C) in Sydney CBD, with General English, EAP, IELTS, PTE and Business English courses starting every Monday.
Start your application. It’s free and takes about ten minutes. Got questions first? Talk to our team or see all our courses.
