Bildungsurlaub: Study English with BSC Education
Use your statutory educational leave to study English intensively at one of our schools in London, Brighton, Manchester, York, Edinburgh or Malta. BSC Education is a recognised Bildungsurlaub provider — we offer intensive 30-lesson English courses and handle all the documentation your employer needs.
What is Bildungsurlaub?
Bildungsurlaub — or educational leave — is a legal entitlement that allows employees in most German federal states to take paid time off work for recognised further education and professional development. You are entitled to up to five working days per year, on top of your normal holiday allowance.
Language learning counts as recognised professional development under the Bildungsurlaub scheme. An intensive English course in the UK qualifies because it directly improves your communication skills, your confidence in international environments, and your long-term career prospects.
With your Bildungsurlaub you can:
- Improve your professional English for meetings, emails, and presentations
- Study full-time in an immersive English-speaking environment
- Learn alongside students from over 50 nationalities at a British Council accredited school
- Strengthen your CV and open new opportunities in your career
- Experience one of the UK’s most exciting cities while you study
BSC Education will provide all the official confirmation documents your employer or local authority requires.
How much Bildungsurlaub am I entitled to?
- Full-time employees: 5 working days per year
- Part-time employees: proportional entitlement
- You can combine two consecutive years and take a 10-day course (e.g. 2025 + 2026 allowances combined)
- Bildungsurlaub is completely separate from your annual holiday entitlement
- If you fall ill during your Bildungsurlaub, those days are credited back to you as sick leave
Am I eligible?
Educational leave is a legal right for employees in most German federal states. You can apply if you:
- Have worked for your current employer for at least six months
- Submit your application in writing at least six weeks before your course start date
- Are attending a recognised Bildungsurlaub provider — such as BSC Education
Your employer can only refuse in limited circumstances, such as in very small companies or where there are genuine operational conflicts.
How do I apply?
- Choose your course: select a 5-day or 10-day intensive English course at your preferred BSC location and check the state approval table to confirm your location is approved for your federal state
- Get in touch with BSC: contact our team to confirm availability and receive your official course documentation
- Apply to your employer: submit your Bildungsurlaub request in writing at least six weeks before your start date
- Await confirmation: your employer has two weeks to respond — they can only refuse in limited situations
- Arrive and study: come to your chosen BSC school and begin your intensive English programme
We will support you throughout the process and provide every document your employer or local authority requires.
Your Bildungsurlaub English Course at BSC
Intensive English Language Training — 30 Hours Per Week
The BSC Bildungsurlaub programme is built around our intensive General English course — 30 hours of structured English lessons per week. New groups start every Monday, so you can choose a start date that fits your schedule. The course is suitable for all levels from beginner to advanced (A1–C1), and is open to students aged 16 and over.
Every aspect of the course is designed to develop practical English you can use immediately — improving your fluency, accuracy, confidence, and range across all four skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Course Highlights
By the end of your course you will communicate more fluently and confidently in English across professional and everyday situations.
Lessons per week30 hours per week
Start datesEvery Monday
LevelsA1–C1 (Beginner to Advanced)
Minimum age16+
Lunchtime sessionsSpeaking & Listening focused on global topics (UN Sustainable Development Goals)
Afternoon electivesLanguage Masterclass or Immerse & Explore (2 afternoons each)
Additional studyGuided home study, 45 minutes per day (Monday–Thursday)
Cultural programmeTeacher-led activity programme included throughout the week
End of weekGraduation ceremony every Friday
CertificateCertificate of completion provided
What your week looks like
Morning (09:10–13:00): General English or IELTS Preparation with Skills for Success — three lessons of structured language input, plus a dedicated Speaking & Listening session built around real-world global topics (UN Sustainable Development Goals)
Afternoon (13:45–16:05): Your choice of afternoon elective — Language Masterclass or Immerse & Explore — plus an optional teacher-led cultural activity programme
Evening: Guided home study (45 minutes of additional study, Monday to Thursday)
Friday afternoon: Teacher-led cultural activity programme and graduation ceremony
Afternoon electives
Language Masterclass (2 afternoons per week)
A deeper dive into language analysis — perfect for improving accuracy and range in your written and spoken production. You will leave with a clearer understanding of how English works and how to use it more precisely.
Immerse & Explore (2 afternoons per week)
Take your learning out into the city. Immersive, teacher-guided lessons with real-world language tasks — so you practise English in authentic, everyday situations outside the classroom.
Why study your Bildungsurlaub with BSC Education?
- Five UK city locations — more choice than any other Bildungsurlaub provider in England: London, Brighton, Manchester, York and Edinburgh
- Approved for all major German federal states — check the table below for your state and location
- British Council accredited — a recognised mark of quality for English language education in the UK
- Highly qualified, experienced English language teachers
- International learning environment — study with students from over 50 nationalities
- Bespoke coursebooks developed in partnership with National Geographic Learning
- Immersive English-speaking environment — you use English all day, every day
- All official Bildungsurlaub documentation provided — we support your application from start to finish
- Cultural and social programme — explore your chosen city outside the classroom
- Accommodation arranged on request at all locations
Choose your city
BSC Education offers Bildungsurlaub English courses at six locations across England, Scotland and Malta. Approval varies by German federal state and location — use the table below or the notes on each location card to confirm your eligibility before booking.
BSC London
Approved for: All German federal states
Study in the heart of one of the world’s great capitals. BSC London offers the full range of Bildungsurlaub courses in a cosmopolitan, international environment — and is the only BSC location approved for every German federal state including Baden-Württemberg and Saarland.
BSC Brighton
Approved for: All states except Baden-Württemberg, Saarland, Schleswig-Holstein
A vibrant, creative seaside city — one of the UK’s most welcoming and international destinations. Just 50 minutes from London by train. Ideal for students who want a lively city with a relaxed feel and easy access to the coast.
BSC Manchester
Approved for: All states except Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Schleswig-Holstein
An exciting, energetic northern city with a world-famous music, arts, and football scene. Well connected by rail across the UK. A great choice for students who want a genuine, non-touristy English city experience.
BSC York
Approved for: All states except Baden-Württemberg, Saarland, Schleswig-Holstein
One of England’s most beautiful historic cities, with medieval streets, a famous Minster, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. A quieter alternative to London or Manchester, ideal for students who want to focus on their studies in a stunning setting.
BSC Malta
Approved for: All states except Baden-Württemberg, Saarland, Schleswig-Holstein
Study English in the only Mediterranean country where English is an official language. BSC Malta is based in Sliema — a vibrant seaside town with beaches, restaurants, and historic sites on the doorstep. Malta is a popular choice for students who want to combine intensive English study with a warm-weather cultural experience.
BSC Edinburgh
Edinburgh Approved for: All states except Saarland
Scotland’s extraordinary capital — a city of castles, festivals, and remarkable culture. Edinburgh is approved for almost all German federal states and is one of the most popular BSC locations for Bildungsurlaub students. A truly unforgettable place to study.
State Approval Table
Use the table below to confirm your eligibility before booking.
| Federal State | London | Brighton | Manchester | York | Malta | Edinburgh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alle Bundesländer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Baden-Württemberg | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Berlin | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brandenburg | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bremen | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hamburg | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hessen | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Niedersachsen | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rheinland-Pfalz | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Saarland | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Sachsen-Anhalt | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Schleswig-Holstein | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Ready to apply for your Bildungsurlaub?
Contact us using the form below to book or learn more about our courses and locations.
