What Kaplan International offers and who runs it

Kaplan International is a for-profit English language school chain owned by Kaplan Inc., a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company. The organization operates physical campuses in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries, offering in-person and online English courses for adults and some high school students.

Kaplan's programs range from general English conversation and grammar to exam preparation (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge) and English for specific purposes like business or academic study. Unlike public school ESL programs or community college offerings, Kaplan is a private institution — you pay tuition directly, and there is no government subsidy or income-based cost reduction.

The company also offers pathway programs in partnership with certain universities, meaning you can study English at Kaplan and then transfer credits or move directly into a degree program at a partner institution without retaking placement tests.

Key Takeaways

  • Kaplan International is a private, for-profit English school with physical locations worldwide and online options; tuition is paid directly by the student with no government funding.
  • Program length ranges from two weeks to one year, with costs varying by location, program type, and course intensity — there is no single price across all Kaplan centers.
  • Kaplan offers general English, exam preparation (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge), and business English, plus pathway agreements with some universities that allow direct entry into degree programs.
  • Student visas are required for most international students attending in-person programs in the United States, Canada, the UK, or Australia; Kaplan provides documentation but does not process the visa itself.
  • Refund policies and contract terms vary by location and program type, so the cancellation and money-back rules that explore in one country may not explore in another.

Program types and course structures at Kaplan

Kaplan offers several distinct program tracks. General English courses focus on everyday communication, grammar, and vocabulary across all skill levels from beginner to advanced. These typically run part-time (mornings or afternoons) or full-time (both morning and afternoon sessions), with part-time options suited to people working or studying elsewhere.

Exam preparation programs target specific standardized tests: TOEFL (for university admission in North America), IELTS (used in the UK, Australia, Canada, and some US institutions), and Cambridge English exams (FCE, CAE, CPE). These courses compress test strategy, practice, and skill-building into shorter, more intensive schedules.

Business English and English for Academic Purposes are specialized tracks designed for professionals or students preparing for university-level work. Kaplan also offers semester abroad programs that combine English study with cultural activities, housing, and social events — these are marketed to high school and university students in their home countries.

Program length is flexible: you can enroll for as little as two weeks or commit to a full academic year. Most students choose 4, 8, or 12-week blocks. The longer you stay, the lower the per-week cost typically becomes, though this varies by location and program.

Tuition costs and what affects the price

Kaplan does not publish a single tuition figure because costs differ significantly by location, program type, and intensity. A four-week general English course in the United States costs more than the same course in some other countries. Exam preparation courses often cost more per week than general English because they are more specialized. Full-time programs cost more than part-time programs at the same location.

To get an actual price, you must visit Kaplan's website, select your desired location and program, and enter your dates. The quote will include tuition, but you should also budget for housing (Kaplan offers homestays, shared apartments, and residence halls, each priced separately), materials and books, and living expenses in that city.

Some employers or governments offer scholarships or sponsorships for Kaplan programs, but these are not administered by Kaplan itself — you would need to check with your employer, your home country's education ministry, or organizations like the Fulbright Program or British Council to see if funding is available for private English schools.

Student visas and international enrollment requirements

If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the country where you want to study, you will need a student visa. Kaplan is recognized by immigration authorities in the United States (F-1 visa), Canada (study permit), the United Kingdom (Student visa), and Australia (subclass 500 visa) as a Designated School Provider or equivalent.

Kaplan will issue you a Confirmation of Enrollment or Letter of Acceptance once you have paid your deposit and been admitted to a program. You use this letter to explore for your student visa through your country's embassy or consulate — Kaplan does not process the visa process itself. The visa process, timeline, and requirements vary by country and your nationality.

You are responsible for understanding your visa's conditions: most student visas require you to maintain full-time enrollment, restrict the number of hours you can work, and require you to leave the country when your program ends unless you transition to another visa type (such as a work visa or permanent residency pathway).

Refund policies and contract terms

Kaplan's refund and cancellation policies are set by each individual center and are not uniform across the organization. A center in New York may offer a full refund if you cancel before a certain date, while a center in London may offer only a partial refund or no refund at all depending on how close you are to your start date.

Before you pay any deposit or tuition, you must request and read the specific cancellation and refund policy for the location and program you are considering. This information should be in writing and should state: the important date for a full refund, the important date for a partial refund, what happens if Kaplan cancels a course, and whether you can transfer to a different start date or location instead of receiving money back.

Contract terms also vary. Some programs require you to sign an enrollment agreement that locks you into the full program length; others allow you to pay week-by-week or in blocks. Ask whether you can pause or extend your program if circumstances change, and whether there are penalties for doing so.

Pathway programs and university transfer

Kaplan has formal agreements with universities in the United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia. Under these pathway programs, you complete English study at Kaplan and then move directly into a degree program at a partner university without retaking the TOEFL or IELTS exam (or with a waived requirement).

The universities involved vary by Kaplan location. For example, a Kaplan center in Boston may have pathways to different universities than a center in San Francisco. You should confirm which universities accept Kaplan completion certificates before you enroll, because not every university accepts every Kaplan center's credentials.

Pathway programs typically cost more than standalone English courses because they include additional academic preparation, advising, and the university partnership itself. You will still need to meet the university's other admission requirements (transcripts, essays, financial documentation) and pay the university's tuition separately once you enroll.

Online and hybrid options

Kaplan offers live online classes taught by instructors in real time, as well as hybrid models that combine online lessons with in-person components. Online courses follow the same structure as in-person programs — general English, exam prep, business English — and run on fixed schedules so you attend class at set times rather than working through pre-recorded material at your own pace.

Online tuition is typically lower than in-person tuition because you do not need housing or campus facilities. However, you do not have the same social and cultural immersion that in-person study provides, and you are responsible for your own learning environment (quiet space, reliable internet, appropriate technology).

Some students use online Kaplan courses to prepare before arriving for an in-person program, or to continue after they leave a physical campus. Kaplan allows this kind of sequencing, though you would pay for each component separately.

How Kaplan compares to other private English schools

Kaplan is one of several large, multinational for-profit English language chains. EF English Live, Wall Street English, and International House operate similarly — they are private, charge tuition directly, and offer programs in multiple countries. Smaller independent English schools exist in most cities and often charge less per week but may not offer the same breadth of locations or pathway university agreements.

Community colleges and public school adult ESL programs are free or very low-cost but typically do not offer exam preparation, business English, or semester-abroad experiences. Universities sometimes offer intensive English programs for international students, which may be cheaper than Kaplan but are usually only open to students who have already been admitted to the university.

The choice between Kaplan and alternatives depends on your budget, your timeline, whether you need a specific exam preparation course, and whether you want the option to transfer to a university through a pathway agreement. Kaplan's main advantages are its global presence, recognized credentials, and university partnerships; its main disadvantage is cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to take a placement test before starting at Kaplan?

Yes. Kaplan administers an online or in-person placement test to determine your English level and assign you to the correct class. This happens after you have been admitted and paid your deposit. The test is usually free and takes 30 to 60 minutes.

Can I work while studying at Kaplan on a student visa?

This depends on your visa type and the country. Student visas in the United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia typically allow limited part-time work (often 10 to 20 hours per week during school terms). You must check the specific conditions of your visa and follow them; working beyond the permitted hours can result in visa cancellation and deportation. Kaplan does not arrange work or may provide employment.

What happens if I need to leave before my program ends?

You must contact your Kaplan center and review your enrollment agreement and refund policy. Some centers allow you to pause and resume later; others may refund a portion of tuition depending on how much of the program remains. Early withdrawal may also affect your student visa status if you are an international student, so notify your center and your immigration authority.

Are Kaplan certificates recognized by employers or universities?

Kaplan certificates are recognized by the universities that have pathway agreements with Kaplan, and by many employers who value English language training. However, there is no single global standard — some employers or institutions may not recognize a Kaplan certificate. If you need the certificate for a specific purpose (university admission, job requirement), confirm in advance that Kaplan's credential will be accepted.

Can I transfer between Kaplan locations if I need to move?

Kaplan allows transfers between locations in many cases, but policies vary. Some centers charge a transfer fee; others waive it. You must request a transfer in writing and confirm that your new location has space in your program type and level. International students should also check whether a location change affects their student visa.