Lila College

What Lila College does

LILA College (trading as LILA*) is a private, for-profit educational institution headquartered in central Liverpool, UK, founded in 2004 by sisters Leanne Linacre and Victoria Bligh. It serves international students aged 12-76 across more than 100 nationalities, operating an English language school with 14 Liverpool-themed classrooms alongside A Level and University Foundation Programme (UFP) academic pathways delivered in partnership with David Game College since 2022. Product offerings span General English, IELTS and Cambridge exam preparation, One-to-One tuition, A Levels across 11 subjects, UFP pathways in Science & Pharmacy, Law & Humanities, and Business & Finance, a Teacher Training line (CELTA, TKT), BTEC, Junior Programmes for ages 12-17, the Steven Gerrard Academy football-plus-academics programme, and a Cambridge Examination Centre and OET testing centre. Supporting services include homestay and residence accommodation, airport transfers, and a social programme with daily activities and weekend excursions.

The underlying technology stack is conventional educational infrastructure — interactive whiteboards, smart TVs, IT facilities and free WiFi across the premises — augmented by an in-house Progression Platform of skills-based workshops on leadership, public speaking and emotional intelligence. No proprietary AI, adaptive learning or data flywheel is evident; differentiation rests on small class sizes (max 15 in English, max 6 in A Level), CELTA Level 5+ qualified teaching staff, and personalised UCAS support led by a former university admissions tutor.

The business model combines tuition fees (weekly subscriptions priced at £100-£350/week with multi-week discounts), accommodation services, exam entry fees, and transactional social programme charges. Go-to-market runs through direct-to-consumer website applications (Google Forms) supplemented by a global network of education agents and tour operators on commission, plus partnerships with local Liverpool high schools for placement programmes. LILA generates revenue across short-term language tourism (weeks), mid-length exam preparation, and 1-2 year academic pathways, with 99% of A Level/UFP students progressing to university and 70% securing Russell Group places. The school holds UKVI Student Sponsor Licence, ISI 'Exceeds Expectations' (2023 and 2025), British Council accreditation, and Quality English accreditation as Liverpool's only such school, and in 2025 joined the UKLC Education Group strategic alliance.

Name

Lila College

Legal name

LILA* College

Website

https://lilalovetolearn.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LILA College is a Liverpool-based private international school delivering English language courses, A Levels, University Foundation Programmes, teacher training and exam centre services to students aged 12-76 from over 100 nationalities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Language and University Preparation School

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Teacher Training & Language Teaching Certifications (e.g., CELTA/DELTA) (EDAIAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA), Overseas Summer School Programs (Secondary) (EDAIAHAC), International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG), Summer Programs, Research & Extracurricular Planning for Admissions (EDANAEAL)

Keywords

• English language training
• International student education
• University preparation programmes
• A level qualifications
• Language immersion courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Liverpool

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Core revenue from tuition fees for English language courses, A Levels, University Foundation Programmes, and other academic programmes. Pricing varies by course intensity and duration with tiered discounts for longer enrolments.
2. Accommodation Services: Revenue from homestay accommodation placements, residence halls (en-suite and private apartments), and airport transfer services. Host families receive compensation for hosting students.
3. Exam Entry Fees: Revenue from Cambridge examination centre services, IELTS testing, and OET examinations. Students can take Cambridge exams as part of their preparation courses.
4. Social Programme Activities: Revenue from optional social activities including walking tours (£8), museum visits (£8), rock climbing (£15), mini golf (£10), bowling (£15), and weekend excursions (Lake District £69, Alton Towers £70, Edinburgh £150).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LILA College is a Liverpool-based private educational institution that delivers English language courses (General English, IELTS, Cambridge FCE/CAE), A Level qualifications across 11 subjects, and University Foundation Programmes with Science & Pharmacy, Law & Humanities, and Business & Finance pathways to international students. The college supplements tuition with homestay and residence accommodation, a Cambridge and OET exam centre, a social and excursions programme, junior group courses, teacher training (CELTA, TKT), and BTEC qualifications.

Product overview

LILA College is an educational institution offering a focused range of programs including English Language Courses (General English, IELTS, Cambridge FCE/CAE, One-to-One, and specialized tracks), A Level Courses across 11 subjects (Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sociology, Psychology, Business Studies, History, Geography, English Literature, Economics), University Foundation Programme with Science & Pharmacy, Law & Humanities, and Business & Finance pathways, Steven Gerrard Academy for elite football training, Teacher Training (CELTA, TKT), Junior Programmes, BTEC, and Exam Centre services. The institution provides supplementary services including Homestay Accommodation, Social Programme with activities and excursions, and the Progression Platform for skills development. Programs are designed for international students seeking English language proficiency, UK university preparation, or academic qualifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Steven Gerrard Academy: A unique opportunity to combine A Level study with elite-level football training programme, exclusive to LILA* College Liverpool.
• University Foundation Programme (UFP)

Products and services

• English Language Courses Comprehensive English language programmes from beginner to advanced (CEFR A1-C1) covering General English, IELTS Exam Preparation, Cambridge FCE & CAE Exam Preparation, and One-to-One tuition for adult and young adult international learners.
• A Level Courses Two-year and 18-month A Level programmes in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sociology, Psychology, Business Studies, History, Geography, English Literature, and Economics, with a personal tutor assigned to every student and dedicated UCAS support.
• University Foundation Programme (UFP) One-year foundation course preparing international students for UK university entry, with pathways in Science & Pharmacy, Law & Humanities, and Business & Finance, recognised by 90+ UK universities.
• Steven Gerrard Academy Combined A Level academic study and elite football training programme exclusive to LILA* College Liverpool, delivered in partnership with Steven Gerrard Academy using UEFA-licensed coaches with experience at top academies including Liverpool Football Club.
• Teacher Training Professional development programmes including Cambridge CELTA certification, Teaching Methodology, and Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) preparation for aspiring and practising English language teachers.
• Junior Programmes Group-based English language programmes for students aged 12-17, available during summer or out of season, including the Short High School Placement Programme with 1 week LILA orientation and 12 weeks at a local partner school.
• BTEC BTEC vocational qualifications offered within the academic portfolio as an alternative pathway to A Levels for international students.
• Exam Centre (Cambridge and OET) Cambridge Authorised Exam Centre and Occupational English Test (OET) centre providing official exam administration and preparation for FCE, CAE, and OET candidates.
• Homestay and Residence Accommodation Quality host family accommodation within 45 minutes of Liverpool city centre, plus residence halls with en-suite bathrooms and private apartments, with airport transfer services.
• Bespoke Packages Customised educational packages tailored to individual or group requirements, combining tuition, accommodation, and activities for agents and group leaders.

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UKLC Education GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025In 2025, LILA formed a strategic alliance with UKLC Education Group, a collective of trusted educational organisations united by shared values, commitment to quality, and focus on putting students and partners at the heart of everything. The group brings energy, care, and excellence to every student journey and delivers transformative learning experiences.
• David Game CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022In 2022, LILA College partnered with David Game College to offer best-in-class education with the same nurturing, sociable approach. Students can study A Levels or University Foundation Programmes in bright, modern facilities taught by experts, headed up by a former Dean of Law Schools and University Admissions Tutor. This partnership brings together David Game College's record of exceptional performance with LILA's expertise in international education.
• Steven Gerrard AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022The collaboration between David Game College Liverpool and Steven Gerrard Academy gives academically capable footballers the opportunity to combine A Level study with elite-level football training. Excellent training facilities include grass and 3G pitches with world-class coaching led by UEFA-licensed coaches with experience at top academies including Liverpool Football Club. Over 1,000 students have graduated from Steven Gerrard Academy programmes.
• High Schools and Colleges (Liverpool)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLILA College works with carefully selected high schools and colleges in Liverpool to provide placement programmes for international students. The Short High School Placement Programme includes 12-week placement at local schools with full-board homestay accommodation and guardianship.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Oxford International Education Group: Operates English language schools and academic pathways across the UK and Ireland, including foundation programmes and summer junior programmes targeting the same international student segments as LILA.
• International House London: Well-established UK-based English language school offering General English, IELTS, and Cambridge exam preparation to international students, with similar accredited status and academic pathway positioning to LILA.
• British Study Centres: Multi-location UK English language school operator serving international students with General English, exam preparation and academic pathways, directly comparable to LILA's core proposition.
• David Game College: London-based independent college delivering A Levels and University Foundation Programmes with exceptional academic results; LILA's strategic partner since 2022 and directly comparable in academic pathway delivery.
• Bell English: UK-based English language and academic school group offering General English, exam preparation, and academic year programmes for international students at similar scale and curriculum breadth.
• Eurocentres: European-based English language school with UK delivery focused on adult international learners preparing for university entry, with similar course architecture (General English, exam prep, foundation pathways).
• EC English: International English language school operator with UK locations offering General English, IELTS/Cambridge exam prep and academic pathways to international students, overlapping directly with LILA's core offerings.
• Frances King: London-based English language school offering General English, IELTS/Cambridge exam preparation and university foundation pathways for international students, comparable in course mix and target audience.

Broad incumbents

• EF Education First: Global education giant offering English language programmes and academic year pathways across multiple UK and international locations, competing for the same international student segment as LILA at vastly greater scale.
• Kaplan International Languages: Large global operator of English language schools including multiple UK locations, offering comparable General English, IELTS and academic pathway programmes at greater scale and broader geographic reach than LILA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lila.liverpool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lila-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lila College