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.  

Arriving at the airport in a foreign country can be overwhelming. To better prepare yourself, make sure that you have read the information below about your arrival and how to get to your accommodation. If you get lost or confused upon arrival, don’t be afraid to ask the airport staff for help as they will be happy to give assistance. 

(i) If you have booked a transfer with us, in case of a service emergency, use the following details to contact us: 

If you have any flight changes, miss a connecting flight or need help meeting the transfer service, you should call the emergency number. Please be prepared to tell them your name, school name (English Path) and location. Students should only accept a transfer from a greeter with the official English Path signage. 

• Transfer service emergency number: +353 1 531 0255 

(ii) Be aware of the general living costs (sample prices for items in this city) 

• Bottle of water: €2 
• Coffee: €4 
• Can of coke: €1 
• Meal out for two: €60 
• Takeaway pizza: €15 
• Sandwich: €6 
• Local bus ticket: €2 
• Cinema ticket: €16 

(iii) Understand the local customs 

• Women in Ireland are equal to men and should always be treated fairly. 
• Irish people talk to strangers in public areas. This is a great way to practice English, but caution should be taken. You should not give out your address and telephone number or accept inappropriate invitations. 
• “Please” and “thank you” are very important words! Always use them if you ask someone to do something for you or if they help you or give you information. 
• Ireland is a culturally diverse nation where people of all ethnic backgrounds are treated equally. 

(iv) Health and safety come first 

• Medical insurance: All students must have medical insurance for the duration of their stay in Ireland. They can either book medical insurance offered by English Path or they can choose their own. It must be booked with an Irish insurance company. 
• If you get sick: If you get sick while in Ireland, you should visit a doctor. You can ask the Student Services team or your host family where the nearest doctor is. If you have a minor illness, you can ask staff at a local pharmacist for advice. Remember to bring any relevant insurance or medical documentation with you. 
• Protecting your belongings: We strongly recommend you take out insurance for your personal belongings, especially cameras, music players, mobile phones and laptops. Personal items cannot be covered by English Path homestay or residence insurance. 
• Prescription medication: Remember to bring enough of your prescribed medication with you as Dublin pharmacists will not dispense a foreign prescription. International customs agents may ask you questions about your medication upon your departure or arrival, so be sure to pack it carefully. Bring any important medical records (blood type, prescriptions, x-rays) that might be useful for medical care abroad, as well as contact information for your health care providers at home. 
• Staying safe at school: If you or another student have an accident or needs urgent medical attention, please come to reception, where the First Aider is located. 
• Fire safety: If you discover a fire, press the fire alarm button on the nearest alarm. Leave the building immediately via the fire exit. Make sure you tell a member of EP staff exactly what happened so they can call 112. If you hear the fire alarm, leave the building immediately. Do not run or stop to collect your belongings. EP staff will guide you to the fire exit. Go to the assembly point. Follow any instructions given by a member of EP staff and do not go back into the building until you are told to do so by EP staff.  
• Personal safety and looking after valuables: Dublin is generally a safe place, but, as with a lot of big cities, you should always be alert. Some tips are: Be alert when you are walking alone at night. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Do not leave your belongings unattended. In Ireland, you do not need to always carry your identification card or passport with you. You can keep it at home and carry a picture of your ID on your phone or a photocopy in your bag. 

(v) Medical costs  

Medical costs are at the discretion of your local doctor or hospital. Minimum medical costs are as follows: 

• Consultation with a doctor: €40-70 
• Prescriptions at a chemist: €15 per item 
• Dental treatment: €150 
• Eye test or new glasses: €60-100 

(vi) Laws 

• No one under the age of 18 in Ireland may buy or consume tobacco or alcohol, including beer and wine. It is against the law to buy tobacco or alcohol for someone you know who is under the age of 18. 
• Driving under the influence of alcohol is a very serious crime and police make regular random checks. 
• You will need international ID to enter bars, clubs or pubs (e.g. Passport, ID card, driving license). 
• Buying, selling and using drugs is illegal. 

(vii) Student code of conduct 

• You must attend all classes. If you do not attend your classes, your representative will be informed. If you do not then improve your attendance, you may not be able to continue your course. 85% attendance is needed to be able to receive a certificate of completion. 
• Be on time for all your lessons. 
• Always tell English Path if you are going to be absent from school for any reason and tell your host family if you are going away overnight. 
• If you commit a criminal offence or have to be severely disciplined, you will be sent home. We will also inform the immigration authorities. 
• Be respectful, polite and open to different cultures. 

For further details you can check our student handbook:
https://www.englishpath.com/partner-zone/ep-dublin-student-handbook/

If you have any enquiries, please feel free to reach out to our Dublin team by sending an email to info@englishpath.com.

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

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

01 Jan, 03 Feb, 17 Mar, 21 Apr, 05 May, 02 Jun, 04 Aug, 27 Oct, 22 - 26 Dec.

You can access this information in our student handbooks: 
https://www.englishpath.com/ep-dublin-student-handbook/

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.

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

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. 

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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. 

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.

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

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).

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.

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.

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

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.

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."