Learn English in Dublin

Here are some important things you need to know to make your arrival as smooth as possible. Use our checklist to ensure you don’t forget anything and are prepared for the exciting times ahead. 

(i) Checklist 

Here are a few important items that you should bring with you: 

• Passport. 
• Acceptance letter. 
• Accommodation letter. 
• Proof of health/medical insurance. 
• A bit of cash and credit/debit cards/Apple or Google Pay. 
• Weather-appropriate clothing (depending on the season you come to Dublin). 
• Adaptor for electrical appliances. 
• Prescription medication and medical records. 
• Emergency information 

(ii) Pocket money 

Recommended weekly budget: €250. This should cover expenses, local travel and activities. You will need additional money if you want to take weekend trips. Bring €100 with you in cash and a debit or credit card. You will need to check with your financial institution to make sure you will be able to withdraw money from an Irish ATM. Do not bring foreign currency. It is not wise to carry around large amounts of cash. 

(iii) Clothing 

Most students dress casually for classes, but you should bring nice clothes for going out and sportswear for sports and outdoor activities. The climate is changeable and may be different from your own. The typical temperature is 15-20°C in the summer and 0–10°C in the winter, although it can drop below freezing. Bring waterproof clothing if you’re arriving in the autumn or winter. 

(iv) Electrical current 

Standard voltage in Ireland is 230 volts; remember to bring an adaptor with you or buy one when you arrive. Ireland uses the same sockets as the UK.  

No, as long as confirmation of this appointment is provided, your attendance will not be affected. 

EEA, Swiss, and British nationals do not need a visa. Other international students need to apply for a short stay ‘C’ visit visa.

You must apply online, up to three months in advance. The application link is available here: How to apply for a short stay ‘C’ visit visa.

The application cost is €60 for a single entry and €100 for a multiple entry visa.

In your application, you will need to show that you are financially able to study in Ireland. You can find information on student finances here: Information on student finances.

You will need a ‘Stamp 2’ or ‘Work & Study’ visa. EEA, Swiss, and British nationals do not need a visa.

Students from certain countries can arrive in Ireland visa free (check if your country is on the list here: Visit Ireland travel path). Students from any other country must purchase a single entry short stay ‘C’ visit visa upon arrival in Ireland.

The 'Stamp 2' visa can only be ordered within Ireland. You should apply as soon as you arrive in Dublin. Guidance on ordering it will be provided upon arrival at EP Dublin.

The application cost is €300.

Similar to the short stay visa, you will need to show that you are financially able to study in Ireland. Information is available here: Information on student finances.

You can book your accommodation in 3 simple steps: 

• Step 1: You can indicate your preferred type of accommodation (homestay, shared apartment or residence) on the application form during your application for a course. Our Student Services team will record the preferred choice of accommodation. 
• Step 2: EP will be able to secure the accommodation option once the invoice has been paid. Our team will send you the accommodation confirmation with further details on the selected option. 
• Step 3: You will need to confirm your arrival and send your flight details to our team, as soon as the flight is booked and no later than one week before the flight date. Our team will be able to book and confirm your accommodation and/or transfers and provide more details within the confirmation document.

We help with temporary accommodation together with our trusted partners. If you prefer a fixed rental, you will need to arrange it yourself.

01 Jan, 18 - 21 Apr, 05 May, 26 May, 25 Aug, 22 - 26 Dec.

On your first day at English Path School: 

• Induction starts at 08:45 am. 
• This includes a placement test, speaking test, induction presentations about the school and academic programmes and the distribution of class timetables. 
• A tour of the local area. 
• Classes begin at 10:30 am. 
• On your first day, you are expected to bring your passport and proof of medical insurance. 

Your first day starts with induction, an English level test (speaking and written), and a tour of the school. You’ll meet your teachers and classmates, receive your timetable, and get tips on settling into Dun Laoghaire. Everyone is friendly and ready to help you feel at home.

EP Dublin is a small, welcoming school located in a beautiful Victorian house in Dun Laoghaire. It’s cozy and friendly, with a personal atmosphere where teachers know all students by name. Around the school, you’ll find parks, the beach, and a taste of local Irish culture.

It's like 50 mnutes by public transport or 12km. 

Yes! Dun Laoghaire has several supermarkets, local shops, cafés, and restaurants within walking distance. You’ll have everything you need close by.

You can book a final exam with your course. For Study and Work Programmes, you must choose either TIE (Test of Interactive English) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System).

• TIE is widely accepted in Ireland by universities, language schools, and employers. It is suitable for studying, working, or living in Ireland. Internationally, its recognition depends on the institution or employer.
  
  
• IELTS is globally recognised in over 140 countries, including Ireland, the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is accepted for university admissions, work visas, and immigration purposes.

Come speak to our Student Services department. They will help you improve your CV and guide you on where to look for another job. 

Speak to your teacher first. If you're not satisfied with how the conversation went, speak to the Director of Studies. 

We offer Classic English (15 hours per week) and Semi-Intensive courses (20 hours per week, including elective classes). Students of all levels, from beginner to advanced, are welcome.

No need! The books you’ll use are included in your course fee, so you don’t have to bring anything. The school provides the new books each time you move up a level.

Average Timelines
Beginner → Intermediate (B1): often 6–12 months with steady practice (5–10 hours per week).
Intermediate → Upper-Intermediate/Advanced (B2–C1): usually 1–2 years, since progress slows down as you get better.
Advanced → Near-native (C2): can take several years, depending on immersion and how much you focus on refining grammar, vocabulary, and cultural nuances.
What Affects Speed:

Time you dedicate — daily exposure (listening, speaking, reading, writing) accelerates learning.

Quality of practice — active use of English (conversations, writing essays, feedback) is more effective than passive learning.

Immersion — living in an English-speaking environment (like Dublin) helps you progress faster.

Learning style — mixing formal study (grammar, vocabulary) with informal use (movies, friends, work) keeps it balanced.

Motivation & consistency — short, daily practice is better than long but rare sessions."

Call 112 in case of fire, a medical emergency or if you need the police (in Ireland the police force is the Garda). 

Dun Laoghaire is very safe, clean, and beautiful. It’s a family-friendly, upscale area. Here, you’ll see locals enjoying parks and cafés; something hard to find in the city center. The neighborhood is calm, welcoming, and secure.

You can use the following modes of transport to reach the centre from the airport: 

Dublin Airport

• If you choose to book an airport transfer, your flight details should be sent to us 4 weeks in advance to ensure we will be able to provide you with an airport transfer. 
• A driver will meet you after you come through the customs area and drive you to your accommodation. 

*Students under 18 years old must book homestay breakfast and dinner & return airport transfers. 

Unfortunately not, you can apply for young adult leap card if you are 25years old or younger

Dun Laoghaire is well connected to Dublin city by DART (train) and bus. Many students also enjoy walking along the coast or cycling. We provide tips on transport and getting a Leap Card for easy travel.

Yes! The school is close to bus stops and the DART station (6 min walking), making it easy to travel around Dun Laoghaire and Dublin.

Definitely and you should! Dun Laoghaire is a great base for exploring Ireland. Weekend trips to Wicklow, Howth, Glendalough, or even further to Galway and Cork are popular among students.

Best way to travel is by public transport, but be mindful that at night all services are reduced and if you are out an abput after 1 am, you may need to rely on taxis.

Yes — in general it is fairly easy to travel from Dublin to many other places in Ireland. How easy depends on where exactly you want to go (city / countryside) and whether you want speed vs cost. Here are some of the options and what to expect: By Train: There are InterCity train services from Dublin to most major cities: Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Belfast (Northern Ireland), Sligo, Westport, etc. 
Journeys are generally comfortable, quite scenic in many parts, and train stations are well connected in city centers.
Frequency is pretty good for major routes, though less frequent for smaller towns. By bus/coach: Bus Éireann runs many routes all over the country, connecting towns and cities. It's often cheaper than train and serves rural places more directly. 
TFI Local Link also provides services in more rural / remote areas, though sometimes with less frequent schedules. 
Some “express” or private coach services also run between Dublin and key cities (Galway, Cork etc.), which may be faster or more comfortable.

Yes, you can book airport transfer with English Path.

No, unfortunately the student must have at least 18 years old for this programme. 

If you have a valid Student Visa (stamp1), you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time, and up to 40 hours per week from June to September and from December 15 to January 15

Yes, many Irish banks allow international students to open accounts. You’ll usually need proof of address and your passport/visa. AIB are popular between students. If digital bank is also a option, you can open a account in Revolut (https://revolut.com/referral/?referral-code=annapawobq!AUG1-25-AR-L3&geo-redirect).

Very hard to say, Dublin a the most expensive European capital, so some research is required before arrival.  Here is a breakdown of average costs per month, depending on budget: Bare essentials / student / shared accommodation:
~ €1,800-€2,300/month

Comfortable single person (1-bedroom, decent area, eating out occasionally, some leisure):
~ €2,500-€3,500/month

More comfortable / couple / more central / higher-end:
~ €3,500-€4,500+/month

Dublin has a mild, oceanic climate. Expect cool summers (18–22°C) and mild winters (around 5°C). It can rain any time of year, so always have a light raincoat or umbrella.

Yes! Dun Laoghaire has good mobile coverage and free Wi-Fi at the school. SIM cards are easy to get, and internet is reliable in most accommodations. Companies like Three and Lyca are popular between students. 

Yes! Dun Laoghaire has local sports clubs, gyms, and activities like sailing, cycling, and yoga. Joining is a great way to meet locals and practice English.

You can walk along the pier, visit local beaches, enjoy parks, cafés, and restaurants, or join cultural events and festivals. Dublin city center is just a short train ride away.

Joining classes, participating in school activities, and exploring Dun Laoghaire with other students is the best way to meet people. Many students form long-lasting friendships here.

Definitely! We organize social activities like beach walks, city trips, sports, and cultural events. It’s a great way to practice English and make friends while exploring the local area.

We aim to make our booking and cancellation terms clear, fair and easy to understand. We recommend that you follow this link to our Terms and Conditions before paying your fees. We want you to book with confidence. If you have any questions about fees or cancellations, just contact us — we’re happy to help.

English Path Dublin Education Limited has approval to offer students Learner Protection Insurance which ensures that a learner can complete the programme that they have begun if their programme is no longer offered by their provider for any reason.  

Learner Protection insurance is provided by Arachas and underwritten by Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC. Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC trading as Aviva, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.