“Whilst most of the GSM London courses already offered are related to business, management or law studies, as well as specialist areas such as oil and gas management, we also recognise the need to support our international students with English language provision,” said a spokesperson for GSM.

80% of the cohort are expected not be continuing on to other GSM courses

GSM English will market to “stand alone” students as well as those using the school as a feeder route on to other programmes provided by GSM (formerly known as Greenwich School of Management).

The school will accept students from July and allow stays of between two weeks and 11 months on student visitor visas (or ESVVs). Students can study general English or IELTS preparation.

GSM, which has Highly Trusted Sponsor status, said that some students could be eligible to study on Tier 4 visas (for at least a year) before continuing their studies at GSM London on a degree course.

Emma Buckby, Regional Director at GSM, said she would be marketing the school via a global network of agencies and expecting 80% of the cohort to not be continuing on to other GSM courses. “GSM London already has a great name for supporting its students at the school and now it has the opportunity to extend this to students who want to improve their English or prepare themselves effectively for academic study in the UK or elsewhere,” she said. “It’s really exciting.”

GSM, owned by Sovereign Capital, this year celebrates 40 years in business and says it has welcomed more than 20,000 students to its Greenwich and Greenford campuses so far. Facilities at the new school include free wifi, a canteen and learning resource centre.