# Long-stay English: how to plan progress and breaks

> Making the most of an eight-week or longer programme, including how the holiday entitlement actually works.

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Making the most of an eight-week or longer programme, including how the holiday entitlement actually works.

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**Reviewed by:** IH Malta Admissions Team · **Facts checked:** 28 July 2026 · 2 min read

Long-stay study is where measurable level change becomes realistic. It also introduces a problem short courses never have: sustaining concentration over months rather than days. Planning for that from the start is the difference between a good long stay and a tired one.

## What counts as long-stay

Eight weeks or more, normally on General English 20 or Intensive English 30. Longer bookings carry lower weekly rates, which is why the guide prices below are quoted per block rather than per week.

| Course | 8 weeks | 12 weeks | 16 weeks | 24 weeks |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General English 20 | €1,360 | €2,040 | €2,600 | €3,720 |
| Intensive English 30 | €1,920 | €2,880 | €3,560 | €4,920 |

These are course-only guide prices and exclude accommodation, transfers and the administration fee.

## How the holiday entitlement works

You receive two weeks of holiday for every twelve weeks booked. The rules matter, because they affect how you plan:

-   Request holiday at least two weeks in advance.
-   Take it in whole Monday-to-Friday weeks.
-   Take a maximum of two weeks at any one time.
-   Holiday cannot be placed at the end of your course.

That last rule catches people out. Holiday is a break in the middle of study, not an early finish, so plan it around a visitor coming to see you or a point where you know you will need to reset.

## Use progress testing as your steering

Progress tests run every four weeks. On a long stay that gives you several checkpoints, and they are most useful if you treat them as a chance to change priorities rather than a score. If speaking has moved but writing has not, say so — the course can be adjusted around it.

## The exam-preparation upgrade

Students booked on Intensive English 30 for a long stay may be able to replace the ten specialised group lessons with ten group exam-preparation lessons at no extra charge, subject to level and availability. If an IELTS or Cambridge certificate is a goal, this is the most cost-effective route to it.

## If you need a visa

Visa Essentials packages combine a 24- or 36-week General English 20 or Intensive English 30 course with the first two weeks at Belview Residence, course materials, placement, Welcome Pack, Student Card, certificate and report, the administration fee and the arrival airport transfer.

| Course | 24 weeks | 36 weeks |
| --- | --- | --- |
| General English 20 | €4,020 | €5,700 |
| Intensive English 30 | €4,980 | €6,900 |

A 20% deposit is due within seven days, with the balance paid after the visa is granted and before arrival. One pre-arrival start-date change is included, subject to availability.

ⓘ · Prices are current 2026 figures from the IH Malta pricing register and are confirmed when you request a quotation. Visa decisions are made by the authorities, not by the school.

## Related pages

### Long-stay English

Full details, prices and Visa Essentials.

[Learn more](https://www.ihmalta.com/long-stay-english.html)

### Course & stay calculator

Estimate a longer stay with accommodation.

[Learn more](https://www.ihmalta.com/calculator.html)

### Plan your stay

Booking steps and visa planning.

[Learn more](https://www.ihmalta.com/plan-your-stay.html)

### Ready to plan your English course?

Tell us your goals and dates and we will recommend the right course.

[Get a quote](https://www.ihmalta.com/get-a-quote.html) · [Find your course](https://www.ihmalta.com/find-your-course.html)