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Language schools in Dublin, Ireland

10 language schools in Dublin, Ireland. Open a profile for programmes, fees and admission details.

Ireland is the only EU country where English is the native language, which makes Dublin a natural choice for students from the rest of Europe and Latin America who want to learn English. English Education Ireland, the association of English language schools, counts 55 member institutions in 15 locations and more than 125,000 students a year.

Dublin has the largest choice of schools in the country, from city-centre schools near St Stephen's Green to a university campus in the north of the city and one-to-one courses in a tutor's home.

What the schools offer

Our directory lists ten English language schools in Dublin. Most run general English in small groups at all levels, exam preparation (IELTS, Cambridge), business English and one-to-one lessons, plus summer programmes for teenagers. Examples:

  • DCU International Academy is part of Dublin City University and teaches on the 85-acre Glasnevin campus, about 5 km from the city centre. Its short general English course has 20 hours a week (9.00 to 13.00), a minimum stay of two weeks and a minimum age of 18; the academy is also an IELTS test centre.
  • International House Dublin, founded in 1998 and in the city centre, offers year-round general English, exam preparation, business English, one-to-one lessons and a course for students over 50. It also runs the Cambridge CELTA teacher-training course and lists ACELS and Eaquals among its accreditations.
  • The Linguaviva Centre, founded in 1977, is on Leeson Street, within walking distance of St Stephen's Green, and offers courses for professionals, general English and teacher training.
  • Emerald Cultural Institute has its adult school at Palmerston Park. Its intensive course has 20 hours of 60-minute group lessons a week, at levels A1 to C1, with a maximum of 14 students per class (9 on average); new students start every Monday.
  • Immersion Languages has run one-to-one courses for more than 30 years. The student lives in the tutor's home and the lessons are planned around their needs.

The list also includes Alpha College of English, The English Academy, Dublin School of English, The Horner School of English and Eden School of English.

Work and study

Many students from outside the EU come on a long course that allows them to work. At Linguaviva, for example, the Work and Study programme is six months of classes and gives an eight-month Stamp 2 permission; students may work 20 hours a week during the course and 40 hours a week from June to September and from 15 December to 15 January. English Education Ireland confirms the general rule: on courses longer than 90 days, non-EU students may work 20 hours a week in term time and 40 in the holidays. Requirements for the Stamp 2 vary by nationality, so ask the school before booking.

Costs and accommodation

Each school publishes its own price list; the price depends on the course, its intensity and its length. Extras add up: DCU International Academy charges a €100 application fee (deducted from the course fee), and an airport transfer with Emerald costs €105 one way or €210 return. With a Student TFI Leap Card, a 90-minute fare on Dublin Bus, Luas and DART in zone 1 costs €1.00, with a cap of €3.00 a day and €12.00 a week.

Most schools arrange homestay or residence places. DCU has host families all year; Linguaviva offers two city-centre residences or a host family; Emerald has year-round residences in Cork Street and at Point Campus, a summer residence at Trinity Hall, and host families.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for an English course in Dublin?

EU citizens do not. Students from visa-required countries apply for a short-stay 'C' visa for a course of up to three months and a long-stay study visa for longer courses. Ireland is not in the Schengen area, so a Schengen visa is not valid there.

Can I work while studying English in Dublin?

On a course of more than 90 days with Stamp 2 permission, non-EU students may work 20 hours a week in term time and 40 hours a week in the holiday periods.

When can I start?

Many schools start general English courses every week; Emerald, for example, starts every Monday. DCU International Academy has fixed start dates, usually once or twice a month.

Can I prepare for IELTS in Dublin?

Yes. Several schools offer IELTS and Cambridge exam preparation, and DCU International Academy is also an IELTS test centre.